Foods 'n' Herbs

The Yin and Yang Theory  

Yin and yang represent the two opposing forces or the two opposite ends of things. For example, night and day, summer and winter, wet and dry, hot and cold, etc.

Yin is night and yang is day. Night is resting and restoring; day is moving and growing. Night and day control the life of living organisms on earth. Without either one, life does not exist. But when either one becomes too dominating, it causes imbalance.

The cosmic system has its own law in moving from one end of the extreme to the other in order to reestablish balance. This creates the indefinite cycle of suppression and rejuvenation. It is the reason why the natural resources on earth such as air, water, earth, wood and fire will never run out (see more explanation at the section on the five elements).

Chinese medicine sees many similarities between our bodies and the cosmic system. Our body has the natural ability to self-regulate, rejuvenate and reestablish balance. The Yin and Yang Theory is used to explain why sickness occurs and what treatments are required to get well. The concept is very sophisticated, but easy to understand and follow by most ordinary people.

Our five vital organs: the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys are regarded as the yin organs. They are solid organs, which function like an internal reservoir for storing vital energies such as blood, air, water and nutrition. There are five other hollow organs: the gall bladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine and bladder known as the yang organs. They are responsible for passing wastage to other parts of the body. Each yin organ works with one yang organ in a pair as a system: heart and small intestine, liver and gall bladder, lungs and large intestine, spleen and stomach, and kidney and bladder.

There are constant flows of blood, fluid, energy and nutrients throughout our body. When any flow is obstructed, we become sick. Chinese doctors treat sickness by determining where imbalance exists, and interpret the conditions in terms of yin and yang, heat and cold, and blood and qi. When one force is in excess, it is important to either tame it or transform it into the opposite.

For example, when the body is suffering from a cold, it has an excess of yin. Symptoms of yin excess are tiredness, weakness, feeling cold, low body temperature, low activity and withdrawn. Yin excess can be transformed into yang excess with fever. Other yang symptoms are hyperactivity, feeling hot, feverish, acute, virulent, advancing and flourishing. For blood deficiency, the symptoms are dizziness, impaired vision, numb limbs, weak pulse, pale face, thin body, dry skin and dry hair. For qi deficiency, the symptoms are weakness, pale face and tongue, speaking with little energy and a low voice.

When a problem is identified, herbs of the opposing nature are used to bring back the balance.

Besides herbal remedies, Chinese medicine has other natural treatments such as acupuncture, food therapy, exercise and massage. The approach is more complete and specific to meet individuals needs.