Dietary-TCM Theory

Dietary Choices Based on Chinese Medicine Disorders TCM Theory
Within traditional chinese medical theory there are a number of factors which either cause
a/or are the result of disease. The factors can be physical/climatic factors such as heat, cold,
wind, dampness and dryness. These can be both internal and external such as a cold condition
from using too much internal energy or a heat condition from an external source such as
radiation. There are also emotional factors which tie into the five element theory above, such
as anger effecting the functioning of the liver leading to headaches, for example, or excessive
joy effecting the heart leading to insomnia.
From a practitioners perspective an eastern medicine diagnosis does not usually carry any
association with the western medical diagnosis. For example, using eastern medical theory we
might call a "headache" Qi or Blood stagnation. From a nutritional standpoint it is important
to understand what each diagnosis means and how you might aid your healing by choosing
appropriate foods.
The chart below describes the food choices which may be helpful for a particular TCM
diagnosis. It should be mentioned that the Spleen is of the utmost importance in the majority
of these disorders when looked at from a nutritional perspective. The Spleen is the foundation
of digestion and consequently plays a primary role in the production of Qi and Blood in the
body. Thus, food choices, cooking styles and eating habits which benefit the Spleen, benefit
the person overall regardless of their condition.
In general terms, the Spleen benefits from eating a balanced diet with ample amounts of
grains, fruits and vegetables, not eating too much raw food including salads, limiting damp
producing foods such as dairy, greasy foods and alcohol, as well as having regular meals
which are eaten in as peaceful of an environment as possible.
Diagnosis Supportive Foods

Indicates an imbalance of the Spleen.
Foods which are easy to digest, warming and nourishing

Qi Deficiency
should be used. Those from the Earth element above are
» symptoms - fatigue,
helpful choices.
dizziness, shortness of breath,
pale face, weak spirit
Millet, Garbanzo Beans
» tongue - pale w/thin coat
Pine Nuts
» pulse - empty
Figs, Dates
Squash, Carrots, Cabbage
Small portions of Meat, if desired
Qi Stagnation Also an imbalance of the Spleen.
» symptoms - similar signs as
qi deficiency but also pain that Food choices similar to those for Qi Deficiency are good
is not fixed in the chest a/or choices. Preparing them in ways which are even easier to
hypochondriac areas digest such as soups may also be helpful as well as adding
» tongue - white coat small amounts of strongly moving substances such as black
» pulse - wiry or tight pepper.
Dampness Dampness is also a Spleen related imbalance.
» symptoms - poor appetite,
chest/epigastric oppression, Generally it is the result of long-term qi deficiency but may
1
also arise quickly from a diet that contains too many cold, raw
loose stools foods, excessive dairy products or excessive amounts of
» tongue - thick white or greasy foods, animal products a/or alcohol.
yellow coat
» pulse - slippery and slow or Food choices similar to those above are helpful, adding foods
rapid which dry dampness such as rye, scallions and turnips and
limiting the foods listed above which contribute to dampness.
Blood deficiency is usually seen as a result of long-term qi
deficiency. The Chinese term, Blood is used in a much broader
way than the western idea of blood. However, blood
Blood Deficiency
deficiencies may still arise from traumas, child birth and
» symptoms - fatigue,
menstrual issues such as heavy bleeding.
palpitations, dizziness,
numbness, blurred vision
Generally foods which supplement the Spleen, as above, are
» tongue - pale w/thin coat
considered good choices. Dark leafy greens, spinach, grapes,
» pulse - thin
lotus root, cayenne pepper, and small amounts of meat
products, especially liver, are beneficial additions to help the
production and circulation of Blood.
Blood Stagnation
Often a deeper manifestation of qi stagnation but may also
» symptoms - dull
arise from trauma.
complexion, petechiae, pain
that is fixed in location
The foods mentioned above for Blood deficiency are useful in
» tongue - purple a/or purple
addition to those which strongly move the Blood in the body
spots
such as turmeric, garlic, scallions, chives, egg plant and aduki
» pulse - deep, choppy, maybe
beans.
wiry
Heat may show up in a variety of ways depending on the
underlying condition. From a nutritional perspective it is most
Heat Condition
important to understand whether it is a "full-heat" syndrome or
» symptoms - sweating, sore
a "false-heat" syndrome. "Full-heat" is a pure excess condition
throat, thirst, red face,
which can be helped by consuming cool foods. "False-heat",
headache, skin outbreaks,
however, indicates heat from an underlying deficiency which
anxiety
could be worsened by an excessive consumption of cool foods.
» tongue - red, dry, yellow
coat
Fruits and raw vegetables, including salads, are generally
» pulse - rapid, maybe floating
cooling and beneficial for a heat condition. Limiting foods
a/or wiry
which create heat in the body such as dairy, meats and alcohol
is also important.
As with heat, cold may show up in a variety of conditions and
Cold Condition
appear as "full-cold" or a "false-cold" condition where a
» symptoms - fatigue, poor
person has a heat condition but is experiencing a sensation of
appetite, pain that improves
cold (chills with a fever, for example).
with heat
» tongue - white coat, possibly
Warming and moving foods such as cayenne, cinnamon,
blue body
ginger and onions are important for this condition. Limiting
» pulse - slow, maybe floating
cooling foods especially raw foods and fruit juices is also
a/or tight
important.

Dietary-TCM Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dietary-TCM Theory

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dietary-TCM Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dietary Choices Based on Chinese Medicine Disorders TCM Theory

Diagnosis Supportive Foods

Foods which are easy to digest, warming and nourishing

You might also like