Chinese Nutrition Therapy (eBook)

Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Joerg Kastner (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2021 | 3. Auflage
328 Seiten
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
9783132579323 (ISBN)

Infos

<p><em><strong>Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food</strong> &ndash; Hippocrates, ca. 460&ndash;ca. 370 BC</em></p> <p>For millennia, the Chinese have taught that a balanced and nutritious diet is an integral part of maintaining good health while healing a wide range of disorders. Here, in a new and third edition of the acclaimed <cite><strong>Chinese Nutrition Therapy</strong></cite>, the author further demystifies Chinese dietetics, one of the pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).</p> <p>Joerg Kastner's introduction to the principles of TCM and the 'energetics' of foods emphasizes a holistic approach throughout, providing readers with tools for integrating the principles of Chinese dietetics into their daily lives. Included are a comprehensive <strong>classification of more than 300 readily available foods</strong> such as vegetables, grains, herbs and spices, fruits, meat and poultry, seafoods, dairy products, oils and fats, and nuts and seeds. Many clinical examples and treatment suggestions artfully combine Western medical conditions with Chinese diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.</p> <p>The explanation of causes of diseases, the different symptoms, and lists of recommended foods and foods to avoid are supplemented by advice on appropriate acupuncture treatments.</p> <p>The third edition has been expanded with chapters covering allergies, food sensitivities, dietary support in oncologic cases, <strong>fasting, 'superfoods,' and smoothies</strong>. Where appropriate, bridges have been constructed between the paradigms of TCM and those of contemporary scientific medicine. The section 'Food Classification' has been developed further to include more detail and many more foods.</p> <p><strong>Highlights</strong></p> <ul> <li>Descriptions of Chinese dietetics in practice and discussions of dietary factors, such as seasonal adaptations and differing requirements for children and seniors</li> <li>Practical tips on how to adapt Chinese nutrition therapy to Western products and cooking methods</li> <li>Clinical examples covering the major organ systems</li> <li>A handy 'A to Z' list of common foods and their healing characteristics</li> </ul> <p>User-friendly <cite>Chinese Nutrition Therapy</cite> is an essential reference for students and practitioners of TCM, likewise to be valued by nutritionists, dieticians, physicians, and anyone interested in living a long and healthy life.</p> <p>This book includes complimentary access to a digital copy on <a href='https://medone.thieme.com/'>https://medone.thieme.com.</a></p>

Textauszug

1A Introduction to the Basic Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Dietetics

 

1 Yin and Yang

The basic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are rooted in the Daoist philosophy of yin and yang. These two polar opposites organize and explain the ongoing process of natural change and transformation in the universe.

According to ancient lore, yang marks the sunny side and yin the shady side of a hill. In the theory of yin and yang, all things and phenomena of the cosmos contain these two complementary aspects. The traditional Daoist symbol for completeness and harmony is the merging monad of yin and yang.

The standard of TCM, the Huang Di Nei Jing, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine,” dates as far back as 500 to 300 BC. This 18-volume classic work has two parts, Ling Shu and Su Wen. The Su Wen explains the theoretical foundations of TCM in the form of a dialogue between the legendary Yellow Emperor Huan Di and his personal physician Shi Po. The Ling Shu, the practical part of the Nei Jing, reports on therapies and their uses in TCM: acupuncture, moxibustion, nutritional therapy, and the use of medicinal herbs.

TCM is rooted in the Daoist worldview employed by physicians and philosophers for centuries as a guide for viewing and interpreting natural phenomena.

Dao means harmony–destination–way, the “all-in-one,” the origin of the world. The teachings of Dao are based on the work Dao de Jing (Daodejing, Tao te Ching), “The Book of the Way and of Virtue,” by the famous Chinese scholar Laozi (Lao Tse) (600 BC).

Fig. 1.1 Monad.

In Nature

Yin

Yang

Moon

Sun

Shadow/night

Light/day

Dark

Light

Passive

Active

Water

Fire

Down

Up

Structure

Function

Right

Left

Cold

Hot

Plant-based foods

Animal-based foods

Heaven

Earth

Autumn, winter

Spring, summer

Relative stasis

Evident motion

Heavy

Light

In People

Yin

Yang

Woman

Man

Receptive

Creative

Stomach, front

Back, rear

From waist down

From waist up

Body interior

Body surface

Right

Left

Viscera (storage organs) zang (heart)

Bowels (hollow organs) fu (stomach)

Organ structure

Organ function

Blood, body fluids

Qi, life energy

Bones/organs/sinews

Skin/muscles/body hair

Viscera

Bowels

Gu qi (drum qi)

Defense qi (wei qi)

Controlling vessel (ren mai)

Governing vessel (du mai)

In Diagnostics

Yin

Yang

Quiet voice

Loud voice

Talks little

Talks a lot

Pale face

Red face

Shivering, sensation of cold

Warm, sensation of heat

Likes warmth

Likes cold

Slow, reticent movements

Fast, strong movements

Passive, insidious onset of illness

Active, acute onset of illness

Chronic illness

Acute illness

Urine: clear, frequent

Urine: dark, concentrated

Tongue: pale, white fur

Tongue: red, yellow fur

Pulse: slow, weak

Pulse: rapid, replete

In Diagnostics and Therapy

Yin

Yang

Vacuity, interior, cold symptoms

Repletion, exterior, heat symptoms

Inadequate circulation

Blood repletion

Hypofunction (underfunction)

Hyperfunction (overfunction)

Flaccid muscles

Tense muscles

Depression disorders

States of agitation

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Dull pain

Sharp pain

Cool

Warm

Beta-blockers

Caffeine

Cool packs

Fango (hot packs)

Pulse: slow, deep, rough, vacuous, fine

Pulse: rapid, floating, slippery, replete, large, surging

In Chinese Nutrition

Yin

Yang

Tropical fruit

Meat

Dairy products

Acrid spices

Seaweed

Shrimp

Orange juice

Coffee

Peppermint tea

Fennel tea

Wheat

Oats

Soy sauce

Tabasco

Wheat beer

Anise schnapps

Steamed foods

Grilled foods

Fig. 1.2 The Chinese character qi.

Guided by the Daoist perspective, “natural scientists” took the findings of these observations of nature and applied them to humans. They regarded the human being as a natural being, a part of nature, subject to and dependent on nature’s processes.

The main principle of Dao is represented by the two polarities yin and yang, which, according to Daoist belief, mirror all phenomena in the universe. The Chinese character for qi is formed by two elements. One element means “air,” “breath,” “steam”; the other element means “rice,” “grains.” This character illustrates how something can be both immaterial and material, in accordance with the Daoist principle of yin and yang.

The energy field between the poles of yin and yang gives rise to the universal primal force qi. According to ancient Chinese belief, vital qi (sheng qi)—or life force—is the primary source of all living processes in the cosmos.

The concept and meaning of qi is only partially translatable into Western languages. Hindus and Yogis use the term “prana” to reflect similar ideas about all-permeating life energy. The ancient Greek term “pneuma” describes a similar concept. Coursing vital qi, as an energetic unit, is an essential element in the various treatment modalities of TCM, such as acupuncture, moxibustion, dietetics, medicinal herb therapy, and qi gong.

Imbalances of qi can take the form of vacuity or repletion. The term “vacuity” comes from the Chinese “xu” (vacuous, empty, lacking, weak). Its opposite is “repletion,” which comes from the Chinese “shi.” Vacuity...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 21.5.2021
• Übersetzer: Sabine Wilms
• Verlagsort: Stuttgart
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Medizinische Fachgebiete
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Naturheilkunde
• Schlagworte: diet • Disease • Healing • Health • healthy eating • TCM • Traditional Chinese Medicine
• ISBN-13: 9783132579323 / 9783132579323