Thursday Q&A: Sweet Tooth

Acupuncture Chick – Your Expert on Chinese Medicine and All Things Health

Jessica Tatieze, LAc

Yum, I’m sitting here dreaming of brownies, cupcakes, cookies….wait how could that be when this is supposed to be a blog about health?! Being prone to a sweet tooth myself, I could definitely appreciate today’s question that came in for the Thursday Q&A. I come from a long line of sugar lovers, and have learned from a young age that the only way to avoid it is to not have it in the house at all. If I have a yummy sweet treat in my cupboard, I HAVE to eat it until it’s gone! Not having many sweets in the house works because very rarely (unless very hormone driven) will I actually make a special trip to get a sweet treat. I would never deprive myself of sweets completely, but keeping healthy snacks front and center and the sweets limited helps! I never thought much more about having a sweet tooth until I studied Chinese Medicine, and was amazed that my addiction to sweets was attached to other complaints I had and all tied together in the Earth element.

Check out today’s Q&A:

Q: I eat fairly healthy, but my main issue is that I have such a sweet tooth that I can’t stick to my healthy eating diet. Is there something you [Chinese Medicine] can do for that?

A: In Chinese Medicine the Spleen energy is in control of the sweet tooth. The relationship between the ‘Five Elements’ in Chinese Medicine is one way we can look at the craving of sweets relating to the Spleen. The Earth element is related to the Spleen and Stomach, and the ‘taste’ of this element is sweet. The Earth-type person (or a person who is out of balance with a Spleen energy deficiency) may notice that besides craving sweets they also tend to worry, have digestive upset or gas and bloating, loose stools, are easily overwhelmed, carry extra water weight or ‘dampness’, and their body has a heaviness feeling with low energy or fatigue. If you have noticed it even more lately, it’s no surprise! The season of the Earth element is “Indian Summer,” which is right now! This season is in late August when the days are hotter and damper with humidity.

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Here is more about the Earth element from http://www.acupuncture-online.com/tradition3.htm:

Earth 

Meridians: Stomach/Spleen

Someone with well developed Earth energy is a well grounded, nurturing, compassionate person, sometimes depicted as the archtypical “earth mother”.  Earth people like to bring others together and make good mediators or peacemakers and reliable friends. They often enjoy both preparing food and eating. You may be attracted by their generous mouth and full, sensuous lips. 

Earth Imbalance

When people have weak Earth Qi, they can be worriers and meddlers. They are prone to pensiveness. They may overwork, especially in studying or other intellectual work. They are vulnerable to digestive problems and diarrhea. They may gain weight easily and lose it with difficulty. Their bodies have a tendency to make excessive mucus, and they may suffer from cloudy thinking, muzzy-headedness, and a lack of clarity.

Those with weak Earth Qi often feel better when they limit cold, raw foods and dairy products. They should eat warming foods and grains to stay well grounded. They may crave sweets. The sweet taste can be satisfied by eating sweet grains, vegetables, and fruits rather than processed sugars.

Common illnesses include: fatigue, diarrhea, gas & bloating, food allergies & sensitivities, eating disorders, heartburn, and canker sores.  Excessive mucus may collect in the lungs or in the sinuses. In women, menstrual problems may include either excessively light or heavy periods.

The Qi of the earth element flourishes in Indian Summer, those golden moments of fullness before the waning of the light. The earth color is yellow, like the sun, and the ripened crops, and the root vegetables. Sitting meditation is said to strengthen the earth element. 

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I love the reminder that nature’s candy (AKA fruit) can be just as sweet and satisfying! And of course, as with anything, it’s always about balance and moderation! I leave you with this, “Chocolate is like medicine – but as with medicine, the key is the proper dose. Don’t overdo it.”