Traditional Chinese Medicine Eating Habits

how to eat according to TCM: child eating an apple

Healthy Eating Habits: How to Eat According to TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is heavily relied upon as medicine. What, when, the temperature of the food and how you eat it affects the function of your digestive organs (your spleen and stomach in Chinese medicine) which in turn influences the qi (energy) and function of all the other organs.

The four key rules for eating habits according to Chinese medicine principles are:

  • Timing – best to eat at the same time every day.  In TCM, the spleen and stomach are the organs most involved in digestion and they work best at certain times of the day. The stomach time is from 7-9 a.m., which is the best time of day to consume a good hearty breakfast.  The spleen time follows the stomach, from 9-11 a.m., here you are digesting that hearty breakfast and turning it into energy for your body to use.   These organs are weakest 12 hours later, so you want to avoid eating from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. to avoid damaging them.
  • Weather temperature – External cold temperatures dictate the consumption of warmer foods like soups and stews, external heat calls for
    colder foods like salads. Excessive consumption of cold, raw foods can damage the spleen, so ease up on the salads in winter, switch to lightly stir-fried or steamed foods.
  • Be mindful of what you are doing while eating – You should be focused on eating, not watching TV, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, driving, walking etc.  Being attentive to the task of eating, helps improve digestion, increases awareness of how much you are eating and helps you recognize when you are full.  The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for digestion, being overstimulated or stressed while eating decreases parasympathetic nervous system activity and increases sympatheic nervous system which directs resources away from your digestive tract.
  • Quantity – You should eat to the point of 2/3 satiety, to allow some reserves in the digestive tract for the process of digestion

For more Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) advice, see TCMP/acupuncturist, Joy Walraven or one of our naturopathic doctors, Dr Rachel Vong or Dr Pamela Frank

By Dr Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor

Cupping

woman having cupping treatment

Cupping or What are Those Bruises on Olympian Michael Phelps?

If you watched the Olympics you noticed circular marks that looked like bruises on US swimmer, Michael Phelps.  No one beat him with a circular object, those marks are the effect of a Chinese medicine technique known as cupping.

What is cupping and what are the benefits?

Cupping is an ancient technique that improves and restores blood flow.  It reduces swelling and pulls waste from body tissues.  It allows for fresh, oxygenated blood to flow through tight muscles, stubborn knots, and irritated fascia.

How is cupping done?

For this technique, a flaming cotton ball is placed into a special glass cup. The cup is then quickly placed on the skin. This causes the underlying tissue to be raised partway into the cup. In some cases, such as acute injury, the cups are simply left in place for 15 minutes. For other conditions, such as colds or allergies, they are placed on an area for just a few moments. Then they are moved to another site of stagnation. For more chronic pain the practitioner applies an oil to the skin and then slides the cups over an affected area.

Does cupping hurt?

It does not have to hurt. The amount of suction can easily be adjusted to the tolerance of the individual. In fact, people report that the tightening sensation in the area of the cups often feels very good on tense, aching muscles.

What conditions does this therapy help?

It treats pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, legs (quads, IT band, calves) as well as colds, flu, allergies, asthma, and even cellulite.

Why does Michael Phelps have bruises from cupping therapy?

The technique can cause the skin to turn red, blue or purple if there is a blockage of energy or blood stagnation under the cups.  In the case of Michael Phelps, for example, these blockages are due to the strenuous exercise and training he does to prepare for the Olympics.

Is it safe?

Absolutely, if done properly by a well-trained and experienced practitioner.

How long does a cupping treatment take?

A cupping treatment generally takes 30 minutes, including assessment.

How long does it take for the marks to go away?

The skin discoloration lasts anywhere from a few days up to two weeks.

How does cupping help?

Think of this treatment as an inverted deep tissue massage. Instead of pressing down on sore, aching muscles, cupping pulls the skin, fascia, and muscles upward. This movement stretches the tissue, breaks up stagnation and also draws fresh blood to the area.  This allows the tissues to soften and relax. It also helps with lymphatic drainage.  When white blood cells enter the area to clean up the bruising, they also release compounds that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and neuromodulatory.

Is there any research to support this therapy?

Yes.  In 2018 a systematic review found that it is beneficial for perceptions of pain and disability.  It also increases range of motion when compared to untreated control groups.

Want cupping just like Michael Phelps and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau?

Book an appointment with Joy Walraven or by calling 416-481-0222 or book now online.

Authored by Joy Walraven, TCMP, acupuncturist, craniosacral therapist

Research

J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Mar;24(3):208-219. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0191. Epub 2017 Nov 29. Effects of Cupping Therapy in Amateur and Professional Athletes: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Bridgett R1, Klose P2, Duffield R3, Mydock S1, Lauche R4.

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Nov;29:162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.09.008. Epub 2017 Sep 14. Cupping therapy: An analysis of the effects of suction on skin and the possible influence on human health.
Lowe DT1.

Chinese Medicine & Food

how to eat healthy according to chinese medicine

Eating Well According to Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, food is heavily relied upon as medicine. What and how you eat affects the function of your digestive organs which in turn influences the qi (energy) and function of all of the organs.

Here are the key rules for eating according to Chinese medicine principles:

  1. Timing – it is best to eat at the same time every day.  7-9 a.m. is considered to be the “stomach” time, while 9-11 a.m. is the “spleen” time.  Both organs are essential to digestion in Chinese medicine.  Eating a hearty breakfast between 7-9 a.m. works with the timing of the internal organs.
  2. Weather temperature – External cold temperatures dictate the consumption of warmer foods like soups and stews, external heat calls for colder foods like salads
  3. What you are doing while eating – You should be focused on eating, not watching TV, talking on the phone, surfing the internet, driving, walking etc.
  4. Quantity – You should eat to the point of 2/3 satiety, to allow some reserves in the digestive tract for the process of digestion.
  5. Cooked vs Raw – in Chinese medicine, consumption of too  many raw foods (lots of salads and raw fruit) is damaging to the spleen (considered one of the organs of digestion in Chinese medicine).  This is why salads aren’t on the menu much in Chinese restaurants.  It’s better to eat foods lightly cooked like steamed or stir-fried to avoid damaging digestion.