Strength or power that comes upward and outward from the earth (opposite of heaven’s force). In macrobiotic understanding, this is a yin, expanding energy.

One of the principles used to select foods by which perishable foods that grow nearest to one’s local environment are preferred. The overriding principle is found in the Japanese Buddhist expression: “Shin do fu ji” (the body and soil are not separate).

One of the principles used to select foods by which whole foods and using an entire food (no waste) are preferred. In addition, foods such as organic ones that are grown without insecticides or other chemical additives are favored.

Education that is aimed at reaching highest judgment through understanding the Order of the Universe—both material and spiritual discovery. The goal is for each individual to learn to think for himself or herself, including learning from one’s mistakes. It seeks to avoid creating imitators and conformists who repeat memorized facts.

Eggplant soaked in sulfur and rubbing alcohol and used as a massage to remove red birthmarks.

See Cautionary note.

Ohsawa recommended that people avoid eggs that have been chemically fed. He advised eating only fertile eggs. Nonetheless, some macrobiotic practitioners eat non-fertilized eggs on occasion. Eggs are considered very yang, almost as yang as sea salt and, if used, need to be balanced accordingly with yin foods. Eggs contain all essential amino acids and are a good source of complete protein. Good vegetal sources of essential amino acids (complete proteins) are quinoa, sesame seeds, soy products like miso and shoyu, and whole grains and beans eaten in combination.

The world of elements evolves from subatomic particles and is the beginning of atoms, stars, and millions of solar systems. Antagonisms and complementaries include mountain and river, land and sea, air and earth, polar and tropical regions, hot and cold, day and night, and surface and center of Earth. This is the fifth world of the Order of the Universe. Worlds two through five comprise the inorganic world. 

The macrobiotic view is that the best and cleanest source of energy is complex carbohydrates. Thus, whole grains combined with whole beans to make a more complete protein forms the basis of a macrobiotic dietary approach.

Tea popular in Japan made from five herbs: enmeiso, hatomugi, habuso, kuko, and kumasasa. Enmei means longevity.

There are two sides to macrobiotic essence. The yin side is spirit—you can’t see, touch, feel, or eat it. The yang side is substance/matter—you can see, touch, and feel it. Both are important and essential but the unification of the two (see also Oneness) is most important. The essence of the essence is change.

See also Change.

Fats that the body cannot make and thus must come from foods are called essential fatty acids (EFAs). There are two basic groups: one based on linoleic acid (omega-6 group) and the other based on alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 group). While both groups are essential for survival, current advice is to increase omega-3s to a higher percentage than omega-6s to increase health and improve mental and physical performance. Sources of omega-3s include fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, flaxseeds, walnuts, and other nuts and seeds. Soyfoods contain some omega-3s but also are high in omega-6s.

A shortened version of the sixth theorem of the Unifying Principle and used in some writings for the fifth law of the seven laws of the Order of the Universe. “In this world, all is subject to change; everything changes. Only the Order of the Universe remains unchanged. It’s only natural that the finite world obeys this order of the Universe because the former arises from the latter. This order is extremely simple; yet, it explains everything in the phenomenal world that can be understood in terms of yin and yang.” Order of the Universe, 42.

The macrobiotic theory of evolution begins with the concept of polarized monism (Oneness) and the idea that there is nothing that is all yin or all yang (theorem 7). All things are the sum total of the interactions of yin-yang in infinitely varied proportions and follow the seven laws of the order of the universe and twelve theorems of the unifying principle. The natural order that all things follow is that yin and yang follow each other forever.

The tendency to expand as in becoming larger or increasing; used in macrobiotics to describe the yin side of the yin-yang pair.