the basis of traditional Chinese medicine dates back some five thousand years. The concept of Yin / Yang and the five elements, has permeated Chinese philosophy over the centuries and is radically different to any western philosophical idea. The first reference to Yin / Yang is in the "Book of Changes" dating back to about 700BC. In this book, Yin and Yang are represented as broken and unbroken lines. Combinations thereof form the eight trigrams. Finally, various combinations of trigrams give rise to sixty-four hexagrams. They are supposed to symbolize all possible phenomena of the universe, so it shows how all phenomena depend ultimately on the two poles of Yin and Yang. The diagram below shows the configuration of the eight trigrams in relation to nature.
Configuration of the eight trigrams in relation to the nature
The concept of Yin / Yang is probably the most important theory and distinctive Chinese medicine. One could say that all Chinese medical physiology, pathology and treatment can eventually be reduced to Yin and Yang. The concept of Yin / Yang is very simple but very profound.
With the theory of Yin / Yang, the theory of five elements is the basis of Chinese medical theory. The early Greek philosophers such as Empedocles called the "roots" items. Plato spoke of as "simple components" and Aristotle called "primary form". Whatever words were used, the Greek philosophers were unified as the elements were blocks or basic building components to describe the qualities of natural phenomena. The five-phase system was used to describe the interactions and relationships between phenomena. After he came to maturity during the second or first century BC under the Han dynasty, this device has been used in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy, Feng Shui , astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts. The system is still used as a reference in martial arts such as Qi Gong, Kung Fu and Tai Chi.
The Elements
The five elements are generally used to describe the condition in nature.
- Wood / Spring (72 days) a period of growth, which generates wood and abundant vitality
- Fire / Summer (72 days) A swelling period , flowering, full of fire and energy
- Earth: (72 x 4 days = 18 days, 4 transitional seasons of 18 days each) the between-period transient seasonal, or "season" separate known as the end of summer or summer long - the latter associated with grading and depreciation and realization
- Metal / autumn (72 days) a period of harvesting and collection
- water / winter (72 days) A retirement period where peace and storage permeates
the doctrine of five phases describes two cycles; a cycle of production or creation, so that the water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, and metal generates water. The second cycle is called the cycle of control so that the fire water controls, control metal, metal controls wood, wood controls the land and ground water control. Mutual generation and controlling relationships between the elements is a beautiful model of the balancing process to be seen in nature and the human body.
The following diagram shows the five elements and their corresponding relationships in the human frame. Each element represents a vital organ sound, a hollow gut, the five senses, five fabrics, five pure emotions, the corresponding season, the environmental factor, the five sounds, five colors, five tastes / flavors, direction, and time of the day (activity).
The chart above shows the corresponding models in cyclic form, and the table below shows the patterns in linear forms.
patterns corresponding cyclic form
The physical and emotional aspects of the five vital organs
the Heart
the heart is considered the most important of all internal organs, and is said to be the "rule" or "monarch" that is on the internal organs. The physical heart functions are steering the blood, control blood vessels, manifest in complexion, houses the mind, opens into the tongue, and sweat control. The emotional aspect relates to mental activity. If the heart is strong with the abundant blood, there will be mental normal activity, a balanced emotional life, a clear conscience, a good memory, clear thinking and good sleep. If the heart is weak and deficient blood so there may be mental problems such as anxiety, depression, poor memory, dull thoughts, and insomnia with dream disturbed sleep.
The liver
The liver is often compared to an army general, hence the strategy is derived from where the courage and steadfastness shown by the liver. The physical functions of the liver is to store the blood, maintain the flow of energy, moistens nerves, opens in the eyes. The emotional aspect is the smooth flow of energy and blood. Long periods of unresolved anger, resentment and frustration can stagnant flow, leading to tense stiff muscles, digestive disorders, women with menstrual problems, and thinking becomes dull and misty.
The Lungs
The lungs are like a minister of where policies are issued. The physical functions of lungs should govern energy and breathing, control of dispersion and decreasing energy, regulate water passages, control skin and hair, and open into the nose. The emotional aspect relates to long periods of mourning and sadness outstanding, limiting the lungs leading to shallow breathing early lobes of the lungs.
The Spleen
The spleen is like an attic official whose five tastes are derived. The physical functions of the spleen are leading the transformation and transport, control blood, control the muscles and the four members, opens into the mouth and lips. The emotional aspect relates to thought; if the health of the spleen is abundant, we think clearly, concentrate and memorize easily. Conversely, excess mental work or student agitation over long periods can weaken the spleen.
The Reins
The kidneys are called root or at the door of life, because they govern the essence of our parents. They control the birth, growth, reproduction and development, production marrow to the bones and the brain. The emotional aspect relates to fear and will. Long periods of fear may weaken the kidneys and cause a loss of power. Working long hours with stress also weakens the kidney energy.