Digestive Health with Traditional Chinese Medicine
By Gloria Garland L.Ac, Dipl. Ac. & CH.
Since ancient times, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians have considered a strong digestive function to be the root of overall health and longevity. As a modern practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I like to think of athletes as big digestive machines or “Qi“ factories.
TCM – Qi and the five elements - some basic concepts
Qi: Qi in the TCM view is the material basis for all the normal physiological manifestations and life activities of the body. Qi drives the functions of the different tissues and organs. When qi is deficient, illness occurs; when it is absent, there is death.
In the TCM view, there are five governing elements: earth, metal, water, wood and fire. If we look at our bodies through the TCM model, each organ system falls into one of five elemental classifications. For example, the respiratory system relates to metal; the circulatory system relates to fire; tendons & ligaments relate to wood and kidney function relates to water. The digestive organs and their functions are classified as the earth element.
The earth element, the stomach and digestion, is the source for all the qi of the body. Also referred to as “central qi,” it creates all the cells, tissues and all energetic and physiological functions of the body.
Keeping the earth element strong
An athlete with a weak earth element can manifest in several ways: ulcers, poor physical development, chronic colic or diarrhea, declining condition in old age or poor muscle development, muscle tone or wasting.
When the central qi is strong, the body functions more effectively on all levels, stress is better managed, illness and disease are better handled and recovery from injury is faster.
The diet, vitamins and supplements we consume are the raw materials for the central qi factory. They become transformed into the building blocks of the body. A strong digestive function can help our us live longer, healthier lives.
Enhancing the earth element with herbs
In addition to a balanced diet, some of the following Chinese herbs are helpful for digestive health:
Shen qu (Massa Fermentata) This enzyme and vitamin B-rich herb enhances the digestion over all by facilitating the digestion of starches and carbohydrates.
Mai ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) This herb protects the stomach and promotes the digestion of starches, especially wheat and rice based products.
Gu ya (Fructus Setariae Germinatus) Also digestive enzyme-rich, it is very good for those prone to chronic, gas colic as well as for weak or older individuals.
An athlete with a weak earth element can manifest in several ways: ulcers, poor physical development, chronic colic or diarrhea, declining condition in old age or poor muscle development, muscle tone or wasting.
When the central qi is strong, the body functions more effectively on all levels, stress is better managed, illness and disease are better handled and recovery from injury is faster.
The diet, vitamins and supplements we consume are the raw materials for the central qi factory. They become transformed into the building blocks of the body. A strong digestive function can help our us live longer, healthier lives.
Enhancing the earth element with herbs
In addition to a balanced diet, some of the following Chinese herbs are helpful for digestive health:
Shen qu (Massa Fermentata) This enzyme and vitamin B-rich herb enhances the digestion over all by facilitating the digestion of starches and carbohydrates.
Mai ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) This herb protects the stomach and promotes the digestion of starches, especially wheat and rice based products.
Gu ya (Fructus Setariae Germinatus) Also digestive enzyme-rich, it is very good for those prone to chronic, gas colic as well as for weak or older individuals.
