When I am treating patients I am often keeping a quiet but close eye on the state of their digestion, even if their reason for seeing me is seemingly unrelated. Why is this?

 

In Chinese Medicine we see the digestion, the earth element, at the center of health. Whole schools of thought from medical doctors practicing thousands of years ago, were based in the principle that all disease stems from the digestion. We know more now, but this is still accurate in part.

 

This is because in Chinese Medical understanding, when we eat we digest food and extract fluids and nutrients from that food, that then makes up the immune system, hormonal system, quality of our blood, formation of energy, circadian rhythms and much more. In fact most of our functioning relies on the results of healthy digestion. This is mirrored in western thought too by the way, think about the links on micro-biome and immunity, moods, sleep etc.

 

So what is healthy digestion and how do we achieve this?

 

In Chinese medicine we aim for a digestive system that eliminates a bowel motion every day, that does not have any gas or pain. We want to feel comfortable and happy after eating, no bloating, fatigue etc. As a practitioner we want to feel in the patients pulse, that the body is making ample blood and is extracting and making healthy fluids to keep hydrated and nourishing all these amazing bodily systems mentioned above.

 

If we are constipated or frequently bloated, if we have reflux or gas, or exhaustion, then likely our digestive systems are not functioning well and need healing, as the consequences of weakened digestion are compound.

 

Without making enough, or good quality blood, we can lack emotional resilience, nourishment to our muscles, hair, skin and nails. Our energy can decline, our organs can become weakened.

 

Without eliminating daily toxins via the bowels, we feel uncomfortable, but we also risk more serious things such as having hormonal issues as we are not eliminating excess estrogen etc.

 

Not fully digesting our food creates dampness in our gut, which then further weakens the digestive system, creating a nasty cycle. Dampness makes us feel heavy and lethargic, but if it goes on, it can seep into our joints and then we get pain and loss of mobility.

 

Eating foods that create heat (inflammation), such as excess coffee, alcohol, sugar, deep fried foods, will also create dampness, as the body tries to put out the inflammation with dampness. This in time will create more heat as the body tries to ‘burn’ through the dampness.

 

So how do we ensure we have clear healthy digestion?

 

First we need to correct the current environment so that digestion is not weighed down. This could be clearing the ‘dampness’, clearing heat, warming it up if its cold, encouraging more digestive enzyme release from the liver etc. Consultation with a Chinese doctor is important, so that we can find out the current environment, as everyone is so different.

 

But many ‘rules’ apply to all and by eating well we can certainly steer the ship in the right direction!

 

-Eating whole food – reducing or eliminating processed foods

 

-Eating warm and wet food for ease of digestion and optimal hydration and formation of blood and body fluids.

 

-Not eating late at night, this is when the liver cleanses the blood, so if it is digesting food, we will miss the opportunity to restore, rebuild and cleanse the blood and will likely wake tired and heavy

 

-Never eat cold or frozen foods, especially while healing the digestion

 

-Include cooked leafy greens with at least one meal per day

 

-Do not drink with meals – this dilutes the digestive enzymes required for optimal digestion

 

-Eat in a relaxed unhurried way, stress deeply affects digestion

 

-Don’t over eat, enjoy your food, but don’t eat past feeling full

 

 

This is a great starting point. There is so much more to share! Digestion is a great area to get right, so much flows from there. Chinese dietary therapy is a world of its own, it is wonderful as it is not one size fits all. It is as personalised and medicinal as acupuncture and herbal medicine, and such a pleasure to teach to patients.

 

By Dr Nicky Brooks