Yin and Yang are terms used to describe or identify our surroundings and environment. For example, night is Yin. Day is Yang. At sunrise, Yang is within Yin. This means that as daylight emerges, darkness recedes. At sunset, Yin is within Yang. Daylight fades as dusk transitions into night. Both Yin and Yang elements are present at the same time. Yin and Yang similarly interprets seasons of the year.
Oftentimes, seeing examples of Yin and Yang can help us understand what they actually mean to provide our own interpretations.
If we look further out into space, what we see are planets and stars suspended in the darkness of space. This darkness is considered Yang while the planets are Yin. We can say anything that has a formed material and visible is summarized as Yin. While on earth, we breathe oxygen, air. This air is Yang while everything visible is Yin.
The dark side of a mountain, being Yin, is often compared to the bright side of a mountain, being Yang, and has traditionally been used as an example to explain these two terms. Then we have land (Yang) and water (Yin). Why would land be more Yang? One way to explain this is because it is located in a perspective more Yang in location on earth closer to the biosphere where we get most of our air and wind.
These are just a few examples of how earth and all things on earth can be analyzed through the words Yin and Yang. From here, East Asian Medicine further uses Yin and Yang nomenclature to name the body similar to how anatomical terminologies are used to describe body planes. The breakdown of the system through these terms continues from there and this practical way of seeing the world could have been a shared knowledge of the past.
References:
Maciocia, G. (2015). The foundations of Chinese medicine: A comprehensive text. Elsevier.
Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.
Spring: Yang within Yin time.
Summer: Yang within Yang time.
Fall: Yin within Yang time.
Winter: Yin within Yin time.
Yin and Yang
SPRING
Spring is a time for growth. Light meals are most recommended during this season containing young plants, fresh greens, sprouts and cereal grass to support the gallbladder and liver. Flavors to enjoy are sweet and pungent. Sweet flavored plants may include young beets, carrots and other sweet starchy vegetables. Cook food for a shorter time at a higher temperature. Saute with oil at a high temperature. Light steam or simmer minimally when cooking with water.
References:
Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods. North Atlantic Books.
Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.
SUMMER
Summer is a Yang season and the fire element ruling the heart and small intestines. A time for expansion, growth, lightness, outward activity, brightness and creativity. Use high heat to saute for a short time with little salt and more water. Steam or simmer food as quickly as possible. Food which protects and treats summer heat are lemon, apple, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, musk-melon, mung bean soup, summer squash, zucchini and cucumter. Use radish juice, bitter melon soup or watermelon juice for sun strokes or heat strokes.
References:
Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods. North Atlantic Books.
Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.
AUTUMN
Autumn falls under the Metal Element which the lungs are related to. With this season also comes dryness. The warm fragrance of baked and sauteed food stimulates our appetite in the Fall. Food that are concentrated along with roots nourishes the blood in preparation for the cooler weather.
Autumn is a time to align scattered patterns of the warmer seasons that preceded. Astringent, sour food can help this process and is recommended. Examples are sourdough bread, sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, salt plums, rose hip tea, vinegar, cheese, yogurt, lemons, limes, grapefruit and sour varieties of apples, plums and grapes. A caution to note is that small amounts of extremely sour food can have a strong effect. As with everything, it's best to listen to your body to select and consume food in moderation.
Added to this, if you're experiencing signs of dryness in any season, for example thirst, dry nose or lips, some food can help moisten the system. Examples are organic or non-GMO soybean products (tofu, tempeh, soymilk), spinach, barley, millet, pear, apple, loquat, seaweed, black and white fungus, almond, pinenut, peanut, sesame seed, cooked honey, barley malt, rice syrup, milk to dairy products (eggs, clam, crab, oyster, mussel, herring, pork). The key is to have the right amount of nutrition and vitamins your body needs.
In summary, cook with less water at lower heat for a longer period of time in autumn. Bitter and salty flavors can also move energy strongly inward and downward and ideally gradually introduced as fall transitions into winter.
References:
Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods. North Atlantic Books.
Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.
WINTER
Winter is a time for rest. Warm hearty soups, whole grains and roasted nuts are ideal on cold days. Dried food, small dark beans, seaweed and steamed winter greens fortify the kidneys in the winter. Cook food longer at lower temperatures with less water.
References:
Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods. North Atlantic Books.
Disclaimer: Information on this page, and all other associated links to this page, is not intended to make claims of any health benefits or that acupuncture, herbal supplements or recipes can cure, prevent or treat any health conditions but is for educational and informational purposes only.