Essay On Sowa Rigpa

Principle of Nutrition and Dietetics in Sowa Rigpa

Sonam Choda, Traditional Physician, Tsimalakha Hospital, Chukha

Abstract

All living beings need food to live. It’s a means of good life, health and wellness. Inappropriate food will cause diseases and at the same time, food is the first medication against diseases. Just like anything in the universe, food is made of five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. Balanced diet should contain all the five elements. Although all plants contain these five elements, the varying ratios found in different plants make the six tastes: Sweet, Salty, Sour, Bitter, Pungent and Astringent. A different taste has different functions in our body. Deficiency or an excess of a particular taste in food results

Five Great Elements

According to Sowa Rigpa, anything in this universe, including the body, comprises five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. In medicinal herbs and food, the Great Elements represent taste, potency, post-digestive effect and qualities. In the body, the Great Elements are represented in the forms of humors, tissues and waste.

Earth gives the foundation, Water keeps it wet, Fire provides heat, Wind lets it move and grow and the Space gives the space to grow. In a healthy body these Elements are in a state of balance. Owing to many internal and external variant factors such as negligent lifestyle choices, how the body is maintained, age, environment, season, psychological state etc., the inherent ratio of the Elements become imbalanced. The body’s natural tendency is to maintain equilibrium and it does so by eliminating any excess Elements and trying to acquire those that are depleted. The shortage of Elements is usually replenished through diet and behavior like exercise and exposure to heat and