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Food therapy connects to the Five-Element Theory because the theory’s chart helps show the effects different flavors can have on various illnesses. For a full list of foods and their healing powers, refer to http://www.tcmecc.org/foodtherapy.htm.
Herbal Therapy
Similar to food therapy, herbal therapy applies various herbs to medical issues. The flavors of the different herbs help determine which herb to use to cure an illness and restore health. Tcmpage.com explains how each herb possesses a different flavor that is associated with curing a specific area. For example, a bitter flavor improves appetite and rids excessive heat from the body, sweet flavor treats dry coughs and balances systems in the body, spicy flavor circulates Qi and boosts metabolism, and salty flavor cleanses bowels and softens growths such as nodes.
Qigong
Qigong is similar to tai chi. The practice brings balance and harmony to the body through breathing exercises and relaxed physical movements. The smooth movements of qigong lead the body and mind to a tranquil state which has been proven to aid stress, sleep, arthritis and cancer. Practicing qigong is especially beneficial in restoring the body to its best overall health when recovering from an illness.
Resources:
http://www.cmjournal.org/content/pdf/1749-8546-6-22.pdf
http://www.tcmworld.org/what_is_tcm/
http://www.longevity-center.com/western_chinese_difference.html
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1825
http://www.tcmbasics.com/basics_5elements.htm
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm
http://www.qigonghealing.com/qigong/whatis.html
Reviewed July 26, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Shannon Koehle
Add a Comment2 Comments
Good informative article.
August 4, 2011 - 1:11pmThis Comment
Erin, as a practitioner of Chinese medicine for 10 years and as someone who has been to China 8 times for lecturing, study and research, I want to tell you I really liked your intro to Chinese medicine. As evolution teaches, we are literally formed from the universe, and Chinese medicine tells us this: we are nature itself. Thanks, James www.blueridgeclinic.com
July 26, 2011 - 12:18pm