01/12/2024
Dietary Restrictions under Chinese Medicine Theory
In the Song Dynasty's (商朝 AD 960-1979) Taiping Yulan, Volume 367, Human Affairs Section, it said: “Illness enters through the mouth, and disaster comes out of it.” What we eat indeed affects our bodies! Clinically, many patients have shared with me that after adjusting their diets, such as going gluten-free or dairy-free, their digestive or skin problems have significantly improved. Some even report an overall boost in their energy levels.
In Chinese medicine, we refer to this practice as “dietary restrictions” or “戒口 (jie kou),” which means avoiding certain foods in specific health conditions to prevent worsening the illness or to promote recovery. The scope of dietary restrictions is broad and hard to cover in full, but here are some common examples:
Cold or Flu ( 外感 External Invasion)
When suffering from a cold, flu, or upper respiratory tract infection—referred to in Chinese medicine as “external invasion”—the body needs to conserve energy to fight off the pathogens. During this time, the diet should be light, simple, and easy to digest. Avoid rich, heavy, and hard-to-digest foods, such as dairy products, red meat, fried, or grilled items. Some foods may produce phlegm, meaning they increase the production of pathological secretions, worsening the condition. Therefore, broths, chicken, seafood, and raw or cold foods (including fruits) should be avoided to reduce the burden on the digestive system. Conversely, eating congee (a light rice-based savory porridge) with added ginger (to expel wind and cold) and dried tangerine peel (to aid digestion and eliminate dampness) can help speed up recovery when combined with proper rest.
Pain management/ Musculoskeletal problems
In Chinese medicine, pain (痹症 bi syndrome) is often caused by wind, cold, and dampness, though overuse or sports injuries can also be contributing factors. Under TCM theory, pain arises from either blockage in meridians or nourishment shortage in the meridians (from Qi and blood supplies). Therefore, we recommend that patients suffering from pain should avoid cold and raw foods, which can impair Qi and blood flow. Clinically, it's not uncommon to see patients experience relief from pain through treatments, only to have their symptoms worsen again after drinking cold beer or having ice blocks. In Asian diets, sticky rice and taro should also be avoided in such cases.
Itchy skin or Dermatological Issues
When dealing with itchy skin, rashes, or wounds, Chinese medicine advises avoiding foods that create internal damp and heat, such as seafood, red meat, sweets, and certain fruits like mango, longan, lychee, pineapple, and durian. In Chinese medicine, poor digestion leads to the accumulation of dampness and toxins in the body, which can manifest as skin problems. Therefore, hard-to-digest or dampness-producing foods should be avoided to prevent worsening the condition. Additionally, foods with fast growing dimension, such as peanuts, soybeans, seeds, scaleless fish (e.g. eel), alcohol, spicy food, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, eggs, eggplant, goose, and fried foods, should also be avoided.
Irregular Menstruation cycle or Fertility Issues
"Women depend on blood," meaning that the quality of blood is crucial for maintaining women's health. Clinically, many women experience fatigue due to iron deficiency or blood deficiency, which requires iron supplementation. Blood deficiency can lead to conditions like scanty periods or delayed menstruation. In Chinese medicine, blood is classified as “yin,” the substance that nourishes and moisturizes the body. Sleeping early, getting adequate rest, and avoiding spicy or hot foods can help preserve the body's yin and blood. Additionally, "cold uterus" is a common cause of menstrual problems, leading to symptoms such as painful periods, blood clots, delayed menstruation, irregular cycles, and infertility. As the name suggests, “cold uterus” means the uterus is cold, so cold drinks, raw fish (sashimi), and raw beef should be avoided. Even fruit should be eaten in moderation, with no more than the size of your fist per day. On the other hand, warming foods like cinnamon and ginger tea with brown sugar can help warm the uterus. Drinking ginger tea regularly can be beneficial for both the uterus and stomach.
Qi Deficiency/Fatigue/Cold Sensitivity/Low Energy Levels
“Yang deficiency” can make a person feel cold; for low energy levels or fatigue, Chinese medicine Practitioners would mostly consider it a sign of “Qi deficiency”. The theory of Yin and Yang in Chinese medicine categorizes things into opposites: active, warm, strong, and bright as “Yang”, while quiet, cold, weak, and dim as “Yin”. To maintain sufficient energy and Yang Qi in the body, one should avoid elements that deplete Qi or promote a cool feeling. These include (but not limited to) cold drinks, ice cream, raw meat, fish or fruits, green tea, cucumber, celery, cabbage, watermelon, bitter melon, coconut water, and various types of radishes (including carrot).On the other hand, vegetables with deep green and large leaves are recommended.
Conclusion
In summary, Dietary Restrictions in Chinese medicine depend on the individual, their constitution, symptoms and their specific condition. To ensure that any dietary adjustments are appropriate for your health, it's always best to consult a registered Chinese medicine practitioner for professional and personalized advice.
