The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Oriental Medicine
In Oriental medicine, diet and nutrition are considered vital components of maintaining health and preventing illness. This approach differs from Western dietetics by focusing on the energetic properties of foods and their effects on the body's qi. Foods are classified into categories such as hot, cold, damp, dry, and their combinations, which are then used to balance the body's internal environment. For example, someone with a cold condition (manifesting as chills or lethargy) may benefit from warming foods like ginger or lamb. Conversely, a person with excess heat may need cooling foods like cucumber or watermelon. This holistic approach to nutrition emphasizes the importance of harmony between food, body, and nature.