Friday, May 13, 2016

MEMORY IN CHINESE MEDICINE

THE SHEN () OF THE HEART

The Shen of the Heart plays a prominent role in memory partly by itself and
partly because it coordinates the Yi of the Spleen and the Zhi of the Kidneys
which also play a role in memory.

The Shen of the Heart plays a role in memory in the sense of memorizing but
especially also in intrinsic memory (see below).

Information that we have to consciously work to remember is known

as explicit memory, while information that we remember unconsciously is
known as implicit memory. Implicit memory is not always unconscious as it
includes what we call muscle memory which in psychology is called
procedural memory (see below).

Explicit Memory
When we are trying to intentionally remember something (like the names of
acupuncture points or a list of dates for a history class), this information is
stored in our explicit memory. We use these memories every day, from
remembering information for a test to recalling the date and time of a doctor's
appointment. This type of memory is also known as declarative memory, since
we can consciously recall and explain the information.

Some tasks that require the use of explicit memory include remembering what
we learned in a class, recalling a phone number, writing a research paper, and
remembering what time we are meeting a friend, etc.

There are two major types of explicit memory:

1. Episodic memory: These are our long-term memories of specific events, such
as what we did the day before or our high school graduation.
2. Semantic memory: These are memories of facts, concepts, names, and other
general knowledge information.

Implicit Memory
Things that we do not purposely try to remember are stored in implicit
memory. This kind of memory is both unconscious and unintentional. Implicit
memory is also sometimes referred to as non-declarative memory, since we
are not able to consciously bring it into awareness.

Procedural memories, such as how to perform a specific task like swinging a

baseball bat or sewing, are one type of implicit memory since we do not have
to consciously recall how to perform these tasks. While implicit memories are
not consciously recalled, they still have an influence on how we behave as
well as our knowledge of different tasks.

Some examples of implicit memory include singing a familiar song, typing on

our computer keyboard, daily habits, driving a car, riding a bicycle, sewing.
Riding a bicycle is another great example. Even after going years without
riding one, most people are able to hop on a bike and ride it effortlessly.

The Shen of the Heart plays a role in both extrinsic and intrinsic memory but it
is especially the one that is responsible for intrinsic memory, which the Yi of
the Spleen and the Zhi of the Kidneys are not.

Heart-Blood deficiency and Heart-Yin deficiency are a common cause of poor

memory.

HEART-BLOOD DEFICIENCY
Palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory,
anxiety, propensity to be startled, dull-pale complexion, pale lips.
Tongue: Pale, Thin, slightly dry.
Pulse: Choppy or Fine.
Key symptoms: palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, Pale tongue.
Acupuncture
Points: HE-7 Shenmen, Ren-14 Juque, Ren-15 Jiuwei, Ren-4 Guanyuan, BL-
17 Geshu (with moxa), BL-20 Pishu.
Method: all with reinforcing method. Moxa can be used.

Herbal formula
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang Ginseng-Astragalus-Four Substances Decoction.

Three Treasures
Calm the Shen (variation of Gui Pi Tang).

HEART-YIN DEFICIENCY
Palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, propensity to be startled, poor
memory, anxiety, mental restlessness, dry mouth and throat, night sweating.
Tongue: no coating, deep midline crack reaching the tip.
Pulse: Floating-Empty.
Key symptoms: palpitations, mental restlessness, night-sweating, tongue
without coating.
Acupuncture
Points: HE-7 Shenmen, Ren-14 Juque, Ren-15 Jiuwei, Ren-4 Guanyuan, HE-6
Yinxi, SP-6 Sanyinjiao.
Method: all with reinforcing method, no moxa.

Herbal formula
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Heavenly Emperor Tonifying the Heart Pill.

Womens Treasure
Heavenly Empress (variation of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan).

THE YI () OF THE SPLEEN

The Chinese character for the mental aspect of the Spleen is Yi which can
mean idea or intention.
The Yi resides in the Spleen and is responsible for applied thinking, studying,
memorizing, focusing, concentrating and generating ideas.

The Post-Natal Qi and Blood are the physiological basis for the Yi. Thus if the
Spleen is strong, thinking will be clear, memory good and the capacity for
concentrating, studying and generating ideas will also be good.

If the Spleen is weak, the Yi will be dull, thinking will be slow, memory poor
and the capacity for studying, concentrating and focusing will all be weak.

The Spleen is responsible for memory in the sense of studying, concentrating,

focusing and memorizing data in the course of ones study or work.

Note that the Chinese character for Yi is based on the heart radical. This
indicates two things. Firstly, it indicates that the memory of the Spleen
depends also on the Heart. Secondly, it refers to the Shens coordinating and
integrating function in respect of the Hun, Po, Yi and Zhi.

SPLEEN-BLOOD DEFICIENCY
Poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness, lassitude,
dull-pale complexion, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, poor memory, thin
body, scanty periods or amenorrhoea.
Tongue: Pale, Thin and slightly dry.
Pulse: Choppy or Fine.
Key symptoms: tiredness, slight abdominal distension, scanty periods, Pale
tongue.
Acupuncture
Points: Ren-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-20 Pishu, BL-
21 Weishu, Ren-4 Guanyuan, BL-17 Geshu (with direct moxa).
Method: reinforcing method. Moxa is applicable.

Herbal formula
Gui Pi Tang Tonifying the Spleen Decoction.

Three Treasures
Calm the Shen (variation of Gui Pi Tang).

THE ZHI () OF THE KIDNEYS

 The word Zhi has at least three meanings:
1. it indicates memory
2. it means will power
3. it is sometimes used to indicate the five Zhi, i.e. the five mental aspects
Shen, Hun, Po, Yi and Zhi itself.

In the first sense, the Kidneys influence our capacity for memorizing and
storing data. Some of the ancient doctors even said that the Yi of the Spleen
and the memory of the Kidneys are almost the same thing, except that the Yi is
responsible for memorizing in the course of studying and the Zhi of the
Kidneys is responsible for the storing of data over the long term.

Tang Zong Hai says: Zhi indicates Yi with a capacity for storing [data].

The character for Zhi is indicated below. It is composed of Shi on the upper
part and the Heart in the lower part.

KIDNEY-YIN DEFICIENCY
Dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, poor memory, hardness of hearing, night-
sweating, dry mouth and throat at night, lower backache, ache in bones, dark-
scanty urine, infertility, premature ejaculation, tiredness, lassitude, slight
anxiety.
Tongue: normal-coloured without coating.
Pulse: Floating-Empty.
Key symptoms: backache, night sweating.
Acupuncture
Points: Ren-4 Guanyuan, KI-3 Taixi, KI-6 Zhaohai, KI-10 Yingu, KI-9
Zhubin, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, Ren-7 Yinjiao, LU-7 Lieque and KI-6 Zhaohai in
combination (opening points of the Ren Mai).
Method: reinforcing method, no moxa.
Herbal fomula
Zuo Gui Wan Restoring the Left [Kidney] Pill.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill.

Three Treasures
Nourish the Root (variation of Zuo Gui Wan).

In the sphere of thinking, remembering and memorizing there is considerable

overlap between the Yi of Spleen, the Shen of Heart and the Zhi of Kidneys.
The main differentiating factor is that the Spleen is responsible for
memorizing data in the course of one's work or study.

For example, it is not uncommon for someone to have a brilliant memory in

his or her field of study or research (a function of the Spleen), and yet be quite
forgetful in daily life (a function of the Heart).

The Heart and Kidneys also contribute to this function, but they are also
responsible for the memory of past events and implicit memory. In particular,
the overlap between the Yi and the Shen in thinking activity is very close, so
much so that the Ling Shu says in chapter 8: The Heart function of
recollecting is called Yi.

In turn, the memorizing function of the Yi is so closely related to the Zhi of the
Kidneys that the same chapter continues: The storing [of data] of the Yi is
called Zhi.

These passages confirm that Shen, Yi and Zhi are a continuum.

Memory and sense of Self

In modern psychology, memory is more that just the ability to store facts
and information in our brain. It is actually an essential part in which our
consciousness exists, works and manifests itself and working memory plays
an important role in our consciousness.

Even the thought I live in the present requires short-term memory. Even the
immediate present requires involves memory what we know about the one
present moment is basically what is in our working memory.

Working memory allows us to know that the here and now is here and is
happening now. This insight underlies the notion, adopted by a number of
cognitive scientists, that consciousness is the awareness of what is in working
memory.

LeDoux says: The self is in part made and maintained by memory and both
implicit and explicit forms are involved.[1]

Thus, in a broader sense, Zhi is much more than memory in the sense of
being able to remember past events. The Zhi (together with the Shen)
contributes to our working memory and also to the long-term
memory. Together with the Shen of the Heart, this contributes to creating our
consciousness and sense of self.

Treatment of poor memory

Memory can be stimulated by treating:

Heart (Shen): HE-7, HE-3, BL-15, BL-44 Shentang

Kidneys (Zhi): KI-3, BL-23, BL-52 Zhishi
 Spleen (Yi): SP-3, BL-20, BL-49 Yishe

Du Mai (Brain/Sea of Marrow): SI-3/BL-62, Du-16, Du-20.

The Du Mai and memory

Another factor in memory is the Du Mai for three reasons.
1) It flows through the Heart and therefore affects Shen.
2) It originates from the Kidneys and therefore affects Zhi.
3) It is the vessel through which the Kidneys Sea of Marrow reaches the Brain.

The three main points are Du-11 Shendao, Du-20 Baihui and Du-24 Shenting.

The Lungs and memory

However, remember that there are other factors at work in memory, e.g. the
Lungs affect memory by regulating the amount of Qi reaching the head. Thus
LU-7 and LU-3 are important for poor memory due to Qi not reaching the
head.

The Explanation of the Acupuncture Points says that LU-3 can make Qi rise
to treat forgetfulness, sadness and weeping due to Qi not rising to head.[2]

Forgetfulness is an important indication for this point: this is forgetfulness due

to clear Qi not rising to the head. According to the Explanation of the
Acupuncture Points, this point treats forgetfulness by stimulating the
ascending of Qi of both Lungs and Heart.[3]

Phlegm and Blood stasis in memory

Finally, it is important to remember that memory is affected by Full
conditions, especially Phlegm and Blood stasis obstructing the Brain. This
happens especially in the elderly.

In particular, Phlegm is a common cause of poor memory: when it is, poor

memory is accompanied by dizziness and a feeling of heaviness and
muzziness (fuzziness) of the head. The tongue is swollen, illustrated below.

Points for Phlegm obstructing the Brain and affecting memory are: Du-20
Baihui, Du-24 Shenting, ST-40 Fenglong, LU-7 Lieque, Ren-9 Shuifen, Ren-5
Shimen, BL-22 Sanjiaoshu, P-5 Jianshi.
[1] Joseph Ledoux, The Emotional Brain, Simon and Shuster, NY, 1996, p. 278.

[2] An Explanation of the Acupuncture Points (Jing Xue Jie), pp. 26-7.

[3]Ibid., p. 27.
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Labels: Memory