Chinese Traditional Medicine: AM: (for Ayurveda Medicine) Stomach problems

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In a message dated 04/03/2002 6:17:21 AM Pacific Standard Time,

kitcurtin writes:

 

<< I would be interested in your continuing the discussion on the list.

Relating it to TCM, as you have done, would be helpful. >>

 

Ok cool ... it would be my pleasure. From the post I just sent before I saw

the above and .... in an attempt to relate this situation and Ayurveda to TCM:

 

This person displays signs of Stagnation (flatulence, gas, nausea etc).

Sounded very much like Liver invading the Spleen. Ayurveda recognizes 3

basic body types. Vata whos nature is cold, dry and light ... Pitta who's

nature is hot, oily and moist and Kapha whos nature is cold, damp, oily and

heavy.

 

Vata predominent people are often compared with the person who is more

susceptible to becoming Yin Deficient. Digestion is inherently the weakest

of the 3 types. These people are thin, small framed, fast moving, nervous

types.

 

Pitta predominent people are often compared with those who posess a strong

Fire Element in TCM. These people have the best digestion. They are the

" middle of the roaders " in build yet they are typically " hot headed " , quick

to anger and susceptible to imbalances associated with Heat.

 

Kapha's .... most closely relate with the Earth and Water Elements. These

people are the largest and most solidly built of the 3 and because of their

strong Kidney and Spleen energies they tend to live the longest and suffer

fewer health problems if they stay in reasonable balance ... yet they are

very prone to Dampness and Cold. Their digestion is stronger than Vatas ...

but they need foods that are more warming and drying in nature, otherwise

..... they suffer from sinus problems, overweight, growths and cysts,

hypothyroid .... imbalances that often reflect either Excess Yin or Deficient

Yang.

 

Now ... this person says that they are Vata predominent with Kapha secondary.

Generally a Vata/Kapha dual constitution will be a person who either is

stronger and not as thin as a classic Vata yet prone to disorders relating to

Vata imbalance ... or they have the build of a classic Vata with a gentler

nature emotionally. Kapha's are slow moving, slow to fluster, calm, laid

back types. True Vatas like myself .... are " all over the map " at the drop

of a hat ... very restless .... total opposite of " calm " .

 

The diet recommedations for the types and mixed types are meant to be

guidelines rather than rules. Each person will be so very different

depending on their individual mix and will need to see what works best for

them ... yet the basics remain constant.

 

Both Vata and Kapha are Cold. Vata is dry but ... since Vata generally

displays digestive weakness, problems with too many heavy moistening foods

can result in Stagnation due to ... Excess Damp .... resulting in Liver

invading the Spleen. Vatas need moisture however .... thus to help solve

this dilemma, they are always advised to incorporate warming spice along with

more grounding, moistening foods, preferably ones that have a sweet property

along with pungent rather than bitter.

 

Kapha is Damp and where the conflict occurs. Kaphas need alot of warming

spice too, yet they need more drying grains and fewer foods that have a sweet

property.

 

This can be where it gets tricky. This person may or may not be a mixed

type. They could be Vata predominent .... with a Kapha imbalance creating

the appearance of constitutional predominance. Either way one would start

with the diet I sent as a guide, but switch to a Vata diet once the imbalance

cleared. Depending on their age and state of health ... it could be quite

some time before they could do this. But ... if they are really a mixed type

.... then the diet guidelines would remain the same, rotating foods on a

seasonal basis. The book I mentioned in the previous post is very helpful in

that it gives recommendations for all possible combos. The Kapha/Vata diet

recommendations differ slightly from the Vata/Kapha ones.

 

Back to the matter at hand: Treatment Principle for Liver Invading the

Spleen would be to Regulate Qi and Tonify Spleen

 

<< Grains until May for Vata/Kapha include: barley, millet and quinoa as

primary

with occasional amaranth, brown or white basmati rice, long or short grain

brown rice and rye. No buckwheat, cooked oats (dry oats ok) or wheat.

 

Kapha is more predominent in the winter months ... Pitta in the late Spring

and Summer .... Vata in the fall. Thus until May, this person would need to

be more careful not to aggravate Kapha than other times of the year. Main

grains for now are barley, millet and quinoa for a Vata/Kapha type. Barley

and millet are both cooling ... but they are drying. Generally not good for

Vatas ... but they are both a little salty and making them a better choice

than other drying grains that are diuretic or bitter (like rye and corn).

Since these are both cooling ... warming spices would need to be included.

Quinoa pacifies both Vata and Kapha by possessing both warming and drying

qualities. Cooked oats and wheat are not good choices for now ... because

they are both very moistening and will aggravate Kapha quite readily.

 

<< After May it switches to primary grains as long grain brown rice and wheat

with occasional barley, short or medium grain brown rice, millet, cooked oats

and wild rice. No amaranth, buckwheat, corn, quinoa or rye.

 

It switches in the summer because Pitta energies are at their peak and Heat

dries moisture. Kapha will not be aggravated as easily as Vata will during

this time, although ... much will depend on whether the person is in a dry or

humid climate. If this person lives in a humid climate ... then they may

need to strike a balance between the winter suggestions and the above. The

summer recommendations leave more room for moistening grain.

 

By eating foods that warm and dry while at the same time don't go too far in

the opposite direction for their inherent energies (too dry for Vata) ....

the Stagnation will be relieved because ... excess Damp prevents the free

flow of Qi .... and the Spleen can function better and utilize the nutrients

in the food .... aiding tonification.

 

I won't go into all the detail about all of the food groups ... the above was

an attempt to illustrate the principles. I have found Ayurveda to be very

helpful in aiding treatment principles. If the diet matches the treatment

..... there is less conflict between diet and herbs (diet won't work against

the treatment). If the diet matches the individual as well .... it is easier

to avoid simply exchanging one problem for another.

 

Another excellent book is " Perfect Balance " by Atreya.

 

Victoria said:

 

<< It's fine. Some of the TCM texts I have touch on Ayurveda concepts. You

can put AM: (for Ayurveda Medicine) in the title so readers who aren't

interested can just skip over those posts.

 

Thankyou Victoria for being so receptive to other ideas ..... will do on the

subject line.

 

Lynn