In western culture, we mainly categorise food based on its nutritional value and structure, for example how much protein, fat, and calories it contains. In Chinese medicine, however, food is categorised on its energy content and how this energy affects our bodies. The food energies are classed as either heating, cooling, drying, or dampening the body. Chinese medicine is largely focussed on balancing all of these energetic properties in order for us to enjoy a healthy life and to prevent disease and illness from occurring in the body.

Many natural health practitioners believe that our guts have their own vitality and therefore it’s really important to heal our bodies with the right foods in order to counteract illness and disease. In the UK, we live in a predominantly cold and damp climate, therefore eating excess cold food and drink, for example, icy drinks could run the risk of dampening our vitality and resulting in various health implications. Therefore, opting for food and drinks that are more blood temperature or warmer is generally recommended for most people.

Let’s have a deeper look into each food energy group and the symptoms associated with them…

Too much damp

To put it simply, dampness refers to excess water retention in the body. A high proportion of water in the body is seen to be the main source of illness and disease. In Chinese medicine, dampness is considered to be a contributing factor to many serious illnesses such as high cholesterol, cancer, metabolic disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, MS, fibromyalgia, eczema, allergies, diarrhoea, and excess phlegm. Fungal diseases such as ringworm and athlete’s foot could also be related.

Excess dampness can be balanced out with a reduction in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt, as well as sweet or high-water content fruits such as melon, kiwi, and cucumber. Processed sugar, gluten and refined carbohydrates should also be best avoided including bread, pizza, pastry, and pasta. Alcohol and caffeine should be limited also, replacing these with green tea and warming and drying spices such as cinnamon.

Balancing dampness with drying foods

Foods with drying energy include crunchy foods like granola, biscuits, crackers, carrots, and celery. Also, starchy grains including rice, potatoes, and couscous. Nuts and seeds are ideal for balancing out dampness, as are beans, lentils, and roasted vegetables.

Too much dry

When the body is too dry, weight loss can occur, and skin and mucous membranes become dry. We may experience gas, bloating and feelings of fear and anxiety. Common conditions linked to too much dryness in the body include Osteoarthritis (stiff, rubbing and clicking joints), dry, flaking, itchy skin conditions, wrinkled skin, dry mouth, and persistent dry cough.
In contrary to reducing dampness, those with too much dryness should try to reduce their intake of dry foods such as biscuits, crisps, and starchy grains. They should also increase their fluid intake with plenty of water to keep hydrated. Foods that are lightly cooked or steamed are best, and slimy foods like okra, chia, and linseeds.

Balancing with damp foods

Damp foods include dairy, wheat-containing foods, sweet or high-water content fruits and sugar. Eggs, meat, soy, and slimy foods such as okra, chai and linseeds are also considered to have dampening qualities. Cold drinks and juices are also good for those experiencing too much dryness.

Too much cool

Excess cold in the body usually manifests as a pale complexion, cold hands, and feet, feeling weak, sore joints, muscle spasms, and feeling unmotivated and emotionally withdrawn. Too much cold energy in the body can also result in poor circulation, Raynaud’s disease, low thyroid function, exhaustion, and depression.
Excess cool can be balanced by reducing the amount of refrigerated and frozen foods eaten, as well as avoiding fasting and detoxes. Drinking warm drinks instead of cold drinks can help as well as filling your diet with a range of warming foods

Balancing with warming foods

Warming foods are yang, which in Chinese medicine is a representation of warmth. They help to raise the energy of the body and improve circulation while bringing heat to the organs and blood supply. Warm foods are generally slower to grow and be produced such as cabbage, onion, garlic, ginger, peppers, parsnips, coconut, and pumpkin. Red meat, soybean, chocolate, and oats are also yang foods. Many spices contain warming energy like chilli, cayenne, coriander, cumin, and turmeric and can be used for home cooking in order to benefit from their properties. The colour of food can also help you determine its warmness. Green, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables tend to be cooler than those that are red, orange, or yellow. Therefore, red apples and peppers will be warmer than green apples and peppers.

Too much heat

Too much heat in the body can present itself as hot flashes, redness in the skin, burning sensations, inflammation, acidity, constipation, and fiery emotions such as irritability and anger. Migraines, cystitis, high blood pressure, acne, IBS, and Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and coeliac disease are all thought to be linked to excessive heat in the body.

Excess heat can be controlled with a reduction of hot foods and drinks, pungent spices such as chilli and dry ginger, red meat, and oily foods. As well as the elimination of chemical food additives, coffee, and alcohol. Those with too much heat should eat more salads, raw food, green smoothies, bitter vegetables, and herbs. Regular fasting and detox are recommended to reduce excess heat as much as possible.

Balancing with cooling foods

Foods with cooling energy tend to take less time to grow and are best served raw. These include salad vegetables such as lettuce, celery, radish, cucumber, and tomatoes, as well as sweet fruits such as kiwi, pears, watermelon, berries, and bananas. Cold drinks, such as iced water and fruit smoothies can help to control excess heat, as can bitter herbs like mustard greens, chicory, and dandelion leaves. Sprouted grains, egg whites and tofu all come under the cooling category too.

Continual balance is the key to healthy living

In Chinese Medicine, the key to optimum health is to eat foods that balance the energy in your body. You will find that at different times in your daily life you will experience different signs and symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to keep coming back to the lists of food energies to help your body regain balance by fuelling it with those foods it requires. Decreasing excess heat with cooling foods and reducing dampness with drying foods for example. Achieving this balance is thought to be the best way to ensure a healthy body and healthy mind in the long term.