Food as Medicine by Paddy Tawada,DOM, LAc

The Chinese and Japanese have given us a wonderful gift. For centuries, they’ve explored, experienced and recorded the energies of food, identifying and categorizing them according to their flavors (such as sweet or sour), movement, temperature and their effects on our bodies, organs and health. As a result, we can understand much about the energetics of most of the foods we commonly eat and how to use them as medicine. They’ve contributed greatly to our wholistic understanding and use of plant, mineral, and animal medicine, effectively and naturally healing disease and improving our quality of life.

As a practitioner of Oriental Medicine, I view you as a unique expression of spirit, body, and mind. I closely observe and identify any imbalances, blocks, strengths or weaknesses and suggest certain foods and herbs that will assist you in recovering your health. Ultimately, the goal is to entrust you to follow your own innate wisdom of what truly nourishes, balances and heals you.

To demonstrate how food as energetic medicine works, I’ve taken a sampling of some questions patients have asked me over the years.

"I am 4 months pregnant and have wild cravings for ice cream and pickles. I have also gained about 15 pounds more than I should and am concerned about how big I may get. I haven't found anything that stops these cravings and if I don't indulge, I'm miserable."

Pregnancy, for some women, creates a certain amount of heat and stagnation which is why you may be craving cold, sweet, and sour foods. Cold and sweet foods are cooling and sour foods help to move stagnant qi. While you may be "eating for two", ice cream is one of the worse things you could feed yourself while pregnant. Not only will it "freeze up" your digestion, it will dampen and weaken your body’s energy and actually increase those cravings. Try eating yogurt at room temperature or a fruity tea with lemon or lime. You may need acupuncture or an herbal formula to address a weakness or blockage.

"I am going to a difficult business meeting where I need to take a position and be firm about it. It’s an issue I feel very strongly about. Would you recommend a particular food?"

Yes, if you’re not a vegetarian, try eating a few ounces of red meat. It’s closest to your animal nature/ego (yes, you are part animal!) and can give you a sense of strength, albeit temporarily, while you express your grand ideals.

If you’re a vegetarian, try eating steamed red and orange beets or other root vegetables. “Rooted” sweetness along with mindfulness is impactful.

Whether a veggie lover or carnivore, meditate before your meeting and ask your inner knowing if your position serves the greater good of all involved and then decide how you wish to proceed.

"I am perimenopausal and have hot flashes and night sweats 4-7 times a day. I eat lots of soy products but it still doesn’t seem to take them away.  I also take an over the counter herbal formula for perimenopause. Is there anything else I can eat or do to help with this?"

Perimenopausal symptoms are a bit more complicated. Women have hot flashes and night sweats for a variety of reasons. Around 40-42 years of age, your kidney function and energy begins to decline as a natural process of aging. Some women will begin experiencing perimenopause early, esp. if they have depleted their kidney reserves. Inordinate amounts of stress, lack of sleep and rest, poor nutrition, trauma, drug abuse, and overwork will deplete the energy (yang) and fluids (yin) in your body leading to hot flashes and sweating. Often a carefully prescripted and balanced herbal formula can help deal with your symptoms as well as strengthen and regulate your weaker organs. You should see a trained and licensed Chinese herbalist for a proper diagnosis and prescription.

It’s a good idea to avoid spicy, hot foods like chiles, garlic, beef, and lamb as they tend to consume fluids in the body. Also, chicken, particularly hormone-fed chicken, should be avoided. Why add more hormones to your body at a time when there is so much hormonal fluctuation going on? Soy products (non-GMO) are beneficial and best eaten steamed or cooked for 20 minutes. Some women will want to minimize soy in their diet in certain conditions.

Contact me with your questions about food, cravings, habits, and wellness.