Five Flavours and the Five Organs
Chinese culture recognises five primary flavours: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. Traditional Chinese Medicine says that these flavours can be beneficial if eaten during certain times or when one has specific health problems. This article will explain exactly when to increase consumption of a particular flavour and which foods to eat.
Characteristics of the five food flavours
Traditional Chinese Medicine recognises that the five food flavours each have their own healing properties. For example, sour food has astringent properties, sweet flavours have strengthening effects, spicy foods expel toxins, salty foods dissolve blockages and bitter foods clear heat and cool the body.
In addition to these functions, the different flavours have a balancing effect on certain organs.
Relationship between the five flavours and the five organs
Chinese medicine recognises five primary organs considered essential to our wellbeing: heart, liver, spleen, lung and the kidney. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine the five flavours improve Chi flow in certain corresponding organs as they are linked with the five elements. The Huang Di Nei Jing, records that
sour foods facilitate liver function
bitter aids heart function
sweet flavours benefit the spleen
lungs benefit from spicy food
salt facilitates kidney function
Cravings for a certain flavour suggest problems with the corresponding organs.
Satisfying these cravings can balance your body and improve organ function. If these cravings continue, consulting a doctor or Traditional Chinese Medicine practictioner is advised, as the symptoms may be a sign of more serious problems.
How to use the Five Flavours to balance the Five Organs
1) Emotional symptoms of stagnation of Chi and excess heat in the liver are anxiety, depression and feeling emotional or easily upset. Physical symptoms are headaches, migrains, a stiff neck, a red face, palpitations, insomnia, raised blood pressure, and even stroke. In these cases, sour foods can be used to increase the flow of Chi in the liver, balancing and strengthening it. They will also release body pressure and stress. These foods include tomato, vinegar and citrus fruits. Non-sour foods which can help clear liver heat include celery, carrots, green and mint tea.
2) The function of the spleen is to aid digestion and transport food. If the Chi in the spleen is weak, the body will crave sweet food. Physical symptoms may include tiredness, bloating of the abdomen, irregular or sluggish bowel movements, heavy arms and legs and a lack of deep, quality sleep. The body will crave sweet food, and, in moderate amounts, this food may reduce symptoms associated with the lack of Chi in the spleen. However, over consumption of sweet food can have harmful health effects. If the symptoms persist, it is important to get medical advice and receive treatment.
If spleen function disorder is not aided, problems such as iron deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, under-active thyriod, diabetes and weight gain may occur.
3) Chinese Medicine believes that the kidney contains the body’s original essence of Chi.
This Chi is essential for our growth and reproduction. Deficiency of Chi in the kidney can have symptoms such as a lack of energy, lower back and knee pain, poor memory, lower libido, impotence, premature grey hair, earlier menopause and infertility. I recommend eating a little salty food, such as prawns, fish, sea cucumber or oysters to prevent kidney essence deficiency. If you are taking chinese medicines to improve kidney health, TCM recommends that it is taken with a glass of water which contains a pinch of salt, to facilitate the medicine going directly to the kidney.
4) If heat has stagnated in the heart, dreamful sleep and feeling emotional may be the psychological symptoms. Physical symptoms can include mouth and tongue ulcers, a red face, heavy underarm and palm perspiration. Bitter flavours clear heat in the heart. Bitter gourd or other bitter fruits and vegetables will clear heat in the heart and make us feel peaceful, calm and less emotional.
5) Lungs strongly benefit from spicy flavours. Coughing, sneezing, sore joints, aches and a blocked nose are symptoms of exterior pathogenic wind and cold in the lungs. Spicy foods such as ginger, pepper, garlic, spring onion increase the flow of Chi and boost the immune system. Staying away from the wind and cold are also strongly recommended. In winter, spicy foods are beneficial during the early stages of winter cold or flu, and can help the sickness pass quickly.
Precautions
Do not overeat certain flavours for a long period of time. Certain flavours can benefit certain organs, but they can also have an effect on other organs, and this effect may be harmful. If you are unsure of which foods you should be eating more of for your condition, get suggestions and determine your constitution from a traditional Chinese medical doctor.
Chinese culture recognises five primary flavours: sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. Traditional Chinese Medicine says that these flavours can be beneficial if eaten during certain times or when one has specific health problems. This article will explain exactly when to increase consumption of a particular flavour and which foods to eat.
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