Nightshade: Potatoes

[Tom Theriault]

Why is the potato on the avoid list. I read these list but have trouble finding information that actually supports the authors position. Could you please explain your position in detail.

Thanks
Tom

[Roy Collins]

Hi Tom.

Potatoes are very yin according to our understanding of yin/yang. Why is this?

Because yin means fast growing and composed of highly expansive elements and phytochemicals, especially potassium, vitamin C and water, as well as a class of chemicals called glycoalkaloids, concentrated mostly in the skin, but also in the flesh. Potato sprouts contain solanine which give you headache, cramps, and diarrhea if you eat too much. Government regulations prevent the sale of potatoes known to have high solanine levels in them.

Many people think potatoes are root vegetables but this is a misnomer. Potatoes are tubers, very similar to TUMORS or expanded growths that develop on the stolons which grown in HORIZONTAL direction, but not down vertically, like true roots.

When you see a FORBIDDEN list of macrobiotic foods this means only that you should try to avoid them whenever possible because they are too extreme and can cause problems if eaten too much, but it is OK to eat in moderation just about anything. If you eat too many potatoes you begin to have more yin problems and yang gets lessened in your body. Hence for males you will have eyes growing in horizontal direction away from bridge of nose (like rabbit); ears will not lay flat to head by fan outward (like monkey); sex organs will weaken and so will kidneys and sex drive. Maybe lung and mucus problems begin, conductive hearing loss, poor vision, loosen teeth, gum pyorrheah, tumors and swellings in bladder, breasts (women), etc.

So go slow on the spuds. If you eat more animal food you will stronger attraction to potatoes (also mushrooms) because animal food is more yang and you need yin to make balance.

In peace, Roy