Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine – Food Therapy Basics

Everyone knows that nutrition is a vital part of whole body health. At CHAI, we discuss nutrition at every appointment, since what an animal eats directly influences their overall health and ability to respond to treatment. Veterinarians trained in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine techniques can use specific foods to help their patients. Food therapy is safe, effective, and can be combined with other alternative therapies as well as conventional medical treatments. Below is an overview of the basic tenets of traditional Chinese food therapy.
Five Elements/Five Tastes:

Sour – Liver/Wood element
Bitter – Heart/Fire element
Sweet – Spleen/Earth element
Pungent – Lung/Metal element
Salty and/or bland – Kidney/Water element

Sour

Stimulates contraction and absorption
Astringent effect
Benefits digestive absorption – stimulates secretions from gall bladder and pancreas, lowers acidity of intestine
Excess sour can cause: weakening of Spleen, water retention
Indications: chronic diarrhea, urinary incontinence
Examples of sour foods: plum, lemon, vinegar

Bitter

Draws out dampness and heat
Improves appetite
Stimulates digestion
Excess bitter can cause: dry skin, cough, asthma
Indications: excess heat, damp
Examples of bitter foods: bitter melon, rhubarb

Sweet

Harmonizes all other flavors
Moistening
Excess sweet is associated with: phlegm formation, bone pain, kidney imbalance, hair loss
Indications: For general weakness or deficiency pattern (Qi, blood, yin or yang deficiency); for acute conditions (pain); for relaxation
Examples of sweet foods: yams, corn and rice

Pungent