The 5 elements diet

The eastern cultures  knew, already more than 3000 years ago, what a great role nutrition plays in keeping the body healthy. At that time, no distinction was made between nutrition and medicine. It was clear to people that every food that enters the body does something specific in it. Through self-experimentation, they discovered the effects of various herbs and foods on the body. This knowledge was passed on orally and in writing to the following generations and is available to us today in the form of the "5 elements diet". 

Interestingly, in the period between antiquity and the 16th century, this separation of medicine and food did not exist even here, in the West. This means that we had this knowledge, but in the course of time, lost it. This could be a sign that this knowledge is something universal and comprehensive. In the meantime it shows its effect not only in China, but also with us.  

Nutrition, although very important, is only one part of the treasure house of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The 5 pillars of TCM are:

• Acupuncture 
  
• Herbal medicine 
  
• Exercise Science - Qi Gong, Tai Qi 
  
• Healing massage - Tuina or Shiatsu 
  
• Nutrition - Dietetics 
  

All these methods make up the so-called TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of these 5 basic methods has the same importance. All complement each other and result in an extremely effective healing and health system, which benefits the well-being of the patient.  

The eastern definition of health

In Chinese medicine, health is only possible when the energy in the human body can flow freely. The doctor also does not speak of illness, but of an energetic imbalance. If a person is ill, this indicates, from the Chinese point of view, a disturbance of the energy flow in the body.

This energy we are talking about here is called "Qi". Qi can be translated as life energy. This is the energy that is inherent in every living being, whether human or animal. But also in every plant, every mineral and finally in the whole universe, this Qi is present. One can imagine the whole universe as being flooded with Qi. Qi is the basis from which everything is made. Qi exists in various degrees of density, from gaseous to solid. Whereby gaseous is not the optimal expression here, because one can neither touch nor smell it. The word plasma comes closer to the matter.

Qi circulates in the human body along certain pathways. These are called meridians. For the most part, they run through the body from top to bottom and vice versa and are located below the skin. However, they have connections to the deep structures and the organs of the body. 

In the optimal case, the Qi circulates, once in 24 hours, through all 12 meridians of the body. Bad lifestyle habits can lead to disturbances in this Qi flow. For example, if a person eats a very unhealthy diet and also smokes, the stomach meridian, and possibly the lung meridian, may be blocked. Such blockages cause, over time, physical symptoms due to which the person no longer feels well.

Once such symptoms have appeared, it is not far to go to the doctor. I assume that the consciously living patient, in such a case, will visit a TCM doctor and let him examine him. He uses the anamnesis (questioning) and the pulse and tongue diagnosis.  

If a blockage or an imbalance in the Qi is detected, it is important to solve this blockage or to remove the imbalance. To do this, he uses the previously mentioned methods such as acupuncture, herbal therapy, kinesiology, healing massage and, last but not least, nutrition. 

The world of 5 elements nutrition

In order to delve deeper into the subject of the 5 elements of nutrition, we must, in addition to the already explained concept of Qi, also go into the meaning of Yin and Yang. The Yin/Yang theory is several thousand years old. Like many things in Chinese medicine, this theory was discovered empirically through observation of nature.

The yin-yang theory is intended to make reality easier for us to grasp and explain. Yin and Yang refer to the sun and shadow side of a mountain. Yin and Yang say that everything in the universe has an opposite pole. There is white and black, dark and light, cold and warm, male and female. On the physical level, yang represents energy and heat, and yin represents tangible things like blood, bodily fluids, skin, bones and hair. 

I have already mentioned the principle that health consists of a free and unimpeded flow of Qi. Now this principle is extended even further. Yin and Yang must also be in a balanced relationship. 

In this sense, a diet, according to the principles of the 5 elements, is a wonderful and simple way to achieve health. This concept of the 5 elements also appears again and again, along with Qi, Yin and Yang. In the original, the 5 elements are described as transformational phases. They were also discovered through the observation of nature.

The whole universe is composed of the following 5 elements: 

• Wood 
  
• Fire 
  
• Earth 
  
• Metal 
  
• Water 
  

The term transformation phase is meant to indicate that the elements are not rigid, but in a constant state of change. With more intensive observation of nature, one will very quickly recognize that everything is always in motion, which means "Pantha Rhei", translated "everything flows". This term finds its origin in Greek. 

The Chinese Sages say: 

Yin and Yang arise from the Tao. From Yin and Yang arise the 5 elements. From the 5 elements the 12 meridians and the 10,000 things. The 10,000 things point to the rest of the world, that is, everything that surrounds us. The Tao can be translated most likely with "divine principle". It represents the origin of the world and all things. Scientifically one could also compare it with the big bang. This indescribable and incomprehensible event from which, billions of years ago, from an almost endless energy potential, the universe was created.

The cycle

The theory of the 5 elements has developed from the theory of Yin and Yang and is over 2000 years old. It is also an attempt to describe reality. The elements are not separate from each other, but in a close relationship that binds each element in the so-called element cycle. 

You can imagine the whole thing as a circle that leads from wood to fire, from fire to earth, from earth to metal, from metal to water and from water back to wood. This completes a full cycle. Just as yin and yang must be in balance for human health, the 5 elements must also be in balance. At the same time, no element, for a long time, must become stronger or weaker than the others.

Now, in the life of a Western person who has to provide for the livelihood of himself and his loved ones, it is almost normal for the elements to become unbalanced. For example, excessive stress or pressure at work can put a lot of strain on the wood element.  

Each element has a specific task for which it is responsible. The wood element is to bring the person forward or upward. It stands for development and vision. However, if this is done with too much pressure and too fast, the wood element can exhaust itself. Because of the connection between the elements, this can have an unfavorable effect not only in the wood element, but also on other elements. 

Especially the next following element, the so-called fire element and the next but one earth element can be affected and suffer from this situation.   

Again, nutrition is available to us here, as a valuable and practical means to balance any imbalance in the elements. Thus, the over-strong wood element, through proper nutrition, can be "calmed" again and the fire element strengthened. Of course, this requires in advance an accurate diagnosis by the therapist. 

Simply put, a healthy diet should give the body energy to perform and resist external influences. 

The 5 elements and the organs  

The 5 elements were discovered by observing nature. Since the Chinese knew the cosmic principle "as inside, so outside" they assumed that the 5 elements must also be found inside the body. They discovered these complicated relationships and, as a result, assigned an organ to each element. 

• Water element - kidney and bladder 
  
• Wood element - liver and gall bladder 
  
• Fire element - heart and small intestine 
  
• Earth element - stomach and spleen-pancreas 
  
• Metal element - lung and colon 
  

When we talk in the 5 elements diet about wanting to optimally supply the 5 elements of our body with the right nutrition, this means that our organs should also be supported as best as possible. 

Life energy through proper nutrition 

From the point of view of TCM there are 3 different sources of Qi. 

• Prenatal Qi
• Food 
• Breathing 
  

The prenatal qi is stored in the kidneys. It is created, as the name suggests, before the birth of the baby. Especially the time of pregnancy, but also the energy of father and mother, are decisive whether a baby is born with a good kidney energy or not.

I.e. no man has influence on the quantity of good energy with which he is born. What he has however very well influence is the speed with which he uses up his valuable life energy. If this prenatal Qi is exhausted, the physical body dies. The energy of the kidney is also affectionately called the treasury, which makes its importance clear. Therefore, it is very important to protect the kidney energy and consume it as slowly as possible. 

Possibilities to delay this consumption and to increase this so-called postnatal energy are, as already mentioned, to obtain energy from food and a not insignificant part, through respiration, from the lungs. 

Qi Gong deals very intensively with the subject of breathing. Certain exercises cause an increase in the volume of the lungs. Also the conscious and deep breathing during the exercises causes an increased absorption of the breath qi. This has a positive effect, because the person now, with each breath, absorbs more oxygen and thus more Qi. 

Through the 5 elements diet the body gets the rest of the energy it needs so much. 

Cooked and raw food compared 

An important principle of the 5 elements diet is to reduce raw food and to take more cooked food. Cooking makes the food more digestible, i.e. easier for the body to digest. Cooking is a kind of pre-digestion that saves the body work and consequently does not drain energy. For the digestion of raw food the body needs a lot of the body's own Qi and Yang (heat) and it is cooled down by this. If the food is cooked and eaten warm, it supplies the body with the optimum of Qi and heat.

Cooked food that is later eaten cold is also easier to digest than fresh fruit or raw salads. Apart from the breakdown of food by cooking, it is the flavors of thermally warm or hot herbs and spices that further enhance digestibility. Almost all herbs and spices are thermally warm or hot and thus have, to a greater or lesser extent, a strong heating effect. That is, in the truest sense of the word: they warm the body from the inside out. 

The argument is always made that cooking destroys vitamins. Some vitamins will certainly be weakened, but the remaining ones can be absorbed much better for it, because the food has already been broken down to a part by the cooking process. This process can only be incomplete with raw food, because it is impossible to absorb all vitamins, because the digestion does not work optimally due to the difficult-to-digest raw food.

Thermal effect of the food 

In TCM, all foods are differentiated according to their thermal effect. 

There are the following thermal effects: 

• hot 
  
• warm 
  
• neutral 
  
• refreshing 
  
• cold 
  

I would like to make this clear with a few examples. Cinnamon, for example, has a warming effect. We use it in winter for mulled wine because it heats the body from the inside. If we eat chili or garlic, we can start to sweat. The reason for this is that both are thermally hot.  

In the Sahara, nomads drink peppermint tea at 40 degrees in the shade, appreciating its cooling effect. 

From a Chinese point of view, most illnesses can be roughly assigned to a yang or yin state. Yang symptoms would be, for example, feelings of heat, stabbing headaches or dark, smelly urine. Yin symptoms could be coldness in the hands, paleness in the face, and water retention in the body.  

For example, if a person's constitution is prone to heat and dryness, cooling foods, such as succulent vegetables, lettuce, and fruit, provide moistening and soothing. Thermally cold and refreshing foods lower yang and increase yin by cooling and moistening.

In the opposite case, when the organism suffers from cold and humidity, with the metabolism slowed down, water accumulates and the person is sensitive to cold and lacks drive. Then cooling and moisturizing foods, such as tropical fruits and dairy products, are naturally out of place.

For Yang deficiency, you need thermally neutral, warm and small amounts of hot foods that warm and activate. They increase the Yang and lower the Yin. Spicy meat dishes and vegetable stews with spices provide the necessary inner warmth that increases the feeling of well-being again. 

For example, if you eat meat and sausage frequently and drink coffee on top of that, you have a good chance of suffering from dryness or heat symptoms sooner or later.  

If you now realize that you tend in one direction or the other, then you can strengthen the respective opposite pole with the diet. If you are often cold, leave out raw vegetables and dairy products and cook more compotes, soups and enjoy small amounts of beef.  

Flavor: 

How do we get from the dry theory of the 5 elements to something edible? Quite simply! To do this, we just need to know that each element is assigned a specific flavor. In addition to the thermal effect, foods are also divided according to their taste:

• WOOD - sour 
  
• FIRE - bitter 
  
• EARTH - sweet 
  
• METAL - sharp 
  
• WATER - salty 
  

In practice, this means that with the sweet taste, for example, you can strengthen your earth. As already explained, the sweet taste strengthens the stomach and spleen. Caution. Sweet taste here does not mean the artificial sweetness of sugar. Rather, we are talking about naturally sweet taste of cereals, cooked carrots, pumpkin or beef. 

Energetic effect: 

Furthermore, the foods can also be distinguished by their energetic effect, as follows: 

• uplifting 
• lowering 
• Surface 
• In depth 

This is about knowing what a particular food does to the energy in the body. Some bring it up or down, others open the surface of the body or work more in the depth of the body.