Energetics 2

Question 1

What qualities are associated with dryness?

Answer 1

Dominated by the air element - think of the wind. Manifests in nerve impulses, lightness of the body, mental speed, agility and adaptability.

Question 2

In terms of the balance of energetic qualities, in traditional thinking, what was considered optimum?

Answer 2

‘The Point of Pepsis’ - leaning slightly towards warmth and moisture.

Question 3

What type of stool is a sign of heat in the system?

Answer 3

Loose stool - the body trying to get rid of heat in the body.

Question 4

Energetically what is IBS considered to be?

Answer 4

A cold condition because the food isn’t digesting well.

Question 5

What is rosemary energetically?

Answer 5

A warming circulatory tonic.

Question 6

What is sage good for?

Answer 6

Anti-microbial, good for the throat, and for the menopause.

Question 7

What are onions good for?

Answer 7

Warming, contain sulphur that thins mucous and warms the circulation.

Question 8

Why is rosemary and thyme good for stimulating digestion?

Answer 8

They contain aromatic volatile oils which are warming and also relax smooth muscles in the digestive system.

Question 9

Examples of neutral foods?

Answer 9

Steamed grains, boiled vegetables, chicken - served at room temperature.

Question 10

Plants that grow slowly are….?

Answer 10

Warmer eg Korean ginseng root. Takes 6-7 years for it to be ready.

Question 11

Plants that grow in cold environments tend to be…?

Answer 11

Warmer eg Siberian ginseng

Question 12

Energetically what effect do tannins have on the body?

Answer 12

An astringent action - binding, toning and drying effect on tissues of the body. nb. cinnamon contains tannins.

Question 13

What foods should a person showing excess dryness avoid?

Answer 13

Energetically dry foods including starchy grains, legumes, astringent herbs, tannins.

Increase moistening and hydrating foods.
Fluids, soups, broths, high-water content veg, root veg, mucilaginous foods such as chia and okra, linseeds. Herbs such as liquorice, marshmallow, aloe vera and slippery elm.

Question 14

What foods should a person showing excess moisture/damp reduce and increase?

Answer 14

Reduce - energetically moist/damp foods such as dairy, gluten, watery fruit and veg.

Increase drying, damp-clearing foods eg legumes, astringent herbs. Dry, light, crunchy foods - non-gluten grains. Most culinary herbs and spices.

Question 15

What are signs of excess dryness?

Answer 15

Weight loss, dry skin, dandruff, constipation, fear and anxiety. Dry joints, wrinkled skin. Dry cough. Gall stones and kidney stones. Tremors.

Question 16

What are signs of excess moisture?

Answer 16

Weight gain, fluid retention, watery discharges, hayfever, allergies, mucus, lumps and cysts. Feelings of over-sentimentality and possessiveness.

Question 17

Yellow discharge is a symptom of?

Answer 17

Heat, and maybe damp.

Question 18

Examples of nourishing yin foods?

Answer 18

Oysters, nut milks, sesame, yoghurt, honey.

Question 19

What are yin foods in their action?

Answer 19

Cooling, hydrating, nourishing. To rebuild a system depleted by illness.

Question 20

What are yang foods in their action?

Answer 20

Warming, drying, moving. Used to balance excess cold or dampness.

Question 21

Examples of foods that clear dampness?

Answer 21

Non-gluten grains, mushrooms, fennel seed and ginger.

Question 22

What is a ‘deficient yin’ state?

Answer 22

Yin is deficient, yang is not anchored. Moderate signs of heat and dryness eg. hot flushes in the menopause.

Question 23

What is a ‘deficient yang’ state?

Answer 23

Yang doesn’t warm/activate the body. Moderate signs of cold. Symptoms include tiredness, lethargy, diarrheoa.

Question 24

What is a ‘excess yin’ state?

Answer 24

Strong signs of cold. Symptoms might include stabbing pains or cramps.

Question 25

What lifestyle advice would you give to somebody who is deficient in yin?

Answer 25

To activate the PNS - sleep more, seek stillness. Avoid strong exercise.

Question 26

Which life stage is dominated by moisture, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?

Answer 26

Childhood - runny noses, allergies. Light, crunchy food, wholegrains, aromatic spices, such as fennel seeds and peppermint.

Question 27

What life stage is dominated by heat, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?

Answer 27

Teen years and adulthood. Symptoms include acne, inflammation, stress, high BP. Salads, raw foods, green smoothies, bitters and detoxifying herbs.

Question 28

What life stage is dominated by dryness, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?

Answer 28

Mature years. Dry signs include wrinkless, joint stiffness, decreasing physical strength and stamina. Soups, stews, smoothies, mucilaginous foods such as okra, chia and linseeds. High-water content fruit and veg.

Question 29

What stage is dominated by coldness, and what foods would you recommend at this stage?

Answer 29

Old age. Digestive power weakens, circulation reduces, declining mobility, exhaustion and withdrawal. Warm, cooked, easy to digest food.

Question 30

What energetics are associated with each season?

Answer 30

Spring is dominated by moisture. Summer is dominated by heat. Autumn is dominated by dryness. Winter is dominated by cold.

Question 31

What is the 'doctrine of signatures'?

Answer 31

Plants and foods carry 'signs' of their properties eg kidney beans for kidneys.

Question 32

Give examples of 'ascending' foods?

Answer 32

Ascending foods lift us - eg lift our energy. Eg. cinnamon, garlic and hot spices. Stalky veg that grow upwards such as celery and broccoli. Sprouted seeds and beans. Stir frying and dry roasting gives a warm, ascending energy.

Question 33

Give examples of 'descending' foods?

Answer 33

Direct energy and fluids downwards - clearing heat. Detoxifying. Contribute to a health bowel movement. Eg. root veg, berries, bitter foods.

Question 34

Give examples of 'centring' foods?

Answer 34

Draw energy to the centre of your body and support digestion. For weak digestion and feeling cold. Keep us centred and grounded. Eg. Porridge, round veg, sweet potato. Warm water and herbal teas.

Question 35

What foods spread out to the exterior?

Answer 35

Helping the lungs expel pathogens - expectorant function. Expel mucus, promote circulation. Eg. pepper, ginger, chilli. Ginger, lemon and honey tea. Ginger helps lungs to expel mucus, lemon clears heat and honey moistens and soothes the lungs. Energetically balanced.

Question 36

Give examples of 'consolidating' foods? and how should they be cooked?

Answer 36

Affinity with kidney/adrenal function. Consolidation and rebuilding. Building up energy. Slow roasting veg or meat for intensity of flavour (umami). Nuts and seeds (life-giving) and bone broth.

Question 37

What organ is the flavour bitter associated with?

Answer 37

Bitter has an affinity with the heart. Foods - rose, poppy seeds. Be cautious - excess bitter drains Qi - not ideal for individuals who are weak and depleted.

Question 38

What organ is the flavour sweet associated with?

Answer 38

Sweet has an affinity with the digestive system ('full' sweet). It supports and strengthens digestion. Sugar cravings indicate digestive weakness.

Question 39

What organ is the flavour sour associated with?

Answer 39

Affinity with the liver. Consolidating or astringent action. Supports digestion, helps store blood (good companion to blood building foods - dark leaves). Red coloured foods build the blood eg berries, beetroot. Lemon juice in water in the morning.

Question 40

What organ is the flavour pungent associated with?

Answer 40

Affinity with the lungs. Clears the lungs. Veg from the cruciferous family eg cauliflower and broccoli - support the lungs. Honey moistens the lungs.

Question 41

What organ is the flavour salty associated with?

Answer 41

Affinity with the kidneys/adrenals. Right amount of salt can be replenishing and regenerating. Helps adrenal fatigue. Bone broth - umami foods. Cold pressed oils. Kidney beans. Mushrooms. Salt cravings in the depleted.