The Yin and Yang Diet

Chinese natural healing is founded on the concept of "yin" and "yang."
For thousands of years, the Chinese have observed the importance of balance and harmony. This philosophy is manifested in the concept of "yin" and "yang", which is represented as the female and the male, respectively, or as any two opposing forces in Nature that balance and complement each other for harmony and co-existence.

The terms "yin" and "yang" describe the opposite yet complementary energy states in the universe. A balance between the two polarities can help you stay in beneficial energy alignment, which is fundamental to health and wellness. "Yin" embodies negative electrical charge and contractive energy, while "yang" demonstrates positive electrical charge and expansive energy.

The balance of "yin" and "yang" is reflected in the Five Elements.

This concept of balance and harmony originates from the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), which not only are fundamental to the cycles of Nature, but also correspond to the different organs of the human body. In addition, each of these elements also corresponds to a different color.

These Five Elements not only balance but also complement each other to create balance and harmony. For example, water nourishes trees or wood, without which there will be no fire, and without fire, there will be no earth, and without earth, there will be no metal; fire heats metal to produce water through condensation, and without metal, there will be no water. These Five Elements, which are inter-dependent on one another for existence in the form of a cycle of Nature, relate to five different colors

The element of wood relates to green color. Accordingly, eat green vegetables from asparagus to dark leafy greens, such as spinach; green fruits, such as lime and green apples; green-colored nuts and seeds, such as pumpkins; green-colored beans, such as mung beans; and green grains, such as rye.

The element of fire relates to red color. Accordingly, eat red vegetables, such as beets, hot red peppers and bell peppers; red fruits, such as cherries and red strawberries; red nuts and seeds, such as pecans; red-colored beans, such as red lentils and red beans; and red grains, such as buckwheat.

The element of earth relates to orange and yellow colors. Accordingly, eat orange and yellow vegetables, such as pumpkins, squash and yams; orange and yellow fruits, such as mangoes, oranges and papaya; orange and yellow nuts and seeds, such as almonds and cashews; orange and yellow beans, such as chickpeas; and orange and yellow grains, such as corn and millet.

The element of metal relates to white color. Accordingly, eat white vegetables, such as cauliflower; white fruits, such as bananas and pears; white nuts and seeds, such as pine nuts; white-colored beans, such as soybeans; and white grains, such as barley and rice.

The element of water relates to black, blue, and purple colors. Accordingly, eat dark-colored vegetables, such as black mushroom, eggplant and seaweed; dark-colored fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries and raisins; dark-colored nuts and seeds, such as black sesame and walnuts; dark-colored beans, such as black beans and navy beans; and black grains, such as black wild rice.

For your "yin" and "yang" health, eat a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, beans, and grains of all the colors from the Five Elements. This "yin" and "yang" diet creates balance and harmony between your body organs for optimum health and wellness.