Chinese Alternative Medicine
There are many aspects to Chinese medicine but the general underlying philosophy is the same: internal harmony and balance is represented by yin and yang, and this balance affects all areas of your life. The goal of Chinese medicine is to fully and successfully restore this balance through a variety of integrated methods.
This balance of yin and yang must exist in order for your body, mind, and spirit to be healthy. Ancient China used certain elements to represent yin and yang, such as water and fire, cold and hot, or light and dark. In relation to your body, yin and yang can be viewed in this way: every organ and part of your body has properties of yin and yang in varying amounts. When your body is healthy the opposite sides of yin and yang are functioning in equal harmony in a fine tuned state of alternating balance. Chinese medicine uses various forms of alternative health, such as diet, exercise, herbal remedies, acupuncture, and massage to achieve this balance of yin and yang.
Chinese medicine incorporates a healthy diet into its philosophy. A healthy diet consists of the following:
· organic and seasonal vegetables
· whole grains
· fish
· fruits (eliminate tropical fruits)
· dried fruit
· nuts
· seeds
· Soya products and tofu
· herbs and herbal products
· Chinese and herbal teas
Eat a well balanced diet that is combined with a regular exercise program and daily physical activity. There are certain foods that you should eliminate from your daily diet, or reduce the consumption of. These foods include:
· tropical fruits, due to the acidity
· any food additives
· red meats
· all dairy products, including cheese
· white sugar
· refined flours and breads
· coffee and other caffeine products
· alcohol
· fried foods
· cold drinks and foods
· strong spices
If you are making a diet change in your life you may want to slowly make the necessary changes so that you are gentle with your body. If you make sudden, severe changes to your daily diet you are more likely to slip back into old eating habits to relieve the emotional stress that you will be feeling. A gentle process of diet change is recommended.