In Western culture, carbohydrates don't have the best reputation. They are considered fattening and are banned from the diet in many modern diet concepts.
The situation is quite different in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In particular, cereals, the epitome of carbohydrates, are attributed great importance in ancient medicine. Oats, spelt and co. are used to treat a variety of disorders.
The TCM breakfast from VERIVAL - discover it now!
Find out the significance of cereals in TCM and how you can use their strengthening effect for yourself.
What is TCM?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to a form of healing that originated in China several millennia ago. As an alternative healing method to Western medicine, the concept is also becoming increasingly important in our part of the world.
Traditional teachings are based on the concept of Yin and Yang and aim to restore balance between the two opposites so that Qi (vital energy) can flow freely. A state of imbalance is expressed in physical and mental discomfort, which can lead to illness in the long term.
The areas of application of TCM include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, physical and breathing exercises, massage and nutrition.
TCM and nutrition
Another central concept of TCM is the doctrine of the five elements, which is best known in Western cultures as a nutritional philosophy and is based on the interaction of the five elements.
The so-called 5-element diet is not only supposed to increase our well-being and strengthen our immune system, but it also promotes the absorption of nutrients.
We have also taken a close look at this proven nutritional concept and, based on the knowledge we have gained, have created three beneficial TCM porridges for you.
From the cooling apricot-strawberry spelt porridge to the harmonising coconut-orange rice porridge and the warming sour cherry-cocoa oat porridge, there is something for everyone.
The importance of grains in TCM
While low-carb diets are becoming increasingly popular in Western cultures, grains are increasingly being declared a fattening food. In addition, an increasing awareness of coeliac disease and gluten intolerance has led many to doubt that grains can be healthy.
TCM sees things quite differently. There, grains are considered to be much more important than they are in our culture. According to Professor Leung Kok Yuen, a renowned teacher of traditional Chinese medicine, a healthy diet consists of 70% grains.
For example, cooked grain is said to strengthen qi and particularly to strengthen digestion. It is also considered to be thermally neutral or only slightly warming or cooling, making it suitable for both hot and cold types.
Since cooked grains are very well tolerated by most people and have a strengthening effect, TCM considers them to be a good basis for meals.
Each grain has its own effect on the body and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Therefore, we will give you an overview of the most important types of grains in TCM below:
Oats – the warming grain in TCM
Oats is one of the most important grains in TCM and is also considered to be the grain with the strongest warming effect. For this reason, it is an indispensable part of a healthy diet, especially in the colder seasons.
Enjoy oats either in the classic way as porridge with spices, fruits or nuts, or grate some vegetables into the porridge for a savoury treat. And you can eat porridge not only for breakfast.
Roasted oats can also be boiled up to make a pleasant tea, which is said to awaken the spirits.
If your body shows so-called heat symptoms, you should consume oats only in small quantities and instead reach for rice or spelt. Heat in the body manifests itself, for example, in heartburn, gastritis, pimples or rapid sweating.
Rice – the number one grain in TCM
Hardly any other type of grain is as important in TCM as rice, and with good reason. In general, rice is considered an important food for heat symptoms because it has a slightly cooling effect. It is often used for skin problems because it has a cleansing effect.
It is also easy to digest and aids digestion. Wholegrain or brown rice in particular helps with inner restlessness and emotional fluctuations. Sweet rice (mochi) for breakfast is also used to prevent ravenous hunger attacks during the day.
We also rely on the harmonising effect of rice in our coconut-orange rice porridge from the TCM range.
Spelt – the nutrient-rich ancient grain
Spelt is the original form of the wheat that is widely cultivated today and contains a remarkable variety of nutrients. In addition to vitamins B1 and B2, the ancient grain also provides zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and silicic acid. The latter in particular strengthens your skin, hair and nails and has a positive effect on your concentration and mental ability.
According to TCM, the grain strengthens the intestines and has a blood-building effect. It is used for poor concentration and also for children who tend towards hyperactivity.
Since the yield of spelt cannot be increased by the use of artificial fertilisers, it has only regained importance with the trend towards organic farming.
Using the power of grain correctly according to TCM
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, not all grains are the same. The way they are processed plays a crucial role when it comes to the effect of the food on the human body.
An important rule in TCM states that the less a grain is ground, the better it is.
If you take the classic grain wheat, for example, wheat grains have a calming and cooling effect. White flour, on the other hand, has a mucilaginous and warming effect, which leads to so-called ‘damp heat’. In TCM, it is said that this moisture in the body suffocates Qi and causes disease.
In addition, all grains should be cooked to make them easier to digest and to optimise their effect. Anyone who has studied TCM nutrition even a little knows that traditional medicine prefers warm meals because they provide more Qi than raw food.
Alternatives to classic grains
Whole wheat, spelt, oat or barley grains are often difficult to digest and therefore not suitable for everyone. Soaking the grains can help a little, but you should only eat them if you have a very efficient digestive system.
Far more digestible and therefore recommended for most people are flakes, such as spelt or oat flakes, or couscous, bulgur or semolina.
Pseudograins such as quinoa, amaranth or buckwheat are also good alternatives to classic grains.
No matter which grain or pseudograin you choose, listen to your gut. If certain types lie heavy on your stomach or cause digestive problems, you should better leave them out and fall back on alternatives.
How healthy is bread according to TCM?
Bread is one of the most important staple foods in Western culture and many people often enjoy bread meals, especially in the morning or evening.
Bread contains grain, so you would think that you can also benefit from the health advantages of grain. Unfortunately, according to TCM, this is not the case at all.
The various types of grain develop their effect when they are eaten as a whole grain. The grains bind moisture in the body and expel the harmful substances.
Ground into flour, grain does exactly the opposite. Instead of binding the moisture and transporting it out of the body, it forms waste products and deposits. This is the teaching of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
This so-called waste material leads to overweight, cellulite and blemished skin. It also makes the body sluggish and promotes listlessness.
TCM experts therefore advise against excessive consumption of bread, pasta and pastries. The same applies to ready-made products, which often contain cheap low-grade flours.
As so often, however, it is the quantity that makes the poison. It is better to enjoy baked goods in moderation than in masses.
It's best to replace bread meals with cooked food several times a week. This is particularly easy to do at breakfast time. For example, instead of a slice of bread and jam, enjoy a bowl of warming porridge to take advantage of the fortifying effect of cereals.
Warming oat porridge from VERIVAL – try it now!
