Debra Betts - Acupuncture and Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth

True Heat

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In true heat the body’s yin energy, which is responsible for moistening and cooling the bodily functions, is not deficient, but has been overwhelmed by excessive heat. Heat may arise in several ways, including exposure to excessive heat in the environment. Consider not only natural but also man made environments, for example a working in artificially heated environments.

True heat may also be due to an excess of heat producing foods and drinks such as alcohol and coffee. This can be further aggravated by tobacco. True heat can also arise in response to an acute feverish illness. Foods that are useful to remove heat include:

Grains Barley, buckwheat, millet, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ
Vegetables Asparagus, aubergine, cabbage, celery, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, dandelion leaf, lettuce, mungbean sprout, potato, seaweed, turnip
Fruit Apple, banana, blueberry, cranberry, fig, grapefruit, lemon, lime, mango, melon, pear, persimmon, pineapple, plum, rhubarb, watermelon
Beans Kidney, mung, yellow soy, tofu
Fish Abalone, crab, fresh and salt water clam, octopus
Herbs and spices Liquorice, purslane, tamarind
Bevrages Chrysanthemum tea, dandelion root, elderflower tea, peppermint tea
Oild and Condiments  Sesame oil, agar
Suppliments Kelp

Foods especially useful to reduce Liver heat.

Grains Millet
Vegetables Celery, cucumber, lettuce, radish, watercress
Fruit Lemon
Bean product Tofu
Herbs/ spices Chrysanthemum tea, roasted dandelion root coffee, peppermint tea,

 

Examples of beverages and receipies that can be used to eliminate heat

 

  • Water with freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Herbal teas such as peppermint or chrysanthemum
  • Fruit salads with any of the above fruits.
  • Lettuce salads with cucumber tomato and mung beansprouts
  • Soft Tofu blended with fruits as a dessert
  • Agar fruit jellies with mango
  • Mixed bean salads with kidney beans
  • Vegetable juices such as celery
  • Fruit juices such as apple, pear and grapefruit juice

Foods to avoid in cases of heat

Obviously for those with true heat conditions it is important not add to this by consuming food and drink that will add further heat and stimulation to their bodies. As with foods to avoid in Yin deficiency this includes caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strong heating/pungent spices.