The common saying "Food is the best medicine, better than medicine itself" emphasizes the importance of selecting healthy foods to avoid future reliance on medication due to illnesses that often arise from a lack of dietary diversity and an imbalance between the 'hot' and 'cold' properties of foods. So, how should we choose our food to maintain good health, or what kind of nourishing food should we consume if we fall ill? Let's explore this together.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) places great importance on the balance between Yin and Yang, as well as the hot and cold nature of the stomach in relation to the food we consume, to prevent easy sickness or to facilitate self-awareness and timely treatment when sick.
Understanding the Hot and Cold Nature of Our Stomach
Before diving deeper, let's familiarize ourselves with the simple concepts of a 'cold' and 'hot' stomach from the TCM perspective, including the symptoms associated with each and the types of food that should be consumed to address these conditions.
Cold Stomach VS Hot Stomach
Cold Stomach: Symptoms indicating a "cold stomach" condition include stomach pain, a tight feeling around the chest area, pale face, fatigue, sometimes diarrhea, pale tongue with a white coating, especially after consuming cold-natured foods. These symptoms alleviate upon consuming warm water or warm-natured foods, enjoying massages, which indicates a deficiency of warmth in the spleen and stomach. TCM attributes this to the consumption of cold-natured foods such as:
Cold-natured beverages: Iced tea, yogurt, smoothies, soy milk, cow's milk
Vegetables & Herbs: Cucumber, white cabbage, broccoli, bean sprouts, watercress, and perilla leaves
Fruits: Watermelon, apple, pineapple, strawberries, lychee
Grains & Meats: Tofu, mung beans, buckwheat, barley, raw fish, and raw meat
Food Temperatures: Cold drinks, ice, ice cream, chilled fruits
Hot Stomach: Symptoms of a "hot stomach" include heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest, sour burping, acid reflux, bad breath, dry mouth, bitter taste, inflamed gums, stomach fullness, constipation, and dry stools. These indicate an excess heat condition in the stomach, exacerbated by consuming hot-natured foods like:
Vegetables & Herbs: Ginger, galangal, spices, black cardamom, cinnamon, onion
Fruits: Jackfruit, rambutan, durian, ripe papaya
Grains & Meats: Sticky rice, beef, lamb, butter, chocolate (high energy, hard to digest, easily causes internal heat, acne)
Food Energies in Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), foods are categorized by their energetic qualities, which can affect the body's balance of Yin and Yang. These energies include cold, cool, neutral, warm, and hot. Each category has a specific effect on the body's internal environment, influencing health and well-being. Here's a breakdown of these categories with examples of foods in each:
Cold Energy Foods
Cold foods are believed to cool the body from the inside, reducing internal heat. They are often recommended for people with excess heat or yang. However, consuming too many cold foods can harm the spleen and stomach, leading to digestive issues.
Examples:
Cucumber
Watermelon
Tomato
Ice cream
Seaweed
Cool Energy Foods
Cool foods slightly reduce body heat without being as extreme as cold foods. They are suitable for balancing minor heat symptoms and supporting yin.
Examples:
Apples
Bananas
Spinach
Mint
Green tea
Neutral Energy Foods
Neutral foods are considered balanced and are suitable for daily consumption. They do not significantly affect the body's heat or cold balance, making them safe for most individuals.
Examples:
Rice
Carrots
Potatoes
Chicken (especially breast)
White fish
Warm Energy Foods
Warm foods help to increase the body's heat, promoting better circulation and metabolic activity. They are particularly beneficial for individuals with a cold constitution or during colder seasons.
Examples:
Ginger
Garlic
Leeks
Peaches
Walnuts
Hot Energy Foods
Hot foods strongly increase internal heat, helping to expel cold and dampness. They are often used in moderation to address cold symptoms but can lead to overheating if consumed in excess by those with an already warm or hot constitution.
Examples:
Chili peppers
Black pepper
Lamb
Cinnamon
Durian
Food Choices Based on Stomach Conditions
In TCM, the energy of food is used therapeutically to help maintain or restore health. A balanced diet should consider the individual's constitution, the current season, and any health conditions. For example, someone with a hot constitution should minimize hot and warm foods while incorporating more cool and cold foods to maintain balance. Conversely, someone with a cold constitution would benefit from warm and hot foods to warm their body. Understanding and applying the concept of food energies can be a valuable tool for nurturing health and well-being, aligning dietary choices with the body's needs to promote balance and harmony.
For a "cold stomach," it's advisable to consume "warm or hot-natured" foods prepared through boiling, steaming, or stir-frying to dispel the cold. Examples include ginger tea, jujube, and warm meats to enhance Yang energy and improve circulation.
Conversely, those with a "hot stomach" should opt for "cool-natured" foods to nourish Yin and reduce internal heat, aiding in stomach discomfort. Examples include chrysanthemum tea, barley, and mung beans.
Cooking Methods for Both Conditions
To preserve nutrients and suit both conditions, recommended cooking methods include stir-frying, boiling, and blanching, maintaining an ideal temperature that doesn't lead to nutrient loss or obesity.
Avoid baking (loss of nutrients), frying (increases obesity risk), and consuming raw or cold blended fruits and vegetables (can worsen a cold stomach).
Chinese Herbal Remedies for Stomach Balance
In addition to dietary adjustments, TCM also offers herbal prescriptions such as Wen Zhong Tang for a cold stomach, enhancing warmth and digestion, and Yi Guan Jian for a hot stomach, nourishing Yin and cooling the stomach.
Let's delve deeper into the specifics of the Chinese herbal formulations Wen Zhong Tang (温中汤) and Yi Guan Jian (一贯煎), highlighting their components, uses, and the principles behind their effectiveness according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Wen Zhong Tang (温中汤)
Overview: Wen Zhong Tang, which translates to "Warm the Middle Decoction," is a classical herbal formula designed to warm the middle burner (the spleen and stomach) and dispel cold, thereby treating symptoms associated with a cold stomach. This formula is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience discomfort after consuming cold foods or drinks.
Ingredients: The composition of Wen Zhong Tang includes a carefully selected blend of herbs known for their warming and digestive properties. Key ingredients typically include:
Dang Gui (当归): Angelica Sinensis, which nourishes blood and promotes circulation.
Bai Zhu (白术): Atractylodes Macrocephala, which strengthens the spleen and dries dampness.
Ren Shen (人参): Ginseng, a powerful tonic that boosts energy and aids in digestive health.
Fu Zi (附子): Prepared Aconite, which warms the body and dispels cold.
Gan Jiang (干姜): Dried Ginger, which warms the middle burner and alleviates nausea.
Gan Cao (甘草): Licorice, which harmonizes the formula and moderates the effects of the other herbs.
Applications: Wen Zhong Tang is recommended for those with symptoms of cold in the stomach, such as pain or discomfort in the abdomen, feeling of cold, diarrhea, and a pale tongue with a white coating. It works by warming the stomach and spleen, improving digestion, and facilitating the movement of Qi (vital energy) to alleviate symptoms.
Yi Guan Jian (一贯煎)
Overview: Yi Guan Jian, or "Linking Decoction," is an esteemed herbal formula in TCM, known for its ability to nourish Yin, especially in the liver and kidneys, and to smooth and regulate the flow of liver Qi. It's particularly suited for conditions characterized by liver Yin deficiency with concurrent stagnation.
Ingredients: Yi Guan Jian consists of several key herbs that work synergistically to nourish and soothe. These include:
Sha Shen (沙参): Glehnia Root, which nourishes the lung and stomach Yin.
Mai Men Dong (麦门冬): Ophiopogon Japonicus, which moistens the lungs and stomach.
Gou Qi Zi (枸杞子): Goji Berries, which nourish liver and kidney Yin.
Dang Gui (当归): Angelica Sinensis, for blood nourishment and circulation.
Sheng Di Huang (生地黄): Rehmannia, a key herb for nourishing Yin and cooling blood.
Chuan Lian Zi (川楝子): Sichuan Pagoda Tree Fruit, which moves Qi and alleviates pain, addressing liver Qi stagnation.
Applications: Yi Guan Jian is ideally suited for individuals experiencing symptoms of liver Yin deficiency and liver Qi stagnation, such as dry throat, uncomfortable sensation in the chest, acid reflux, and symptoms of stress affecting the digestive system. By nourishing Yin and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi, this formula helps in alleviating these conditions and promoting overall balance and well-being.
Both Wen Zhong Tang and Yi Guan Jian highlight the TCM principle of treating the body as an interconnected system, where balance between Yin and Yang, and the smooth flow of Qi, are essential for health. Through the use of these carefully composed herbal formulas, TCM seeks to restore harmony and address specific health issues at their root.
In conclusion, understanding whether you have a cold or hot stomach condition allows for targeted dietary choices to avoid exacerbating symptoms. For instance, reducing hot-natured foods like beef and spices if prone to internal heat, and incorporating more cool-natured foods for balance. This knowledge empowers self-care without unnecessary medical expenses.