Food Energetics

In Eastern medicine, the nutritional value of food is described in terms of temperature, flavor, and the effect it has on the body—the most important quality being temperature, which refers to how the food effects our body after digestion: does it warm us up or cool us down? Those with cold constitutions should eat more warming foods and vice-versa.

There are five main flavors (salty, sour, bitter, sweet, pungent), each correlating to the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth, metal) and the corresponding organs. For example, the sweet flavor strengthens our spleen; however, it is important to moderate the quantity of any one flavor for this can overwhelm the body.

Below you will find different imbalances and examples of foods that can help bring the body back into balance.

Restoring Foods for Yin Deficiency

Yin is the water of the body, providing fuel and lubricant to maintain body processes. If our Yin is depleted, we choose cooling foods that provide deep nourishment, helping to replenish our overworked system, and avoid foods that cause us to overheat.

Apple

Avocado

Banana

Cheese

Egg

Lemon

Milk

Nettle

Seaweed

Spinach

Sweet Potato

Tomato

Restoring Foods for Yang Deficiency

Yang is the Fire of the body, keeping us warm and providing heat to allow our bodies to function properly. To replenish our Yang, we try and avoid too much cold foods and liquids, and prioritize foods that warm us up.

Fennel seed

Garlic

Basil

Cardamon

Walnut

Quinoa

Rosemary

Sage

Shrimp

Lamb

Ginger (dried)

Restoring Foods for Qi Deficiency

Qi is our energy, our life force. We need it to function properly in every way. A lack of Qi manifests in the body in different ways depending on the individual. There are a number of factors that effect our Qi, but in terms of food, we prioritize nourishing foods that provide long-lasting energy.

Almond

Beet

Carrot

Chicken

Chickpea

Coconut

Date

Lentil

Oats

Restoring Foods for Blood Deficiency

Our blood is the measure of nourishment in our body. We need blood for all systems, and the quality of our blood is dependent on the food we eat, and our body's ability to absorb nourishment. To strengthen our blood, we choose a diverse diet rich in vegetables, leafy greens, and protein.

Aduki Bean

Apricot

Beetroot

Dandelion

Leafy greens

Egg (chicken)

Kelp

Seaweed

Parsley

Spinach

Seaweed

Tempeh

Restoring Foods for Essence Deficiency

Essence, or Jing, is the physical foundation of our life. A strong essence carries us through life. Rest, meditation, and a nourishing diet are all things we can do to keep our essence strong. Generally, foods that nourish Yin also nourish Jing.

Almond

Milk (raw)

Bone Marrow

Egg (chicken)

Nettle

Pollen

Royal Jelly

Sesame Seed

Walnut

Liver

Foods for Removing Dampness

Dampness is what happens when the body is unable to burn off moisture, and it can result in feeling heavy and tired. Dampness can exist in the body in the form of excess water or excess phlegm. It can be by caused by overeating or overnutrition.

Aduki bean

Buckwheat

Basil

Cardamom

Celery

Coriander

Garlic

Green Tea

Lemon

Onion

Pumpkin

Radish

Foods for Removing Water

Aduki Bean

Alfalfa

Asparagus

Basil

Lettuce

Mung bean

Pea

Rice

Raspberry Leaf

Spinach

Foods for Removing Phlegm

Almond

Black Pepper

Celery

Garlic

Grapefruit

Lemon peel

Mustard seed

Olive

Onion

Pear

Peppermint

Walnut

Foods for Removing Cold

Cold can find its way into the body by a number of means. Sometimes it is caused by a Yang deficiency, other times the environment or a virus. We can choose warming foods, both in their preparation and by their properties to drive the Cold out.

Basil

Butter

Cayenne

Chicken

Cinnamon

Date

Garlic

Ginger

Spearmint

Walnut

Foods for Removing Heat

An excess of heat in the body can be the result of an illness, the environment, an over-consumption of heating foods, and overactivity or prolonged strain on the body. To remove heat by way of food, we choose cooling foods and food preparations.

Apple

Asparagus

Eggplant

Banana

Broccoli

Lemon

Lettuce

Mint

Potato

Tomato

Foods for Promoting Qi Circulation

Qi Stagnation, the blockage of Qi moving freely through the body, is often emotional, caused by feelings we are unable to process. A lack of physical movement can worsen the symptoms. Chewing our food thoroughly is a way to help alleviate stagnation, as well as choosing pungent foods and herbs to stimulate the digestive system.

Basil

Carrot

Cayenne

Coriander

Fennel

Garlic

Radish

Turmeric

Vinegar

Foods for Promoting Blood Circulation

Blood Stagnation is treated similarly to Qi Stagnation, while prioritizing foods that nourish the quality of blood—often warming foods.

Butter

Chicken egg

Chili Pepper

Kohlrabi

Leek

Hawthorn Berry

Scallion

Onion

Turmeric

Foods for Removing Wind

Wind in the body refers to a common cold, the flu, or laryngitis. Chills, fevers, body pains are all symptoms of Wind. Pungent foods help to drive pathogens out of the body. We choose to eliminate foods that may cause congestion, such as dairy, meat, and sugar, instead favoring light soups.

Wind Heat

Peppermint

Burdock root

Chamomile

Echinacea

elderflower

lemon balm

Mint

Oregano

Sage

Wind Cold

Basil

Black Pepper

Cinnamon

Garlic

Ginger

Peppermint

Rosemary

Wind Damp

Basil

Juniper

Peppermint

Radish

Rosemary

Thyme

Turmeric

Shen

Shen is the spiritual essence of a person; the light or the consciousness of the body.While it....., it is affected by the food we eat. Some foods are considered to be calming to the spirit, while others are said to lift it.

Calming Foods

Celery

Chamomile

Lavender

Lettuce

Valerian

Warm milk

Lifting Foods

Basil

Ginko

Ginseng

Oat

Jasmine

Rosemary

Sage

The above information can be found in Helping Ourselves: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Food Energetics by Daverick Leggett. Available here.

Food Energetics

Restoring Foods for Yin Deficiency

Yin is the water of the body, providing fuel and lubricant to maintain body processes. If our Yin is depleted, we choose cooling foods that provide deep nourishment, helping to replenish our overworked system, and avoid foods that cause us to overheat.

Restoring Foods for Yang Deficiency

Yang is the Fire of the body, keeping us warm and providing heat to allow our bodies to function properly. To replenish our Yang, we try and avoid too much cold foods and liquids, and prioritize foods that warm us up.

Restoring Foods for Essence Deficiency

Essence, or Jing, is the physical foundation of our life. A strong essence carries us through life. Rest, meditation, and a nourishing diet are all things we can do to keep our essence strong. Generally, foods that nourish Yin also nourish Jing.

Foods for Removing Dampness

Dampness is what happens when the body is unable to burn off moisture, and it can result in feeling heavy and tired. Dampness can exist in the body in the form of excess water or excess phlegm. It can be by caused by overeating or overnutrition.

Foods for Removing Water

Foods for Removing Phlegm

Foods for Removing Cold

Cold can find its way into the body by a number of means. Sometimes it is caused by a Yang deficiency, other times the environment or a virus. We can choose warming foods, both in their preparation and by their properties to drive the Cold out.

Foods for Removing Heat

An excess of heat in the body can be the result of an illness, the environment, an over-consumption of heating foods, and overactivity or prolonged strain on the body. To remove heat by way of food, we choose cooling foods and food preparations.

Foods for Promoting Blood Circulation

Blood Stagnation is treated similarly to Qi Stagnation, while prioritizing foods that nourish the quality of blood—often warming foods.

Shen

Shen is the spiritual essence of a person; the light or the consciousness of the body.While it....., it is affected by the food we eat. Some foods are considered to be calming to the spirit, while others are said to lift it.

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Food Energetics

Restoring Foods for Yin DeficiencyYin is the water of the body, providing fuel and lubricant to maintain body processes. If our Yin is depleted, we choose cooling foods that provide deep nourishment, helping to replenish our overworked system, and avoid foods that cause us to overheat.

Restoring Foods for Yang DeficiencyYang is the Fire of the body, keeping us warm and providing heat to allow our bodies to function properly. To replenish our Yang, we try and avoid too much cold foods and liquids, and prioritize foods that warm us up.

Restoring Foods for Essence DeficiencyEssence, or Jing, is the physical foundation of our life. A strong essence carries us through life. Rest, meditation, and a nourishing diet are all things we can do to keep our essence strong. Generally, foods that nourish Yin also nourish Jing.

Foods for Removing DampnessDampness is what happens when the body is unable to burn off moisture, and it can result in feeling heavy and tired. Dampness can exist in the body in the form of excess water or excess phlegm. It can be by caused by overeating or overnutrition.

Foods for Removing Water

Foods for Removing Phlegm

Foods for Removing ColdCold can find its way into the body by a number of means. Sometimes it is caused by a Yang deficiency, other times the environment or a virus. We can choose warming foods, both in their preparation and by their properties to drive the Cold out.

Foods for Removing HeatAn excess of heat in the body can be the result of an illness, the environment, an over-consumption of heating foods, and overactivity or prolonged strain on the body. To remove heat by way of food, we choose cooling foods and food preparations.

Foods for Promoting Blood CirculationBlood Stagnation is treated similarly to Qi Stagnation, while prioritizing foods that nourish the quality of blood—often warming foods.

ShenShen is the spiritual essence of a person; the light or the consciousness of the body.While it....., it is affected by the food we eat. Some foods are considered to be calming to the spirit, while others are said to lift it.

Cart

Restoring Foods for Yin Deficiency

Yin is the water of the body, providing fuel and lubricant to maintain body processes. If our Yin is depleted, we choose cooling foods that provide deep nourishment, helping to replenish our overworked system, and avoid foods that cause us to overheat.

Restoring Foods for Yang Deficiency

Yang is the Fire of the body, keeping us warm and providing heat to allow our bodies to function properly. To replenish our Yang, we try and avoid too much cold foods and liquids, and prioritize foods that warm us up.

Restoring Foods for Essence Deficiency

Essence, or Jing, is the physical foundation of our life. A strong essence carries us through life. Rest, meditation, and a nourishing diet are all things we can do to keep our essence strong. Generally, foods that nourish Yin also nourish Jing.

Foods for Removing Dampness

Dampness is what happens when the body is unable to burn off moisture, and it can result in feeling heavy and tired. Dampness can exist in the body in the form of excess water or excess phlegm. It can be by caused by overeating or overnutrition.

Foods for Removing Cold

Cold can find its way into the body by a number of means. Sometimes it is caused by a Yang deficiency, other times the environment or a virus. We can choose warming foods, both in their preparation and by their properties to drive the Cold out.

Foods for Removing Heat

An excess of heat in the body can be the result of an illness, the environment, an over-consumption of heating foods, and overactivity or prolonged strain on the body. To remove heat by way of food, we choose cooling foods and food preparations.

Foods for Promoting Blood Circulation

Blood Stagnation is treated similarly to Qi Stagnation, while prioritizing foods that nourish the quality of blood—often warming foods.

Shen

Shen is the spiritual essence of a person; the light or the consciousness of the body.While it....., it is affected by the food we eat. Some foods are considered to be calming to the spirit, while others are said to lift it.