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Living in harmony with the Earth includes making use of its resources for your overall well-being. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes this by seeing the human body as not only an entity of its own, but also as an integral link to family, society and the natural order of the world through a series of symbolic connections. So taking care of yourself is ultimately for the good of the entire life chain.
Body
“I am a huge believer in ‘You are what you eat,’ says Jennifer Edden, integrative nutritionist at Long Island-based Wellness from Within Inc., a holistic nutrition service. “With that said, if you fuel your body with high-quality, lovingly prepared food, there will be more nutrients for your body to use versus low-quality fast food that has little to no nutritional value.” Edden recommends that people eat fresh, organic fruits and veggies daily, along with drinking high-quality water.
Choosing organic fruits and vegetables means not only choosing to avoid pesticides, but also upping your nutritional intake. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2003 found that fruits and vegetables grown organically showed significantly higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants than their conventionally grown counterparts. “Our bodies truly tell us what we need and [what] we don’t if we listen carefully,” Edden says.
A migraine headache may be calling for fruits of the sea, as recent studies indicate that the omega-3 fatty acids abundant in certain fish can be beneficial for reducing the pain associated with this type of headache. And if you’re feeling a little lethargic lately, it could be that you need to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins, protein and iron, such as lentils. A stressful day that sends your blood pressure soaring can be eased by a few celery sticks that have the power to relax arteries, dilate blood vessels and reduce stress hormones.
Mind
A cup of tea is associated with a respite in the day for many cultures. The ritual of its preparation and consumption is often as important as the tea itself. However, just because you aren’t able to take the time to do more than swirl a teabag in a cup of hot water, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still find a mental or emotional benefit from it.
“I find tea to be extremely mood enhancing without the side effects of coffee and other stimulants out there,” Edden says. “Tea has the ability to either take the edge off your day, or give you that little pick-me-up that we all need from time to time.”
Mynou de Mey, proprietor of Eldred, N.Y.–based essential oil manufacturer Les Herbes Ltd., who has a master’s degree in herbology and international certification in aromatherapy, values tea for the same reasons. Just be aware of the properties of your tea of choice. She recommends chamomile to mellow out after a long day, dandelion root for its cleansing properties and peppermint for its all-around gentle nature and digestive perks.
You might not realize it, but aromatherapy is already an unconscious part of your daily routine, points out de Mey. “Essential oils are in items like toothpaste and chewing gum,” she says. Moving that knowledge to the conscious mind will help you at the supermarket: You’ll decide to choose toothpaste with ginger to add its stimulating properties to your morning, rather than your same-old brand.
Spirit
The seemingly ephemeral qualities of scent have a quietly powerful effect on the spirit, especially since smell is the most powerful memory trigger of any of the five senses. “Aromatherapy is very gentle on the system,” says de Mey. “The smell goes through the blood, the lungs, but it doesn’t sit in the body since it’s expelled in many ways, like perspiration. And, it helps avoid the use of harsh chemicals.”
Essential oils can be added to your favorite lotions or blended with carrier oils such as jojoba or sweet almond oils so they can be applied to the skin. She cautions that the oils themselves should never be applied directly.
You can even incorporate food-grade essential oils into your diet under the guidance of a professional, says de Mey. She also recommends following her lead by including plenty of fresh herbs, such as basil and parsley, when cooking.
“We truly are spiritual beings in a material world, so naturally eating will have a spiritual side,” Edden says.
Raw Deal
Did you know that cooking takes the nutrients and antioxidants out of most foods? For more about the benefit of eating raw foods, check out The Raw Food Primer by Suzanne Alex Ferrara at counciloakbooks.com
