Tag: Yin yang foods

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the balance of opposing yet complementary forces, Yin and Yang, is considered vital for health. A classic crab omelette is an excellent example of a yin and yang food, harmonizing the cooling nature of crab with the warming properties of eggs.

According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is categorized by its energetic properties—yin (cooling) or yang (warming)—and not just its nutritional content. The question 'Are carrots yin or yang?' reveals a common misconception, as this popular root vegetable is actually considered to possess a neutral energetic quality. This balanced nature makes carrots a versatile and foundational food for maintaining internal harmony.

According to macrobiotic principles, all food has an energetic quality that can affect a person's balance of yin and yang. It is for this reason that many common foods are avoided in a macrobiotic diet, which focuses on locally grown, unprocessed, and seasonal items to promote harmony between the body and its environment.

For over two millennia, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has classified foods by their energetic properties, impacting how they affect the body's balance. Cooling meats are a key part of this ancient dietary philosophy, used to counteract excess heat and restore harmony within the body.