Food is allocated to 5 tastes:
sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty
Every taste has a different function and effect on our body. This knowledge is used in TCM to use food as a remedy.
This means that for certain problems one particular flavor is highly recommended, while another should be avoided. Too much of a certain flavor can lead in the long run to a dysbalance and consequently to health problems.
First of all, let me describe the SALTY taste
The SALTY taste has an organ reference to the kidney.
Salty may also support the spleen or lungs.
SALTY brings the energy into the depth, but without diverting it - so it strengthens the kidneys. Its alkalizing effect counteracts hyperacidity (for example umeboshi plums, miso). SALTY softens hard masses or slime deposits. Its gentle laxative effect can help with dry stools (Glauber's salt) or if the nose is too close a salty nasal rinse can be made to dissolve the slime.
Take care with SALTY if you suffer from high blood pressure, kidney stones, or a heart or kidney disorder. Even with the presence of a tumor, it is necessary to reduce salty.
The SALTY foods include, for example:
- salt
- Soy sauce, miso
- Mineral water
- Algae, marine fish, seafood, caviar
With this knowledge, it is possible for us to use our food for our health!
The SWEET taste :
The sweet taste has the organ connection to the spleen .
Sweet things can support the lungs, the liver and the heart.
SWEET has a relaxing effect - in acute conditions such as liver QI stagnation , but be careful to use the sweet taste here only for a short time, because in the long term it has a stagnant effect and thus intensifies stagnation.
Also, too much sweetness leads to moisture retention and phlegm. Spleen and stomach are blocked in their work and it comes to known spleen QI deficiency , obesity and edema / water retention. The slowing effect, for example, causes us to have a foggy feeling in our heads.
Among the SWEET foods include, for example:
- Cereals in general
- Sugar, but also natural sweeteners like honey, dried fruits
- nuts
- Carrots, potatoes, pumpkin
- Sweet fruits like banana, apple, pear
- Pork, beef, duck
Especially children need the sweet taste, so that their spleen can develop well. But even adults in the TCM should take this taste.
To strengthen the spleen energy is therefore recommended the hot breakfast .
The SPICY taste :
The spicy taste has an organ connection to the lungs .
Spicy can also support the stomach or spleen.
Its dissipative, opening, sudorific effect can help us to strengthen the immune system.
SPICY is moving, it promotes the circulation of Yang, Qi and blood, thus warming in the short term and triggers stagnation or moves mucus.
Spicy has an ascending effect on the heart, lungs and head. As a result, you may experience migraines in foul weather when you eat spicy food.
The spicy foods include, for example:
- Spices such as ginger, chili, cinnamon, cumin, pepper, nutmeg, star anise, curry
- alcohol
- Leek, onion, garlic, chives, spring onion
- Radish, radishes, kohlrabi, cress
peppermint
Spicy foods have a strong thermal effect on our body - their use makes us hot. All extremes are difficult for us to process and bring us in the long run in a Dysbalance. No matter if we take too much heating or cooling.
Eating spicy is especially recommended in autumn / winter to strengthen our immune system (just eat as much as possible, without sweating!) Or when it's cold and you want to warm up.
The BITTER taste
The BITTER taste has the organ reference to the heart .
Bitter can also support the lungs, stomach and gallbladder.
BITTER acts lowering - brings the energy down. Therefore, for example, it can help with nausea or bloating after eating if you take a bittersweet. If you have constipation or insufficient defecation you can benefit from the laxative effect. Likewise, the bitter taste dries up heat and helps dissipate it, and it dries moisture in the body (for example, digestive problems with bloating or being overweight). Bitter has a calming effect, for example, in the case of internal restlessness, anti-inflammatory, for example, in the case of acne and circulation-promoting.
But beware, too much BITTER damages the heart and blood. This can lead to a lack of good bodily fluids and blood , which manifests itself in dry constipation or dry skin or even anemia.
BITTER foods are for example:
- Salads in general
- Dandelion, artichoke, celery, asparagus
- Black tea, green tea, coffee, cocoa, rooibos tea
- Marjoram, oregano, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, juniper, lemon zest, sage
- Red wine, beer
Regularly use bitter spices or herbs when cooking, they support and strengthen your digestion!
Be happy and healthy,
All the Best!
