Inner Beauty

Author Essay

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body’s balance depends on consuming the right amounts of various types of foods. For example, too much salt can cause a Kidney imbalance, leading to high blood pressure, water retention and headaches. Too many sweets can cause Dampness in the Spleen, leading to poor digestion, irregular bowel movements and swelling. TCM also uses food as medicine, particularly medicinal herbs, which help to balance the organ systems, and food herbs, which help to strengthen and support the body, as well as prevent disease.
 
TCM’s use of customized blends of herbs suited to each patient’s particular makeup and situation contrasts with the Western medical practice of designing drugs for conditions and then giving them to everyone who displays that condition. The diet recommended by a TCM practitioner will vary according to the weather and the patient’s internal and external condition. Above all, TCM preaches moderation and balance in diet, based on each person’s basic constitution, current health and climatic factors.
 
Foods are also classified by flavours and affinities for specific Organs. For example, sour foods (vinegar, lemons) are associated with the Liver; salty foods (celery, seaweed) with the Kidneys; bitter foods (dark green leafy vegetables, bitter melon) with the Heart; and pungent foods (tofu, garlic) with the Lung. Foods are also categorized by temperature as it relates to their energetic qualities: Hot and Warm foods include pumpkin, ginger, onions and chicken, for example, while Neutral, Cool or Cold foods include barley, lettuce, tomato and duck among others. I will discuss diet more fully in Chapter Six, which is on nutrition and lifestyle.