nmde211 energetics of food · nmde211 energetics of food ... ‒imbalance patterns, signs and...

© Endeavour College of Natural Health www.endeavour.edu.au 1

NMDE211 Energetics of Food

Session 6

Chinese Medicine – Five

Elements - Part II

Nutritional Medicine

Department

© Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 2

Session Summary

• The Earth element and its organs, the Spleen/Pancreas

and the Stomach

‒ Earth element as the foundation for health

‒ Imbalance patterns, signs and symptoms of

imbalance

‒ Foods to address Earth element imbalance

• The Metal element and its organs, the Lung and Large

Intestine


imbalance

‒ Foods to address Metal element imbalance


Earth


Earth

Retrieved April 27 2015 from http://www.itmonline.org/5organs/spleen.htm


Earth

• The Earth element and the Spleen/Pancreas-

Stomach network (the Centre or Middle Burner)

are of key significance in Chinese medicine

dietetics.

• Earth is yin, nourishing the core, inner balance,

stability and inner centre. The Centre (or Middle)

Burner nourishes yin.(Kastner, 2009)


Earth – Late Summer

• Late Summer, a short and relatively unrecognised

“season”, is approximately the last month of summer

(and the middle of the Chinese year in the Northern

Hemisphere).

• It is the point of transition from yang to yin, between the

expansive growth phases on spring and summer and the

inward, cooler autumn and winter seasons.

• At this time of year, find the rhythms and cycles that

make life simple and harmonious.

• Food should be prepared simply with a minimum of

seasonings and a mild taste.

(Pitchford, 2002)


Earth

• This is the element of nurture, the “mother” of us all.

• The Spleen and Stomach are the paired Earth organ systems.

• The Spleen and Stomach are at the centre of the body just as the Earth is at the centre of the Five Elements.

(Adapted with permission from Bastyr University

Introduction to TCM Therapeutic Nutrition Course)


Spleen/Pancreas-Stomach

Association Spleen/Pancreas

Emotions Brooding, worries, pensiveness

Climate factor Dampness

Season Late summer, early fall (autumn)

Direction Centre

Colour Yellow

Flavour Sweet

Time of day Stomach: 7-9 AM

Spleen/Pancreas: 9-11 AM

(Kastner, 2009)


Spleen Channel

(Retrieved from Deadman, Al-Khafaji &

Baker 2007, p. 177)


Spleen/Pancreas

Role of the Spleen/Pancreas in Chinese medicine:

• Governs transformation, transport, and processing

of food and energy.

• Retains the blood in the blood vessels.

• Governs muscles and extremities.

• Opens at mouth and lips.

• Governs upbearing qi, keeps the organs in place.

• Houses the mind (zhi).

(Kastner, 2009)


Chinese Medicine - Spleen

• In Chinese medicine, the term “Spleen” is used to refer to the combined actions of the anatomical organs: stomach, spleen and pancreas.

• The “Spleen” refers to the organ network or system of functions and the channel (meridian) interchangeably and often simultaneously.

• The Spleen has a Zang/Fu (interior/exterior) relationship with the Stomach. It is located with the Stomach in the Middle Jiao, or Middle (Centre) Burner.




Spleen: Governs Transformation

and Transportation

• Good Spleen transportation and transformation

= good digestion, absorption and elimination

• Poor Spleen transportation and transformation =

possible abdominal distention, diarrhoea,

lassitude, emaciation, malnutrition, and a host of

other consequences. (Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Spleen: Transformation

The Spleen transforms food into Qi. Called the

“foundation of postnatal existence,” it extracts Gu

Qi (Food qi) from food and liquids. Gu Qi, in turn,

helps create other forms of Qi as well as Blood.




Spleen: Transportation

• When the Spleen transports Gu Qi, it also distributes fluids to the tissues, simultaneously moistening and nourishing.

• To the Lower Jiao: from the Spleen, waste fluids are sent to the Kidney (Zang) after which they are excreted by the Urinary Bladder (Fu). Lower body oedema is one example of a problem that can arise in this process.

• To the Upper Jiao: from the Spleen the “pure” fluids are raised to the Lung, which also helps distribute moisture The process of distribution and metabolism of water. Facial edema is an example of a problem here.




Spleen: Failure of

Transformation & Transportation

If the Spleen fails to transform and transport fluids from

food and beverages various pathological conditions can

result:

• If Dampness accumulates inside the body and mixes with Heat, it will turn into Phlegm (inflammatory conditions with mucus).

• If Damp is retained in the skin and muscle, it causes swelling (oedema).

• Dampness in the intestines causes diarrhoea.

• Dampness in the abdominal cavity results in serious fluid accumulation (ascites).




Spleen: Controls Blood

• The Spleen regulates blood circulation inside the

blood vessels. If the Spleen Qi isn’t strong

enough to hold the blood, it flows outside of the

vessels.

• Examples are various hemorrhagic symptoms

and diseases, such as chronic uterine bleeding.




Spleen: Governs Muscles

and Extremities

• The Spleen nourishes the fleshy, as opposed to the sinewy aspect of the muscles. Anorexia, cachexia and failure to thrive are examples of the Spleen failing to nourish the muscles. Spongy, soft muscular tissue can also result.

• The vigour of the four limbs is also dependent on Spleen Qi. With sufficient Spleen Qi, a Yang Qi substance, the energetic qualities of Yang pervade the tissues, enabling strong, sure movement. If Spleen cannot transport and transform the Yang Qi and nutrient substances weakness and atrophy result.




Spleen: Opens to the Mouth

• Appetite and sense of taste are related to the transportation and transformation functions of the Spleen. If these functions are intact, good appetite and a normal sense of taste will naturally occur.

• Greasy, sweet taste in the mouth is caused by Damp Obstruction of Spleen Qi.



(Image source: https://pixabay.com/en/mouth-face-tooth-lip-philtrum-7336/)


Spleen: Revealed in the Lips

• Since the Spleen opens in the mouth, the strength or weakness of its functions are reflected in the lips.

• Healthy Spleen Qi glows in full, pink lips.

• If the Spleen Qi is deficient, this will show as pale, yellowish or lusterless lips.

• A deficiency of Spleen Yin can result in dry lips.

• What might bright red lips indicate?




Spleen: Controls the

Raising of Qi

• The Spleen lifts Qi up the midline of the body,

allowing the organs to find their proper places.

• When this function is impaired, Spleen Qi sinks,

and prolapse can result.

‒ What are the organs that can prolapse?

• The Spleen also raises Gu Qi (Food Qi) to the

Lung and Heart.(Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Spleen: Houses the Mind

• Clear thinking and good concentration indicate strong Spleen qi.

• Spleen deficiency can present as mental symptoms such as fuzzy thinking, problems concentrating and poor memory.

(Kastner, 2009)


What Supports the Spleen?

• Cooked or warm food.

• A balanced diet centred around unprocessed Spleen-supporting foods, such as most whole grains, many vegetables and fruits and some meats.

• Regular mealtimes – the Spleen loves routine.

• Chewing - since the Spleen opens into the mouth, the mouth initiates Spleen functions. Chewing also adds warmth to food.

• Quiet pleasure in food.(Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



What Harms the Spleen?

• Extremes: too sweet, too greasy, too much or too little.

• Cold food and drinks: frequent salads, sandwiches, fruit, cold drinks, ice cream, and other cold foods consume Spleen Qi, a Yang substance.

• Multi-tasking: studying, worrying or doing your taxes while eating all overburden the digestive capacity of the Spleen.

• Skipping meals: eat a substantial breakfast of Spleen Qi-supporting foods (e.g. porridge or congee). The largest meal would ideally be eaten in the middle of the day (just as the Spleen is at the centre of the body’s functions), with quiet time for digestion afterwards.

• Processed and artificial food products(Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Spleen/Pancreas

Examples of Chinese medicine syndromes:

• Spleen Qi Deficiency (Vacuity)

• Spleen Yang Deficiency (Vacuity)

(Kastner, 2009)


Spleen Qi Deficiency

• This is one of the most common syndromes

presenting in clinical practice.

• Symptoms include: chronic fatigue, general

exhaustion, susceptibility to infection, lack of

appetite, weakness and frailty of limbs, craving

sweets; pale, pallid complexion; soft, loose

stools; sometimes diarrhoea.(Kastner, 2009)


Spleen Yang Deficiency

• Spleen yang deficiency can result from

protracted Spleen qi deficiency or pronounced

weakening of the Spleen due to cold foods,

irregular meal times and irregular eating habits.

• Symptoms include: feet and hands are always

cold; shivering; a sensation of cold in the

abdomen; watery stool with undigested food

particles; oedemas, weakness, fatigue, chronic

digestive problems.(Kastner, 2009)


Specific Questions

o From the information you have just covered about the TCM

Spleen, brainstorm some specific questions related to the

Spleen Qi deficiency and Spleen Yang deficiency.

o Remember Specific Questions will help you to exclude or

include a constitutional diagnosis by confirming or negating a

particular aspects specific to that constitutional type. These

questions are used after general questioning and will often

reveal a yes or no answer.

o Keep these questions in a safe place to be referred to over

the coming weeks.


Foods to Balance Spleen


Spleen Dietary Treatment

Avoid:

• Cold or cooling yin foods; excess acrid (pungent) foods;

excessive consumption of sweets, especially refined sugar.

• Fruits – pineapple, oranges, bananas, kiwi fruit, watermelon,

lemon

• Vegetables – cucumber, raw foods, excessive consumption of

salads (especially during cold seasons), tomatoes

• Beverages – cold or iced drinks; too much mineral water;

energetically cold fruit juices; black tea, green tea, wheat beer

• Dairy – cottage cheese, cream cheese, milk, sour milk

products (e.g. yoghurt, kefir)

(Kastner, 2009)



Recommended:

• Regular meals; at least one warm meal a day

• Flavour – sweet-hot, sweet-warm, sweet-neutral

• Cooking method – neutral and warming

• Meat – poultry, poultry broth, lamb, beef, beef stock, venison

• Fish – trout, salmon, tuna, shellfish

• Fruit – sweet apples, apricots, dates, Chinese dates, figs,

sweet cherries, peaches, plums, raisins, red grapes

• Vegetables – fennel, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, sweet

potato, onions gently sautéed until transparent

• Beverages – fennel tea, spiced tea with cinnamon, liquorice

tea

(Kastner, 2009)



Recommended:

• Grains – amaranth, oats, millet, polenta, short-grain rice,

rice

• Nuts and seeds – peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios,

sesame seeds, walnuts

• Sweeteners – maple syrup, barley malt, raw honey,

raisings, molasses

• Spices – aniseed, star anise, cayenne, pepper, fennel,

ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, coriander,

oregano, rosemary and thyme

(Kastner, 2009)



• Treatment duration is 2-3 months

• Eat regularly

• Breakfast suggestion – millet porridge with

raisins, cinnamon, nuts and warming fruits(Kastner, 2009)


Stomach

(Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_folds)


Stomach Channel

(Retrieved from Deadman et al. 2007,

pp. 125-128)


Stomach

Function of the Stomach in Chinese medicine:

“Cooking vessel” for acquired qi.

• Downbears the flow of qi

• Gathers food

• Separates and extracts food

• Loves dampness

• Time of day: 7–9 a.m.

(Kastner, 2009)


Stomach: Controls the

Descending of Qi

• The Stomach descends the bulk of transformed food down to the Small Intestine for further separation. Healthy Stomach Qi moves downwards.

• If Stomach Qi fails to descend or rebels, flowing

in the opposite direction, feelings of fullness and

distention, reflux, belching, hiccups, and nausea

and vomiting can result.




Stomach Time

• According to the Chinese clock, 7-9am is the time of day associated with the Stomach. This is an optimal time to eat, since the Stomach energy is at its peak, and can then pass along the prepared food to the Spleen. The peak time for the Spleen (9-11am) directly follows that of the Stomach.

• What kind of food do you think would be best to eat during the Stomach/Spleen hours?




What Supports the Stomach?

• Do not overeat – eat to just before the point of fullness or just to the point of fullness

• Moist food

• Cool food




What Harms the Stomach?

• Overeating, which overwhelms the Stomach

• Stress, which usually manifests as Liver invading the Stomach and/or Spleen (Wood Overacting on Earth)

• Lack of fluids, either from food or internally. Fluid loss could come from hemorrhage, burns, inflammation or other causes.

• Eating late at night, which overtaxes the Stomach Yin (Night is the Yin time; day is the Yang time.)




Stomach Patterns

Stomach patterns normally treated with dietary therapy include:

• Stomach Qi Deficiency

• Stomach Qi Deficiency with Cold

• Stomach Yin Deficiency

• Stomach Fire

• Food Stagnation in the Stomach

Other common Stomach patterns not treated primarily with diet include: Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Spleen and Blood Stagnation in the Stomach.




Stomach Fire (Wei Re)

• This Excess heat syndrome dries out the body fluids

causing intense thirst, constipation and a dry tongue.

• Subsequent “upbearing” heat in the stomach channel

causes swollen and bleeding gums.

• The Excess condition also prevents stomach qi from

downbearing, resulting in oesophageal (sour) reflux.

• In extreme cases, stomach fire combined with phlegm

can impair the spirit (shen). This can lead to disturbed

sleep and psychological symptoms.

• Protracted exposure to extreme heat (fire) can damage

stomach substance (yin damage, frustration).

(Kastner, 2009)



Symptoms

• Burning and pain in solar plexus (epigastrium)

• Thirst, craving cold beverages

• Excessive appetite, food cravings

• Bleeding gums

• Sour reflux, vomiting after eating, nausea, bad breath

• Constipation

• Tongue: Reddish, enlarged; yellow, sometimes dry

tongue fur. For heat phlegm: Thick, yellow, sticky tongue

fur.

(Kastner, 2009)



The following Western diagnosed conditions have

symptoms associated with Stomach Fire:

• Gastritis

• Ventricular and duodenal ulcers

• Stomatitis

• Nose bleeds

(Kastner, 2009)



Causes

• Diet – excess hot foods and warming cooking methods,

especially acrid spices or coffee; smoking. For heat

phlegm: too much hot and fatty food, e.g. deep-fried

food.

• General – too many heated emotions, anger, too much

brooding.

(Retrieved 27 April, 2015 from

http://www.theacupunctureclinic.co.nz/acupuncture-for-peptic-

ulcer)



Treatment Aims

• Cool and remove stomach heat

• Downbear stomach qi



Avoid

• Thermal nature – hot and warm foods

• Cooking method – warming

• Flavour – bitter-hot, bitter-warm, acrid-hot, acrid-warm,

sweet-hot, sweet-warm

• Meat – lamb

• Beverages – high-proof alcohol, coffee, red wine

• Spices – chilli, curry, ginger, garlic, pepper

• Other – smoked, fatty foods, strongly seasoned foods

(Kastner, 2009)



Recommended

Thermal nature Cool, cold foods

Flavour Sweet-cold, sweet-cool, bitter-cold, bitter-cool, sour-

cold, sour-cool

Cooking method Cooling

Fruit Pears, rhubarb, watermelon, banana, honeydew

melon, kiwi fruit

Vegetables Cucumber, mung beans, sprouts, tomatoes, peas,

spinach, bamboo sprouts, Chinese (napa) cabbage

Beverages Chamomile tea, green tea, black tea, wheat beer

Dairy products Yoghurt

Other Tofu, wheat, dandelion

(Kastner, 2009)


Specific Questions


Stomach, brainstorm some specific questions related to the

Stomach Fire.







the coming weeks.


Stomach Compared to Spleen

• Stomach is the paired Fu organ to the Spleen Zang

• Stomach is Yang; Spleen is Yin.

• Stomach Qi descends; Spleen Qi raises.

• The Stomach usually suffers from Excess conditions; the Spleen is more prone to Deficiency.

• The most commonly seen Deficiency pattern for the Stomach is Yin Deficiency; Yang Deficiency is an extremely common Spleen pattern.

• Stomach pathology normally involves Heat; Spleen pathology normally involves Cold, which produces Dampness.




Stomach and Spleen: Fluids

• The Stomach works best with plenty of fluids; dryness

inhibits its functions and/or injures the organ itself; the

Spleen is overwhelmed by excess fluids. (Try to

picture this.)

• The translation of the classic Chinese expression is:

“The Spleen loves Dryness and hates Dampness; the

Stomach loves Dampness and hates Dryness.”

Huang Di Nei Jing




Deficient Earth: Symptoms

• Fatigue, particularly after eating

• Loose stools, gas and bloating

• Poor appetite

• Craving for sweets

• Hypoglycemia, diabetes

• Obesity, anorexia or cachexia

• Oedema

• Bruising and/or bleeding

• Pale lips, tongue, complexion

• Toothmarked (scalloped) tongue, cracked tongue

• Dry skin

• Short or scanty menses

• Poor concentration, spaciness

• Feeling overwhelmed




Earth: Relationship Overview

• Earth = Spleen/Pancreas-Stomach = Parent of

Metal; Child of Fire; Controls Water

• Emotions: Brooding, worries, pensiveness

• Season: Late Summer

• Climate factor: Dampness

• Flavour: Sweet


METAL


(Retrieved from http://www.itmonline.org/5organs/lung.htm)


Metal: Lung-Large Intestine

Associations:

• Organ network: Lung-Large Intestine

• Emotion : Sadness

• Climate factor: Dryness

• Season: Autumn (Fall)

• Direction: West

• Colour: White, silver

• Flavour: Acrid (Pungent)

• Time of day: Lung 3–5 AM; Large Intestine 5-7 AM

(Kastner, 2009)


Metal - Autumn

“Autumn is the season of harvest, a time to pull inward

and gather together on all levels, a time to store up

fuel, food and warm clothing, a time to study and plan

for the approaching stillness of winter. Everything in

nature contracts and moves its essence inward and

downward. Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, the sap of

trees goes into the roots. The earth’s grasses start to

lose their deep green colour, turning lighter and drier.”(Pitchford, 2002)


Autumn - Foods

Foods recommended in Autumn include:

• Mildly acrid (pungent) and energetically warm foods that

compensate for the onset of external cold such as oats,

millet, corn, rice, carrots, leeks, radishes, cauliflower,

beef, lamb.

• For inner cold, shivering and the beginning of a cold, the

acrid flavours of garlic, cinnamon, chilli, ginger and

onions stimulate qi circulation and rapidly bring

defensive energy to the surface.

(Kastner, 2009)


Lung

Character

• “In charge of foreign affairs and defence”.

Controls the body’s surface, is in direct contact

with the environment, and is responsible for

immune defence and most secretions.(Kastner, 2009)


Lung

(Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lung_and_diaphragm.jpg)


Lung Channel

(Retrieved from Deadman et al., 2007, p. 73)


Lung

The role of the Lung in Chinese medicine:

• Dominates qi and governs breathing

• Governs diffusion and downbearing

• Governs regulation of waterways

• Houses the corporeal soul (po)

• Governs tissues, including skin and sweat glands, pores,

and body hair

• Opens at the nose

(Kastner, 2009)


Lung: Governs Qi and Breathing

• One of the most important functions of the Lungs is to

inhale air and transform it into clear, ancestral (or

gathering) qi (zong qi), which it then combines with gu qi

(drum qi from food) from the Spleen.

• These are then combined with the essential qi (jing)

into true qi (zheng qi). True qi is circulated in the

meridians by the Lungs to fill the body and nourish the

organs.

• The Lungs, together with the Spleen, carry a major

responsibility for the acquired qi in the body.

(Kastner, 2009)


Lung: Governs Qi and Breathing

• True qi divides into two separate forms:

channel qi (yin qi) and defence qi (wei qi).

Defence qi protects against external pathogenic

attacks such as cold or heat and is produced

mainly from Lung qi.

• Chinese medicine believes that sufficient, freely

coursing Lung qi is the foundation of a good

defence (immune system).(Kastner, 2009)


Lung: Governs Downbearing,

Diffusion and Waterways

• A cough is a sign of the Lung downbearing function being compromised; Lung downbearing also moves the Large Intestine to pass waste, since the Lung and Large Intestine are the upper and lower parts of the same energetic channel.

• Lung Qi diffuses fluids to all the tissues, and particularly to the skin.

• When Lung fluid diffusion is blocked, oedema may result. Where in the body would you expect to see this manifestation?




Lung: Houses the

Corporeal Soul

The Po, translated as corporeal soul, is what we can think

of as:

• Resistance to the emotional effects of the outside world.

Being “thick skinned” would be an Excess example of

this and “thin skinned” a Deficient example.

• Having clear impressions and sensations coupled with

high spirits. Picture someone taking a deep, joyful

breath and then plunging into play or work. Chinese

medicine believes that pungent, dispersing foods can

help lift the spirits if a person is feeling depressed.(Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Lungs: Open at the nose

• The Lungs are connected with the nose and sense of

smell.

• Aromatic foods are of particular benefit to the Lung.

• Pungent/acrid foods such as wasabi (Japanese

horseradish) that you can feel in your nose strongly

move Qi and Drain Damp in the Lung and Upper Jiao.



(Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_nose)


Lung Patterns

Lung patterns normally treated with dietary therapy include:

• Lung qi deficiency (vacuity)

• Phlegm–Damp obstructing the Lung

• Lung yin deficiency (vacuity)

There are many other Lung patterns

(Kastner, 2009; Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Lung Qi Deficiency

Signs and symptoms:

• Soft, weak cough

• Thin, clear sputum

• Shortness of breath

• Physical and mental exhaustion

• Reluctance to speak

• Pale complexion

• Frequent upper respiratory infections




Lung Qi Deficiency

Causes:

• Wind-cold and wind-heat

• External pathogens

• Smoking

• Unresolved grief

• Anything that restricts Lung Qi circulation, such as

poor posture, e.g. sitting hunched over with tense

shoulders for long periods of time

• Excessive intake of cool or cold foods

(Kastner, 2009; Adapted with permission from Bastyr University



Lung Qi Deficiency

General recommendations:

• The Lung is the “child” of the Earth phase

(Spleen-Stomach) so treating Lung

disharmony is often facilitated by feeding the

“child” – i.e. treat with foods and cooking

techniques appropriate for the Earth phase.

• Also use pungent and warm (or hot) foods to

tonify Lung Qi. (Adapted with permission from Bastyr University

Introduction to TCM Therapeutic Nutrition Course; Kastner, 2009)


Lung Qi Deficiency

Specific foods:

• Grains: Oats, millet, buckwheat, rye, barley, rice (roast lightly

before cooking)

• Vegetables: Cauliflower, kohlrabi, carrots, olives, onions,

mushrooms, mustard greens, sweet potato, yam, potato,

radish, asparagus, water chestnut

• Fruits: Peaches, grapes, pear, starfruit

• Meats (including fish): Tuna, carp, herring, duck, quail

• Spices: Ginger, garlic, thyme, pepper, cardamom

• Other: Almonds, walnuts, high proof alcohol (small amounts) ,

molasses, rice syrup, barley malt


Introduction to TCM Therapeutic Nutrition Course;)


Specific Questions


Lung, brainstorm some specific questions related to the Lung

Qi deficiency







the coming weeks.


Large Intestine

(Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver)


Large Intestine Channel

( Retrieved from Deadman et al., 2007, p. 95)


Large Intestine

• Governs transformation and conveyance of

waste

‒ Receives waste from the Small Intestine and

forms it into stool, then discharges it from the

body

• Descending Lung Qi assists in defecation




Large Intestine

Large Intestine patterns commonly treated with

dietary therapy:

• Large Intestine Damp Heat

• Large Intestine Deficient and Cold

• Large Intestine fluid exhaustion




Large Intestine Damp Heat

Signs and symptoms:

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea or loose, odiferous stool

• Possibly blood or pus in the stool

• Tenesmus

• Burning sensation on anus

• Incomplete bowel movement

• Heaviness

Associated biomedical conditions: Amoebic dysentery, haemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome





Causes:

• Weak Spleen qi can no longer transform fluids

• Inappropriate diet – excessive hot, acrid and

fatty dishes

• Emotional stress leading to heat symptoms

(Kastner, 2009)



Avoid:

• Acrid (pungent), warm and hot foods

Recommended:

• Thermal – cool, cold and neutral

• Flavour – Sweet, bitter

• Preparation – raw, boiled or steamed

• Fruit – bananas, pears, honeydew, oranges

• Vegetables – Eggplant, bamboo shoots, cucumber,

spinach

• Increase intake of green or black tea

(Kastner, 2009)


Specific Questionso From the information you have just covered about the TCM

Large Intestine, brainstorm some specific questions related to

the Large Intestine Damp Heat.







the coming weeks.


Metal: Relationship Overview

• Metal = Lung-Large Intestine = Parent of Water;

Child of Earth; Controls Wood

• Emotion: Sadness

• Season: Autumn

• Climate factor: Dryness

• Flavour: Acrid (pungent)


Session Summary• The Earth element and its organs, the Spleen/Pancreas

and the Stomach

‒ Earth element as the foundation for health


imbalance

‒ Foods to address Earth element imbalance

• The Metal element and its organs, the Lung and Large

Intestine


imbalance

‒ Foods to address Metal element imbalance


Tutorial

Guided group discussion

Observations on the seasons, effects of

weather/environment on balance of the elements;

ideas about how to offset such effects with food,

based on what we’ve learned so far.


References

Bastyr University. Introduction to TCM Therapeutic Nutrition Course.

Deadman, P., Al-Khafaji, M., & Baker, K. (1998). A manual of acupuncture (p. 158). East

Sussex, UK: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.

Kastner, J. (2009). Chinese Nutrition Therapy. Dietetics in traditional chinese medicine

(Second).

Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and modern nutrition.

North Atlantic Books.

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