Traditional Chinese Medicine

Human existence is closely tied to the universe. Processes that occur within the human body are connected with the five elements. Man cannot be separated from nature. Body: One Integrated and Balanced Whole o All component parts are interconnected. o Five organs the core functional units o Meridian system a network that distributes the qi, blood and body fluids throughout ones body. o Qi, Blood and Body fluids flow to facilitate all parts of the body working together. Body & The External Environment o Climate also affects the human body. o Six climatic influences: Wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, and fire or heat) o The seasons also affect the body, depending on whether it is able to adapt to the changes or not. Yin-Yang o The Balance: As there is a balance in nature, thus there must also be a balance within the human body. o Imbalance causes illnesses. o The concept of two opposite ideas. o There is harmony; there is also disharmony.
Yang Yin

Heart Liver Spleen Lungs Kidney o

Fire Wood Earth Metal Water Five Rules Governing the Elements 1. Mutual Generation Cycle 2. Mutual Restriction 3. Over-Restriction 4. Reverse Restriction 5. Balance between generation & restriction

Frame of References

Light Temperature Position Action Direction

Bright Hot Upper Movement Outward

Dark Cold Lower Rest Inward

The Five Elements o Explains the changes in the universe o The five elements correspond to different aspects of the natural world and the human body.

Qi (Vital Energy) o Life energy o Most fundamental entity making up the world o Sources: 1. Innate vital substance 2. Derived from essential substances in nature o Functions: 1. Promoting provides energy necessary for growth 2. Warming warms the body 3. Defending fights off the evils that will cause illnesses 4. Consolidation & Retention hold everything in its place 5. Transforming vaporize substances and changes them to energy. Blood o Red fluid inside the blood vessels that provides nutrition for the body o Came from food essence or from Jing (essence of life associated with growth & development of the body) o Functions: 1. Provide nutrients for the organs and tissues 2. Maintaining healthy muscle movement & sensation

3. Aiding mind and mental activities Body Fluids o Fluids in organs and tissues o Came from food and water o Functions: o Provide moisture and nourishment to tissues The Six Evils o Wind, Summer-heat, dryness, dampness, cold, fire or heat o related to the seasons or working environment o All evils can work alone or in combination of two more in attacking the body o In the course of causing disease, any one of the six evils can influence the others and can also transform into another kind of evil under certain conditions. o Enter the body and cause disease mostly through the spaces located between skin and muscle, or the openings like nose and mouth.

Fright can affect the kidneys if left unchecked. Causes of illnesses 1. The Six Evils 2. The Epidemics 3. The Seven Emotions 4. Physical upsets and states of exhaustion caused by various foodstuffs and beverages 5. Excessive sexual activities 6. Injuries, including bites from snakes and rabid animals 7. Visceral parasites 8. Poisoning 9. Hereditary Factors Checking for Illnesses 1. Looking 2. Hearing 3. Questioning 4. Pulse-Checking Taut Spring Surging Summer Floating Autumn Deep Winter

Evil Wind Cold Summer-heat Dampness Dryness

Element Wood Water Fire Earth Metal

Season Spring Winter Summer Late Summer Autumn

Sources: www.shen-nong.com Huang Family

The Seven Emotions o Joy, anger, anxiety, fright, fear, grief and pensiveness o Joy refers to a state of agitation or overexcitement o Anger could lead to high blood pressure. o Anxiety can block the qi and manifest in rapid, shallow breathing. o Too much intellectual stimulation can cause pensiveness. o Grief that remains unresolved can create disharmony in the lungs. o Fear that cannot be directly addressed is likely to lead to disharmony in the kidneys.

Prepared by: Manuel, Justeen Frances dC. 11/28/12