Food as Medicine
My little mare Cupid seems to be feeling the effects of the colder weather. With late fall in full swing, the days are shorter, the temperatures have dropped, and the pasture grass isn’t as lush as it was just weeks ago. She’s been spending more time indoors due to the bad weather, and I’ve also been increasing the difficulty of her ridden workouts to challenge her both mentally and physically. Oh, and did I mention she had to move barns and change her daily routine recently as well? All of this seems to have put her in a bit of a grumpy funk. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), this is a classic case of Liver Qi Stagnation caused by prolonged emotional stressors. Fortunately, TCVM offers a natural solution: using food as medicine to help restore balance and support overall well-being.
Unlike conventional approaches that focus primarily on nutrients, TCVM emphasizes the energetic properties of food and its impact on Qi (energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang. This holistic perspective views the body as an interconnected system, where food plays a vital role in achieving and sustaining balance.
The philosophy of TCVM food therapy is deeply connected to the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Foods are classified as Yin (cooling, moistening) or Yang (warming, energizing), allowing practitioners to address specific imbalances. For example, a horse with excessive heat and inflammation may benefit from cooling foods like cucumber or watermelon, while a horse experiencing cold and stagnation may require warming ingredients like ginger or oats. The Five Elements guide the selection of foods to support specific organ systems, such as sweet flavors for the Spleen and bitter flavors for detoxifying the Liver.
Understanding Liver Qi Stagnation
Western Medicine often views the body as a collection of isolated parts, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic perspective, seeing the body as an interconnected system where every part influences the others.
The ultimate goal in TCM is achieving harmony—where all elements of the body coexist and function in balance. However, disruptions can occur, such as Qi Stagnation, where the flow of energy (Qi) becomes blocked. The Liver channel is particularly sensitive to Qi Stagnation, making it a common source of irritability, stiffness, digestive upset, and hypersensitivity. This disharmony can extend to other closely connected organs like the Spleen, further impacting digestion, emotions, and overall well-being.
In contrast to Qi Deficiency, where fatigue is a primary symptom, Qi Stagnation often presents with emotional and physical "stuckness." Horses (and people) experiencing Qi Stagnation may feel frustration, irritability, and a sense of being blocked. A hallmark symptom is a feeling of distension—a sense of fullness or bloating that may affect areas like the throat, chest, abdomen, or epigastrium.
Symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation
Aversion to grooming or riding
Sensitivity to touch, especially around the flanks or girth area.
Grumpy or aggressive behavior, displays of frustration or defiance.
Red eyes, allergies, or laminitis.
Emotional outbursts: Biting, kicking, or other reactive behaviors.
By addressing Qi Stagnation through dietary adjustments, acupuncture, or herbal support, TCM aims to restore harmony, allowing energy to flow freely and the body to return to balance.
By avoiding rich, tonifying ingredients that could worsen stagnation, this mash recipe focuses on clearing heat, moving Qi, and balancing Yin and Yang. Each ingredient is selected to work synergistically, helping your horse feel calmer, more flexible, and less reactive.
Moody Mare (or Gelding) Mash
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs hay pellets (orchard or teff)
- ½ cup barley flakes
- 2 tablespoons soybean oil (or flaxseed oil as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon Himalayan salt
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 5 scoops Liver Happy by Jing Tang Herbal (optional)
- Toppings: Chopped celery, cucumbers, and green apples
How to Prepare the Mash
1. Combine hay pellets and barley flakes in a bucket. Add warm water to soften.
2. Mix in soybean oil, ground flaxseed, Himalayan salt, apple cider vinegar, honey, and ginger powder.
3. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
4. Add Liver Happy (optional) for extra support.
5. Top with chopped celery, cucumbers, and green apples for added cooling benefits and texture.
Serve WARM!
Each ingredient in this mash plays a role in clearing heat, moving Qi, and nourishing the body:
Hot Water: Supports digestion in the winter. Food temperature and preparation affect the overall energy of the dish.
Hay Pellets (Orchard, Teff): Cooling and gentle, they clear internal heat, nourish Yin, and cool the Blood.
Barley Flakes: A cooling grain that supports digestion, nourishes Yin, and helps drain dampness, ideal for horses prone to stagnation.
Soybean Oil: Known as the most cooling oil, it clears damp heat, supports Qi and Blood, and helps soothe the Lung and Large Intestine. Substitute with flaxseed oil if preferred.
Ground Flaxseed: Clears Liver and Lung heat, nourishes Yin, and promotes smooth digestion.
Himalayan Salt: Provides essential electrolytes while supporting Yin and maintaining hydration.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Harmonized Liver and Spleen organs, moves Qi and clears Stagnation
Honey: Naturally nourishing for Yin, it adds a touch of sweetness to the mash.
Ginger Powder: A powerful herb that helps move Qi, making it essential for clearing stagnation.
Celery, Cucumbers, and Green Apples: Cooling and hydrating, these toppings soothe the Liver, clear heat, and support healthy digestion.
Enhancing your Herbal Mash with Liver Happy
In Chinese Medicine, health conditions are believed to stem from "disharmonies" within the body’s interconnected system. These imbalances, referred to as "patterns," disrupt the natural flow of energy and function. The primary goal of herbal formulas is to further address these patterns, restoring balance and harmony to the body. This formula is specifically used to further soothe stagnant Liver Qi.
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu): Moves the Liver Qi, relieves stagnation and helps guide the other herbs into the Liver. Because of its cooling nature, it is also particularly dealing with Qi Stagnation that has started to generate Heat.
White Peony Roots (Bai Shao): Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases discomfort. It is used because it moves Qi and is specific for female hormonal problems problems, especially from emotional stress.
Dang Gui works together with White peony roots to nourish Blood. This nourishing role also in turn helps strengthen the Liver since it stores Blood and is nourished by it.
Final Thoughts
Using food as medicine is a powerful way to support your horse’s overall health and well-being. This Liver Qi-supportive mash for the winter blues, addressing common emotional stressors while providing a delicious and nutrient-packed meal.
If your horse shows signs of Liver Qi Stagnation or you’re interested in holistic equine care, consult with a veterinarian or TCM practitioner for personalized recommendations. Your horse will thank you for it!
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