The body speaks with a visceral language —a hint of thirst, the ache of hunger, the sudden urge for something salty. These signals can be quiet, and easily dismissed when thinking about the “common knowledge” of modern medicine. However, they carry an ancient wisdom that, if we learn to listen, can guide us back toward balance.
In this conversation with Peter Torssell, we wander through the landscapes of Chinese medicine, food traditions, and the yin–yang rhythms that shape health. Peter’s approach is simple yet layered—he looks for what unites different styles of practice, invites patients into small changes with big impact, and trusts the body’s own feedback as a compass.
Listen into this discussion as we explore the subtlety of provoking thirst to build yang, the way salt cravings reveal more than taste, how harmony is born of difference, and the art of choosing foods in dialogue with the seasons and yourself.
Regarding Food as medicine: To take as much as possible into consideration and make it as simple as possible, and from that use simple and daily measures to get good results for an individual and empower the patient.
Peter Torssell
Peter Torssell (b chin med) -Acupuncturist and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine-specialist in Food regulation.
Head of and head teacher at Akupunkturakademin (The school of acupuncture in Stockholm) -Guest lecturer at different universities in Sweden in Chinese medicine and Chinese food regulation. Has also lectured in Finland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, England, Ireland, Poland and Malaysia.
Runs a private practice of Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Sollentuna, outside Stockholm since 1988.
1988: – Received diploma of TCM acupuncture. 1989: – Practiced acupuncture in Nanjing, China
Read some of Peter’s writing on food.