Energetics

Question 1

Energetic Qualities

Answer 1

Heat:
• Manifests in a warm body temperature, transformative processes such as digestion, hormones, mental creativity, inspiration, and characteristics such as courage and passion.

Cold:
• Manifests in body structure, firm tissues,
stability, and characteristics such as
endurance, resilience and reliability.

Dryness
• Manifests in nerve impulses,
lightness of the body, mental speed, and characteristics such as agility and adaptability.

Moisture
• Manifests in our bodily fluids
(e.g. lymph, synovial fluid), mucous membranes, transportation of nutrients, and characteristics such as love and contentment.

Question 2

balance of qualities

Answer 2

• Heat - good circulation and body heat, strong digestion, mental creativity, courage and motivation.

• Cold - firm tissues, strong bones and muscles, mental stability, endurance, resilience and reliability.

• Dryness - healthy nerve impulses, lightness, agility, adaptability.

• Moisture - healthy body fluids, moist mucous membranes and feelings of love and contentment.

In traditional thinking, the best place is leaning slightly towards warmth and moisture. At this balance point, the vital force which maintains health and regulates healing in the body, is most active.

Question 3

Excess Heat

Answer 3

• Signs: redness, ‘burning’ sensations, inflammation, acute infection, yellow discharge, loose stool, overexcitement, competitiveness, ‘fiery emotions’ such as irritability and anger.

• Conditions: cystitis, sinusitis (any condition ending in ‘-itis’), hypertension, auto-immunity (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), menopause, migraines, acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin diseases, infected wounds, stress, mania, anger management problems.

Question 4

Balancing excess Heat

Answer 4

Reduce: very hot foods / drinks, hot ‘pungent’ spices (chilli, dry ginger), red meat, oily foods, chemical additives, stimulants (coffee, alcohol). Deep fried, smoked, barbequed food.

• Increase: salads, raw food, green smoothies, bitter vegetables (veg) and herbs. Fresh air, fasting, detoxification also balance excess heat.

• Warmth balances heat in acute situations: warm teas, spices and wraps promote sweating & treat fevers; warm applications reduce joint pain and inflammation.

Question 5

Excess Cold

Answer 5

• Signs: pale, cold, weak digestion, muscle spasm, tiredness, debility, low motivation, emotional withdrawal.

• Conditions: poor circulation (cold hands and feet, Raynaud’s), poor digestion (low appetite, colicky pains, IBS), menstrual cramps, hypothyroidism, weight gain, stiffness, poor memory and concentration, exhaustion, depression.

Question 6

Balancing excess Cold

Answer 6

Reduce: refrigerated and frozen foods, iced drinks, too many cold, raw and ‘bitter’ leafy foods such as chicory, cold smoothies, sushi, too many bitter ‘detoxifying’ herbs, fasting.

• Increase: warm food and drinks, herbs and spices such as fresh ginger, cumin, rosemary, thyme, black pepper and cinnamon to increase circulation and digestion. Vigorous exercise, saunas and oil massages also balance excess cold.

Question 7

Food Temperatures

Answer 7

• HOT: Alcohol, coffee, chocolate, chilli, cayenne, dry ginger, garlic, grilled red meat, deep-fried food, hot spicy curry.

• WARM: Soup, meat/vegetable stew, beef, lamb, stir-fried or baked food, porridge, dahl, mild curry, onion, fresh ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, cumin, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, warm water, most herbal teas.

• NEUTRAL: Steamed grains, boiled vegetables, chicken, water at room temperature.

• COOL: Fish, fermented food, sprouts, salad leaves, bitter greens, vegetable juice, fruit, peppermint tea.

• COLD: Raw food, smoothies, iced drinks, sushi.

Question 8

Plants energetic temperature

Answer 8

• Plants that grow slowly (e.g. roots) are warmer than those that grow quickly (e.g. salad leaves).

• Plants that grow in cold environments also tend to be warmer.

• Chemically fertilised plants grow much faster and are therefore cooler than naturally grown plants.

Question 9

Excess Dryness

Answer 9

• Signs: weight loss, dry skin and mucous membranes, gas, bloating, hyperactivity, feelings of fear and anxiety.

• Conditions: osteoarthritis (stiff, rubbing and clicking joints) dry, flaking, itchy skin conditions, dandruff, wrinkled skin, dry mouth, sinuses & throat, dry (non-productive) cough, gas, bloating, IBS with constipation, gall / kidney stones, tremors, anxiety disorders, insomnia (waking early hours).

Question 10

Balancing excess Dryness

Answer 10

Reduce: light, dry foods such as biscuits, rice cakes, popcorn, starchy grains, legumes that increase gas, and ‘astringent’ herbs such as green tea and cinnamon. Too many ‘hot’ spices also lead to dryness.

• Increase: fluids, soups, broths, high water content fruit and vegetables, root vegetables, nut milks, live yoghurt, ‘mucilaginous’ foods such as okra, chia and linseeds, sweet herbs such as liquorice, most herbal teas. Aloe vera gel & slippery elm are moistening

Question 11

Excess Moisture (Damp)

Answer 11

• Signs: weight gain, fluid retention, watery discharges, mucus, lethargy, nausea, lumps and cysts, feelings of over-sentimentality and possessiveness.

• Conditions: obesity, oedema, benign tumours, cysts, candida, lymphoedema following surgery, hay fever (watering nose and eyes), thick phlegm, allergies, wet (productive) cough, weeping skin lesions, excess sweating.

Question 12

Balancing excess Moisture (Damp)

Answer 12

Reduce: dairy, sweet or high water content fruit and vegetables such as cucumber and melon, refined sugars and carbs, cold smoothies, slimy ‘mucilaginous’ foods such as ripe banana, okra, gluten, chia, linseeds.

• Increase: dry, light, crunchy food, whole non-gluten grains (oats, buckwheat, millet), ‘astringent’ herbs such as green tea, warming, drying spices (cinnamon, ginger, horseradish, most culinary herbs and spices)

Question 13

Energetic Imbalance: Combinations

Answer 13

• Excess hot and wet (bleeding, weeping lesions, hot red oozing skin diseases, sweating, irritability). To restore balance: reduce both hot and moist foods, whilst increasing both cold and dry foods.

• Excess cold and dry (IBS with weak digestion, spasms, gas, bloating, constipation, anxiety). To restore balance: reduce both cold and dry foods, whilst increasing hot and moist foods.

Question 14

Energetic Imbalance: Combinations of meal, mind

Answer 14

• Physical temperature: hot food (hot), raw, cold, fridge food (cold).

• Taste: spicy (hot & dry), bitter (cold), sweet (cool & moist).

• Texture: dry, astringent, starchy (dry), mucilaginous (moist & cool).

• Consistency: liquids, soups, stews, smoothies (moist), dry crunchy foods, biscuits (dry).

• For instance a family, business or class may be well balanced: courageous (hot), resilient (cold), adaptable (dry) and kind (moist).

• Or it can be excessive in some direction:
- Too hot – aggressive, violent
- Too cold – unmotivated, withdrawn
- Too dry – fearful and worried
- Too damp – greedy and sentimental

Question 15

Energetics: Preparation & Serving

Answer 15

• For heat use raw foods, bitter tastes, green smoothies.
• For cold use warm cooked meals, spices.
• For dryness use soups, smoothies, linseeds.
• For moisture use dry, crunchy foods, whole grains, green tea.

Question 16

Energetic Skin conditions

Answer 16

• ‘Hot’ red lesions, secondary infection, yellow exudate.
• ‘Cold’ pale skin, cold extremities, slow wound healing.
• ‘Dry’ dry, flaky, psoriasis, itchy skin.
• ‘Damp’ allergic hives, vesicles, weeping skin lesions with clear exudate.

Question 17

Energetic Respiratory conditions

Answer 17

• ‘Hot’ acute bronchitis, bright yellow / green catarrh.
• ‘Cold’ stuck, difficult to clear, degenerative lung disease.
• ‘Dry’ dry, irritable non-productive cough, brown catarrh.
• ‘Damp’ productive cough, copious ‘Cold’ clear watery catarrh, allergic asthma.

Question 18

Energetic Arthritic conditions

Answer 18

• ‘Hot’ red, inflamed, burning pain, hot to the touch.
• ‘Cold’ chronic, degenerative, pale, cold to the touch.
• ‘Dry’ stiff, clicking and cracking joints.
• ‘Damp’ swollen, oedematous joints.

Question 19

Yin & Yang

Answer 19

• Yin and Yang is a Chinese concept of dualism and balance. It describes how opposite forces are distinct but also related and connected to one another.

Question 20

Yin & Yang imbalance 1

Answer 20

• Good health is an expression of harmony between Yin and Yang. When out of balance, there is dis-ease.

• If Yin does not cool and nourish the body due to insufficient cooling, hydrating and nourishing foods (green veg, fruit, smoothies, soups), Yang may rise, leading to heat signs such as headaches, red face, nosebleeds, or irritability.

• When Yang does not warm and activate the body due to insufficient warming, drying and moving foods (stews, onion, garlic, spices), there may be signs of cold such as chills, tiredness, lethargy, poor circulation or oedema.

Question 21

Yin Foods

Answer 21

• Yin foods are cooling, hydrating and nourishing. They are used to balance excess heat or dryness, or to rebuild a system depleted by exhaustion or illness.

• Cooling yin foods include bitter, leafy greens, watery fruit and veg such as pear, melon, celery.

• Nourishing yin foods include soups, stews, broths, braised meats, dark leafy greens, fruit, yoghurt, honey, oyster, tempeh, nut milks, sesame.

Question 22

Yang Foods

Answer 22

• Yang foods are warming, drying or moving.
They are used to balance excess cold or dampness.

• Warming foods and drinks include soups, stews, dahls, warm porridges, beef, lamb, stir-fried or baked food, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, warm water, herbal teas.

• Foods and spices that clear dampness include non gluten grains (dry-roast then cook as a side to veg or tea), mushrooms, fennel seed or cinnamon tea, horseradish, black radish, ginger, seeds (mustard, cumin, cardamom, star anise), Szechuan pepper.

Question 23

Yin & Yang Imbalances detailed

Answer 23

1. Excess Yang: strong signs of heat such as very red face, migraines, rage or high blood pressure.
2. Deficient Yin: when Yin is deficient, Yang is not anchored, leading to moderate signs of heat such as low grade fevers or night sweats.
3. Excess Yin: strong signs of cold such as a blue tongue or skin, stabbing pains or cramps.
4. Deficient Yang: when Yang doesn’t warm and activate the body, it leads to moderate signs of cold, i.e. diarrhoea, tiredness, lethargy.

Question 24

Excess Yang

Answer 24

• Signs and symptoms: red face, hypertension, anger, headaches, feeling hot, thirst, constipation.

• Tongue: red, possibly with yellow coating.

• Aetiology: stress, diet, acute inflammation.

• Avoid: sugar, alcohol, coffee, black tea, fizzy drinks, red meats, hot spices, fried or greasy food, onion, garlic, processed foods.

• Eat: cooling ‘yin’ foods, bitter greens, watery fruit, melon, celery.

• Lifestyle: avoid stress, strong exercise, hot yoga (yoga carried out in a hot room). Consider moderate exercise i.e. walking, gentle yoga, Qi gong (Chinese system of gentle exercises and breathing).

Question 25

Yang Deficiency

Answer 25

• Signs and symptoms: tired, chilly, pale, loose stool with undigested food, frequent pale urination, oedema, low libido, palpitations, lack of appetite.

• Tongue: pale, swollen, wet.

• Aetiology: chronic illness, old age, cold raw diet, chronic cold exposure.

• Avoid: raw foods, salads, cold drinks, smoothies.

• Eat: nourishing soups, stews, root veg, pumpkin, whole grains, spices, warm water, herbal teas.

• Lifestyle: wrap up warm, avoid cold exposure, stress, overwork. Take hot baths, use hot water bottles, moderate exercise, such as walking or Qi gong.

Question 26

Excess Yin

Answer 26

• Signs and symptoms: sharp pains, cramps, pale / pale-blue complexion, feeling cold all the time, constipation.

• Tongue: blue, possibly with thick white coating.

• Aetiology: cold diet or chronic exposure to cold.

• Avoid: raw foods, salads, cold drinks, smoothies.

• Eat: warming soups, stews, broths, warm water and herbal teas (e.g. ginger, cinnamon).

• Lifestyle: always stay warm, hot baths, hot water bottles.

Question 27

Yin Deficiency

Answer 27

• Signs and symptoms: low grade fever, dry throat at night, night sweats, weight loss, malar flush.

• Tongue: red, cracked, dry.

• Aetiology: chronic illness, prolonged overwork, old age, anaemia.

• Avoid: sugar, alcohol, coffee, hot spices, fried food, onion, garlic.

• Eat: yin nourishing foods such as soups, stews, broths, braised meats, dark leafy greens, fruit, yoghurt, honey, oyster, nut milks, sesame.

• Lifestyle: sleep more, seek stillness. Avoid strong exercise or excessive sexual activity.

Question 28

Life Stages - Childhood

Answer 28

Dominated by moisture.

• Children often have runny noses, ‘wet’ productive coughs and allergies.

• Reduce (as much as possible): dairy, sweet or high water content fruit and vegetables, refined sugars and carbohydrates.

• Increase: light, crunchy and dry foods, whole grains, vegetables, and aromatic spices such as peppermint (if tolerated).

Question 29

Life Stages - Teenage & adulthood

Answer 29

dominated by heat.

• Teenagers have ‘hot’ red acne and angry outbursts.

In adult years ‘hot’ symptoms such as inflammation, stress, high blood pressure are more common.

• Reduce: very hot food and drink, ‘pungent’ spices such as chilli, dry ginger, red meat, oily foods, stimulants such as coffee and alcohol.

• Increase: salads, raw food, green smoothies, bitter vegetables and detoxifying herbs.

• For acute ‘heat’ problems such as fevers, use warm teas and mild spices to promote sweating which cools the body

Question 30

Life Stages - Mature years

Answer 30

dominated by dryness.

• After the age of 50, we start to get dry signs such as wrinkles, joint stiffness, decreasing physical strength and stamina.

• Reduce: light foods such as biscuits, legumes that increase gas, starchy grains. ‘Astringent’ herbs such as green tea, too many hot spices.

• Increase: soups, stews and smoothies, sweet and high water content fruit and veg, root vegetables, nut milks, ‘mucilaginous’ okra, chia and linseeds, liquorice, most herbal teas.

Question 31

Life Stages - old ages

Answer 31

dominated by coldness.

• In our senior years digestive power weakens, circulation reduces, we feel colder, and there is declining mobility, exhaustion and withdrawal.

• Reduce: frozen and refrigerated foods and drinks, too many cold, raw and ‘bitter’ leafy foods, cold smoothies, sushi.

• Increase: warm, cooked and mildly spiced food and drinks that increase body temperature, digestive power and circulation.

Question 32

Seasons & Energetics - Spring

Answer 32

dominated by moisture.

• Productive cough, runny nose, watering eyes, allergies, hay fever.

• Reduce: dairy, high water content fruit and vegetables, gluten, refined sugars and carbs.

• Increase: light, crunchy, dry food, whole grains, vegetables, spices. This is an ideal time to detox using the fresh green leaves that emerge in early spring such as nettles and cleavers.

Question 33

Seasons & Energetics - Summer

Answer 33

dominated by heat.

• Inflammation, prickly heat, sun-burn, irritability.

• Reduce: red meat, oily foods, stimulants.

• Increase: salads, raw foods, green smoothies, bitter vegetables and detoxifying herbs.

• In the summer nature provides abundant greens, berries, fruit and veg - perfect cooling foods.

• Although the summer diet should be generally raw and cool, warm teas and spices can be used to promote sweating which has a ‘cooling’ effect.

Question 34

Seasons & Energetics - Autumn

Answer 34

dominated by dryness.

• Dry skin, joint stiffness, decreased energy, anxiety.

• Reduce: light, dry foods such as biscuits, gas forming legumes, ‘astringent’ green tea, ‘hot’ spices.

• Increase: warm and ‘hearty’ soups, stews, broths, root veg, high water content fruit and veg, sweet herbs such as liquorice, herbal teas.

• In Autumn nature provides its harvest of nuts, seeds, grains and root veg. Perfect for building energy, weight and warmth in time for winter.

Question 35

Seasons & Energetics - Winter

Answer 35

dominated by cold.

• Poor circulation, weight gain, sleepiness, low mood, seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

• Reduce: refrigerated & frozen foods, iced drinks, cold, raw food, leafy foods, sushi.

• Increase: warm cooked, spiced food and drinks to raise temperature, digestive power and circulation.

• Winter provides cruciferous vegetables which are warming and help clear respiratory mucus. Aside from this we should stay warm, rest, relax and enjoy warm and luxurious ‘soul’ food and ‘spices’.

Question 36

Hot constitutions

Answer 36

• Character: ‘fiery’ disposition, motivated, energetic, courageous.

• Risks: prone to inflammation, stress, irritability and anger, over-acidity, especially in hot climates and seasons, and during teenage and adult years.

• Diet: reduce oily foods, red meat, chemical additives, stimulants.

Increase cool water, raw foods, leafy greens, bitter detoxifying herbs. Warm teas and spices promote sweating and hence ‘cool’.

• Hot types should consider gentle forms of yoga, tai chi, and exercise in fresh air.

Question 37

Cold constitutions

Answer 37

• Character: cool, composed, steady nature.

• Risks: prone to poor circulation, tense muscles, weak digestion, spasmodic pains, low mood, especially in cold climates and seasons.

• Diet: reduce refrigerated, frozen foods, iced drinks, cold, raw and ‘bitter’ leafy foods.

Increase warm drinks, cooked foods, spices such as ginger and cinnamon to increase circulation and digestive power.

• Cold types need to get ‘fired up’ with more vigorous (cardiovascular) exercise. Get these individuals active.

Question 38

Dry constitutions

Answer 38

• Character: quick, light and adaptable nature.

• Risks: dry skin, stiff joints, dry mucosa, gas, bloating, constipation, tremors, weight loss, anxiety, especially in dry / windy climates and seasons.

• Diet: reduce light food, legumes, starchy grains, excess spices astringent herbs such as green tea. Increase fluids, soups, stews, smoothies, mild aromatic spices, okra, chia, linseeds, liquorice.

• Dry types need to learn to feel secure and content in themselves. Recommend breathing exercises and more social interaction.

Question 39

Moist constitutions

Answer 39

• Character: calm, reliable, loving nature.

• Risks: mucus, lethargy, weight gain, especially in wet climates and seasons.

• Diet: reduce dairy, sweet fruit, watery fruit and vegetables, gluten, refined sugars and carbs, cold smoothies, ‘mucilaginous’ foods such as okra, chia, linseeds. Increase warm, dry and spicy foods, whole grains.

• Damp types need to challenge themselves and take more risks in life (i.e. be adventurous)

Question 40

Constitutions

Answer 40

Question 41

Constitutions possible problems

Answer 41

• Hot constitution: uses too many raw, cold foods, in cold climates and seasons; can eventually get cold problems such as weak digestion and cold hands and feet.

• Dry constitution: eats too many sugars and refined carbs in wet climates and seasons; can eventually get damp problems such as mucous congestion and weight gain.

• In this situation, focus first on the quality that is aggravated.

• For a hot constitution experiencing cold problems, treat the cold. Increase warm, cooked foods and moderate spices. Reduce refrigerated, frozen foods, iced drinks, raw and ‘bitter’ leafy foods.

• For a dry constitution experiencing damp problems, treat the damp. Increase light food, legumes, astringent herbs - green tea. Reduce dairy, refined sugar and carbs, okra, gluten, chia, linseeds, liquorice.

• Once balance is restored return to general constitutional recommendations, but avoid extremes.

• Acute situations involve heat. Thus hot, cold, dry and moist constitutions experience heat signs if they suffer injury, infection, inflammation (fever, redness, yellow discharges).

• In this case always address the heat first using warm treatments:

• Teas, baths and blankets promote sweating which stimulates immunity and cools the body in fevers.
• External warming rubs containing aromatic herbs (tiger balm, ginger), especially when alternated with cold treatments, reduce inflammation and pain.

• Once acute phase passes return to constitutional advice.

Question 42

Ascending Foods

Answer 42

• Hot foods are ascending, i.e. hot spices, onion, garlic, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, sugar. Avoid with heat signs: headache, hypertension, infection.

• Stalky vegetables that grow fast and upwards are ascending, i.e. celery, asparagus, broccoli, parsley and sprouted seeds / beans.

• Stir-frying vegetables and dry-roasting grains gives them an ascending vector and adds warming energy to meals.

Question 43

Descending Foods

Answer 43

• ‘Cooling’ foods are descending, i.e. cucumber, watermelon, strawberry, raw food and veg juice.

• They direct energy and fluids downwards, clear and descend heat, especially from the upper body.

• Descending root vegetables such as carrots or parsnips.

• Bitter foods are descending and clear heat, i.e. spinach, rocket, kale, radicchio, radishes, cabbage, lemon. Bitter leaves, with a splash of olive oil, relieve constipation by supporting the descending function of the digestive system.

Question 44

Centring Foods

Answer 44

• Wet cooking methods (steaming, boiling, braising)

nourish and warm the centre / digestion,

i.e. soup, stew, porridge, steamed / boiled veg.

• For weak digestion, dehydration and feeling cold.

They keep us centred and grounded in ourselves.

• Steamed whole grains, sweet veg (sweet potatoes, squash) all nourish digestion.

• Round shaped foods such as celeriac, sweet potato, squash, beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes, hazelnuts have affinity with the abdomen and are centring. So are warm water and herbal teas.

Question 45

Foods that spread out to the exterior

Answer 45

• Help the lungs expel pathogens, i.e. hot spicy food, black pepper, ginger, chilli.

• Help lungs expel mucus, induce sweat, support digestion of mucus-forming foods, promote circulation to the muscles and limbs.

• Spices can have a heating and dehydrating effect and should be used alongside foods that moisten the lungs.

• Ginger, lemon and honey tea: ginger helps lungs to expel mucus; Lemon (descending) clears heat from the lungs; honey moistens and soothes the lungs.

Question 46

Consolidating Foods

Answer 46

• Affinity with the kidney / adrenal function of preserving and supporting life (cortisol / adrenaline).

• Roasting vegetables or meat consolidates their volume and intensifies taste. It is the best cooking method for systems that need consolidation and rebuilding.

• Nuts & seeds are the most energetically dense parts of plants that contain the blueprint and essential nutrients for new life. Bone broth is consolidating when recovering from chronic illness.

• The sour taste of naturally fermented foods has a firming and moving action that helps consolidate blood.

Question 47

Food Direction

Answer 47

Question 48

Food Flavours

Answer 48

• There are five main flavours:

bitter (heart), sweet (spleen), sour (liver), pungent (spicy) (lungs) and salty (kidneys).

• Each flavour has affinity with an organ.

• Flavours can be emphasised for medicinal purposes, but cooking for general health should aim for a full range of flavours.

• When out of balance, we develop cravings for certain flavours, which can impact the imbalance for better or worse.

Question 49

Sweet Food Flavours

Answer 49

affinity with the digestive system.

• Most common flavour, found in most foods to some degree. Supports and strengthens digestion, providing nourishment. Has a centring action.

• Distinguish naturally sweet foods (whole grains, legumes, root vegetables) from ‘empty’ refined sugar (no nutritional value and lead to candida, weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease).

• Sugar cravings indicate digestive weakness; giving in to them further compromises digestion. Substitute sugar with naturally sweet fruit and veg, raw honey, stevia, molasses.

Question 50

Sour Food Flavours

Answer 50

affinity with the liver.

• Consolidating or astringent action, counteracts leakage of blood or fluids and helps store blood, therefore, sour is a good companion to bloodbuilding foods. Include naturally fermented pickles, apple cider vinegar, miso, rye sourdough, citrus.

• In moderate quantities, sour moves energy, but excess can cause over-contraction and stasis.

• Cooling for internal heat, also helps digest fatty foods and increases absorption by stimulating gallbladder and pancreas secretions.

Question 51

Pungent Food Flavours

Answer 51

affinity with the lungs.

• Pungent, spicy or aromatic flavours (e.g. ginger, black pepper, mustard, cayenne, horseradish, onion) promote circulation and move energy upwards and outwards.

• Disperses mucus from the lungs and induces a sweat, thus supporting immunity.

• Spicy foods eventually cool the body via sweating. In excess, they over-stimulate and exhaust energy and can be dehydrating.

Question 52

Salty Food Flavours

Answer 52

affinity with the kidneys (and adrenals).

• Moves inward and downward from the exterior, drawing the action of food towards the centre and root of the body.

• The kidneys filter water, control blood pressure and regulate red blood cell synthesis. A little salt benefits the kidneys and helps adrenal fatigue (i.e. sea / rock salt, not refined table salt).

• Salty pickled vegetables are good during winter, as they increase storage capacity and bring heat deeper and lower.

• Salt moistens dryness and increases water retention; therefore, avoid in damp states, hypertension or oedema. Excess salt can weaken the bladder, kidneys and heart.

Question 53

Organ Affinities - digestive system

Answer 53

• Sweet foods (not empty sugars); i.e. whole grain rice, oat, millet, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, sweet potato, squash, root veg, liquorice tea.

• Wet cooked foods (boiled, steamed, braised) are easy to digest and warm digestion; i.e. soup, stew, porridge, dahl, (especially if mildly spiced).

• Round shaped foods; i.e. beetroot, celeriac, yam, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts have affinity with the abdomen.

• Spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cumin, caraway, cardamom are warming and support healthy digestion (digestive ‘fire’).

Question 54

Organ Affinities - lungs

Answer 54

• Pungent or spicy foods i.e. black pepper, ginger, chilli, spring onions, garlic help the mucus and induce a sweat. Use in moderation as excess consumption causes heat / dryness.

• Roasted almonds, pine nuts and thyme support lung function.

• Yoghurt, honey, rye sourdough bread and fruit moisten the lungs. Broccoli and cauliflower support the lungs (they look like lungs) and help expel mucus

Question 55

Organ Affinities - liver

Answer 55

• Dark leaves and vegetables help build the blood, while their bitter taste helps clear heat, i.e. spinach, sorrel, rocket, kale, chard, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, celery, parsley, asparagus, broccoli, coriander, bay leaf, basil, sage, rosemary.

• Red-coloured foods build the blood, i.e.

raisins, red dates, red grapes, berries, rosehips, beetroot. So, too, do beans, lentils and vegetable juices.

Question 56

Organ Affinities - Heart

Answer 56

• A few foods uplift the spirit including: pistachio, poppy seeds, rose, vanilla, lotus seeds.

• Cooking methods involving expansion (e.g. soufflés) or swirling (e.g. scrambled eggs) resonate with the emotional heart (the swirling movement resembles singing and dancing as expressions of joy).

• The bitter taste helps drain bitterness from the heart.