Diet Recommendations Based on TCVM Personality Type
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) uses a system of classification called the 5 elements. The 5 elements apply to personality, disease predisposition patterns, and dietary considerations. This article will help you understand the primary elemental personality type of you dog, and feed accordingly.
The 5 elements are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
WOOD TYPE
Personal Characteristics:
Dominant behavior or attitude
Quick, fast movements
Enjoys or skilled with running or moving
Impatient
Easily becomes angry or loses temper
Alert and responds quickly to stimuli
Good at adapting to changing conditions
Quickly forms ideas then changes mind
Narrow minded or intolerant to different ideas
Physical Characteristics:
Thin body, either tall or short
Big eyes
Performance is good but variable
Tendons are strong and healthy
Runs like the wind. Quick and nimble movement
Disease Predispositions:
Stroke
Allergy
Depression
Neurosis
TCVM Health Recommendations:
Wood types have limited tolerance for depression. Even a small amount of stress or depression will strain the Liver (the organ of the Wood element) function. Thus, foods that have harmonizing or regulating properties are very important to Liver function. The recommended foods include chicken liver, pork liver, green vegetables (mustard greens, spinach, cabbage), carrots and citrus fruits.
FIRE TYPE
Personal Characteristics:
Easily excited
Extroverted
Love to be loved
Difficult to calm down
Sharp mental activities
Physical Characteristics:
Strong body
Small head
Small, but bright, shining eyes
Runs very fast, but easily fatigued
Disease Predispositions:
Heart disease
Separation anxiety
Restlessness
TCVM Health Suggestions:
The Heart belongs to Fire. Diet recommendations include foods such as pork heart, fish, brown rice, wheat and vegetables such as broccoli and celery.
EARTH TYPE
Personal Characteristics:
Honest and kind
Takes care of others
Laid back
Slow response to a stimulus
Physical Characteristics:
Short but sturdy body
Prominent musculature
Big head
Disease Predispositions
Chronic gastrointestinal disease
Obesity
TCVM Health Suggestions:
The Spleen belongs to the Earth. Like the Earth’s characteristics, the Spleen works very hard. There are no complaints until a big problem develops. The Spleen deserves special attention because the Spleen, as the source of energy, muscular strength, and defending force, is important to the whole body. The recommended foods include rumen, lamb, chicken, ginger, garlic and sweet potato.
METAL TYPE
Personal characteristics:
A leader in a group
Always follows the rules
Holds oneself aloof
Confident and consistent
Physical Characteristics:
Broad chest
Good haircoat
Disease Predispositions:
Respiratory problems (cough, asthma, nasal congestion)
Diabetes
Constipation
TCVM Health Suggestions:
In TCVM, the Lung (Metal organ) functions primarily to control breathing and to regulate the respiratory system. The recommended foods include eggs, duck, barley, tofu and rice.
WATER TYPE
Personal Characteristics:
Introverted
Fearful of everything
Quiet but good observer
Willing to live alone
Very consistent but slow when doing something
Fear biter
Physical Characteristics:
Thin, middle sized body
Deep big eyes
Cold intolerance. Prefers warmth
Disease Predispositions:
Infertility
Back pain
Urinary infections
Diarrhea at dawn
Depression
TCVM Health Suggestion:
The Kidney (Water organ) dominates reproduction and supplies vital force. Coldness is a natural enemy of the Kidney. The Kidney stores the Essence (Jing), which influences the animal’s growth, development, and reproduction. The food recommendations include pork kidney, eggs, duck, mussels, sweet potato, and black beans.
~ Dr. Linda
Leave a Reply