Wearing your heart on your... organ?

Telling someone you love them with all your heart might actually be very accurate. Traditional Chinese Medicine looks to diagnosing certain organ related problems with the respective emotion governing it. So maybe next time you blame a mood on your star sign or significant other, take a good look inside you. Literally.

Let us look at some of the more common emotions affecting our organs and how they play a huge role in characterizing who we are.

Liver dis-harmony is typical of problems stemming from anger. Impatience, frustration, resentment, violence, belligerence, rudeness, edginess, arrogance, stubbornness, mood swings, aggression, and an impulsive and an explosive personality are a result of an imbalance in our liver. TCM tells us that a healthy liver establishes a smooth and soothing flow of energy through an individual's body and mind. If a person's liver is in harmony with his/her rhythms, there is never any stress or tension. A person with a healthy and vital liver is usually calm, has unwavering judgement, and is a natural born leader and a sound decision maker.

When disturbed, the Kidneys and Bladder are ruled by fear and insecurity. Fear can even injure the Kidneys. Stressful people burdened with fear are unable to rid their bodies of excess fluids which extinguish the spirit of the heart. A healthy kidney & adrenal function restores feelings of joy and elation and leaves no place for gloom.

People with a poor Spleen and Pancreatic function are very mentally stagnant, extremely compulsive and "stuck" in their behaviour patterns. This in turn affects their ability to use their creative potential and creates a rut within their stomach, which means that they suffer from weak digestion. Individuals with a balance in these organs are generally hardworking, practical and extremely responsible. They are active and stable individuals with positive qualities like endurance and healthy digestion.

The emotion associated with the Lungs is grief. Those with weak lungs attempt to stifle their sadness, especially in letting go of relationships and emotions. They can be disorderly and either lose their possessions or hold onto them with an unbreakable attachment. If one is lucky enough to have healthy lungs, you will tend to hold onto principles and commitments. Grief and sadness are easily resolved and help in the process of moving on.

So remember one important fact. Food that nourishes the organs, can help regenerate them, thereby restoring healthy organ function and generating positive emotions.

Here is a recipe for your spleen/pancreas/stomach to stay stable:

Sweet vegetable drink : Directions: drink whenever you can, preferably in late afternoon. Drink warm once a day for one month (carry to work in a flask)

Objective: To relax stomach, body and muscles especially of the intestines

Ingredients

Use equal amounts of four vegetables, finely chopped (onions, carrots, cabbage [can avoid this], and sweet squash [bhopla])

Method

1. Boil four times the amount of water and allow to boil for 2-3 minutes. Reduce flame to low, cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes
2. Strain the vegetables from the broth and can use them later in soups or stew or leave as is Drink the broth, either hot or at room temperature

Shonali Sabherwal is a certified Macrobiotic Nutritionist/Chef/Instructor from the Kushi Institute, Massachusetts. And currently provides Lifestyle/Dietary recommendations and consucls workshops and gives cooking classes. She can be contacted via e mail on Shonaalii@macrobioticsindia.com.

Mail your queries at: dnahealthpage@gmail.com; you can contact Shonali at Shonaalii@macrobioticsindia