Today so much is marketed in regards to nutrition - foods, diets, and constantly changing trends supporting one fad or another - making it very difficult to figure out what exactly is a healthy way of eating. Common sense tells us to eat foods in moderation, and that it is better to eat foods that are unrefined. For example, eating whole grains such as oat groats, millet, and brown rice will provide more nutrients than white refined bread.

In Oriental medicine a unique system has been developed to ensure the creation of a balanced diet. Oriental medicine was developed by observing nature and the balance that existed in nature. Five elements make up the Oriental medicine model. They are: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. These five elements have a flavor that corresponds to their nature. In other words, each of these elements has a distinct characteristic that has a certain energetic quality and acts in a particular way in the body. For example, the element of Wood corresponds to the sour flavor. In addition, a season is associated with each element as well. The following is the five element chart listing the season and flavor of each element.

Wood

sour

spring

Fire

bitter

summer

Earth

sweet

late summer (transitional time)

Metal

pungent

fall

Water

salty

winter

The relationship between the five elements comprises a system of creating and controlling cycles. First, there is the creating cycle. This cycle explains how the elements are supported and created. Wood generates a blazing fire, fire creates earth when it turns wood to ash, earth produces metal in the form of ores, metal produces water in the form of condensation, and finally, water gives life to wood in the form of a tree. When these elements are in balance the relationship is harmonious and good health results. However if one of the elements is out of balance, i.e.: if one of the elements exerts too much control over another element then disharmony or disease ensues. This cycle is known as the controlling cycle. Wood controls earth causing problems with digestion, earth overacts on water causing a blockage of fluid, water extinguishes fire depleting the warm nature of the body, fire overacts on metal causing it to melt losing its structure, and finally, metal cuts down wood causing a broken flow of vital force in the body.

In addition to a season and flavor, each element is also assigned an organ. The reader must remember that in oriental medicine the "Organs" don't necessarly correspond to the western medical model of anatomical organs in the body. Rather, the "Organs" of the body, according to Oriental medicine, correspond to particular energetic function of the body. Certainly, the ancients knew about anatomy and what the body functions were, for example, they understood circulation of blood before the west. However, because the system was a medical model of relationship of one organ energetic function to another - i.e. yin and yang, hot and cold, interior and exterior, excess and deficiency - this allowed them to make a diagnosis and treat with acupuncture, herbs, qigong, or foods that would help the condition. Below is the table of the "organs" and their assigned element.

Table of the five elements and organ system:

Wood

Liver

Fire

Heart

Earth

Spleen/Stoumach

Metal

Lungs

Water

Kidney

In Oriental medicine, the Stomach and Spleen are central in the process of digestion. The Spleen ensures the transportation and transformation of nutrients so that they can be converted to energy that the body can use. If there is a problem/disharmony with the Spleen, then the entire body will be out of balance. In ancient times, there was an entire school of thought that promoted treating the Spleen to cure any illness. The Spleen likes a dry environment that is warm. Therefore eating cold, damp foods like smoothies are not the most appreciated food choices according to the Spleen.

Suggestions for a Happy Spleen:

  • Make the first meal of the day warm. Warm cerial, soups or even a meal that you might have for dinner would be good. The warm meal at the beginning of the day helps jump start the digestive system to have a good start for the rest of the day and will increase metabolism.

  • The Spleen likes the sweet flavor. To support the spleen a small amount of sweet flavor will suffice. However, too much sweet flavor will make the Spleen sluggish and result in an up-set feeling in the Stomach/Spleen system. When the sweet flavor is referred to we mean sweet natural foods- not refined sugary foods. Examples of sweet flavored foods: chicken, rice, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn, certain fruits, butternut squash, etc.

  • The Spleen likes a dry environment. This means avoiding foods that produce "dampness". These foods include: dairy products, refined sugar, and deep fried greasy foods. These foods obstruct the Spleen's ability to transform food into energy for the body to use and can result in sluggish metabolism.

To learn more about the five element approach to food contact Juliana for a nutrition consultation. Learn tasty, nutritious recipes that will support your path toward harmony.

Download Easy Recipes: Asian Chicken Soup, Overnight Oatmeal, and Avacado Sandwich.

This information can not substitute a medical Doctor's diagnosis and treatment.