Energetics Flashcards
(62 cards)
What is energetics?
Related to the flow of energy in the body.
What is the vital force referred to in Chinese medicine and in India?
TCM - Qi
India - Prana
In Western energetics, what is the role of the digestive system, described as ‘fire’?
Stimulates digestive enzymes and bile flow.
Impurities - clearing out
Liver supporting
Warming up the fire > digestion/absorption optimised > tissues are nourished
What foods are energetically hot?
Ginger, cayenne, garlic.
What foods are energetically cool?
Cucumber, celery, goldenseal, green leafy veg.
Why is ginger unusual?
It is warming, yet also anti-inflammatory.
Which herbs are mucilaginous?
Marshmallow and aloe vera.
Name some drying foods?
Nuts, seeds, whole grains, pulses.
What is ‘Agni’?
In Ayurveda, it is the digestive fire - the power to digest, absorb and transform nutrients from food.
When is Agni at its highest?
In the morning.
What has a key influence on Agni?
The constitution of the person.
What is Ama?
Undigested foods - that which can’t be assimilated or eliminated - Ama forms (ie toxins).
Result of energetic imbalance - excess cold or excess heat. Or bad eating habits.
Why is having ice in your drinks or ice creams with meals, a bad idea?
Extinguishes the digestive fire.
What spices/herbs increase the digestive fire?
Fennel, cumin, cardamom, fenugreek.
How is ‘spleen’ seen differently in TCM?
Doesn’t refer to the organ, but encompasses all aspects of digestion/absorption. Alongside the stomach.
What does Spleen Qi deficiency cause?
Damp, toxins, stagnation.
In TCM, what is the job of the stomach?
To rot and ripen
Name three dampening foods?
Gluten, refined sugars and dairy.
What is the difference between ‘full’ sweet and ‘empty’ sweet in TCM?
‘full’ - naturally sweet foods support and strengthen the digestive system, such as sweet potatoes. ‘empty’ sweet, just gives you the sugar but nothing else.
In TCM what are sugar cravings a symptom of?
Spleen Qi deficiency.
What medical conditions are associated with damp and heat?
Candida, weight gain, diabetes mellitus and CVD.
What is the TCM clock?
Shows the cyclic flow of Qi to different organs at different times of the day. Useful tool to understand when you should eat, for example.
What organ is optimal between 5-7am?
The large intestine. Drink warm water to support elimination.
What organ is optimal between 7-9am
The stomach, hence breakfast being the most important meal of the day. Breakfast should be warm and hydrating.