The Chinese concept of yin and yang is based on the doctrine that there are two opposing forces of nature. The ultimate objective is a balance between these conflicting forces. The yin and yang represents the negative and positive principles of universal life. The yin and yang is basically the philosophy of life. It is day changing into night, male and female, wetness turning to dryness, and youth into age. Food too has yin and yang components and knowing the yin and yang of food can help us ease illness and disease.
There is always a balance in color, flavors, and textures. Certain foods are thought to have yin or cooling properties, while others have warm, yang properties. The task is to ingest a diet that contains a healthy balance between the yin and yang. Listed bellow is some yin and yang tips that may help you balance your diet for proper health.
Theories about the yin (cool) and yang (warm) of food.
1. Raw food is more cooling (yin) than warm foods.
2. Plants that take longer to grow, such as carrots, cabbage, and parsnips are more warming (yang) foods.
3. Foods with blue, green or purple are cooling foods. An example is a red apple would be a yang food, and a green apple would be a yin food.
4. Food chewed thoroughly creates warmth (yang)
5. Food that is steamed, poached or boiled is considered yin cooking.
6. Food that is Stir-fried, deep-fried or roasted is considered yang cooking.
7. Yin foods are cold, wet, empty, thick and heavy.
8. Yang foods are dry, full, warm, cool, and bright in color.
Many illnesses can be a direct cause of an imbalance of yin or yang foods. People who suffer from chronic heartburn might be eating too much yang food (spicy food) therefore; a person suffering from heartburn might want to eat more yin food (cool foods). Damp (yin) foods can cause sinuses and phlegm, and a person with this condition might want to incorporate more yang (dry) food because yang foods.
The balance between yin and yang is vital to the body. It plays a major role in the production of hormones such as progesterone, glycogen and insulin. A proper diet can help to achieve energy and balance to the body, which can then reduce illness and disease.
View the links to learn more about Yin and Yang.
© Tyler Woods Ph.D 2005 Mindhance Wellness
Links to Yin and Yang
Yin Yang Theory
Chinese Theory Yin and Yang
Chinses Philosophy
Oriental Medicine
Sivasakti
TAO Ying and Yang
Compassionate Dragon
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