Foods that suit your constitution
From the Chinese medicine point of view, we all have different nutritional needs based on our individual constitutions. Just as an individual's constitution can be divided into Yin and Yang (Hot and Cold), Energy from food can also be classified as Yin and Yang (Hot and Cold). Yin foods are Cooling, Calming and nourishing. Yang foods are Warming, stimulating and Energetic. In addition, there are foods that can balance or support each individual Energetic system.
In Western nutrition there are healthy and unhealthy foods. Chinese medicine goes further. You must have the right balance in many different nutritional groups, as well as the Energetic pattern that agrees with your system. Eating foods that agree with your constitution will go far in preventing the imbalances that lead to disease.
At the most basic level, constitutions can be divided into two types, Yin and Yang.
The Yin type results from either a Yang deficient or Yin excess imbalance. You have a cool constitution if you:
Use thick or several layers of covers at night while sleeping
Always keep hands and feet inside covers
Wear warm clothes (bundle up)
Love warm weather—cannot tolerate cold
Have hands and feet that get cold easily
Do not usually feel thirsty R 1L
Retain fluid
Tire easily
The Yang type results from either a Yin deficient or Yang excess imbalance. You have a hot constitution if you:
Use thin or few covers at night while sleeping
Tend to throw covers off
Stick hands and feet out of covers
Dress lightly
Prefer cooler weather—hate hot weather
Hands and feet are always warm
Tend to be thirsty and like icy drinks
Have a high metabolism
Have erratic energy levels
In general, if you tend to run Warm, Cooling foods will be most agreeable to your constitution. If you run Cool, Warming foods will be most agreeable to your constitution. If you are more or less Neutral, a balance of Warming and Cooling foods is best for you. Neutral constitution people can fluctuate from Warm to Cold, depending upon the season.
It is possible, however, to overdo a good thing. Again, you want to attain balance in the types of foods you consume. If a Warm constitution individual consumes too many Cooling foods, his or her body will gradually turn Cold, resulting in lethargy, fluid retention, weight gain, and a persistent feeling of bloating. If a Cool constitution individual were to overconsume Warming foods, he or she might experience a feeling of being overheated, especially at night, increasing thirst and dry mouth, irritability and sometimes disturbed sleep.
Like herbs, foods have Energetic properties that are referred to as Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Spicy, Salty, Bland and Stringent. The term used to describe each flavor does not necessarily correspond with what would be considered its usual taste, but rather the flavors are defined by how your body responds to them Energetically.
Sour. The basic property of this flavor is contracting—a pulling/holding back of Energy. For example, foods with Sour properties are used to treat certain types of diarrhea because of this contracting property. It can also be used to treat problems of spontaneous sweating.
Bitter. The basic properties of this flavor are clearing and drying. Clearing is the opposite of Tonifying. In other words, bitter foods can be used to treat excess conditions such as Heat and Toxin, both of which can be cleared. Drying is the opposite of moistening, and therefore foods with this flavor can be used to treat Damp stagnation.
Sweet. The basic properties of this flavor are Tonifying, Harmonizing and relaxing. Tonifying is to support or strengthen. Harmonizing is to bring into balance. And relaxing is to counteract spasms and tightness.
Spicy/Pungent. The basic properties of this flavor are dispersing and moving. Dispersing is to break up and distribute a concentrated stagnation; for example, to release a cold and push out the pathogens. Moving is to activate and mobilize Energy flow and circulation. It is useful in the treatment of Qi or Blood stagnation.
Salty. The basic properties of this flavor are softening and purging. Softening is to counteract hardness, such as a nodule or mass. Purging is to vigorously promote elimination, primarily of the bowels. Therefore foods that possess this flavor can be used to treat certain types of constipation.
Bland. The basic property of this flavor is draining—essentially promoting urination.
Stringent. The basic properties of this flavor are similar to Sour, but more intense and stronger.
In the chart below you will see that many foods are considered tonics in Chinese medicine. Tonic foods possess strengthening properties. Rather than stimulating or transferring already existing Energy, tonic foods actually generate new Energy. Therefore, tonic foods can be used to treat any sort of weakness or deficiency condition that requires production of Qi. Tonic foods strengthen the body, including the immune system, hematological system (blood), endocrine system and nervous system. Tonic foods help correct deficiencies and replenish what is lacking in the body.
