Food Therapy
In addressing the needs of the “whole pet”, food therapy is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses natural foods along with or instead of medications. The basis of Chinese food therapy, developed around 300 BC, classified food by Yin and Yang food groups and five tastes, and by their natures and characteristics.
Yin foods cool blood, clear heat and detoxify. These foods are used for the treatment of conditions such as skin itching, autoimmune disease, and Cushing’s disease. Yang foods dispel cold, move blood, resolve stagnation, and stop pain. Foods classified as Yang are used to treat conditions such as blood stagnation, wei syndrome, Lin syndrome, and immunodeficiency. Trained practitioners will prepare selected food ingredients and herbs to treat specific health conditions. Recipes are designed to fall into one of the following categories:
- Health promotion and prevention
- Disease treatment
- Complementary therapy
Food therapy is used to improve health and prevent seasonal allergy problems. It is also used to treat many clinical conditions such as chronic skin problems. The use of food therapy with traditional western veterinary medicine is also helpful in treating diseases including otitis, urinary crystals and stones, urinary tract infections, heart failure, cancer, renal disease and liver disease. To learn more about the benefits of food therapy, please call 257-5334 to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Brunner. |