Thai Traditional Medicine in the Ayutthya Period, intergrated system of medicine incorporation the Buddhist Philosophy, astrology and other folk medicine of India and Chinese system. The four elements are Earth, Water, Air and Fire which to balance living with maintenance in the human body through an association with the vital organs. The way the elements interact can affect physical and mental health. This knowledge of Thai Traditional Medicine is based on balance energy and relationship of the four elements for welling and the proactive prevention of illness and disease through herbal food tradition, massage, herbal steam and herbal compress.
Earth Element: Taste of food: Sweet, Oily, Salty, Astringent. (Astringent taste help balance the elements, while sweet will penetrate throughout the body to refresh and energize.) Ex. Guava, Papaya, Taro, Potato, Nuts, Milk, Salt. Food: Three Kingdoms Salad, Vegetable Salads.
Water Element: Sour. (Sour taste will promote food appetite and help refresh and relax.) Ex. Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Tomato. Food: Sea Food Salad, Kang-Som (Vegetables and fish), Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Fire Element: Bitter, Cool and Unspiced. (Bitter and cold will help balance internal body heat stimulate blood circulation and relive muscle tension. Ex. Lpomoea, Ivy Gourd, Cassia leaves, Water Melon, Melon. Food: Ivy Gourd Clear Soup, Curry Cassia leaves and Flowers, Stair-fried Morning Glory Vegetable.
Wind Element: Hot and Spicy. (Hot and Spicy will derive internal air and stimulate better digestive system.) Ex. Ginger, Galingale, Lemongrass, Pepper, Basil. Food: Omlette with galingale, Chicken fried with Special Back pepper, Chicken fried with Lemon grass and Spices.
According to the principle of four element food in Thai Traditional Medicine, it not only suggest to consume variety taste of food but also emphasize on consuming the food in accordance with each dominant element taste of food in order to keep well balance of four elements
Earth Element: Taste of food: Sweet, Oily, Salty, Astringent. (Astringent taste help balance the elements, while sweet will penetrate throughout the body to refresh and energize.) Ex. Guava, Papaya, Taro, Potato, Nuts, Milk, Salt. Food: Three Kingdoms Salad, Vegetable Salads.
Water Element: Sour. (Sour taste will promote food appetite and help refresh and relax.) Ex. Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Tomato. Food: Sea Food Salad, Kang-Som (Vegetables and fish), Sweet and Sour Sauce.
Fire Element: Bitter, Cool and Unspiced. (Bitter and cold will help balance internal body heat stimulate blood circulation and relive muscle tension. Ex. Lpomoea, Ivy Gourd, Cassia leaves, Water Melon, Melon. Food: Ivy Gourd Clear Soup, Curry Cassia leaves and Flowers, Stair-fried Morning Glory Vegetable.
Wind Element: Hot and Spicy. (Hot and Spicy will derive internal air and stimulate better digestive system.) Ex. Ginger, Galingale, Lemongrass, Pepper, Basil. Food: Omlette with galingale, Chicken fried with Special Back pepper, Chicken fried with Lemon grass and Spices.
According to the principle of four element food in Thai Traditional Medicine, it not only suggest to consume variety taste of food but also emphasize on consuming the food in accordance with each dominant element taste of food in order to keep well balance of four elements
