CHINESE HERBS- A General Synopsis of the Properties of the Herbs

Some elements for Médecine chinoise in Xi'an (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The marvels of Chinese herbs have continued to charm and help people all over the world for a very long time. Almost all medicines have been created by mixing them in different quantities and proportions. The Chinese herb logy is a vast field that consists of numerous types of herbs possessing a wide range of properties and specialties.

Chinese herb basically possesses a specific taste, temperature, and certain special characteristics. The basic tastes are sweet, bitter, salty, pungent, bland, astringent, and aromatic. Some are known to poses herbs are mixed together on the basis of their tastes and temperatures.

Sweet herbs are sticky in nature and if they are mixed with a cold herb they are useful in creating a medicine that is useful for fluids. The yin property allows the energy of the body to be restored and also cure stomach and urine problems. The sweet herbs are sticky so they help in clogging the misplaced elements of the body. The bitter taste herb possesses the quality of dryness. 

So whenever there is a defiance of yin in the body this herb is used to cure the problem. The pungent herbs assist in the movement functions of the body. When this herb is mixed with a cold herb it is useful in solving joint problems and regulating the other movements of the body. The salty herb poses the quality of codifying and dissolve. It is mostly obtained from the marine world which is why the salt content is high in these herbs. Whereas the astringent herb is useful in supplying useful components to the body.

Apart from these properties herbs also poses properties such as hotness, coolness, coldness, warmth, and neutral. All these are combined with the above-mentioned herbs to give you the best medicine for your problem.    

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CHINESE HERBS - An Important Medication For The Cancer Patients

Herb samples from categories of Chinese Herbs Tonifying Herbs: Herbs that Tonify the Yin
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chinese herbs have been approved as a remedy for almost every sort of ailment and disease. Apart from that, the best remedy with the least side effects is the herbal treatment. It is naturally effective and over the years Chinese herbs have proved to be a great medication.

Cancer has always been regarded as a common problem and as several diseases in the Chinese medical literature. It is one of the most growing diseases among people nowadays. The cure for cancer is carried out in four steps. In the first step, the process of cancer is stagnated. The selection of herbs is also based on the area where a tumour has developed. Antitoxic herbs are given to reduce the toxicity level of the medication and chemotherapy. In the second stage, the immune system is strengthened through herbs. 

Since the body is already weak with cancer-curing medicines so these herbs help in the digestion process of the medication and help strengthen the immune system. The last process involves taking herbs that help in avoiding the reoccurrence of cancer. These herbs affect the root cause and help the patient in leading a healthy tumour free life.

Chinese herbs are so complex and numerous in types that an experienced herbologist should be consulted before use. The ingredients of the herbs of  anti-breast cancer medicine are Oldenlandia (20 %), Taraxacum (20 %), Scutellaria (20 %), Aurantium (20 %), Curcuma (20 %), for stomach cancer the herbs are oldenlandia (40 %) and Imperata (30 %) or use Scutellaria (15%) and Imperata (15%), for liver cancer its oldenlandia (30 %), Scutellaria (30 %), phragmites (10 %), Peonae alba (30 %). Chinese herbs provide a cure for stomach, ovary, lung, liver, and Esophageal and Colon cancer.  In short Chinese herbs provide a great long lasting cure for cancer.

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Studying the INTERNAL STARS: The Use of Energy in Your Body (Qi)

Yin Yang (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have ever heard of ideas from physical fitness or Yoga, then you are familiar with the idea of using the energy in your body properly.  In Chinese Medicine, the energy that you have is something that is much deeper than physical fitness.  The idea if Qi (Chee), is an energy force that is often referred to in order to stay healthy. 

The idea of Qi begins with elements that are in the used universe that make up energy.

  This same Qi that is in the universe is, by Chinese medicine philosophy, also in every living being.  The Qi that is being referred to is something that Chinese philosophy considers to be in every part of everything.  It can’t be destroyed, only changed.  

 One way to explain the way that Qi functions in Chinese philosophy are through the element of water.  Under certain conditions, water will change into ice or evaporate.  Even though it is changing form or place, it still functions as the same type of energy in the other form.  

Through the idea of energy being in everyone’s being, and changing as the person needs, is the relation to how this can be used for medicine.  All of the Qi that is moving through the body has currents that the energy flows through, much like the circulation system.  The Chinese medicine system states that there are fourteen major points where the Qi flows through a person.  All of these points will have Yin and Yang access to them and are used in practices such as acupuncture.  

As the system of Qi flows through someone, it also functions within the body to specific things.  When all of your Qi is flowing properly then you are considered healthy.  Not only does your Qi track your energy, but it also makes sure that the different systems that are functioning transform the different parts of the body so they are balanced.  For example, some types of Qi will take nutrients to the muscles.  It is also known to keep parts of the body protected from the wrong types of food, while other areas of the body contain the elements that are needed. 

The idea of Qi is to keep the energy of the body functioning in the proper way.  When one is in complete health, they are known to have reached Upright Qi.  By keeping everything flowing in the right manner, and paying attention to how the body is changing, there will be the ability to continue to hold the energy of the universe in one’s body.  

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The Importance of the BEAT: Checking Your Pulse for a Diagnosis

Taking pulse (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chinese medicine will always use natural observations in order to determine which parts of the body may be off in their energy.  By observing the external functions of the body, they can make assessments on how this affects the internal structure.  From here, they will be able to decide on how to change the energy flow.

One of the most important areas of observation for Chinese medicine diagnosis is the pulse.  The different pulses of the body are so important to Chinese medicine, that they are considered an art by learning how to use them appropriately.  Usually, only the most trained practitioners can find how to use the pulse properly.

The reason why the pulse is important to the observations is that Chinese medicine has found connections between the pulse and every area of the body.  In Western medicine, there is an understanding that the pulse of the heart is located in the wrist and also the neck.  In Chinese medicine, there are also pulses for the kidney, liver, and other body areas.

Not only do all of the internal organs have specific pulses in different areas of the body, but these also have different depths.  This means that a reading of a pulse can be heard in ‘layers’ in each position.  Typically, each pulse will have three different depths that can be observed.  These can be found in nine different areas when the diagnosis is being made from the pulse.

If a practitioner is looking for a diagnosis for a pulse, they will look for several attributes.  If you are in Chinese medicine, you will most likely know about twenty-eight different characteristics to look for.  These may be related to how the pulse sounds, the rate it is beating at, and other factors such as this.  The characteristics that are determined will also help to draw conclusions about which areas of the body are off of their regular energy flow.

If you are moving into Chinese medicine, expect your pulses to be checked.  This is one of the main considerations in Chinese medicine and is never overlooked in the diagnosis.  The art of checking the pulse in Chinese medicine is one of the main foundations for understanding how the internal Qi of someone is functioning.

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ACUPUNCTURE As a Facelift Alternative

Acupuncture (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Something that all of us struggle against is time.  As a matter of fact, all of us are aging from the time we are born and as we get older, that age begins to display itself in one way or another.  For some, it comes as a decreased metabolism and an inability to keep off excess weight.  For others, it comes in the form of facial wrinkles and noticeable signs that point to the fact that we are getting older.  Some people spend countless dollars on all kinds of treatments in order to get rid of these wrinkles, some of which are very unhealthy.  A new way of looking at an old medicine, however, may give us some hope in order to turn back the hands of time.  Is acupuncture actually being used as a facelift alternative?

First of all, you need to know that acupuncture itself is not a facelift at all.  There is no surgery, chemical injections or any other alterations that are done through acupuncture that would classify it as such.  That doesn't mean, however, that you're not able to enjoy a healthier complexion and more youthful look as a result of acupuncture treatments.  The fact of the matter is, acupuncture is known to help with your general health and this can offer you a lot in the way of reduced aging.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a way of bringing the body back into a naturally balanced state.  Two opposing forces that govern our body in general often get pushed toward one extreme or the other.  By maintaining a balance between these two extremes, we allow our life energy or Chi to flow naturally throughout our body and to give us balance.  This can help us in many different ways but for the most part, it helps us to enjoy natural health and all of the benefits that it gives to us.

So, can acupuncture remove your wrinkles?  No, it can't remove the wrinkles from your face but it can give you a health that will radiate from within.  It can help to remove a lot of the negative effects of aging that show up as a wrinkle on your face.  If you maintain a healthier balance in your body, you will give off a more youthful appearance that will be plain for everyone to see.

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Connecting the Dots: Understanding Internal Organs through ZANG-FU THEORY

"FiveElementsCycleBalanceImbalance". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia.

Traditional Chinese medicine is the idea that everything is interconnected in one’s body and in the universe.  Through this concept, there was a development of the way in which the system could be divided.  The understanding of this system is what allowed one to practice alternatives towards health and balanced energy.

The Zang-Fu theory is the concept that the functions of the different organs interact with each other.  This interaction allows them to function in different ways and also balances out the health of different individuals.  When one’s internal organs are completely balanced, they have reached complete health because their energy is able to flow naturally and without any blocks.

From this major concept, the internal organs are divided into various categories. The first set of categories is the Zang, which are the Yin organs.  This includes the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and pericardium.  The Fu is the Yang organs and includes the intestines, gall bladder, urinary bladder and stomach. Each of these organs will be paired together; meaning that one Yang organ corresponds to one Yin organ.

Through each of these categorizations, the organs are able to correspond and function by relating to each other.  When these organs are not functioning properly together, it will be the cause of dysfunction in the body.  Beyond this, it is the functioning of these organs that directly link to the way that the mind and the spirit function together.  The Zang organs will be directly linked with specific emotions as well as senses.  The Fu system is the opposite of this because it is linked to the hollow system and digestion.

The combination of all of the elements of the body is the major concept in the Zang Fu theory.  By combining the internal organs and discovering the relationships that they have between each other, one is able to find the necessary answers to healing.  Chinese medicine, through combining all of the elements is able to work towards an internal healing that leads to external functions of health.  

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Taking Your Medicine Naturally: CHINESE FOOD Therapy

Photo  by Smithsonian Institution

You go into your kitchen after a long day’s work and open the refrigerator.  The availability of food isn’t looking good for you again.  It’s either leftover pizza or another microwave meal.  You find the fastest and easiest solution so that you can continue with your day and not let the food stop you from getting what you need to do. 

According to Chinese medicine, this can be one of the major causes of illness.  Not eating balanced and properly can lead to a stop in the right energy flow in your body, causing your body to not have the ability to process its nutritional needs correctly.  The alternative that is suggested is Chinese food therapy, where there is a balance between the food that you eat and the nutrition that you get. 

The philosophy behind Chinese food therapy is that everything must be balanced.  This begins by discovering the polar opposites of foods that are available and combining them for a middle ground.  Yin and yang are the philosophy that is used for foods, giving the best combination of elements for health.  Yang is known to increase body heat, which will raise the metabolism to process nutrients.  Yin then combines with this to decrease the body heat, which will balance the nutrients that are being processed in the metabolism.  

In order for Chinese food therapy to work properly, there has to be an understanding of how your body reacts to specific things.  If you are completely balanced, too much of either yin or yang will cause a reaction by your body, allowing you to stay balanced.  Everything that your body does, when using Chinese food therapy, will be communicating to you how to use your food and balance it out properly.  

If your body is imbalanced, you can use some foods in order to use the Chinese food therapy correctly.  For example, some foods may cause your energy to be lower.  You can use the roots of foods in order to increase this, which are directly linked to the Yang foods.  Ginseng is one popular example that will help to increase circulation and the metabolism.  This is one of several examples that can help you to heal and balance naturally.  

Next time you are ready to eat your meal, make sure that you have both Yin and Yang in combination with each other.  Over time, you will notice that the balance of your energy, as well as the various effects of the food, makes a difference in how you function.  Using Chinese food therapy as a method of health is one of the easiest ways to help to chew your health. 

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Back to the Plants: CHINESE MEDICINE and Herbal Remedies

The Pen ts'ao, 1249 C.E. Printed with woodblock, this illustrated book discusses Chinese herbal medicine.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Chinese medicine, everything has a place and a structure in order to help with healing.  All of these are natural approaches to bringing holistic health in an individual.  One of the concepts that Chinese medicine uses in relation to this is herbal remedies.  By combining a variety of elements, there is the ability for the herbs to help in healing everything.

The basis behind herbal remedies is to combine a series of herbs in order to bring about the desired effect.  Usually, there will be a formula of four herbs used in combination with each other.  This is done in order to treat secondary illnesses that may have been affected by the primary illness.  It also helps to balance and strengthen the body while it is healing.

When Chinese medicine begins to divide the various herbal remedies, they will do so by a hierarchy.  At the top of this hierarchy is the emperor herb.  This will be used to cure the major illness that is taking place.  Underneath this is the ‘ministers’ of the herbal remedy.  This is used to treat any secondary illnesses that are taking place.  After this, herbal ‘assistants’ will be used to support the other two herbs.  The last set of herbs will be the messenger herbs, which will tell the primary and secondary herbs where to go and how much of an effect to take on the body.

The herbal remedies that are placed together after this will be divided by the specific symptoms that are being seen.  Like all other parts of Chinese medicine, these will first be found through the five elements and how they relate to the body.  For example, some herbs will be spicy in order to relate to areas of the body that need this extra element to begin a better flow of Qi.

The last part of herbal medicine from ancient Chinese remedies is to determine the type of energy that is needed by a person.  This is found by diagnosis and examining the Qi that is in a person.  After this, a specific mixture of these four hierarchies will be mixed together in order to help change the energy flow that is in someone.

By examining the Qi and finding respective remedies through herbs, one is able to find the best solutions using a holistic method.  This allows one to benefit from the use of Chinese medicine and herbs in order to fight off an illness or a block of energy in their system.  

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The Search for CHINESE MEDICINE: How to Find Practitioners for Alternative Health

Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many who have had a few bottles of prescription drugs that haven’t worked are now trying to find alternatives to healing.  If you want to join the growing numbers of people who are working towards alternative medicine, you can look directly into Chinese medicine.  There are a variety of practitioners available, all of which understand the methods of helping you heal.

If you are familiar with Chinese medicine as an alternative, you may have also noticed that it doesn’t seem like there are a lot who are advertising the alternatives.  Just because this is true, you don’t have to give up hope to find your options with your health.  Through some simple searching, you can find the best way to optimize your health and energy.

The good news about Chinese medicine is that most practitioners that come from the orient are first trained in the ancient practices.  Even though it may say that they are specialized in a specific type of practice, you can suspect that they know a few things about the complete picture of Chinese medicine.  For example, if you know an acupuncture practitioner, you will be safe in asking about herbal alternatives as well.

Not only can you ask local practitioners about Chinese medicine practices, you can also find other resources that can help.  Because alternative medicine is becoming more popular, you can easily find national associations and organizations that are dedicated to promoting alternative methods of Chinese medicine.  By linking to these organizations as an alternative, you will be able to expand your possibilities and knowledge of holistic health.

Finding a way to link the mind, body and spirit also means finding examples of those who have been initiating alternative health.  There are a variety of possibilities that are available, all of which can link you to understanding and be practicing your flow of energy.

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Tying Into Ancient Philosophies: Does CHINESE MEDICINE Work?

Yokohama Chinese Medicine Mussel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You have had a head cold for over a month.  No matter what type of medication you try, you simply can’t get rid of the problem.  It continues to linger, knocking you out of your ability to have the energy you want to and function at the level you want every day.  Getting desperate for an answer to get rid of the illness, you begin to look for alternatives.

A friend recommends an acupuncturist to you in order to help to cure the problem.  There happens to be someone that she has also gone to who could probably help you to be cured of your cold.  Even though you laugh at first, the cold has dragged on long enough, and you are willing to try the alternatives.  You schedule an appointment and get ready to try something a little different with some alternative.

For most, there is some cynicism on whether the ideas of Chinese medicine really work.  Even though it is an ancient practice that has been developed through both the physical and spiritual aspects, it doesn’t tie into much science that Western thought would give a second look at.

Chinese medicine, even though it is not a proven science, is a good alternative for those that are dealing with any type of illness.  For about 90% that use the method, they will say that there are positive results that come from the practice.  All you have to do to see if this is true is to look at the amount of time that it has lasted.  You can also look at the growing popularity of various holistic methods that are now being used.  Most of these come from Chinese medical philosophies.

If you are considering an alternative to your health, you can start to turn to ancient philosophies to better your energy.  Even though science hasn’t proven its validity, time and people have.  Chinese medicine, no matter what level of health you are working towards curing, can be effective if you walk in with the desire to finding the best healing alternatives.

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Learning to Balance Energy: The Practice of QUIGONG in CHINESE MEDICINE

Photo  by Elvert Barnes 

Qigong is one of the most popular medical meditation practices used for Chinese medicine.  From its origins, it has been known to be not only a meditation, but also a self-medicating practice by moving the flow of energy, or Qi.  When one practices Qigong, they will focus on specific focal points of the body.  This allows them to clear these points and continue to stay balanced, energized and healthy.

Qigong is best known for combining its ideas of meditation, breathing, and movement.  This begins with a series of breathing exercises that are used in order to begin the flow of energy.  This is then combined with exercises that allow the muscles to become tense and relax.  These exercises are known to help the muscles to become heated, which in turn, allows for an increase in producing energy and digesting nutrients that are needed throughout the body.

When one is beginning Qigong, there will be a focus on deep breathing as well as the meditation of visualizations and clearing of the mind.  This purpose is to begin creating a discipline in the rhythms in one’s body.  The idea is that this will then begin to reflect the rhythms of life that are surrounding a person.  The result will be an elimination of tension of nerves, irregularities, and dysfunctions in the body.  The long-term result of this will be strengthening and balance of the body.

The main purpose behind Qigong is too active channels of energy that are in every person.  This is a holistic practice to healing that everyone has the ability to practice, either as a meditation or a way to develop a strengthening of the entire system.  The combination of meditation techniques with movement allows one to become in sync with the rhythm of their own body and life, giving them a holistic and balanced way of living.

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Tying Together the Cycle: Relating the Elements for HOLISTIC HEALING

Representation of the Chinese five elements (wǔxíng).
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In order for one to be balanced and healthy in Chinese traditions, all of the elements in their body have to be balanced.  In order to do this, one must first understand how the elements work together to achieve and maintain complete health.  If you are looking towards nature to find a way to heal, then Chinese medicine can help to define what areas you should be looking at.

Not only is the relationship between nature and the body interchangeable, but there are also ways that Chinese medicine uses this relationship in order to help one gain optimal health.  By taking the five elements and linking them together, as well as applying them to how one is able to live, there is the ability for one to understand how to remain balanced and healthy.

After the five elements have been divided and completely understood, they are all put into the proper alignment and place.  This is known as the Shen Cycle, which translates into the Nourishing Cycle.  When one is completely balanced and healthy, they can use the cycle of the elements to help.  It is said, according to these Chinese medicine principles that water nourishes wood, wood fuels fire, fire makes the earth, and earth yields metal and metal produces water.

Within this same cycle of nourishing, each of the elements can also destroy each other.  This is known as Ko or the Regulating Cycle.  When the opposite elements are combined they cancel each other out. Chinese medicine considers both of these cycles to be the natural order of things.  They can then take this natural order to help either balance out an imbalanced element in one’s body, or help to nourish something that is out of order.

Chinese medicine, at its very roots, carries the philosophy and ideal of combining the natural elements of the earth with healing.  By cycling together the elements, either through nourishing the elements, or canceling them out, it allows one to keep the natural order in their own life.  It is simply understanding when one’s body is in the specific element and understanding how it should respond.  

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Health beyond the Physical: CHINESE MEDICINE and Mental Health

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Medical University
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometimes, common ailments for not feeling well or functioning at a higher level don’t come from the virus that is going around.  Most are learning that there is physical pain that is linked to emotional and mental symptoms as well.  If you are suffering from a mental pain, and want to find a way to get healing outside of therapy, you can turn to Chinese medicine for help. 

Problems with mental health are now being found to directly link to physical pain.  One example is with things such as depression.  Those who suffer from depression will also commonly have headaches, stomach pains, or have low levels of energy.  According to science, as well as Chinese medicine, these mentalities are directly linked to the mind. 

There are specific hormones, nerves and chemicals that are affected by one’s mentality.  When one is suffering from a specific mental illness, there are different levels of chemicals that are produced to try and rebalance the body.  Take the example of depression again.  When one is depressed, there will be extra levels of serotonin produced in the mind in order to try to balance this.  The effect is that the body becomes imbalanced from the emotion. 

Because of the evidence of mental and physical health being linked together, there is also a need to find alternatives for healing.  There are several types of medications that are available; however, some find that these simply cause more side effects or don’t work.  Because of this, there is a turn towards Chinese medicine in order to help cure the problem.  By using herbs, massage techniques and even acupuncture, the mental health can begin to change back to a normal level. 

If you are suffering from any type of mental imbalance, using holistic approaches may be able to help you find a cure.  Chinese medicine will focus directly on finding ways to alternate the flow of energy from the problems and redirect the energy into better mental health.  If you are looking for alternatives, Chinese medicine may be a positive cure. 

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The West Meets the East: Using Science to Prove CHINESE MEDICINE

Photo  by jimmiehomeschoolmom 

Even though Chinese medicine has been used as an effective method for over 5,000 years, Western scientific proof continues to debate whether this is a logical method to help with healing.  If you are interested in Chinese medicine but are not certain of its effectiveness, you can look at the various research studies that have helped others to reach conclusions about its effectiveness.

The most debated science between East and West is the use of acupuncture as a medicine.  At this point, the research studies have not led to any complete conclusions about whether acupuncture can be considered a science.  At the same time, research indicates that the use of meridians in acupuncture is effective in healing.  Scientists have also stated that because the treatment is harmless, it can be used, and simply needs to have more investigations related to it.

Another debate that has been studied by Western scientists is herbal medicines that are used in traditional Chinese medicine methods.  While some of these have not been studied, other parts of the herbs are used in pharmaceutical medications that are prescribed to patients.  Chinese wormwood, Ephedra, and artemisinin are some examples of ancient remedies that have moved into Western medicine from Chinese ideals.

One agreement that all Western research shows, with the various ideas of Chinese medicine, is that the treatments are safe.  All of the medical studies indicate that even if the medications are not scientifically proven, they are still not detrimental to one’s health and most have few side effects.  Because this is a proven point to the holistic methods, most scientists will also state that it is simply a lack of research from the medicine that is used in Chinese philosophies.

From the philosophy to the science, Chinese medication is a debated concept in Western society.  However, there is also a growth and a beginning to understanding the concepts that have been used and experimented with over time.  Through the various techniques of Chinese medicine to the continuous use by individuals who are looking for holistic health, Chinese medicine continues to become prominent in Western society.

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The 6 External Pathogens: Finding New Flows in CHINESE MEDICINE

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The idea of pathology in Chinese medicine is what determines the need for a change in energy flow.  If you are looking into finding better alternatives for your health, looking at possibilities for external pathology and how it relates to your Qi is one of the places to begin.  By doing this, you will have the ability to gain back your health through holistic means.

The external pathogens are one of the ways in which your energy flow can be affected.  There are six general pathogens that are examined when looking at external pathogens.  When these are flowing correctly, they allow the body to be balanced and have energy.  However, sometimes the external pathogens can stop their flow.

The characteristics of external pathogens are named after the weather patterns in the earth.  This is because all Chinese medicine takes environmental and universal laws and applies it to each individual.  These are divided into wind, heat, cold, summer heat, damp and dryness.  When one who is practicing Chinese medicine is able to define one of these in the body as not being aligned correctly than they can begin to move back the Qi to normal.

The external pathogens begin with the wind.  When looking at the human body, this is directly linked to the lungs and the air passageways.  When the ‘Wind Qi’ is off in a person, there will be coughing and often times aches in specific joints.  Because there is not a steady movement of air, passageways and other areas are unable to remain clear.

If you are looking at temperature, such as heat, cold or summer heat, you can simply look at how warm or cold your body temperature is.  If there is not a steady flow in specific areas, you can determine that your Qi in those areas is off.  If there is severe heat in one area, such as from a temperature, then this is where the flow of energy is, significant in the relation to summer heat.

The last two external pathogens are the damp or dryness that is related to Qi.  If there is dampness, you can expect that the Qi in that area is not flowing correctly.  Dampness is known for blocking Qi from its proper flow.  Dryness, the absence of moisture, is significant because it decreases flexibility.  This is because dryness is brittle and is known for taking off bits and pieces.

These various external pathogens all can tell what parts of a person’s energy are blocked.  By understanding the ‘symptoms’ that are taking place externally you can begin to change the flow of energy throughout your body.

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Connecting To Your Breath: CHINESE MEDICINE as Meditation

The holistic approach to medicine doesn’t just include sticking needles in your system or taking an extra set of herbs every day.  It also consists of finding an approach to your life that will lead to a well rounded well being.  If you are working towards healing, gaining energy or just feeling better about your everyday life, than approaching Chinese medication is a great way to begin approaching your life differently.

Along with the diagnosis and assessments of your physical body, is the connection to the mind and spirit within Chinese medicine.  Because this is an important concept in Chinese medication, meditation will often be used as a basis for many of the practices.  This is especially seen in practices such as Qigong and Yoga, where meditation combines with physical movement in order to open the energy centers of the body.  

If you are working towards achieving balance in your physical life, then you will want to begin by opening the body centers through meditation.  Even though this is often considered a mental and spiritual practice, it will also affect you physically.  The idea of breath in any Chinese medicine is important, as it clears several of your centers.  This is one of the elements that are never ignored in Chinese medicine.  

Not only will your breath begin to clear your body centers, but it is also proven that the meditation methods will help to improve other areas of your body.  Scientific research has begun to study meditation and how its applications can directly affect your well being.  When you breathe deeply, the extra oxygen will cleanse your system and will also move into areas of your body that need the extra oxygen.  It will also begin to affect your nervous system by stimulating chemicals in your body.  Over time, the meditation practices can detoxify your entire system, helping you to be more energized in your daily life.  

If you are looking into the practices of Chinese medicine, you will also want to consider meditation.  This practice can’t be separated from Chinese medicine or holistic health.  By approaching the mental and spiritual aspects of the medicine, as well as the physical, you will be able to enjoy a well-rounded approach towards the ancient medical practice.  

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The Beginnings of Traditional CHINESE MEDICINE: Mixing Together Natural Remedies

Chinese Medicine - Photo  by moriza 

Alternative medicine and holistic healing are based on concepts and philosophies of an ancient science.  At the root of many holistic practices are the philosophies and ideas that come from Chinese medicine.  From the beginnings of this practice has been a growth in natural methods to help promote healing and balance.

The beginnings of Chinese medicine as a practice come from the year 800 BC.  Even though this practice began before this, it was only recorded beginning in this year through a book known as the “Huang Di Nei Jeng” or “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine.”  The methods that were used in this book were based on the herbal remedies that were most significant in helping with holistic healing.  

The idea of this particular book was based on the Yellow Emperor, one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history.  He is thought to have lived in 4700 BC and is often attributed to a mythical character with a status of royalty that provided inspiration to those living in the orient.  It is this mythical character that this book of medicine is still portrayed under, with the attribution to the Yellow Emperor’s knowledge that was passed down holistically.

The beginning of this book included 12 prescriptions through herbs that were used with a combination of twenty-eight different ingredients.  By the year 220 BC, the book had become so popular that medical services were established based on the remedies from the Yellow Emperor.  The adjustments that were made from this book included detailed classifications of the herbs, how they worked, their strength and what their properties were for healing different ailments.

Over time, new publications and philosophies were added to this book in order to provide practitioners with new methods and substances on the basis of the Yellow Emperor’s remedy book.  These additions provided new insights and books, all the way into the 1700s with the contribution of the Theory of Herbal Medicine.

The ancient practices of Chinese medicine through herbal remedies are a true philosophy that shows how time withstands the ideas of holistic treatments.  Through the growth of herbal practices, several in the East have found ways to provide insight and balances between different herbs for better practices to gain energy and balance in one’s life.

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The FIVE ELEMENTS of Oriental Medicine: Assessment through the Natural

Five Elements - Photo   by       Wonderlane 

One of the major ways in which Chinese medicine determines how one’s health relies on the laws of the universe.  This essentially means that any trained person in Chinese medicine will turn towards nature and the characteristics that are in this environment to determine why one may be unhealthy.

One of the ways that these determinations are made is through the five elements.

The five elements consist of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.  When looking at these elements, there are certain attributes that are analyzed.  In turn, the analysis that is made will also determine how it is related to various organs.  Not only did these five elements determine the relation of the elements to organs, but went on to include things such as how emotions corresponded with these various elements.

The idea of the five elements is to see how everything is interconnected to each other through the universe.  Chinese medicine determines that every man is a reflection of what is in the universe, meaning that each individual can be analyzed in direct co-relation to the elements of the universe.

Take for instance if someone is having trouble with their heart or small intestine.  According to Chinese medicine, this would directly relate to Fire, meaning that it would be linked with the qualities of summer and the energy of heat.  The result of the heart or intestine trouble would be that the sense organ of the tongue would first be affected.  The emotion associated with this would be either joy or shock.  The heart and the small intestine will also trigger bitter taste that someone will respond to.

The idea is that everything in the external universe is directly aligned with the internal.  In order to be completely healthy, or to get holistic health, the five elements principles have to be applied.  By doing this, one is able to find the natural solutions for any season or element that they are looking at.

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