The bottom line is this: If these foods don’t make it into your grocery cart, they won’t make it into your body either. Normalizing gut function is the most important protocol in taking back your health. And the number one way to normalize gut function you may ask? Avoid foods that feed the bad gut bacteria.

In TCM the environment and weather are considered integral aspects of health. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory identifies climactic factors such as wind, cold, heat, and dampness, each associated with distinct patterns of imbalance within the body. Dampness, often viewed as a Yin pathogen, is considered a common contributor to various health concerns from ezcema, IBS, joint pain and fatigue.

By including foods from each flavor category, TCM aims to harmonize the energies of the corresponding organs and elements in the body. This balance supports overall health and can prevent illness. Consuming a variety of colored foods is thought to nourish and balance the associated organ systems and elements. For example, eating green vegetables supports the liver and Wood energy, while consuming red foods can benefit the heart and Fire energy.

Eating a gut healthy breakfast porrige is the best way to increase your digestive fire.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the digestive flora, or microbiome relates to the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. When SP/ST Qi become weak or deficient, symptoms like bloating, brain fog, candida overgrowth and obsessive compulsive thoughts can occur. Why? Because the inner transformation mechanism is slowed down and it takes longer for things to digest.

Reishi mushrooms have a long history of promoting health and longevity in East Asians countries such as China and Japan. The Latin name lucidus translates as shiny and brilliant, referring to the glossy surface of the mushroom. The name itself, Ling Zhi has a spiritual potency symbolizing success, divine spiritual energy and longevity.