The understanding of foods as having specific “energy” qualities is part of the principles of East Asian Medicine. There is a saying that food is medicine and medicine is food. This highlights the importance of foods in our health, not only from a nutritional perspective but also what kind of foods are most suitable for our general well-being.
Within the body, Yin and Yang are often referred to as the body’s water and fire. These descriptions are very useful in determining the relative nature of both the individual and the energies of foods. The application of this nutritional understanding necessitates determining the body type of the individual. He or she may be a cold type, a hot type or more commonly a combination of both.
We are all a mixture of yin and yang, although we may be predominantly one or the other. Yang people need relatively more yin (cooling) foods and yin types need relatively more yang (warming) foods. So foods are categorised according to the observed reactions within the body. Easily observable changes occur according to the warming or cooling nature of food. (hot, warm, neutral, cool and cold).
As foods have specific energy qualities it is essential to eat foods as seasonally as possible. For example, foods which are meant for consumption in summer months, because they are cooling, are not suitable for consumption in winter as our bodies at this time need warming foods. Eating foods out of season or excesses of any particular food type will bring about a disharmony in the body leading to ill-health. As part of the treatment process you will be guided into what foods are most suitable for you as part of your journey back to optimum health.