Using Chinese Medical Wisdom to Improve Digestion

You don’t need the latest health innovation, more supplements, or big overhauls to improve your digestive health. Traditional Chinese Medicine offers simple, effective solutions to strengthen digestion and overcome tummy troubles. Sometimes the key isn't adding more; it's understanding your digestion better. By working with your body, you can support the functions it innately knows how to do.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compares the digestive system to a fire. Just like a well-tended fire breaks down what it's fed, our digestive system functions similarly when it's in balance. However, there are essential principles to follow, much like tending a fire, to ensure optimal digestion:

Eat Slowly and Chew Well

Instead of feeding our digestive system with large logs, think of providing kindling. Oversized pieces of wood snuff out a fire before it even gets going. Chewing food thoroughly—until it reaches the consistency of applesauce—helps ease the burden on the digestive system, allowing it to process food more efficiently. Depending on the food, this could be around 30 chews per bite.

Don’t Douse Your Digestive Fire

In TCM, the main digestive organs are the Spleen and the Stomach. Just as too much water extinguishes a fire, excessive liquids during meals dampens the digestive function of the Spleen and Stomach, which prefer things not too dry and not too damp. Give your body time to digest food before drinking liquids. Bonus points if you skip the ice in your drink.

Stop Stress at the Dinner Table

Stress negatively impacts digestion by reducing blood flow to the digestive organs, leading to symptoms like indigestion and cramping. Slow down at mealtime. Practicing mindful eating and minimizing distractions can help alleviate stress and improve digestion. Try taking a few deep breaths before meals and between bites, putting away your phone, and if possible, eat with a loved one.

Make Food Easy to Digest

The easiest way to make food easier on your system is to pre-digest them. What do we mean by that? Cooked foods are easier to digest because the process of cooking breaks down the food's cellular structure, making nutrients more accessible to the body. Heat softens tough fibers, denatures proteins, and breaks down complex carbohydrates, essentially pre-digesting the food. This makes it easier for the body to extract and absorb nutrients, reducing the strain on the digestive system and promoting smoother digestion. TLDR: Too many raw, cold foods overburden the digestive fire, leading to gut symptoms.


You can also incorporate digestive aids like ginger, black pepper, and vinegar into your meals, as they help enhance digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Incorporating these simple yet profound principles from TCM into your daily life can help nurture your digestive fire and promote long-term gut health. By respecting the wisdom of traditional healing practices and working in harmony with our bodies, we can achieve sustainable improvements in our digestion and overall well-being.

References:
Leggett, D. (1995). Helping Ourselves: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Food Energetics. Guide to Traditional Chinese F.

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ARIEL KALLENBACH

Ariel is a national board-certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine specialist devoted to supporting and empowering patients. Ariel understands the unique needs each individual brings to their wellness journey and is committed to helping  patients achieve their health goals and build resiliency through patient-centered care.