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Yin-Yang Nutrition Finding Balancing in Your Diet and Lifestyle A law of physics states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Everything in the universe consists of two opposite yet complementary aspects. This applies to the universe surrounding us as well as the inner universe or workings of our bodies. The ancient Chinese developed ways of looking at these changes to better understand them. They call them Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang exist relative to one another and are also in a state of constant change. Day and night, hot and cold are examples of Yin and Yang. One can not exist without the other, yet when one dominates the other, there is imbalance and disharmony. Yin and Yang within our bodies are respectively referred to as water and fire in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These descriptions help determine the nature of our bodies as well as our food. You probably know people who are described as hot-blooded or hot-headed (Yang), as well as those who are cool and calm (Yin). Though we are all a mixture of both, we are usually dominated by one or the other. Thus Yang constitutions benefit by eating more cooling foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits like watermelon, apples and oranges, white rice, eggs, pork and tofu. Yin constitutions benefit from eating foods that are hot or warm in nature like chili, garlic and onion, fruits such as pineapple, plums and litchi, oatmeal, lamb and shrimp. There are also foods that carry a neutral energy which help balance both Yin and Yang. Some of these neutral foods are papaya, mango, sweet potato, shitake mushroom, almonds, kidney beans, brown rice, and dairy products.
However when there is a severe imbalance such as a virus or disease within the body, we need to eat those foods which help to counteract the over-abundance of hot or cold within the body. As we know, too much stress can lead to illness as disease. How we deal with stress varies from Yin to Yang. Some of us feel hot, strong emotions and are prone to explosions of anger; others withdraw and become depressed, apathetic and lethargic. These various energies affect us just as eating different foods do. In addition to taking deep breaths we should try to consume the right kind of foods as well as avoid the wrong ones according to the changes within our bodies and emotions. For instance the common cold can be either hot or cold in nature and symptoms. The cold-cold occurs one is exposed to wind and cold or changes in weather or environment. If the immune system is weak these pathogens enter the skin. Symptoms may include chills, fever with no sweating, headache, body ache, stiff neck and clear nasal discharge. This is often the first stage of a cold. If not taken care of, it will move into the next stage which is characterized as a hot-cold. Symptoms could be high fever with weating, sore throat, cough, head and body aches, and yellow nasal discharge. To help sweat out the first stage of a cold-cold make tea by boiling garlic, ginger, basil, green onion or cinnamon. Drink this tea and go to bed. A tasty blend is to boil together ginger, cinnamon and cilantro (coriander leaf).
A dry sauna or hot bath also helps to sweat out the toxins and relax aching muscles. Too cool off a hot-cold drink mint tea or mint combined with chrysanthemum flowers. Eat as many apples and pears as you like. Thai food can be delicious medicine. Rice porridge, known as Kao Tum in Thailand, sprinkled with green onions, garlic and ginger is a perfect remedy for either type of cold or a nauseous stomach for that matter. The famous spicy & sour soup called Tom Yum is wonderful for sweating out the first stages of a cold. A good rule of thumb to follow during any cold is to eat very little so as not to burden your system heavy digestion, drink a lot of water and get plenty of sleep.
Foods to avoid during a cold are shellfish, heavy proteins and fats, meats, and all vinegars. Vinegar closes the pores and "traps the thief in the house". A common ailment among western culture is hypertension or high blood pressure. This is an excess of Yang energy therefore mainly cooling foods are required to help balance the body. Garlic is the one exception. Although hot by nature, garlic is excellent for cleaning out the arteries. Garlic oil capsules are recommended as they have the advantage of not over stimulating the taste buds in a warming direction as raw garlic would. To help prevent or reduce hypertension you should eat garlic, tofu, bananas, mung beans, bamboo shoots, seaweed, tomatoes, apples, watermelon, eggplant (aubergine), mushrooms, lemons, lotus root, water hestnuts, honey, vinegar and chrysanthemum flowers. Some remedies using these foods are:
Avoid smoking or second hand smoke, eating spicy foods, caffeine, fried or fatty foods, salty foods, potatoes, pork, overeating, stress and low levels of calcium in the body. Try gentle yoga and meditation to help clean the body and calm stressed out nerves. Yoga and meditation offer powerful tools for dealing with stress which is the main cause of hypertension. With regular practice, the body finds a natural balance so unhealthy habits and food cravings diminish with ease. |
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Benjarong Magazine - April 2005, Volume 8 Issue 4 |
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