It is my experience that without these changes, herbs and acupuncture do not achieve their full and lasting effect. Get the right balance of a good diet, exercise, rest and relaxation, and live a life that you love. Most people will not have to seek out a health practitioner if all of the above are well attended to. However, this is easier said than done. It takes discipline, effort, and courage to make the necessary changes, while keeping up with all the other responsibilities of an an adult life.
Chinese medicine has a very different view of foods and diet.
There are no such things as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins or minerals. Every food has a temperature and a quality. Some go to different parts of the body, for instance peppermint is very effective for problems of the lungs or head. For example, if you are susceptible to hypertension, I would encourage you to try to eat those foods that can either prevent it or lower blood pressure - such as celery, peanuts, garlic, jellyfish, and seaweed. A few damp inducing foods are dairy, sugar, cold, icy, and greasy foods.