The Yin And Yang Of Vitamins And Minerals

Are vitamins and minerals Yin or Yang?

Let’s take a look.

I’ve had a number of clients recently come in who had increased their B vitamins – these women were visibly buzzing, wound up and strung out. Many had started taking the B vitamins to help with decreased energy and fatigue, and to counter symptoms of perimenopause or menopause. However, this was making them ungrounded and giving them scattered, frenetic energy.

We need B vitamins for energy, however if the person is very lacking in Yin (minerals, in this scenario) the B vitamins may ascend Yang too quickly.

What is Yin and what is Yang?

When we identify something as Yin or Yang we are making comparisons - identifying something by its nature relative to something else. We know what is hot (Yang) by comparing it to cold (Yin).

Yang’s nature is movement, activity, energy and fire. It is sunshine, summer, and high noon. In the body it is activity, growth, heat and energy. All wonderful, delightful, and essential - however, Yang must have adequate Yin to keep it burning.

Yin’s nature is quiet, restive, fluids and cooling properties. It is darkness, winter and midnight. We replenish or nourish Yin by times of rest, quiescence, nourishment, meditation, restorative forms of exercise, oils and fluids. It’s the oil for the fire.

See the opposites?

Without adequate Yin, the fire of Yang is too robust and will burn too hot leaving no reserves and leaving you further depleted. In these cases, increasing mineral (Yin) rich foods helps anchor and settle the client while providing a gentle increase in energy – the first steps to rebuilding a strong foundation for abundant energy. Read more on Yin & Yang.

It is not all black and white (pun intended) there are shades of grey, varying degrees of Yin and Yang. Some minerals like calcium and salt are very Yin and cold whereas copper is wee bit warmer, however copper is still Yin compared to Vitamin C.

Vitamin D hangs out on the boundary of Yin and Yang. It’s a fat soluble vitamin, required to help you absorb calcium, and it needs sunshine to effectively activate it.

Vitamins are mostly Yang in nature. Minerals are mostly Yin in nature.

If you are Yin deficient, starting to increase minerals and mineral rich foods is an excellent starting point. I’m talking to those of you who burn the candle at both ends, have adrenal fatigue, thyroid exhaustion, peri or menopause, hot flashes, night sweater, or are recovering from illness, etc. Take a look at your trace minerals too. If you are unfamiliar speak to your nutritionist or Amma practitioner.

Take your minerals in the evening – the Yin time of day so they get the chance to move inward to the bones, nervous system and organs to replenish and nourish.

Vitamins, if taken in supplement form, are usually taken during the day and used in the days activities.

I am not saying toss out your Vitamin B supplements or run to the store and buy a mineral complex, but it may be a consideration. I am a firm believer in using whole foods first whenever possible, but supplementation may be necessary. Either way, consider looking at dialing back your B vitamins and bumping up mineral rich foods as you nourish Yin. How about some nettle tea or a nice mushroom broth? Look at your oil, such as primrose or flax seed to aid nourishing Yin.

Be well,

April