18/08/2022
In Chinese Medicine, our digestive organs, the Stomach and Spleen, represent the Earth element and is described as our 'digestive ball of fire'. As the stomach breaks down and digests your food, it requires 'Qi' and 'Yang' to warm and initiate the digestive process. To optimise and promote the function of the Stomach, it is essential to be supporting the organs with warm, nourishing, wet and yellow/orange foods. If we eat cold, dry, sweet or hard to digest foods, this will weaken the Stomach and Spleen overtime and burn out our digestive fire. Beneficial foods for the Stomach and Spleen include pumpkin, carrots, eggs, sweet potato, ginger, chicken, poached pears, rice, oats and millet. Foods to avoid are sugar, dairy, gluten (wheat) and raw/cold foods as it is harder for the Stomach to breakdown and takes more energy from our digestive organs. It is important to eat lots of warm slow cooked foods, soups, stews and bone broths.
According to the Chinese body clock, the Stomach and Spleen is strongest between 7-9am, so it is very important to start your day with a wholesome breakfast and avoid eating bigger meals later in the day or eating late at night as the organs are at their weakest during this time.
If you are having any digestive troubles, I highly recommend applying these basic principles to your day. This is a great way to support your body in-between your Acupuncture treatments.
