Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a traditional medical system that has been practiced in China for over 2,000 years. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine is based on the belief that life energy (qi) flows through channels in the body and influences health and wellness. Traditional Chinese Medicine seeks to maintain a balance between these opposing forces by promoting healthy circulation of qi within the body. This blog post will explore what are three key principles: yin-yang theory, Five Phase Theory, and Qi.
What is Qi (chi)?
The concept of qi or chi has two main branches in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). There is the physical or nourishing qi that makes up the air, water, and food we consume. The other branch of chi is much smaller. Our bodies’ vital fluids and energy itself flow through them. the first could be thought of like those things we take in and become a part of us, whereas the second is what has already become a part of us and is then released to continue the cycle of life. Most human ailments, whether physical, mental or emotional, are caused by imbalances and interruptions in this flowing force.
The Silver Lining, Yin, And Yang
The concept of yin and yang in Chinese philosophy refers to the recognition that seemingly opposing or contradictory forces are interconnected, complementary, and interdependent. They feed off of one another as they interact. Understanding this allows us to recognize that everything is interconnected and that we must seek out the fine lines or silver linings and sharpen our sensitivities in order to recognize how to respond to their appropriate aspect. In Chinese medicine, we also look for the proper response within the yin and yang functions of the blood, water, organs, and mind in the body when diagnosing.
Outside Factors Affect Body Balance
Emotional states such as stress, sadness, anxiety, stress, anger, fear or loss, heartache, poor nutrition, weather conditions, congenital factors, trauma, infections, or poisons can all disrupt the body’s natural balance. This is important to understand because we can pause, assess our situations, make the necessary changes, listen to our bodies, and make a change to avoid chronic imbalance.
Traditional Chinese medicine takes a very unique perspective on the body, mind, soul, and environment. When one realizes how deep and profound this philosophy is, one understands why Chinese medicine does not require advancements. as in Western medicine, Chinese medicine deals with issues at their roots, and there are only so many roots. All of the variables in the roots have a relationship with the organs involved, how the blood flows, the amount and push behind the energy in the body and the spirit.
Five Phases theory in Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicinal herbs are frequently classified by element as well. Such categorization is frequently based on their taste, and each primary taste is assigned an element:
- Fire (Heart): Bitter
- Wood (Liver): Sour
- Earth (Spleen): Sweet
- Metal (Lungs): Spicy
- Water (Kidney): Salty
According to this logic, a patient with a weak Spleen should prefer sweet foods or sweet Chinese medicinal herbs. Interestingly, Chinese Medicine believes that cravings are often used by the body to alert us to the possibility of a deficient organ.
The goal of Chinese medicine, as with everything else, is balance. Unless you have a deficiency of some kind, it is critical to eat a diet that includes all of the tastes so that all of the elements and their corresponding organs are properly nourished.