Chinese medicine has a concept called Jing. It is our essence, our potential, our DNA, our blueprint, our vitality, and the essential “goo” of life. It is said that we have the most Jing when we are born, and that as we age, we trade Jing for Wisdom. While it is natural to lose Jing as we live, certain life events such as child bearing, stressful periods, and chronic illness, can cause us to lose Jing over a period of time, or even suddenly. Symptoms can include premature greying and hair loss, fatigue, reproduction issues, and dizziness.
The good news is it is possible to support Jing through the foods we eat and there are some easy principles to apply that can help you pick foods that are good for your Jing. These include:
1. Foods that are about Reproduction.
For example, eggs (the yolks), seeds, nuts, pollen, fish eggs and roe.
2. Foods from the ocean.
For example, seamoss, seaweed, algae, and shellfish such as oysters, scallops, clams, oysters, and muscles.
3. Foods that are black.
For example, black rice, black sesame seeds, black beans, black sesame,
blackberries, blackberries, black seaweed, black chicken (a specific chicken found in Asian markets.)
4. Foods that are Organs.
In particular, bone marrow, kidney, liver, and brain. Jing is more known to be stored in organs (not the muscles), and in fact contain higher amounts of many of the trace minerals and vitamins needed.
Next time you are at the grocery store, or thinking about foods to incorporate as snacks or into meals, etc., consider picking up some of these foods for you and your family.
There are also herbs that help tonify Jing, so if nutritional support doesn’t feel like enough, you can make an in-person or telehealth herbal appointment to discuss stronger, more directed, herbal formulas to build your Jing, revitalize your health, and treat symptoms you may have. I’m happy to discuss how Chinese nutrition and/or herbal therapies can help.
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