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