The Physical as well as Emotional Connections of the several Vital Organs
The foundations of traditional Chinese medicine dates back some several thousand years. The concept of Yin/Yang, together with the several elements, has permeated Chinese philosophy over the centuries as well as is actually radically different to any western philosophical idea. The earliest reference to Yin/Yang is actually within the “Book of adjustments” dating back to about 700BC. In of which book Yin as well as Yang are represented as broken as well as unbroken lines. The combinations of these form the eight trigrams. Finally, the various combinations of the trigrams give rise to the sixty-four hexagrams. These are supposed to symbolize all possible phenomena of the universe, as well as of which therefore shows how all phenomena ultimately depend on the two poles of Yin as well as Yang. The diagram below shows the configuration of the eight trigrams in relation to nature.
Configuration of the eight trigrams in relation to nature
The concept of Yin/Yang is actually probably the single most important as well as distinctive theory of Chinese Medicine. of which could be said of which all Chinese medical physiology, pathology as well as treatment can, eventually, be reduced to Yin as well as Yang. The concept of Yin/Yang is actually extremely simple yet very profound.
Together with the theory of Yin/Yang, the theory of the several elements constitutes the basis of Chinese Medical theory. The early Greek philosophers such as Empedocles called the elements “roots”. Plato referred to them as “simple components” as well as Aristotle called them “primary form”. Whatever words were used, the Greek philosophers were unified of which the elements were the basic building blocks or constituents in describing the qualities of natural phenomena. The system of several phases was used for describing interactions as well as relationships between phenomena. After of which came to maturity within the second or first century BC during the Han Dynasty, of which device was employed in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy, Feng Shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy, as well as the martial arts. The system is actually still used as a reference within the martial arts like Qi Gong, Kung Fu, as well as Tai Chi.
The Elements
The several elements are usually used to describe the state in nature.
- Wood/Spring: (72 days) A period of growth, which generates abundant wood as well as vitality
- Fire/Summer: (72 days) A period of swelling, flowering, brimming with fire as well as energy
- Earth: (72 days = 4 x 18 days; 4 transitional seasons of 18 days each) The in-between transitional seasonal period, or a separate ‘season’ known as late summer or long summer – the latter case associated with levelling as well as dampening as well as fruition
- Metal/Autumn: (72 days) A period of harvesting as well as collecting
- Water/Winter: (72 days) A period of retreat where stillness as well as storage pervades
The doctrine of several phases describes two cycles; a generating or creation cycle, whereby water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, as well as metal generates water. The second cycle is actually called the controlling cycle whereby water controls fire, fire controls metal, metal controls wood, wood controls earth, as well as earth controls water. The mutual generating as well as controlling relationships among the elements is actually a fine style of the balancing processes to be seen in nature as well as the human body.
The following diagram shows the several elements as well as their corresponding relationships within the human framework. Each element represents a solid vital organ, a hollow bowel, the several senses, several tissues, several pure emotions, the corresponding season, environmental factor, the several sounds, several colours, several tastes/flavours, direction, as well as time of day (activity).
The diagram above shows corresponding patterns in cyclic form, as well as the table below shows the patterns in linear forms.
Corresponding patterns in cyclic form
The physical as well as emotional aspects of the several vital organs
The Heart
The heart is actually considered to be the most important of all the internal organs, as well as is actually said to be the ‘ruler’ or ‘monarch’ of which resides over the internal organs. The physical functions of the heart are to govern blood, control the blood vessels, manifest within the complexion, houses the mind, opens into the tongue, as well as controls sweat. The emotional aspect relates to mental activity. If the heart is actually strong with abundant blood, there will be normal mental activity, a balanced emotional life, clear consciousness, a not bad memory, clear thinking as well as not bad sleep. If the heart is actually weak as well as blood deficient then there may be mental problems such as anxiety, depression, poor memory, dull thinking, as well as insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep.
The Liver
The liver is actually often compared to an army general through where the strategy is actually derived, hence courage as well as resoluteness manifest through the liver. The physical functions of the liver are to store blood, ensure the smooth flow of energy, moistens the sinews, opens into the eyes. The emotional aspect relates to the smooth flow of energy as well as blood. Long periods of unresolved anger, resentment as well as frustration can stagnant the flow, leading to stiff tight muscles, digestive disturbances, menstrual problems in women, as well as thinking becomes dull as well as foggy.
The Lungs
The lungs are like a minister through where the policies are issued. The physical functions of the lungs are to govern energy as well as respiration, control dispersing as well as descending the energy, regulate water passages, control skin as well as hair, as well as open into the nose. The emotional aspect relates to long periods of unresolved grief as well as sadness, which constrains the lungs leading to shallow breathing to the top lobes of lungs.
The Spleen
The spleen is actually like a granary official through whom the several tastes are derived. The physical functions of the spleen are to govern transformation as well as transportation, control blood, control muscles as well as the four limbs, opens into the mouth as well as lips. The emotional aspect relates to thought; if the health of the spleen is actually abundant we will think clearly, concentrate as well as memorize easily. Conversely, excess studying as well as mental work or agitation over long periods can weaken the spleen.
The Kidneys
The kidneys are referred to as the root or gate of life, as they govern essence through our parents. They control birth, growth, reproduction, as well as development, producing marrow for the bones as well as brain. The emotional aspect relates to fear as well as willpower. Long periods of fear can weaken the kidneys as well as lead to a loss of will power. Working long hours with stress also weakens kidney energy.
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The Physical as well as Emotional Connections of the several Vital Organs
The Physical as well as Emotional Connections of the several Vital Organs