At the heart of Chinese medicine are the teachings that people should seek to create a Way of life that lives in harmony with nature and with one’s environment to achieve greater health.

There is nothing more fundamental to gastro-intestinal – a.k.a. general health - than an appropriately balanced diet. Unfortunately, for many people in today’s world, a confusing and conflicting jumble of fads, marketing ploys and false information often incorrectly influence the idea of a “healthy diet”.

According to traditional Chinese dieticians and physicians, ‘improper diet” is one of 10 causes of disease. As Traditional Chinese Medicine was developing, doctors observed the causes of disease, not merely the symptoms.

Qi stagnation is mostly associated with dysfunction of the liver. From a biomedical point of view, the liver is the detoxification factory of the body and all substances that enter the gastro-intestinal system initially pass through the liver. From the Chinese medical view point, the liver controls the smooth flow of qi in the body, both digestive and emotional.

Building blood requires two things, specific nutrients that generate blood, and adequate absorption of those nutrients. Absorption of nutrients is maximized by encouraging healthy digestive function or, in Chinese Medical terminology, spleen qi.

To treat dampness and phlegm with diet, two aspects must be considered. Firstly, foods which create dampness and phlegm, such as dairy, processed carbohydrates, sweets and rich or overly supplementing foods should be avoided. Secondly, a diet which supports spleen and stomach functions must be adhered to.