How to Support the Earth Element
The past weeks, we’ve covered some background on the Earth element and its associated organs, the Spleen and Stomach. Now for some ways to support this aspect of our health:
Care for Mother Earth
Many of us in the U.S. are Spleen qi deficient—we’re tired, dependent on coffee, overstimulated by information, and disconnected from our bodies. Despite the abundance of access many of us have to a wide variety of food, much of it is low quality. Highly refined, processed food is low in qi, and often high in things like sugar. A little bit of sugar boosts qi, but too much ends up depleting it. Even things like produce are not necessarily as rich in nutrients because of the poor quality of over-farmed, under-replenished soil.
So, when we’re on the journey to taking more attentive care of our bodies, we must reflect on the body of the earth herself. May this be a strong reminder for us to take care of Mother Earth, in any way we can—her plants, her animals, her soil. This may look like a myriad of different things, but to name a few:
Spend time in nature, quietly observing.
Grow plants. If you have a yard, leave some of it unmown to encourage biodiversity.
Start a compost or have your food scraps picked up by a compost collection company.
Purchase (or grow!) local and/or organic food whenever possible.
Cut down on meat, egg, and dairy consumption to what is necessary for health.
Not Only What But How We Eat
In Chinese medicine, it is recognized that what we eat matters perhaps as much as how we eat. Below are a few general dietary recommendations of Chinese medicine concerning what we consume:
Eat plenty of high-quality whole grains, legumes, and vegetables.
Eat a smaller amount of fruit, meat, and other animal products.
Eat mostly cooked foods; limit cold, raw foods.
Avoid cold beverages.
Eat a balance of the flavors associated with the Five Elements—naturally, most of our food is sweet, but also incorporate bitter, sour, spicy, and salty foods. Also note the sweet flavor of Chinese medicine refers to the natural sweetness of grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Limit desserts in general, and limit to those made with natural, unprocessed sweeteners.
And concerning how we consume:
Eat slowly and mindfully; chew fully to aid the digestion process.
Offer gratitude for your food. Eat while feeling calm.
Eat the biggest meal of the day in the morning, a moderate meal during the height of the day, and a light dinner in the early evening.
The Earth element thrives with routine—regular meals without random snacking.
Savor and enjoy your food!
Peak & Weak Times of the Spleen & Stomach
In following with the Chinese medicine clock, the Stomach is at its peak functioning from approximately 7 to 9 a.m., depending on the time of year. Having a hardy breakfast is ideal at this time. It’s also a good time to read and take in new information, although not necessarily while eating. It follows that 7 to 9 p.m. is the weakest time for the Stomach, so a light dinner before 7 p.m. is ideal.
From approximately 9 to 11 a.m. is the Spleen’s peak time—the best time to study, get some work done, and/or exercise. Working or exercising in the evening taxes the Spleen.
This is a lot to take in—perhaps try picking one thing to implement. Also note, these are general dietary guidelines, and they don’t apply to everyone. For more tailored guidance, seek individual care.
Stay tuned for more ways to support the Spleen & Stomach, as well as more about their major patterns disharmony and how to address them, in the coming weeks.
Interested in trying Chinese medicine? Register for a class or book an appointment here.