• Anatomy of the Human Body

Traditional Chinese medical theory sees the body as comprising of 12 major channels through which the vital energy qi flows and by blood vessels through which blood flows.

Qi and blood have different functions but are related.  Vital energy is believed to be the "commander" of the blood.  Qi moves (then) blood flows.  At the same time, blood is the 'mother' of the vital energy by being its material basis.

The channels and collaterals through which the qi flows connect the internal organs with superficial organs and tissues, and with each other.  Thus the body is an organic whole.  Of the 12 major channels, ten correspond to major internal organs and are considered to function in pairs.  The solid, yin viscera are:  heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney; the hollow, yang bowels are:  small intestine, gall bladder, stomach, large intestine, and urinary bladder.  The remaining pair refer to the Pericardium (tissue surrounding the heart) and the Triple Burners (the three portions of the body cavity):  above the waist; at the diaphragm and umbilicus; and below the umbilicus.

 

  • Causes of Disease

The fundamental root of all disease, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is an imbalance of yin and yang.

Yin and yang is a philosophical concept referring to the fundamentally dichotomous nature of everything in the universe.  Up/down, in/out, hot/cold, female/male --all are relative concepts which depend on contrast for definition.  Any illness can be described in terms of an excess or deficiency in some dichotomy (yin/yang).

The two most common imbalances causing illness in the human body are, as with weather --hot/cold, wet/dry.  Excess heat in the body is associated with redness and inflammation; skin infections, ulcers, and acne are examples.  Cold in the body may manifest in poor digestion, poor circulation, diarrhea.  Internal dampness causes diseases such as rheumatism and can give rise to wet, oozing skin conditions such as athlete's foot and eczema.  Dryness, on the other hand, may manifest as dry skin, constipation, and coughing.

 

  • The Role of Herbs

Each herb is considered to have a particular dynamic force --i.e., it may cause energy to ascend, descend, to move inward or outward; a particular flavor (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or pungent), and an association with one or more of the energy channels and/or with qi or blood.  Based on the diagnosis, herbs will be prescribed to bring about the desired effects.

 

References:  Ying, W. K. and Dahlen, Martha.  Chinese Herbal Medicine.  Wokman Press, 1997.