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Natural Health Introduction to Natural Health Body Systems | The FDA and Your Health | Herbology Modalities | Reference | Sources (Bibliography) |
We reveal health secrets your doctor and the
government don’t want you to know about!
DISCLAIMER: Important Legal
Notice
Introduction to
Chinese Herbology
It is estimated that over one billion of the world’s people use the
principles of Chinese herbology as part of their daily health practices.
Chinese herbalists teach that the determining factors of health are a person’s lifestyle, environment, and nature (or constitution). The term “constitution” refers to a person’s basic nature. It takes into account lifelong tendencies, personal preferences, and tastes. In all traditional health care systems, understanding a person’s basic constitution is important when determining the type of diet, exercises, and other health-building practices the person needs. Chinese herbology compares the substances of nature with human qualities. It examines a person’s basic nature, using a system of five constitutions: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Chinese herbal formulas are not designed to cure diseases; they are nutritional supplements designed to feed and support the five constitutional types.
Therefore, choosing a Chinese herbal formula is really a matter of determining one’s “constitutional type,” rather than simply treating a physical symptom. (It is also important to understand that in Chinese herbology the names used to refer to the body systems do not necessarily have a one-to-one correlation with the Western medical name of that organ or system.)
Understanding Chinese Constitutional Herbology
Wood Constitution
The Wood
constitution is symbolized by a tree because it not only yields to the wind, but
is strong, durable, and flexible. A healthy tree possesses a well-developed root
system; a healthy person is well-grounded in his personality; strong, but also
flexible.
The Chinese associate decision-making and the abilities of planning and judgment with the digestive system. The body part or organ associated with the Wood constitution is the liver and gall bladder. Anger and resentment are said to damage the liver and gall bladder.
Conditions traditionally known to arise from Wood imbalances include hypoglycemic syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, structural weakness, allergies, Raynaud's syndrome, and depression.
Fire Constitution
The Fire constitution
is associated with warmth and light. Fire, like our minds, illuminates and
sheds light on a darkened world. It's lively, full of imagination and vitality.
When kept under control, fire is very useful. However, it will dominate and
consume if not kept in check.
The circulatory system and the upper parts of the body are associated with the fire element, because heat rises. The heart is seen by the Chinese as the home of insight and understanding. Courage is also associated with the heart.
Excess fire leaves one “out of touch with reality” and living in a dream world. It can also result in excessive imagination and the over pursuit of perpetual happiness. Not enough Fire may leave one unable to accomplish goals, antisocial, and with a fear of trying something new.
Conditions traditionally known to arise from Fire imbalances include insomnia, paranoia and anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, flushed face, and weakened sexual response.
Earth Constitution
Often referred to as
Mother Earth, the Earth constitution is the grounding
element. It keeps our feet planted on a strong foundation by nourishing
and providing us with food, clothing, and shelter. Human characteristics
associated with the earth constitution include being stable, basic,
deep-rooted, centered, and fertile.
The Earth constitution represents the spleen. The spleen is the nurturer. The emotion connected with it is anxiety.
A person who is too “earthy,” or “motherly,” might have a tendency to worry too much about others. Conversely, a person who is deficient in the earth element may be nervous, flighty, unstable, imbalanced, or otherwise “unearthed.” They may not have nurturing emotions.
Conditions traditionally known to arise from Earth imbalances include weight control, digestive disturbances, low energy, poor circulation, food allergies, and weak muscles.
Metal Constitution
The
Metal constitution is important for our defense. Metal
invokes images of substance, structure, and strength. The Metal constitution
provides us with strength to protect ourselves. This constitution represents
the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes (which line the respiratory system and
digestive tract) which act as a shield to protect our body from harmful invaders.
A breakdown in the Metal constitution would be associated with weakened immune response, an inability to stand up and defend oneself, or an inability to express sorrow and grief. Excessive Metal may lead to defensiveness, rebelliousness, and an excessive need to assert one's own opinions. The emotions related to the Metal constitution are sorrow and grief.
Conditions traditionally known to arise from Metal imbalances include chronic infections of mucous membrane (sinus, lungs, colon, vaginal), chronic cough or sinus congestion, nausea, and skin cysts.
Water Constitution
Water is essential to life. The Chinese consider the water
constitution to be the most basic of all elements. Water is naturally serene
and submissive; although, in excess, water can be as violent and inundating
as a flood.
The Water constitution represents the kidneys. The energy of water is expressed in the flow of blood and lymph and our own ability to adapt.
The emotion associated with Water is fear. Excessive fear is thought to damage the kidneys. The adrenal glands (situated on top of the kidneys) are the glands that respond most violently to fear. A deficiency in the Water element could lead to a lack of the ability to change, submit, or compromise. Water flows downward, so Water imbalances would show up in the lower half of the body.
Conditions traditionally know to arise from Water imbalances include edema (swelling), urinary tract irritation, impotence, low back ache, and weak knees.
It's all a question of balance
The Yin
and Yang symbol of balance is central to traditional Chinese thought.
Yin and Yang are the two opposing, yet complementary sides of nature.
Literally, they mean “the two banks of a river” (or the two sides of a
mountain) -- one in the shade, the other in the sun.
The Chinese believe that when the opposites of Yin and Yang are in balance, the body is healthy; when they are not in balance, illness results. The success of a Chinese herbal formula lies in its ability to balance the Yin and Yang.
Yin illnesses are those which are characterized by weakness, slowness, coldness, and underactivity. These are chronic illness or diseases of deficiency.
Yang illnesses are those which are characterized by strong, forceful movements, heat, and overactivity (diseases of excess).
Chinese herbal formulas redress yin/yang imbalances in the body by supplementing deficient elements. Yang formulas reduce or relieve the Chi (or life energy — usually pronounced “key” — also spelled “Qi” but pronounced the same) of the overactive body parts (i.e., pacify the spirit, clear the congestion, ventilate the lungs, and clear the heat). Yin formulas enhance or support the Chi energy of the underactive body parts (i.e., generate the pulse, strengthen the bones, strengthen the weak, warm the center, and nurture the heart).
Bibliography: Source materials used to develop the Natural Health information on this site.
The Center for Messianic Learning (CML) has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by CML.
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