by
Paul
BenhaimBitter: fire, foods that dry the system to balance
dampness, and help to cleanse the bowls. Bitter foods include
bitter melons and horseradish.
Sour: wood, includes pickled foods that tend to solidify the
digestive tract.
Salty: water, includes foods such as seaweed that softens
tissues and promotes bowel movements.
Pungent: metal, foods that help to clean the body of toxins,
including garlic, ginger and chilies.
Taoist
Nutrition
Taoists balance their diets by not eating excessively from any one
of the above groups. They understand that too much yang food
can produce fever, heartburn and other forms of stagnation and
too much pungent food may induce digestive problems.
The Taoist teachings explain how sexual energy and cell
production consume 25 - 40% of the raw energy taken in trough
food, sun and air. In men particularly, excessive loss of semen
depletes the body of its most treasured nutrients, particularly zinc.
Also a physically depleted female will often complain of low sexual
energy. (Further reading recommended: The Tao of Health, Sex
and Longevity by Daniel Reid.)
The Taoists believe in local food production as the ‘qi’ or
‘energy’ of the food is lost when transported over long distances.
This also causes problems of pollution and the depletion of other
scarce resources. This hidden cost of transported food must be
considered when choosing what to eat. So next time you are
offered New Zealand apples on the supermarket shelf, wait until
you find a local greengrocer who can supply you with a delicious