Yellow corresponds to the Earth (土) element in the Five Phases and is characterized by a mild nature, containing both yin and yang energies. It represents the energy of harmony and mediation. The season is the transitional period between the four seasons, the direction is the center, the life stage is young adulthood, and the…
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White corresponds to the Metal (金) element in the Five Elements theory and represents the energy that gathers and unifies dispersed Yang energy. The season is autumn, the direction is west, the life stage is adulthood, and the time of day corresponds to evening. It relates to the lungs and large intestine, acts on the…
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Black corresponds to the Water (水) element in the Five Elements theory, representing the energy of storage and regulation. The season is winter, the direction is north, the stage of life is old age, and the time of day is late night. It corresponds to the kidneys and bladder among the organs, strengthening kidney function…
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For balanced health of our five viscera and six bowels, it is good to consume foods of five colors or five flavors evenly. A major characteristic of Korean cuisine is its foundation on the five cardinal colors. For example, kimchi contains white napa cabbage, blue-green scallion or cabbage leaves, red chili powder, yellow ginger, and…
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In China, there is a saying: eat radish in winter and ginger in summer. This is similar to eating hot foods like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) during the hottest days of summer, and cold foods like cold noodles or dongchimi (radish water kimchi) in the cold winter. In summer, yang energy flows outward, making the…
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In food, there is also the fundamental nature of yin and yang. For those with a yang-type constitution, it is better to eat more yin-natured foods. Conversely, for those with a yin-type constitution, it is better to eat more yang-natured foods. This is the principle of dietary yangsheng (health preservation). In terms of form, the…
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In 1977, the United States invested a huge amount of resources to establish the “Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs,” which conducted a two-year investigation and released what became known as the famous McGovern Report. Its preface starts with, “Humanity will perish if it does not change its current dietary culture.” The report recommended…
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Poet Kim Sang-yong’s verse, “I will open a window to the south,” ends with the line, “Why do I live? I simply smile.”But I have long lived with the burden of that question: “Why do I live?” During my internship in a geriatric ward, I was deeply shocked as I witnessed the deaths of patients…
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In Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, Toegye Yi Hwang emphasized in Hwalin Sambang (Mind Remedies for Saving Lives) that proper control of the mind prevents illness. If the mind wanders, the spirit becomes restless; if the spirit is restless, energy disperses; and if energy disperses, disease follows. Thus, he stressed nurturing health through mental discipline. Traditional Korean…
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When a stimulus affects us, and our mind and body respond, we say we are “under stress.” Depending on how we perceive that stimulus, the stress can be positive or negative. Perfectionists or highly sensitive individuals tend to interpret the same stimuli negatively, turning it into harmful stress. Some smile at a glass of whiskey…
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