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The 6 External Pathogens

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The 6 External Pathogens:
Finding New Flows in Chinese Medicine

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 wind. When looking at the human body, this is directly linked to the lungs and the air passage ways. 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, than 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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Developing a Connection

February 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Developing a Connection:
Mind, Spirit and Body and Chinese Medicine

The idea of connectedness between the universe and the system of a human is at the basis of philosophies for Chinese medicine. If you have ever heard of the basics for any type of Oriental practice, you are also familiar with the idea of the connection between the physical, mental and spiritual ideas. If you want to learn how these can work together holistically and for your health, you don’t have to look any further than Chinese medicine.

The idea of connecting all of the elements in your body for optimum health is known as Shen. This comes from the idea that all of the elements in the universe are interconnected and related to one’s body. When taking the ideas of the elements of the universe and incorporating them into how a human is interconnected.

The first point of focus in order to connect Shen is the one that is related to waking consciousness. According to the Shen philosophy, this consciousness is in the heart. Everything that is related to heart health, under this method, is also linked with the consciousness needing to wake up.

The next part of Shen is the spirit. According to this science, the spirit is located in the liver. In Chinese, this is referred to as the Ethereal Spirit. The next Shen is the soul of the body, also known as the corporeal soul. This resides in the lungs of one’s body. Intellect, or Yi is in the spleen and Will, meaning the urge to do something is in the Kidney.

The idea of this particular system is to combine the elements of the physical with the elements of the mind and the spirit. By doing this, one is able to find the physical elements and work on two approaches to healing a person through physical and spiritual at the same time.

Combining the mind, spirit and body together is the basis of all Chinese medicine and philosophy. By learning to combine these, one is able to find the best approaches to healing a person in a holistic method. Using Shen, the concept of elements of the universe, and seeing how they relate as a system to the body, allows one to find a way to become unified within themselves.

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Pointing To Your Health

February 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Pointing To Your Health:
Finding Alternative Solutions through Meridian Systems

One of the important concepts in Chinese medicine is that every part of the body is linked to another part of the body. Together, these work as an entire system that either functions with a natural flow, or stops in its functioning because it is blocked. If you want to be sure that you are functioning in complete health, you will want to begin to examine the meridian systems.

The meridian systems are used in most Chinese medicine as points that will help to heal. They are most often used in acupuncture and massage that is practiced through professional practitioners of Chinese medicine. These particular points, when measured scientifically, are known to be like pressure points that affect other parts of the human system.

The meridian systems are divided into two categories. One of these will be on the arms and the other will be on the legs. By pressurizing these specific points, or massaging them, it will affect internal organs, physical illness, and the flow of energy. The different meridians are also divided into Yin and Yang systems, all that can be affected by positive and negative flows of energy.

The division of the different meridian systems in the arms and legs allows acupuncturists to directly link places in the body that are external with internal organs. For example, an acupuncturist who sees that you have heart trouble will find a Yin meridian on the arm that is directly linked to the heart and pressurize it in order to begin the flow of energy.

By following the Chinese meridian model, one can begin to see the relationship between the internal organs and the external structure of the body. Through the meridian systems, one can determine how the flow of energy needs to be changed and can find ways in which the body is affected through the various organs. This is one of the effective ways to use Chinese medicine for better health.

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Tuning Into Opposites for Health

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tuning Into Opposites for Health:
The Principle of Yin and Yang for Medicine

Chinese medicine is not only a way of science that incorporates the discoveries made for holistic health. It also incorporates philosophies that are important for one to be able to stay in the best health. Along with these philosophies are practical principles that are applied with Chinese medicine in order for holistic health to be achieved.

The idea of Yin and Yang is one of the many principles that are at the root of Chinese medicine and it’s functioning. This particular method was applied through Taoism, one of the religious practices in the Orient. From this philosophy, the Chinese discovered that the laws of the universe could be applied to each individual in order to gain optimum health.

The idea of Yin and Yang incorporates five major ideas that are then used in order to help one gain the best of health. The first of these is opposition. This means that everything and everyone has two polar opposites. When one is balanced, both of these are controlling each other. This opposition is essential to one being able to exist in the universe.

Not only is this opposition essential for existence, but it is also what allows one to be healthy. By balancing out these two opposites, one is able to nourish them as well as grow into new understanding and balance. However, even if these are not balanced, there is still a little of one side into the other making the idea of Yin and Yang interchangeable.

When one applies these particular philosophies to health, they can find that they are able to use the principles to help with health. With each side of your body is another side that is the polar opposite. A good example is your abdomen, which needs your back in order to remain balanced. By focusing on both sides, you will be able to gain balance, energy and a holistic approach to your life.

The idea of Chinese medicine is one that doesn’t just record symptoms through a scientific perspective. It takes into account the dark and light sides of everyone. By learning how to apply the principles of Yin and Yang to every part of your health, there is the ability to learn to exist with a new balance.

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Finding the Right Method for Healing

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Finding the Right Method for Healing:
Chinese Medicine Hierarchy of Medicine

Chinese medicine is not based on the typical ideas and facts that you would see in every day doctor’s offices. The science of Chinese medicine is based on philosophies of the spiritual being in tune to the mental and physical bodies. When all three of these are aligned, it allows for Qi, or energy, to move through your body without having any trouble. If you are looking for your own method to using Chinese medicine, there are several approaches you can take.

There are typically eight different methods of Chinese medicine that are used for healing. Each of these methods can be used simultaneously with others, depending on a person’s Qi and what they need. Unlike Western medicine, none of these methods are invasive and have very low side effects. This means that you can try a variety of them on your own and find ones that work best for you.

The first types of category of methods that are used in Chinese medicine are self-administered methods. These are done by someone researching what they need and finding the necessary solutions. Meditation is a common method that can be used by anyone in order to facilitate healing. Practicing exercises with Qigong, an ancient form to move energy is also common. Exercise and changing your diet to balance out nutrition in a different form is also used as a self-administered method.

If you still are having trouble healing, you can use the second category of methods in order to get the proper alignment. These are the types of healing that are administered by a practitioner who has studied Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture is the most common type of healing that is done with the help of someone who is trained in the healing methods. There are also herbal medicine remedies that are used along with moxibustion. Moxibustion is the burning of herbs, instead of using them as a remedy, and is often associated with aromatherapy. Cupping, which is close to the practice of acupuncture or massage is also a common method that is done in order to get your Qi moving in the right direction again.

No matter what type of healing remedy you feel that you need, Chinese medicine can find an alternative and holistic approach to helping. If you are working towards better energy levels, feel ill or are looking for a new method to going to the doctor, than finding the right type of Chinese medicine as a method is an easy place to start without the side effects.

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Taking Your Medicine Naturally

January 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Taking Your Medicine Naturally:
Chinese Food Therapy

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 left over 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 done.

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 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 chewing in your health.

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The Five Elements of Oriental Medicine

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Five Elements of Oriental Medicine:
Assessment through the Natural

One of the major ways in which Chinese medicine determines how one’s health is 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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The Search for Chinese Medicine

January 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Search for Chinese Medicine:
How to Find Practitioners for Alternative Health

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 which understand the methods to 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 finding 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 which can link you to understanding and practicing your flow of energy.

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The Art of Needles

January 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Art of Needles:
Acupuncture in Chinese Medicine

If you are like most, you may not see the pleasure in being treated with needles poking into your skin. However, to those in Chinese medicine, and to several who have discovered alternatives with holistic healing, this is the perfect remedy. The idea of acupuncture in Chinese medicine is important to help with healing the energy flow in someone.

Acupuncture is based off of the idea that there are certain points in the body that can help one to heal. When these points in the body receive extra pressure through a device, they will be able to assist with the healing. In the practice of Acupuncture, needles will be used as the major transports to reconnect the energy flow in the body.

The use of acupuncture begins by studying the various areas that the flows of energy are. These are known as meridians or channels in the body. The body has twelve major channels where energy will flow and cycle. The places where these channels connect are usually where energy can become blocked off. By using acupuncture, the connecting areas for the channels are examined and unblocked by pressuring the specific points.

Once one has found the connections for the acupuncture, then it is important to find the effects that all of these connections have. Each different point will have elements that are linked directly to what the body needs in order to stay balanced. These are specifically linked to the five elements that are considered to be the basis for the laws of the universe.

By finding the various channels and connections in the body, acupuncture specialists are able to find which areas of Qi are not flowing properly. This allows them to effect the way that the body flows in order to help restore and revitalize the energy levels in the body. By getting one into a better flow of their energy, they can achieve complete health.

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Back to the Plants

January 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Back to the Plants:
Chinese Medicine and Herbal Remedies

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 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 block of energy in their system.

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