Emotions and Chinese Medicine

What emotion do you gravitate towards when things are challenging?  Do you tend towards being angry, sad or are you a worry wart when times are tough?

Listed below are emotion, the associated organ system, other symptoms that MAY occur when that organ system is out of balance (people rarely have all the symptoms listed!) and some nutritional remedies to help you get over the hump!

 Anger and Depression: Liver

Migraines, PMS, menstrual discomfort, high blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia (mostly trouble staying asleep), pain in the ribs, red eyes, constipation, acne.

Milk Thistle, fish oil, watercress, onions, vinegar, lemon, honey.

(one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar/honey or lemon/honey to lift depression)

Avoid Alcohol and nicotine

 Tip Take a martial arts or kickboxing class to move the angry out, don’t simmer in it!

Worry:  Spleen

Low energy, paleness, fibromyalgia like muscle pain or weak muscles, flatulence, bloating, bowel issues, (mostly soft or loose stools, but can be constipation), poor appetite,

Astralagus Tea, ginger, rye, amaranth, corn, millet, pumpkin, chamomile, pau d’arco

Avoid overeating, gluten and too much raw, cold food or dairy.

 Tip Let go!  Dance!

Sadness and Grief:  Lungs

Shallow breathing, chronic cough, phlegm in the throat, lowered immune system, allergies, asthma,

skin diseases, urination issues.

Astralagus Tea, garlic, pears, banana, licorice root.

Tip Singing is wonderful for the Lungs!

Fear and Anxiety:  Kidney

Sore and weak low back, frequent urination, premature ejaculation, ringing in the ears, constipation, nightsweats, chronic dry throat,

Gou Qi Zi Berries or Wolfberries, lamb, squash, sweet potatoes.

Tip Meditation can ground you back to your Kidneys and add some healthy fire to your spirit.

 

Much love, 

Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.A.c., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM