TCM IV - The energetics of food

Question 1

The energetics of food:

Answer 1

• Diet is one of the five pillars of Chinese medicine, alongside acupuncture, herbs, qigong and tuina
• Diet can be used to treat most patients, either as an adjunct or a modality on its own
• As of 6th Century physician Sun Simiao suggested, only when diet fails, should other modalities be consulted
• The wrong diet can sabotage your treatment, or greatly support it
• Regards food as medicine – learn to design meals for your patients

Question 2

Principle approaches to diet

Answer 2

• There are five principal approaches to diet:
  1. Digestion first (Earth School)
  2. Longevity first (‘Kidney’ School)
  3. Cleansing first (‘Liver’ School)
  4. Immunity first (‘Lung’ School)
  5. Happiness first (‘Heart’ School)

Question 3

Digestion first (Earth School)

Answer 3

• This approach emphasizes the importance of the digestive system as the origin of Qi and Blood

Question 4

Longevity first (‘Kidney’ School)

Answer 4

• This approach emphasizes the importance of nourishing and replenishing the Essence

Question 5

Cleansing first (‘Liver’ School)

Answer 5

• This approach seeks to support the organs of detoxification and elimination

Question 6

Immunity first (‘Lung’ School)

Answer 6

• This approach mainly supports the body’s ability to fight the EPS Wind, Cold, Heat or Damp

Question 7

Happiness further (‘Heart’ School)

Answer 7

• This approach emphasizes the importance of caring for the Spirit as the key to well-being

Question 8

Energetic Aspects

Answer 8

We will be discussing the following aspects today:
* The energetic temperature of food
* The energetic vector or directionality of food
* Organ affinity
* Moistening as opposed to dehydrating foods
* Foods that build resources, as opposed to clear excess
* The impact of cooking methods
* The importance of combining ingredients
* Personal energetics

Question 9

Food temperature and directionality

Answer 9

The energetics of food are not determined by breaking food down into parts, but by observing its effects on the body:
* The temperature of food is determined whether it warms us up or cools us down after we have eaten
* For example, red meats, chilli or cayenne are energetically hot, whilst berries are cooling. Steamed grains are boiled vegetables are energetically neutral.
* Directionality refers to the energetic factor of food that may be ascending, descending, centring, consolidating or spreading out to the exterior. For example, the effect of ginger is spreading out to the exterior and thus help clear mucus from the lungs

Question 10

Organ affinity

Answer 10

• Each food has an affinity with one or more organs – by virtue of its flavour, colour or doctrine of signature
• For example, kidney beans have an affinity with the kidneys. This is not only due to their shape; just as the kidneys (adrenals) store the Essence and support one’s life, beans and seeds contain the essence of the plant.
• Fruits grow in the canopy of trees and have an affinity with the lungs, whose shape resembles the crown of trees

Question 11

Moistening foods

Answer 11

Moistening foods

Question 12

Building resources

Answer 12

• Some foods primarily help build resources (E.g. Blood, Fluids, Yin, Qi,Yang)
• Other foods primarily help clear excesses (e.g. Damp, Heat, Qi or Blood stasis) blood

Question 13

Cooking methods

Answer 13

• Each Yin organ (Spleen, lungs, liver, Kidneys, heart) can be targeted by the appropriate cooking method.
• Four example, steamed up boiled grains or vegetables are warm, wet and easy to digest, and have therefore an affinity with the spleen
• Soups, stews or porridges are therefore a good choice to support someone whose digestion is weak, or who is recovering from illness

Question 14

Combining ingredients

Answer 14

• Combining ingredients in an appropriate way can support the desired effect of the principal food or balance it is undesired side-effects
• For example, meats and animal fats can be deeply nourishing but are rather heavy to digest. Adding dill, rosemary, lemon, dandelion greens, radishes, and fermented food (e.g. pickled vegetables) will stimulate bile flow and increase fat digestion

Question 15

Personal energetics

Answer 15

• Therapeutic effects can’t be fully explained by the intrinsic qualities of food
• It is equally important to consider the personal energetics of the patient.
• Healthy foods may fail to nourish if patient has an aversion towards them
• Less healthy foods can inspire hope and the possibility of healing if the patient delights in them
• Foods can be a source of pleasure. Cooking can be an expression of love