Understanding the Healing Power of Nature: How the Earth Shapes Our Health

Have you ever wondered why certain foods feel warming in winter, while others cool you down in summer? Or why bitter foods seem to have a drying effect on your body? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees nature as the ultimate guide to health—because just like the changing seasons, our bodies are constantly adapting to their environment.

The Secret Behind the Nature & Taste of Food

🌱 The “Nature” of food (hot, warm, cool, cold) is influenced by the climate

🌱 The “Taste” of food (sweet, bitter, sour, salty, spicy) is formed from substances absorbed from the earth

It’s easy to understand why certain foods, like ginger, feel warming—they grow in hot climates. But did you know that the bitter taste of winter roots comes from their ability to survive freezing temperatures?

Why Don’t Plant Roots Freeze in Winter?

Even in the dead of winter, underground plant roots don’t freeze—even though the soil is much colder than the plant itself. According to scientific research, there are two reasons for this:

1️⃣ Moisture leaves the root cells, forming ice crystals that act as insulation.

2️⃣ As the cells contract, heat is retained inside, preventing freezing.

🌿 This is how winter roots stay alive—and it’s also why they taste bitter!

<A: air, E: earth, Θ: temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, P: plant>

Bitter Taste & Traditional Chinese Medicine: Strengthening & Stabilizing the Body

In TCM, the bitter taste has a powerful tightening and solidifying effect on the body. Just like plant roots push out moisture and contract to withstand the cold, bitter foods in your diet help:

✔️ Strengthen tissues

✔️ Reduce excess dampness

✔️ Promote stability in the body

That’s why bitter foods—such as kale, dandelion, and winter radish—are often recommended for conditions like excess dampness, bloating, and swelling.

How TCM Sees Your Body Differently from Western Medicine

In Western medicine, the liver, heart, spleen, lung, and kidney are strictly anatomical organs. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine, these organs are part of a larger energetic system that connects function, energy, and balance.

Imagine the Earth. If we only consider the land, that’s like viewing the liver as just an anatomical organ. But when we include the atmosphere, we get the complete picture—just like Liver Qi, which represents the liver’s dynamic energy flow.

✔️ Liver = Physical organ + Liver Qi (energy flow & function)

✔️ Heart = Physical heart + Heart Qi (blood circulation & vitality)

✔️ Spleen = Physical spleen + Spleen Qi (digestion & energy conversion)

✔️ Lung = Physical lungs + Lung Qi (respiration & immunity)

✔️ Kidney = Physical kidneys + Kidney Qi (growth, aging, and vitality)

This holistic perspective is what makes TCM so powerful—it doesn’t just treat symptoms, it harmonizes the entire system to restore natural balance.

Your Health is Rooted in Nature 🌿

Just as plants adapt to their environment, your body constantly adjusts to external conditions. Whether it’s seasonal changes, emotional shifts, or dietary habits, the key to true healing is understanding these natural rhythms.

Curious about how TCM can help you rebalance your body? 🌱 Book a consultation today and discover the power of nature-based healing!

Dr.Ahn Cardinal Acupuncture

703-375-9057