Health Preservation and Four Seasons

In ancient medical classic, Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, there are discussions on the health preservation in accord with the four seasons.

In spring, everything is growing and flourishing. During this period, let things grow and do not kill them, give not take away, and give reward but not punish. After a night of sleep people should get up early and take a walk briskly around the yard; they should wear comfortably, loosen their hair and slow down their movements to relax their body. This will promote your liver energy and balance the emotions.

Summer is the time of luxurious growth and flourishing. Everything is in bloom and begins to bear fruit. The energy of the heaven and earth intermingles and Yang qi of the body moves outward. At this time, emotions should be expressed out but not angry and important plans should be carried out. People should go to bed early and get up early and try to get some warmth from the sunlight. In this way, the energy of the heart can be strengthened.

Autumn is the period of tranquility and reaping. The qi of the heaven is cool and the qi of the earth is clear and falling. People should have a peaceful mind in order to lessen the killing power of the autumn. Soul and spirit should be gathered together to nourish lung and improve the immunity of the body.

Winter is a period of closing and storing. Everything had withered and scattered about. The nature is as if in a state of hibernation. People should go to bed early and get up late to wait the sun to rise and they should try to escape cold and seek warmth. This will help the g rowing of Yang qi of the kidney. In winter, people should suppress and conceal their wishes as though they had no internal purpose, as though they had been fulfilled. Their life and work should not be stressful, and they should relax themselves for gathering energy for the next year. It is not good to perspire upon the skin in winter because sweating will disturb Yang qi of the body.

This is some thought in Neijing on health preservation in accord with the four seasons. Don’t you think one’s whole life, from youth to middle-aged, to old-aged, is also like these? (By Tiger, Lic. Ac. OMD)

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

(For Chinese-Americans Originally)

Living in the United States, we all care about our health. Although we have been having yearly medical checkups and paid close attention to our living style and diet, we haven’t done enough to prevent the occurrence of diseases and to take the advantage of alternative medicines, especially ancient Chinese medicine.

It is not correct to abandon the use of western medicine because of the toxicity and side effects of western drugs, and it is also not correct to neglect the use of traditional Chinese medicine because of the bad news or experiences with Chinese medicine from the improper use. From the development of Traditional Chinese medicine in China and the spreading of it over the world, we will know its value. Modern western medicine, of about 1-2 hundred years history, cannot completely replace Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is not because I am a practitioner of Chinese medicine, but I have enough knowledge of Western medicine and experience to say that. Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine have their advantages and disadvantages. If we can use their advantages, we can get the most benefits to keep us healthy and to live longer. Many Americans have realized this, I am sure, we, with the influence of Chinese culture will understand what I meant to.

You probably are going to ask: “what are the advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine?” There are too many. My simple answer would be: (1) prevention of disease and preservation of health; (2) replace and addition to some of the western medicine treatments; (3) aid the western medicine to improve human health, that is to treat diseases that western medicine cannot treat.

(1) Prevention of disease and preservation of health

Before the diagnosis of a western disease, we already have imbalances in our system, or in another word, primary pathological changes. Western doctors will not treat them until it is well diagnosed. Differently, Traditional Chinese medicine can treat and prevent the occurrence of the diseases by regulating the imbalances of the body. This include: regulate yin and yang, reinforce your body Zheng qi (immunity), expel pathogenic factors such as heat, cold, dampness, phlegm, stagnant blood, etc.

(2) Replace and addition to some of the western medicine treatments

This needs further study and more research. We can use Chinese medicine to support chemo or radiation therapies, treat many of the side effects caused by western drugs, replace or reduce the use of hormone therapies, etc.

(3) Aid the western medicine to improve human health, to treat diseases that western medicine cannot treat

We are not happy with many of the treatments by western medicine, or western medicine does not really any treatment for many diseases. What they do now is only relieve the symptoms or just maintaining the condition with taking drugs forever. Traditional Chinese medicine has a lot of advantages to treat many of such diseases including many of the psychological and emotional disorders, functional imbalances, early structural problems, such as depression, bipolar, insomnia, pains, muscular and joint diseases, gynecological diseases, allergies, skin conditions, early hypertension, hair loss, stress, functional eye diseases, digestive disorders, low immunity, auto-immune diseases, improving heart health, liver and gallbladder disorders, functional kidney diseases, gastric and intestinal diseases, etc.

At last, I want to say that there are a lot of controversies and opposite news on Traditional Chinese medicine. The main reason for this is the ignorance of this medicine and many improper use of it. This is not the fault of Chinese medicine. If you can find a good knowledgeable and experienced Chinese medical doctor, you will be happy with all the TCM benefit you can obtain.

Summer, a good time to loose weight

A hot and humid summer decreases one’s appetite so to loose some weight in summer is easy. Unfortunately this is not the case for Santa Barbara because of its perfect weather. An overweight body not only influences one’s looking, but may also cause other medical problems such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia and fatty liver, thus pay attention to weight control in summer is many people’s concern.

Drink

Water is necessary to keep a healthy metabolism of the body. Drink enough water or tea instead of soft drinks, beer or ice cream. Green tea, lotus leaf tea or chrysanthemum tea are helpful for loosing weight.

Food

Eat balanced diet, have breakfast and have small, multiple and regular meals is good to keep good figure. Eat 3-5 times a day. Keep low-sugar, low-fat diet, increase vegetables and fruits and keep good smooth bowel movements. The following foods or food supplements are beneficial to weight loss:

Seed of Job’s tears, red bean, wax gourd, poria, tangerine peel, hawthorn fruit, He Shou Wu, mushroom, cucumber, celery, Napa cabbage, carrot, mung bean, apple, eggplant, tomato, onion, rice vinegar, etc.

Exercise

Exercise may not reduce your weight obviously but it will promote body metabolism and transfer body fat into muscle. The good time to do the exercise is in the morning before 9 am or in the evening after sunset. Walking is good for every body, but it would be better if you can do some stronger exercise such as running, swimming, playing tennis, bicycling, and hiking, etc.

Herbal or acupuncture treatment

After trying different methods, some people are still not able to loose weight. This indicates that their bodies are undergoing more obvious imbalances and need therapeutic treatments, such treatments as herbal therapy and acupuncture. The treatment will help to resolve body dampness, expel phlegm, promote urination, clean the intestines, improve digestion, strengthen the spleen and move the liver qi. Finally the balance of the enzymes, endocrine system and metabolism will be restored.

Welcome to my blog

Hi, Every Friends
I have just set up this blog so that i can have another space to talk with friends and people who are interested in Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, especially herbal medicine.

I am so glad that we can share our opinions here and talk about what we concern, our health, our happiness and our future. Feel free to comment on my blog and send any request if i can be any help.

Check my new website at:

http://www.acupuncture999.com/

have a great day.

By Tiger