There are many interesting and effective dietary tips to draw from the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM often describes the world as a harmonious and holistic entity where all living beings are viewed in relation to the surrounding environment and that mankind is part of this holistic entity. We are influenced directly and indirectly by changes in weather and our bodies make corresponding physiological and pathological responses to these changes. An example of this is that a change of season causes the rate, rhythm, volume, and tension of your heart’s pulse to vary. According to TCM philosophies, if we consume seasonal foods that are similar in nature to the external environment, we remain in harmony with the environment, adapt better to changes in season and stay healthy. There are numerous underlying principles regarding TCM’s dietary teachings such as how each flavor corresponds to a certain organ of the body but the basic applying principle is "nourishing yang in spring and summer time, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter time." To apply this principle, try following the simplified dietary advice below for each season.

Proper nutrition in the form of lifestyle diet habits are key to promoting well-being and for treating disharmonies in the body. 

Dietary therapy is often quite effective at treating common pathologies based on an Oriental Medicine diagnosis like qi deficiency or blood deficiency, but sometimes dietary therapy alone may not be enough. This is often seen in diagnoses like qi stagnation or blood stasis. Dietary therapy can, however, be an excellent supplemental therapy used in conjunction with other Oriental Medicine modalities like acupuncture and herbal prescriptions. The dietary principles discussed here can be applied to any type of cuisine worldwide.