New at Feelgoodmedicine: TCM nutritional counselling

Lea Sophie Büchele offers nutritional counselling based on Chinese medicine from May 2023 – welcome to the team!

Nutritional counselling is one of the therapeutic pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is based on the 5 elements (earth, metal, water, wood and fire) and their corresponding organs. The counselling takes a holistic approach and therefore considers mental aspects alongside physical complaints, in order to build an individual picture and, from that, an individual plan.

Unlike in Western nutritional science, foods are not classified by nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins etc., but by their thermal nature and direction of action. For example, chilli is thermally hot and can intensify signs of heat in the body – if present – such as skin redness, and should therefore be avoided in that case.

TCM nutritional counselling is also meant to help you gain broader knowledge of foods and their effects, so that in the long term you understand the connections yourself and can use foods in a targeted way.

TCM nutritional counselling is not a substitute for medical treatment and diagnosis, but a preventive and complementary approach to restoring more balance and wellbeing in the body. The diagnostic tools of this counselling are the case history interview as well as tongue and pulse analysis.

TCM compared with Ayurveda

Both TCM nutritional counselling and Ayurvedic nutrition and health counselling are two holistic counselling approaches. The aim is to look at the person as a whole, and to include, connect and take into account all important aspects of life. Recommendations are always developed individually and tailored to the person's life situation. However, TCM and Ayurveda use different methods and approaches to do this.

In Ayurveda, the saying goes: "You are what you digest." Every person is viewed individually and holistically. Recommendations are tailored to the person's type, their personal constitution (the individual expression of the three doshas / life forces Vata, Pitta and Kapha), their own metabolism and their life situation.

In Ayurvedic nutritional counselling, the focus is on identifying imbalances. These imbalances (e.g. in the doshas) are responsible for the respective complaints. The aim is to identify them, bring the body back into balance and thereby improve wellbeing.

The first consultation begins with a detailed case history, including tongue analysis and a close look at the metabolism. Follow-up sessions focus mainly on discovering or strengthening your own body awareness, so you can understand your body's signals. Using mindfulness exercises and in-depth conversations, recommendations suited to your type are worked out together.

Our daily diet is our medicine. With an individual selection of foods and spices, tailored to your own preferences and tolerances and the right methods of preparation, the body can be brought back into balance.

Which approach you choose – TCM or Ayurveda – is largely a matter of personal preference.

Nutritional counselling at Feelgoodmedicine can be booked here: