Many foods have healing properties in traditional Chinese Medicine; apples are used for indigestion.
Food cures are one four treatment modalities in traditional Chinese Medicine. Based on the philosophical principles of Taoism, Chinese food cures suggest that in addition to exercise, diet can correct deficiencies and imbalances within the body. According to the "Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine," "Diet and good digestion are considered the most important ways to maintain physical strength and vitality." Taking into account a variety of factors, food cures use diet as preventative medicine.
Five Elements
5 natural elements represent each organ of the body.
In traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ of the body is represented by an element; earth, fire, wood, water, and metal, and are linked by a system of pathways called meridians. Organs and meridians are directly affected by foods. Foods also affect the flow vital energy, known as chi. Chinese food cures allow the body to replenish chi through nutrition in connection with the five elements and the meridian system.
Yin and Yang and the Seasons
As the weather cools down, we enter a yin season, and yang, or hot foods are recommended.
Chinese food cures aim to balance yin and yang and replenish deficiencies associated with each season. Yin represents winter and foods with cooling and moistening properties, while yang represents summer and foods with warming and drying properties. Yin foods are recommended in the summer, and yang foods are recommended in the winter. Symptoms are also believed to follow a pattern of yin and yang. Physicians recommend foods that counterbalance the symptom and the season; both are taken into account before dietary advice is given.
Tonic and Regulatory Foods
Tofu, a reuglatory food, is recommended for irregular menstruation.
Tonic foods are foods that correct problems related to the immune system. A cold or flu is an example of a breakdown in immune function, and tonic foods are recommended. Problems associated with internal organs like kidney and liver problems are treated with regulatory foods, which balance the internal condition of the body.
Common Conditions and Recommendations
Coconut meat is recommended to treat constipation.
Chinese food cures use a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and herbs to treat everything from common ailments to more serious problems. Licorice is used for fever and sore throat. Potatoes are good for low energy and burns. Constipation is treated with coconut meat. Spinach is recommended for headaches, while apples are good for indigestion and low blood sugar. Ginseng is recommended for diabetes. Cooked ginkgo is used for asthma and coughs. Itching genitals call for vinegar, while irregular menstruation calls for tofu.
Finding a Physician
In addition to dietary advice, physicians will also recommend various herbs and exercise.
Chinese food cures are considered alternative medicine because they differ from traditional western practices. In his book, "Chinese Natural Cures: Traditional Methods for Remedy and Prevention," Henry C. Lu notes that, "Western doctors are preoccupied with destroying disease-causing agents and in the process of doing so, they sometimes also destroy the body and kill the patient."
Physicians prescribing food cures will conduct a thorough examination and consider both internal and external factors in determining the appropriate remedy. There are no known side-effects related to Chinese food cures, however it is important to find a physician that is experienced traditional Chinese Medicine.
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