Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on treating symptoms of a disease, the Chinese medicine is more embracive: it concentrates on causes of an illness, and wholeness of an individual in relation to the universe.



For thousands of years, the Chinese have observed the importance of balance and harmony. This philosophy is manifested in the concept of "yin" and "yang", which is represented as the female and male, respectively, or as any two opposing forces in Nature that balance and complement each other for harmony and co-existence.

The terms "yin" and "yang" describe the opposite yet complementary energy states in the universe. A balance between the two polarities can help you stay in beneficial energy alignment, which is fundamental to wellness. "Yin" embodies negative electrical charge and contractive energy, while "yang" demonstrates positive electrical charge and expansive energy.

The balance of yin and yang is reflected in the Five Elements.

This concept of balance and harmony originates from the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), which not only are fundamental to the cycles of Nature, but also correspond to the different organs of the human body. In addition, each of these elements also corresponds to a different color.

These Five Elements not only balance but also complement each other to create harmony. To illustrate, water nourishes trees or wood, without which there will be no fire, and without fire, there will be no earth, and without earth, there will be no metal; fire heats metal to produce water through condensation, and without metal, there will be no water. These Five Elements are inter-dependent on one another for existence in the form of a cycle of Nature.

The element of wood relates to the color green. Accordingly, eat green vegetables (from asparagus to dark leafy greens, such as spinach); green fruits (e.g. lime, and green apples); green-colored nuts and seeds (e.g. pumpkins); green-colored beans (e.g. mung beans); and green grains (e.g. rye).

The element of fire relates to the color red. Accordingly, eat red vegetables (e.g. beets, hot red peppers and bell peppers); red fruits, (e.g. cherries and red strawberries); red nuts and seeds (e.g. pecans); red-colored beans (red lentils and red beans); and red grains (buckwheat).

The element of earth relates orange and yellow. Accordingly, eat orange and yellow vegetables (e.g. pumpkins, squash, and yams); orange and yellow fruits (e.g. mangoes, oranges, and papaya); orange and yellow nuts and seeds (e.g. almonds and cashews); orange and yellow beans (e.g. chickpeas); and orange and yellow grains (e.g. corn and millet).

The element of metal relates to the white color. Accordingly, eat white vegetables (e.g. cauliflower); white fruits (e.g. bananas and pears); white nuts and seeds (e.g. pine nuts); white-colored beans (e.g. soy beans); and white grains (e.g. barley and rice).

The element of water relates to the black, blue, and purple. Accordingly, eat dark-colored vegetables (e.g. black mushroom, eggplant and seaweed); dark-colored fruits (e.g. blackberries, blueberries and raisins); dark-colored nuts and seeds (e.g. black sesame and walnuts); dark-colored beans (e.g. black beans and navy beans); and black grains (black wild rice).

For your "yin" and "yang" health, eat a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans, and grains of all the colors from the Five Elements. This "yin" and "yang" diet creates balance and harmony between your body organs for optimum health and wellness.

Copyright (c) 2008 Stephen Lau