The TCM Energetics of Beef, Chicken, Pork, Lamb, Fish & Sea Food
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food is more than just macro and micro nutrients, and it’s more than sustenance; it plays a crucial role in balancing the body’s energy or Qi. Each food has its own energetic properties, which can influence our health in subtle but profound ways. Animal products, in particular, are known for their ability to tonify the body’s Qi and Blood. The specific energetic qualities of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, fish, and sea food are distinct, and understanding these can help guide dietary choices to support your unique constitution and seasonal needs.
Beef: Strength & Vitality
In TCM, beef is seen as a powerful food for tonifying Qi and Blood. It has a warming nature, making it an ideal choice during colder months or for individuals who tend to feel cold or fatigued. Beef strengthens the Spleen and Stomach—organs that are crucial for digestion and energy production. Its grounding, hearty nature is especially helpful for those with weak digestion, anemia, or general debility.
Eat Beef: If you feel tired, weak, or cold, or are recovering from illness, beef can be a nourishing addition to your diet. However, it is considered heavy and can be hard to digest for those with weak Spleen or Stomach Qi. It’s warming nature is not ideal for those with excess heat conditions—so moderation is key.
Chicken: Gentle Warmth & Nourishment
Chicken is known for its ability to nourish Qi, Blood, Yin and Essence and it is often used in TCM to build energy and boost recovery. Chicken is warming but milder than beef, making it a good option for everyday consumption. It supports the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney systems and is particularly useful in convalescence, postpartum recovery, or for those dealing with fatigue or a weakened immune system.
Eat Chicken: Chicken is a good go-to for those seeking gentle warmth and energy, especially after illness or in the colder seasons. Stewed or made into soup, it becomes even more nourishing for Qi.
Pork: Moistening & Yin-Tonifying
Pork is considered cooling and is known for its ability to nourish Yin, Fluids and Blood—the cooling, moistening, and nourishing aspect of the body. It’s an excellent food for individuals with dryness or heat conditions, such as dry throat, dry skin, or night sweats. While pork is considered nourishing, its cooling nature makes it less suitable for those who are already cold, weak, or have sluggish digestion. When to
Eat Pork: If you’re feeling dry or overheated, pork can help restore balance. It’s particularly beneficial in the warmer months or for those experiencing Yin deficiency symptoms like dryness or heat.
Lamb: Warming & Yang-Tonifying
Lamb is prized in TCM for its strong warming and Yang-tonifying properties. It is especially effective for people who tend to be cold, suffer from weak digestion, or have issues with circulation. Lamb helps warm the Kidneys and invigorate the Yang, which is the warming, active energy of the body. This makes it a popular choice in winter or for individuals experiencing Yang deficiency—marked by cold limbs, fatigue, and low libido. When to
Eat Lamb: In the colder months or if you feel consistently cold and sluggish, lamb can be a potent ally. However, those who run hot or have excess heat should avoid it, as it can exacerbate these conditions.
Fish: Light & Cooling
Fish is seen as light, nourishing, and often cooling, while providing the body with easily digestible protein. Cold water fish nourish and regulate Qi & Blood, calms the spirit, moistens dryness, and promotes water metabolism. Warm water fish tonifies Qi, fluids, and Blood, builds bone, regulates Blood, and promotes water metabolism.
Fish is ideal for people who need gentle nourishment without the heaviness of other animal products. It can benefit many organs, depending on the type of fish. It’s often recommended for individuals with weak digestion, low energy, or chronic illness.
Eat Fish: Fish is perfect for individuals needing a lighter, more cooling source of protein, especially in the warmer months or for those experiencing excess heat or dryness. Be mindful of the specific type of fish, as oily fish like salmon tend to be more neutral, while white fish like cod are cooling.
Seafood: Diverse Energies for Healing
Seafood in TCM includes shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and oysters, each offering unique energetic properties. Generally, seafood tends to have cooling and moistening effects, making it beneficial for nourishing Yin and dealing with dryness or heat in the body. However, different seafood has varied effects:
Shrimp is warming and helps to strengthen Yang energy, particularly for those experiencing fatigue or cold symptoms.
Crab is cooling, making it excellent for clearing excess heat and replenishing Yin.
Oysters are cooling and salty, known for their ability to nourish Yin and anchor the Heart energy, especially useful for calming emotions and supporting fertility.
Eat Seafood: If you’re feeling cold and fatigued, shrimp can help restore Yang. For heat conditions or Yin deficiency, crab and oysters can cool and moisten the body.
Guidance for Consumption
These foods are very tonifying and may be necessary in cases of severe deficiency, especially when other methods have failed. Avoid in excess conditions. Overuse for long periods of time creates damp phlegm, heat and aggravates the Liver and Gallbladder (especially meat).
To improve the digestibility of all meats, poultry and fish:
Use small amounts, 2-3oz at one meal daily
Acid marinades help break down fats and protein chains - slice and marinate for 30mins or longer in any of the following: Apple cider vinegar diluted in 2 parts water, lemon juice, wine, tomato juice, or an alcoholic beverage, diluted in 2 parts water
Cook into soup or broth with ginger root, as it helps rid the body of acids and toxins from meat
Marjoram can also help the liver digest fats in meat
Green, leafy vegetables aid in the digestion of meat protein and fat, as well as sulfur-rich vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, onion and garlic (can cook or serve with meat protein).
Remember, the health profile of the animal becomes yours, especially their fats. When possible, choose local, organic, biodynamic, free range or wild (sustainably caught) and use as much of the animal as possible.
Many fish, including shellfish, now contain dangerous quantities of toxins and heavy metals. When using fish, particularly for overcoming deficiency, obtain from the least polluted waters possible, preferably near large, pristine land areas.
Conclusion: The Balance of Energies in Animal Products
Each animal product brings its own energetic qualities to the table, and in TCM, these energies can be used to restore balance to the body. By choosing the right animal product for your body type, season, and health condition, you can enhance your health and well-being. Whether you’re looking to build warmth with beef, lamb or shrimp, nourish Yin with pork, crab or oysters, or provide light nourishment with fish, understanding the energetics of food is a powerful way to align with nature’s rhythms and support your body’s natural healing process.
Always consult your practitioner to develop a dietary plan that meets your energetic needs. Book a session if you would like to start your holistic health journey that incorporates TCM principles in diet.