Sweet taste in Traditional Chinese Medicine relates to the Earth element. It has action on Spleen, Stomach and the body's musculature.
Each flavor in the right amount, benefits the element it belongs to. Sweet taste tonifies the Earth element, but in excess it weakens it, generating dampness.
Huang Di Nei Jing, chapters 22 and 23:
- Sweet flavor moves toward the flesh. In case of flesh diseases, avoid eating sweet in large quantities.
- When the Liver suffers from tension, quickly consume sweet (flavors) to relax.
Actions
- Yang: tonifies and ascends Qi
- Yin: by strengthening the action of Spleen, nourishes the Blood and Yin
- Generates Organic Fluids, moistens dryness
- Harmonizes and softens the effects of other foods
- Relaxes, slows down
Indications
- Its strengthening and tonifying action is suitable for cases of deficiency and weakness. See Qi deficiency and Blood deficiency.
- Its relaxing and Yin-restoring action is suitable for cases of Yin deficiency: dryness, nervousness, emaciation... It helps soften aggression and impatience.
- Its lubricating action is suitable for cases of dry cough or dryness in the respiratory tract.
Contraindications
- In excess: too intense sweets, in large quantities or too frequent (refined sugar, pastries, dairy...) generate dampness and phlegm that can accumulate in Lungs and Large Intestine.
- In the long term, excess sweet damages Kidney, (diabetes, weakens bones, hair falls out) and Heart (anemia, hypertension, irritability, nervousness...).
- Reduce them in case of obesity, edema and tumors.
Sweet foods
Warm sweet foods have more tonifying effect, while cool sweet foods have a greater relaxing effect.
Sweet foods are:
- Rice, millet, wheat, pumpkin, green beans, carrot, potato, broccoli, cabbage, sweet potato, beet, eggplant, chickpeas, shiitake, figs, peach, apple, papaya, honey, amasake.
Sugar and refined or chemical sweeteners are too intense, generate imbalance, addiction and cravings. Eating a balanced diet eliminates the craving for sweet.