Yin represents the energy that is responsible for moistening and cooling bodily functions. When this energy is depleted your body begins to show signs of “heating up”. This is not a true heat but rather a lack of the moistening and cooling functions that are necessary to maintain a healthy balance. Foods to tonify Yin include;
Grains | Barley, millet |
Vegetables | Alfalfa sprout, artichoke, asparagus, kelp, mung bean sprout, pea, potato, seaweed, string bean, sweet potato, tomato, water chestnut, yam, zucchini |
Fruit | Apple, apricot, avocado, banana, lemon, lime, mango, mulberry, pear, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate, watermelon |
Bean | Adzuki, black beans, black soya, kidney, lima, mung |
Bean Products | Tofu |
Nuts and seeds | Coconut milk, sesame seed, black sesame seed, walnut |
Fish | Fish in general but especially clam, fresh water clam, crab, cuttlefish, oyster, octopus, sardine |
Meat | Beef, duck, goose, pork, pork kidney, rabbit |
Dairy | Cheese, chicken egg, cows milk, duck egg |
Herbs and spices | Marjoram, nettle |
Oils and Condiments | Honey, malt, |
Supplements | American ginseng, royal jelly |
Vegetables | Potato, squash, sweet potato, yamAlfalfa sprouts, asparagus, kelp, potato, seaweed, string bean, sweet potato, yam |
Fruit | Lemon, lime, mulberry |
Bean | Aduki, black bean, black soya bean, kidney bean |
Nuts and Seeds | Black sesame seed |
Fish | Fresh water clam, oyster |
Meats | Duck, pork kidney |
Dairy | Chicken egg |
It is important to ensure that stimulating foods are not being consumed, as these will only further depleate yin. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strong heating/ pungent spices all belong in this category. Note. Yin building foods like yin tonifing herbs have a tendency to be congest the spleen and promote stagnation if large amounts are consumed.
It is therefore important to consume small quantities frequently rather than large helpings irregularly.