INTRO TO YIN YANG THEORY

A fundamental principle of Chinese MedicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ... is Yin and Yang TheoryOne of the principal theories in which Traditional Chinese M.... In Chinese, yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... (陰) literally means shade, while yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... (陽) means the sun. YinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en..., in an essenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo..., are pairs of opposites. Here are some examples*:

YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en...                                    YinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt...

Active                                  Passive

Function                              Substance

Outside                                Inside

Mind                                    Body

Masculine                            Feminine

Light                                     Dark

Heat                                      Cold

ExcessSigns of general excess: Yang symptoms - person is robust, e...                                   Deficiency

Exterior                                 Interior

Expansion                             Contraction

If we apply this to our foods and their thermal natureThe principle that all foods, when consumed, have an either ..., yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... foods will cool us down while yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... foods will tend to warm us. YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... is energizing while yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... is nourishing by building blood and fluids in our bodies. YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... contains ascending energy while yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... contains descending energy.

YinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... Theory can also be used to describe human personality and physiology*:

YangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en...                                              YinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt...

Warmer body & personality     Cooler body and personality

Dry skin/less body fluid              Moist skin/more body fluid

Outgoing                                         Introverted

Active                                               Passive

Positive                                            Negative

Focused mind                                 Serene

Hyperactive mentality                  Unclear, dreamy

Aggressive                                       Timid

Angry, impatient                            Fearful, insecure

Loud voice                                      Soft voice

Urgent                                              Tardy

Logical                                              Intuitive

Quick                                                Slow

Motivated                                        Complacent

Red Complexion                             Pale complexion

In general, for someone who possesses a more characteristically yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... constitution, both physically and mentally, it is best to avoid or limit foods that tend to warm and heat the body, such as spicy foods, garlic, and cayenne pepper. On the flip side, one with a more yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... constitution should eat more warmingA substance that increases the body’s temperature by dispe... foods and limit coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. foods such as raw lettuce, cucumber, and celery. The main goal is to maintain a constant balance between yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... in order to achieve physical and emotional health.  So balance and moderation is key as eating too much of anything, can put you from one extreme to the other.

What you need to know:

• Yin and Yang TheoryOne of the principal theories in which Traditional Chinese M... is used to describe pairs of opposites.
• This principle can be extrapolated to describe food, physical attributes, as well as personality traits.
• Balancing your body’s yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... is key to establishing and maintaining health.

Do you think you are more yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... or yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en...?

In health and wellness,
Dr. Elain

References*
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford