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