“Chinese ideas represent a different way of detecting and organizing information about health and disease.” --- The Web That Has No Weaver, page 143 Why is there disharmony?
Precipitating factors of illness: 1. Environment – Six Pernicious Influences or ix Evils 2. Emotional Responsiveness – Seven Emotions 3. Way of life – Diet, physical activity, sexual activity, relaxation, miscellaneous factors Hereditary – Medical History is imperative in both Chinese and Western Medicine
The Six Pernicious Influences or Six Evils internally generated = chronic, constitutional pattern of disharmony, imbalance between yin and yang externally generated = acute, statement of exposure “…the microcosm is affected ‘directly’ by the macrocosm.” ---page 146 If the Wei Qi of the body is weak, external influences can invade the superficial layers of the body and have the potential to affect the internal functions of the organs.
Dampness - yin, cold, wet, turbid, heavy. This Evil easily affects the Spleen’s role in the production of qi and blood.
“Dampness can readily ‘distress’ the Spleen and interfere with its ‘raising’ of pure foods and fluids” ---page 147 Dampness symptoms are created and exacerbated with the intake of oily and greasy foods, as well as wet, damp and humid weather. These symptoms may include swelling, obesity, the formation of cysts, tumors, and lumps, and an increased production of phlegm, or mucus. Mucus is a chronic, more concentrated form of dampness. Mucus in the lungs can affect the sinuses and upper respiratory passages, including the lungs and bronchioles. Mucus affecting the Heart Spirit will induce a foggy-like state, along with confusion and poor concentration. Mucus in the throat creates a plum-pit sensation where the patient feels as though, he/she cannot clear their throat.
Wind – yang, quick, consistent movement, light and dry. “Wind in human activity resembles wind in nature.” Page 150 Internal Wind – easily affects the Liver. The liver stores blood and controls the smooth, free flow of qi throughout the body. Symptoms are dizziness, tremors, twitching, convulsions, shifting pain, numbness, etc…. The liver is associated with anger and irritability, therefore these emotions are often present with Wind affecting the Liver. External Wind – Easily affects the Lungs and is the most prevalent of the six external factors. Wind refers to the ability of an illness to spread within the body and resembles what Western Medicine refers to as infectious or contagious disease. External Wind is always paired with one of the other Six Evils: Wind Heat, Wind Cold or Wind Dampness. General Symptoms of Wind include chills, fever, colds, flu, nasal congestion, headaches, allergies, arthritic and rheumatic conditions, as well as dizziness and vertigo.
Cold – yin, slow, lacks warmth, obstructs normal movement Internal cold = insufficient yang which is associated with weakened Kidneys. “…Cold signs include frail legs and back, frequent urination and edema, needing extra blankets at night, failure to develop or thrive, or lack of sexual desire. “ ---page 153 External Cold = sudden onset, chills, aversion to cold, body aches, mild fever. “Usually chills are more pronounced than the fever, and the fever is interpreted as the body’s effort to expel the External Influence.” ---page 153 Chills are present due to the fight between the Wei qi and The external pathogen. A fever presents to expel the pathogen and hopefully induce sweating. Cold related imbalances manifest as conditions that diminish the body's immune system, such as colds, cough, upper respiratory allergies, as well as poor circulation, anemia, and weak digestion.
Heat – External Influence Fire – Internal Influence = yang, heat ,active. Aversion to heat, preference to cold Induces “reckless movement” of Heart Spirit – high fever, confused speech, delirium And “reckless movement” of Blood – hemorrhaging, skin eruptions External Heat – high fever, headache, swollen throat and tonsils, dry mouth, thirst, desire for cold, irritability, delirium, etc…. Wind Heat – high fever and severe headaches Wind Cold – low fever, sever chills and body ache Heat conditions are described as hot and inflammatory, exacerbated by hot weather and exposure to direct heat. Internal heat develops from disharmony of yin and Yang
Dryness – yang, related to symptoms of Heat Dehydration, redness and hotness, dry nostrils, lips tongue, cracked skin and dry stools Dryness can damage vegetation, and creates similar imbalances within the body, causing disorders of the lungs, sinuses, large intestine, skin, digestion, and reproductive organs.
Summer Heat – exposure to extreme heat, sudden high fever, heavy sweating. An overexposure to sunlight and hot weather can yield conditions such as heat stroke, dizziness, nausea, extreme thirst, and exhaustion. “Summer Heat easily injures the Qi, causing exhaustion, and depletes the Fluids.” ---page 156 Often occurs with Dampness – Summer Heat Damp ***Great reference for the Six Pernicious Influences: http://www.sacredlotus.com/theory/illness/six_evils.cfm
The Seven Emotions The seven internal causes, otherwise known as the Seven Emotions, are illnesses brought about by intense, prolonged, or suppressed feelings, and are defined as follows:
Joy in Chinese Medicine refers to excess, or overabundance, and relates to illness relative to overindulgence. Damage to the heart may result, and the conditions of hysteria, muddled thought, and insomnia may arise.
Sadness decreases the flow of qi in the lungs and heart, and is associated with depression, fatigue, and amenorrhea, shortness of breath, asthma, allergies, cold and flu.
Grief is similar to sadness, and injures the lungs, decreases immunity to colds and flu, as well as chronic upper respiratory diseases such as emphysema, allergies, and asthma.
Pensiveness or over-engaging the mind in activities such as worry, thought, or study can deplete spleen qi, and may result in edema, digestive disorders, low appetite, and fatigue.
Fear, or paranoia causes qi to descend, resulting in potential harm to the kidneys, lower back, or joints when this emotion is ever present.
Fright or shock is unlike fear in the sense that the onset is very sudden, causing one's qi to diverge. The rapid change in flow first affects the heart in symptoms such as breathlessness and palpitations, then moves to the lower body in a similar fashion to fear, damaging the kidneys, lower back, and joints. Fright is associated with the Gallbladder and Kidneys.
Anger, associated with the Liver, encompasses all the negative emotions of rage, irritability, frustration, and resentment, and causes the qi to rise inappropriately. Anger is associated with headaches, mental confusion, dizziness, and hypertension.
Way of Life Diet –“Because the Stomach receives food and the Spleen is responsible for transforming it into Qi and Blood, these two organs are most affected by diet.” ----page 161 Factors that disrupt bodily harmony: Too much or too little food Quality of food and beverages Time of eating Emotional state during eating Too much external stimulation during eating “Patients are often taught correct diet, proper attitudes, and healthful lifestyles.” --page 164 Proper Diet is specific to each patient’s body constitution. Food therapy is commonly used to treat disharmonies. In fact, food was the original form of herbal medicine.
Sexual Activity – “……the East Asian physician recognized sexuality as a basic and fundamental force in the human landscape.” ----page 163 Sexual roots lie in the Kidney’s Essence, therefore dysfunction is related to a Kidney disharmony. Spleen – allows sexuality to be nurturing Liver - allows assertiveness Heart – allows warmth and affection
Physical Activity and Relaxation– “All life activity, to the Chinese, should point toward the goal of living in harmonious balance with the seasons and one’s own constitution and stage of life.” ---page 163
Yang – morning, Spring season, youth – should be active Yin – night, Winter season, old age – should be quiescent “Physical activity is important to harmonize the flow of Qi and Blood to develop strength in the body.” ---page 163 There must be a balance of activity with a time of rest and relaxation. This harmony is imperative to the body’s ability to produce qi and blood as well as the flow of qi and blood. Sufficient blood and an efficient flow of qi allows the body to be strong, supple and free of imbalance.
Miscellaneous Factors “…burns, bites, parasites and trauma – sudden, easily identifiable conditions and proximal causes of disease.” Page 165