The Spleen Qi Deficiency Diet For Beginners

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Dr. Heyne is a board-licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and TCM. Dr. Heyne graduated in 2020 with a Doctorate from National University of Natural Medicine. The use of “doctor” or “Dr.” solely refers to that degree.
This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, diagnosis, treatment or recommendation from your treating physician. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Heyne and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Personal note: Thanks for following along. After the medical specialists I had seen for my own health issues failed, I found a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner that changed my life. My life mission is to show the world the clinical power and healing philosophy of TCM, to change the lives of as many as possible while I live.

[@DrAlexHeyne]

Hi all! I have a BRAND NEW online program on healing with Traditional Chinese Medicine which delves into diet and the foundations more: monk.samcart.com/products/healing

[@traceyminogue2862]

I am now studying Acupuncture and it was because I watched a video of yours when I resigned from the job (and boss) from hell! I was sat watching one of your vids, and feeling very low, wondering what I should do with my life. You were talking and had the channel/meridian model behind you, and I suddenly got a flash of inspiration that to become an Acupuncturist was what I had to do and from that moment, I have never looked back! I had always been interested in Acupuncture and used it many times to help me with different conditions but thought it was somehow out of my reach. I'll be qualified and practicing in a year from now and I have to say it is the most fascinating experience, I love it. Thanks for the inspiration, Alex!

[@rogercharlie]

Hope your practice has started and is going smoothly. Wish you a gratifying practice

[@SagittarianArrows]

Congrats, my sister is a practioner

[@mikeneidlinger8857]

I've been practicing Silat and Escrima since 1993 and Taiji, Bagua and Xingyi since 2008. I like practicing slow twisting and circling steps with blades. It nourishes my brain and I circulate my chi to stay healthy and massage my internal organs to stay soft and limber. The first thing I would teach someone is how to relax and root and circulate Qi. After relaxing, someone can learn basic Gong Fu! Ginseng A river of life through eyes Seen blue skies and dream Each day’s scene A shade of green from the leaves Beautiful blossoms So many herbs Spirits Here you find a shining light So bright

[@The_Modern_Buddhist]

Beautiful! Xx

[@OatmealTheCrazy]

Update, I've found as well that apple cider vinegar also helped tremendously, along with just fasting

[@glenndewild]

Do you just take a small shot of this (like drinking) or do you use it in meals? Here in the Netherlands no one is using apple cider vinegar.. so I’m interested in this :)

[@karo1564]

@@glenndewild if you use it in meals, for example with kidney bean or lentils, it helps digestion a lot. Because the vinegar help to split the enzymes of the proteins. My grandma in germany always put a shot of vinegar into lentil soup.

[@binathere2574]

@@glenndewild you can have a shot of it with water first thing in the morning.

[@maragrace820]

I can’t eat bread and pasta in USA but if I make my own pasta and bread with heirloom flours I have no issues and none of the gluten free people I know have issues with it

[@Becsturf]

that sounds like glysophate

[@charleswalters5284]

I've heard people say they could eat the bread in europe

[@ccaselli7]

What r heirloom flours? Is organic ok?

[@State_of_palestine_2025]

astragalus (huang qi) is good for spleen, its also have various vital benefits

[@mishabee932]

I learned so much from this video! I've been experiencing many low spleen qi symptoms and I feel more empowered in my healing journey

[@glenndewild]

Do you have some extra tips I can use in my recovery process?

[@denisea.6752]

This was very helpful! Thank you, I will try these changes

[@christinemeyer4400]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@Hunkydory80]

Thank you so much for this video - it really helped demystify this issue for me!!

[@Christine-nj3kl]

Great job ...thank you for the teachings.... wonderful ...

[@ChoBee333]

Your right on spot! Thanks for the info!

[@JulieVandenKerchove]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing.

[@OatmealTheCrazy]

Ah, yay. I've actually had a lot of this, primarily phlegmyness and brain fog. After switching to a vaguely Paleo diet with heavy emphasis on no bread/pasta and the like about half a year ago, I've gotten miles better

[@DarlingsDomain]

Does quitting pasta get easier? Noodles are my favorite. I've went gluten free 13 years ago but I'm curious

[@OatmealTheCrazy]

@@DarlingsDomain for me, it's actually become the opposite. After.... Quite a lot of dietary research, I'm pretty much pathologically frightened by processed garbage lol You'd have to pay me to get me to eat them by now

[@glenndewild]

Sounds like something I have to take into consideration. Thanks for the tip :)

[@noklarok]

@@DarlingsDomain konjac noodles is a good alternative and way less calories

[@WilliamDickinson_]

I really enjoyed this video. Thankyou.

[@Saltandlightkingdom]

That was awesome! Thank you🙏🏽

[@dhivyas441]

Thank you it's really very clear

[@cristinabock1310]

This is me to a T. I’ve cut so many foods out of my diet due to stomach pain.

[@daljeetkaur2394]

Thanks for very informative video

[@estebanzavala6264]

This is an amazing video.

[@kquinn95]

Thank you for the explanation and advice! Very helpful and useful.

[@chuntathecat4222]

What about cramps? Or knot in upper belly??

[@rafaelkoga5762]

thank you very much!!

[@hawtenslaton4307]

Thank you!

[@ying_ci]

succinct & informative, thanks! 🐳

[@mrspleats]

Great information thank you -Subscribed and liked💚💛💙❤

[@joanpinto3642]

Thank you

[@ronnipassmore8717]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Im definitely low Qi ❤️❤️❤️

[@patriciawolanski3458]

This was very informative and perfectly described me. Thank you

[@SarahMJordan]

Thank you. You just described me like reading a book

[@nataliehanson4286]

Brilliant video! My accupuncturist is away for a month so trying to help myself with research as he said I have spleen qi deficiency. Excessive worry has ruined my digestion lately :(

[@glenndewild]

How are you now? I’m interested, especially if a few adjustments worked out for you. Let me / us know!

[@littlevoice_11]

Please can you do a video on osteoporosis and the chinese medicine approach backed by the scientific evidence to help

[@cb5151]

very useful

[@parvinderkaur6050]

Thanks

[@amazonhealer]

Love your videos! Very open to the truth!! I though I have spleen open deficiency,All my life acupuncturists said that too. I have a good diet, I count my macros and stay on the 1,300-1,600 calories daily, my protein needs always help but I do 60-90 grams daily. I have the tendency to soft stools, but my digestion is ok. Could you suggest herbal teas for the spleen or more suggestions?

[@KarennaC]

thanks for that... why would i have spleen weakness and not have any of these symptoms ?

[@andyxbox1]

I recently realized, after consulting with my Acupuncturist, that my spleen deficiency was most probably coming from excessive masturbation. As a man you not only lose vital energy but also fluids, and as the spleen is the one responsible in body fluids, especially lymph, I believe it got highly impacted by it. Immediately after ejaculating, I would feel an intense pain in the left side of the rib cage. So for every man having these symptoms and the ones from the video, you might want to asses your masturbation/ejaculation occurrences before trying to treat them with diet or others and not understanding why it doesn't work

[@kintsugi8135]

Hello Dr - do you find it’s more common in women or men? Thanks

[@cristinabock1310]

As someone with a severely weak digestion I think your 1.0 recommendation is better for 2.0 symptoms! Animal muscle meat is extremely difficult to digest. I’ll be sidelined for 2 days for a few bites. I count on the well cooked veg and grains for nutrition, calories, energy and satisfaction. Bone broth is good! And 1 small piece of chicken liver on a really good day.

[@CatWoman6]

I have severely weak digestion - can't eat on my worst days and I was vegan once - even Fruitarian in attempts to cure my chronic illness. I eat meat now and it took some time but it sits much better in my stomach than vegetables or fruits do. Much better. I have Gastroparesis and other complications. I live off ground beef & chicken bone broth mostly. It's helping me manage eating when all other foods were causing me so much grief.

[@lisayuan]

If meat sits like a rock in your stomach, then that is a sign of low stomach acid production. Because meat is actually easily passed through the colon and doesn't cause irritation or inflammation (which is why it is considered easier to digest than plant matter) :)

[@stardustinmydna9272]

I agree totally. Be mindful of bone broth though as animals and humans alike store lead in their bones (in large amounts) and there’s unfortunately lots of lead in the atmosphere due to fossil fuels that are used for fuel 💕🙏🏻

[@cristinabock1310]

@@stardustinmydna9272 interesting! I had no idea. I actually fell off with the bone broth. It was making my skin break out?! What can I say, I seem to do better with plant foods. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Shellbee22]

Very interesting 🧐👍🇺🇸

[@apacur]

Do you have a link to examples of 2.0 diet meal plans/ food lists ?

[@testcardII]

Sounds like a lot of what I have , Apart from brain fog and chronic fatigue. Interestingly , I started to develop some food problems after eating far too many cold and raw vegetables 😅

[@paulapoblete1090]

How about other lifestyle habits for qi deficiency besides diet?

[@vincenttisdale2688]

What I was looking for with this video were the points to press to tonify spleen Qi

[@healingbuddy]

I learned in my studies that the Water element---Kidneys and UBladder---hates cold and the metal element---Lungs and Large Intestine---hate dryness. You had it the other way around. Huh?????

[@piscesmoon4467]

Wow…chq, chq, chq, chq!!! Thanks for this content

[@kadidraj]

What about liver???

[@zinapjs]

Thanks for the video!Would you make another one please about recovery after spleen removal..herbs,diet and....recommended/mandatory vaccines!!..I am not in favore of vaccs.

[@helloman5576]

Isn't avocado dampening since it is raw?

[@uriel100100]

Is Spleen Qi Deficiency is somethig chronic or I can fix it after changing my diet for some period of time? is oatmeal is good?

[@davidwinking657]

really cool & interesting :)

[@judywebb8095]

I have spleen stomach issues but also dry hair skin nails …. What should I eat ? Is coconut oil ok ? Is spleen diet for me ?

[@mikeneidlinger8857]

I like Ginseng, Licorice Root, Cinnamon and Chili Pepper drinks. It boosts my Chi and Chi Circulation, so I stay active and Circulate Chi. I developed this Qigong which washes my brain. I like to practice it and then take a walk. Qigong is mainly for Chi circulation, although sometimes for Martial Art or Mental Acuity, which is somewhat synonymous. My knowledge of Swords Locks my Chi up I don’t feed the struck one thump as dump and run with a Gun I got this Sun like hyphen I slight bend the twice to half dead back spread As I laugh I cold cash relax realize the master has it the spazz in it frigid cold Is how I roll bold with foretold Gold Structure As puncture make it run one more as War for something I swore on I wore long the prolong the show strong I light this flow gone off the Spirit I could hear it in my ear it’s thick quick the steer the ship Take a lick I’m lightning quick Down a sip into a big drink you think I clink chains and elevate on flames the heat checks came and went So the beat bent and chained up in the lane crews erupt They can’t construct Tai Chi and heat ill bust I‘m a freak So I speak peaceful and One with the Universal It’s all I affirm in a new crew to aspire to be the Tai Chi

[@divinicus]

Where is locally

[@hindakkari5400]

What about eggs and white rice?

[@lmansur1000]

Very helpful info. I have restricted a lot re my diet but forgot why...I used to go to Chinese medicine schools where they treated the public for less $$... I did that for about 8 months...and this is a reminder. It is the Spleen deficiency. My main issue now is the sweets... I do not over do it but still I think I do too much...and could do better... otherwise, I feel I am doing pretty well, overall.

[@TheBillaro]

supplement sweets w things like dates bit by bit. i used to hoard a tub of H Daz!!

[@lmansur1000]

@@TheBillaro 😂Thanks for sharing the humanity of it!

[@Noor-jw2tn]

@@TheBillaro on the Chinese TCM channels they say a little bit of sweet strengthens the spleen and bitter weakens it. Natural foods of course such as dates.

[@glenndewild]

Dates are the perfect replacement

[@odinson3627]

Ha! My spleen is 13.5cm long and the Doctors have known this for 10 years. They have done nothing! I’ll stick to using fruit and hopefully that will help.

[@littlevoice_11]

Please can you do a video on Chinese medicine and emphysema

[@pingpingboey942]

Hi. Can you please do a video on kidney and liver qi deficiency diet too? Thanks!

[@angelasummers5750]

What is spleen Qi?

[@cirleinascimento7201]

Can you talk about esophagitis (in chinise perspective)? Please help us.

[@chuntathecat4222]

What about cramps

[@nadiaashworth]

Very helpful but if you could do a day of what to eat

[@glenndewild]

I’m also interested in a video of what you recommend to eat Dr. Alex! :) Hi Nadia, in the meantime I started making videos about what to eat.. for spleen qi deficiency. If you have some additional tips I can make a video about that as well? Looking forward to your food hacks :)

[@Christine-nj3kl]

Ten more would great...

[@glenndewild]

I’m trying to make a deep dive on my channel about what to eat and drink when suffering a spleen qi deficiency. If you have extra food hacks, please let me know :)

[@mistamew6642]

Can spleen qi deficiency cause issues with the bladder?

[@TwattyWankers]

05/26/23 oils and fatty foods, dairy, raw vegetables, beer, fruit juice, sugar.

[@marleennijland4244]

Do you have any dietary advice for a person with a shriveled spleen? By the way, that's me.

[@socratese5]

Hey Doc how do you recommend building chi through meditation Any specific way or technique?

[@socratese5]

As a male also does sex cause loss of chi that would be valuable to keep if one has low spleen chi?

[@Joannabanana1989]

I am in a UC flare and am very sick right now. High frequency bowel movements with blood and mucous. I am confused about the diet recs though. I have tried SCD and Paleo but they dont help my UC so I was now turning to TCM to see if that could help control the diarrhea. Are starches bad then for UC? Everyone’s opinion contradicts each other so I have no idea what to eat anymore. My dietician told me to drink vegan protein shakes 😩

[@robster7012]

I went on a grape diet for 10 days followed by fruit only for 4.5 months. The colitis was the best it's been ever. Look up Dr Morse in Florida. Also Dr David Klein Boswellia Serrata has been shown to be as effective as mezalazine. 300 mg three times a day. Let me know how you get on

[@FirstLast-nr3fm]

would candida also be a symptom of this?

[@EMVelez]

Yes

[@Ambertalksspirituality1111]

I don’t have a gallbladder and when I had it removed I had pancreatitis

[@karensotelo948]

Do you have a list of what non dampness foods are ? I just started feeling inflammation and discomfort on my left side under rib I would say is my spleen after all my research I will go to the doctor to confirm but really need an idea to fix my diet ASAP

[@farfaryo]

Just google non dampness food. You will find lots of info :)

[@lisac6652]

Where can you find Recipes for different organs

[@glenndewild]

If you find an answer to that, let me know :)

[@stargazer8081]

When you say that oils are hard on the spleen. I have been taking tumeric and copiba, peppermint and lemon to fight inflammation in my stomach. Is that hurting me?

[@noklarok]

i think he means using a lot of oil to cook food/ deep fried food is bad

[@MR-te5fk]

Where do you live doc, I need a doctor like you!

[@glenndewild]

You can book a call with him! Check the link in the description :)

[@JohnQPublic345]

I started with intermittent bloat and pressure under left rib. then, it got bad and now lethargic also got a bad candida infection for past few years. is this an enlarged spleen?

[@holographiconsciousness333]

take diatomaceous earth. it's natural and incredibly effective.

[@JohnQPublic345]

@@holographiconsciousness333 didn't work. Lugols iodone does though

[@nataliemc3291]

Diatomaceous earth??? To intake?

[@jacquelinegarcia1681]

What can you do to help with the scalloped tongue from spleen qi def? This is my first sign usually that it’s happening.

[@TheBillaro]

good question. me too. does it repair itself with increased spleen qi?

[@robertsantos7526]

Same question here

[@kathyhyser]

Following. I've had this for years.

[@chucky3285]

I don't even have a spleen

[@bethanylarson]

I'm curious, all of this fits me very well, but I'm one of the one's who find it difficult to lose weight. For me and others like me, is there anything different in your recommended diet we should consider, or would we all fall under the same recommendation? (From the standpoint of healing, not losing weight, as I know that will come with healing.)

[@chelseaoates610]

It fits me too though in my case it's hard to lose weight and I'm able to put away a lot of food, but end up feeling like I have a rock in my gut and bread and sugar addiction so I can see how this is affecting my spleen and the rest of my body.

[@MizRuthie]

Eat a very low carb diet to lose weight

[@jarretv5438]

I wouldn’t have too much rice though because it’s high in arsenic

[@elephant2072]

[@goldenessencehealthwealthn7989]

what is the best food to get rid of dampness?

[@glenndewild]

I’m also still figuring that out..

[@karo1564]

Adzuki Beans, sellery, lentils, chickpeas, beans in general, no bread, no sugar

[@karensotelo948]

What about chicken and rice ?

[@d.wilbur5164]

My acupuncturist says cooked yellow vegetables like squashes, carrots, sweet potatoes, soups.

[@wololeiro2364]

I need jing and qi in plenty ammounts please thank you bye

[@transcendencetherapeuticto5208]

Spleen hates dampness can you elaborate what on earth exactly does that mean that’s kind of vague

[@noklarok]

google TCM damp

[@binathere2574]

Are heart palpitations or Afib included in spleen deficiency? The diet recommendations are a bit confusing. Maybe I will have to look elsewhere for that info Update, meat is a no no for me. I become quite unwell. My blood pressure goes up and I get heart palpitations.

[@kathyhyser]

I have Afib if I eat wheat.

[@binathere2574]

@@kathyhyser glyphosate maybe

[@helloman5576]

And is fruit oke to eat?

[@MsLiboma]

A little ripe fruit is ok , papaya is good , ripe bananas are good, otherwise cooked fruit for example with oatmeal is easier to digest . Also just try out and see how you feel . Theory is good but observation is best

[@helloman5576]

​@@MsLibomathank you, bananas are bad for dampness right?

[@MsLiboma]

@@helloman5576 you have to try , I have ulcerative colitis , comes and goes but I did a papaya and banana diet for 2 weeks once and I was fine after for a good while

[@sandramartins5490]

When I eat Mexican and have diarrhea I understand is because is loaded with preservatives that shouldn’t be there in the salsa, so I avoid any heavy flavors or sauces

[@c.m.303]

For severe cases will a fast for a week or more help to heal organs? And then restart with one food at a time?

[@glenndewild]

I’m not sure.. I’m recovering already for long time. Still searching for the cure 😅

[@maarieb]

I do fasting regularly and it's the only thing that really consistently clears up my brain fog and resets my digestive system and brings back my appetite for real food. I should note that my TCM doctor does not support this, but as long as I'm getting enough calories during my regular eating days, I have yet to find a better solution

[@c.m.303]

Just thought I'd return a post here incase it might help someone. I recently tried the FODMAP diet after a couple of weeks I didn't seem like it was making much difference and my doctor agreed to do a sibo test but said my insurance won't cover it, I'd have to pay cash. Out of frustration for the system I rebelled and went off the diet and ate lots of food that I had been restricting. I spend the next 24 hours regretting that decision! I went back on the diet, but this time much more carefully. After another week, I believe for the first time in a long time I'm seeing results. Still have a ways to go but just thought I would put it out there in case it might help somebody else as well.

[@maarieb]

@@c.m.303 Glad it's helping! I forgot to mention that in addition to my fasting, I also adhere to the GAPS diet and it's truly incredible. Highly recommend!

[@c.m.303]

@@maarieb Thanks I will look into that!

[@eloisegordon7141]

I have a fatty liver went on a plant base diet off meat and sugar diagnosed 5months ago and now I'm experiencing spleen IQ deficiency what can I do please anyone have some advice

[@kathyhyser]

Interesting. I am obese, so assume I have fatty liver & have gone carnivore based.

[@adelitenyamhanga7823]

Have more vegetables instead of processed carbs .

[@bradyn4180]

Literally allergic to all raw foods almost, always get a food baby lol def anemic and easily weak and can’t seem to gain weight always underweight even tho I overeat often, and wake up with congestion every morning as well. This may be what I’ve had forever 😅

[@andrewscuoler287]

This is just managing the symptoms. Doesn’t fix the problem. I have been doing paleo to fix spleen deficiency 2.0 for several years - makes life tolerable but it’s a permanent lifestyle change, not a solution.

[@cayenneangel]

Hmmm I was told by multiple acupuncturists that I have a damp spleen yet none of this is me. I have healthy bowel movements, I don’t lose weight easily, I like to eat, I’m plant based for 13 years, and wouldn’t eat meat ever… It’s a mystery

[@amberh3442]

Damp spleen is different from deficiency I believe

[@waterca178]

Only living a whole and righteous life through walking according to Christ will repair and sustain your body soul and spirit. From emotions to walk and everything there after. Acting on the physical aspect is a waste of time in this action based on the spiritual world.

[@stephanierigold3915]

1

[@kiwiresponse]

Damn vegans

[@kathyhyser]

???

[@dhuppertz7783]

Thank you!