In December, professor and lecturer of Chinese medicine Dalia Sekmokienė gave a lecture on "The Importance of Nutrition for Human Health according to Chinese Medicine and Philosophy," which introduced the audience to traditional Chinese medicine and the importance of a proper diet to maintain a healthy body and spirit.
Chinese medicine and philosophy have stood the test for millennia and are now gaining popularity in the West. Nutrition is an integral part of Chinese medicine. Chinese cuisine has long been known not only for its exotic dishes’ flavours and abundance but also for its balanced, healthy food. To understand the mysteries of Chinese philosophy, medicine, and nutrition, it is necessary to know at least the basic principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
In her lecture, the professor stressed that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), in China, illnesses are treated by changing thoughts, feelings, and lifestyles. Eating healthy and balanced food or using medicinal herbs is essential to staying healthy. It is important to note that in traditional Chinese medicine, herbs heal through their chemical and energetic properties, which restore balance and harmonize. The Chinese believe that a healthy diet and the proper use of herbs expand consciousness and give our body the energy it needs. People must consume foods that are rich in qi (氣), such as ginseng, goji berries, etc. Sekmokienė also stressed that a person's diet should be individually tailored to his or her physiology and the illnesses he or she is suffering from.
Herbal remedies and food keep balance in mind and emotions. They also provide the body with the nutrients it needs, such as carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, etc. Food also gives energy to the five elements of the body: wood (木), fire (火), earth (土), metal (金), and water (水). In the human body, these elements are classified into different groups of organs and feelings. For example, the earth element represents the stomach, spleen, and thought processes. If the energy in the earth's element is imbalanced, both the functioning of these organs and smooth thinking will be interrupted. While all the elements are important in sustaining human life, the earth element is particularly important as it ensures that the inner energy of the human being and all elements remain in harmony.
If we want to keep the earth element strong, we need to eat grain products and root vegetables. Also, the diet should not include too many wet foods or too many products with only one taste.
In her lecture, D. Sekmokienė mentions that to live a healthy life, according to traditional Chinese thinking, one should eat balanced food, live a stress-free life, and engage in wellness practices such as Qigong or Taiji. Then there will be harmony between the body and the soul.
We hope this lecture will inspire you to learn more about traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese culture!