Chinese Herbs: Nutrition from Outer Space
Chinese Herbs In this article "Nutrition from Outer Space" written on March 10, 2010 by Tommy Kirchoff for EmpowHER online magazine, Mr. Kirchoff states that in our culture we eat what tastes good, whereas the Chinese eat for their health. Hey, the Chinese have a good idea that we should follow! If we do take herbs, such as Black Cohosh for hot flashes, we are trying to treat the symptom. In Chinese nutrition, they treat the syndrome. This includes a delicate balance of herbs carefully measured for potency. A Chinese doctor will look at the whole person when assessing her condition. For example, he or she will check the patient’s tongue, smell the patient (I’m not sure I could get used to that-what about you?), take her temperature, ask questions about any cravings she has and her lifestyle habits including exercise and diet. If the patient states she has a craving for salt, the doctor will know there’s an issue with her kidneys. Sour has to do with the liver and sweet has to do with the spleen or pancreas, bitter has to do with the heart, and metallic has to do with the lungs. I agree with this thinking, but not only for nutrition and menopause. I think if we are to treat menopause properly, we need to look at the entire woman, from her thinking, her attitude, her acceptance of the aging process, to her nutrition, exercise, relaxation, meditation, and sleep. Interesting article: I think westerners can learn from this approach.
|