| In your quest to find more natural | | | | meats and the rest of the foods should |
| healing methods and natural supplements | | | | be nuts and fruits. |
| to good health, you're well advised to | | | | In Chinese food therapy, foods are then |
| consider the ancient healing methods of | | | | further classified by taste. The tastes |
| the Chinese. | | | | are defined as pungent, salty, bitter, |
| Chinese food therapy, also known as | | | | sweet and sour. Each taste is believed |
| Chinese nutrition therapy, dates back to | | | | to have a direct effect on a body organ; |
| as early as 2000 BC, though proper | | | | when consumed in moderation it benefits |
| documentation about its uses was found | | | | the organ, but if over consumed, can |
| around 500 BC. In essence, Chinese food | | | | cause detrimental effect to the organ. |
| therapy involves the use of certain | | | | It's fair to say the Chinese and |
| foods to aid in the healing of certain | | | | followers of Chinese food therapy truly |
| body ailments or assists in keeping | | | | believe you "are what you eat". |
| healthy other bodily functions. | | | | One simple example of Chinese food |
| Followers of food therapy believe in the | | | | therapy is the remedy for a cough. The |
| concept of yin and yang in food; the yin | | | | Cantonese cough remedy required apricot |
| foods are believed to lower the body's | | | | kernels, watercress and dried duck |
| metabolism, or decrease the body's heat, | | | | gizzards. The ingredients are slow |
| while the yang foods are said to | | | | cooked for several hours, and a bit of |
| increase the body's heat or increase | | | | pork can be added for flavor (though you |
| metabolism. | | | | can't add beef or chicken because both |
| The Chinese believe in four food groups, | | | | will nullify the healing effects of the |
| which are grains, vegetables, fruits and | | | | watercress). The watercress removes the |
| meats. There is no classification for | | | | excessive amount of yang in the body, |
| dairy products, which are considered | | | | while the duck gizzards are added to |
| unsuitable for humans. The Chinese | | | | balance the yin yang of the recipe. The |
| believe a balanced diet will consist of | | | | apricots target the lungs. |
| the following food combinations on a | | | | Take the time to learn from chinese |
| daily basis: 40 percent grains, 30 to 40 | | | | healing wisdom - you may just be |
| percent vegetables, 10 to 15 percent | | | | surprised how it benefits your health. |