So, I hope you enjoy it.   I appreciate your referrals as always, and want to remind you that Chinese Medicine is a comprehensive medicine and is good for just about anything that ails you.  It's great for prevention and  for busting stress as well, so keep it in mind!   

All My Best,

Beth 

Miscellaneous Causes of Disease   

In past newsletters I have introduced you to two of the three categories of causes of disease put forth in Chinese medical theory. The first of these were the "Internal Causes" or the negative emotions of anger, fear, fright, worry, sadness, grief, and excess excitement. The second were the "External Causes" or the climactic factors of cold, heat, wind, dryness, dampness, and summer heat.

The third and last category is referred to as the "Miscellaneous Causes," and the following is the classic list::  weak constitution, over-exertion/fatigue, excessive sex (yes, its true, sorry, although dependent on age, sex, physical condition, and season), (and too little sex can also be troublesome), bad diet, trauma, pests, parasites and epidemics, poisons, and iatrogenesis (improper medical treatment, something common these days what with nasty side effects of medications).

Of course in our modern world we can add still more,  try electromagnetic pollution or nuclear radiation for example. A lack of full spectrum light as we spend more and more time indoors is also suspect. Just look around and unfortunately we are likely to come up with more.

Of these categories the Chinese consider the first, or the negative emotions, to be the greatest cause of disease overall with excessive anger and its associated emotions (jealousy, hatred, rage, etc) as having the greatest detrimental effects on our heath. Of course it is most often a soup of many of these ingredients that is the ultimate culprit of our imbalances.

Take heart, however, as Chinese medical theory also posits the power and primacy of Spirit, or our thoughts and consciousness, over all of these causes, and recommends a peaceful and accepting countenance as the major ingredient in the elixir for a long and healthy life.

Certainly there is a great deal more to know about all of this. To get more info than that provided here, please click on this link.

We have all heard the saying, "eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch, and a pauper for dinner", and the theories and practice of Chinese Medicine agree entirely.

This is born out though experience, but is put forward as part of the theory of the Chinese Clock, a cycle of energy which describes the flow of each of the 12 meridian/organ systems over the 24 hour day. Each organ/meridian in this scheme has a 2 hour period of time where its functions are at their most efficient, and the best time for digestion and assimilation is Stomach time, 7 to 9 each morning.  

Of course what and how we eat is important here too, and Chinese Medicine generally recommends a healthy, cooked, grain-based meal with optimal protein and some fats as well. A typical American breakfast is either too rich and high in fat (eggs and bacon), or can negatively impact blood sugar levels (toast and/or cold sugary cereal and coffee). Eating slowly and deliberately helps our digestion as well, and is acknowledged as important to healthy digestion and assimilation.

This is important to know for dieters and all of us who want to keep fit. Western science has shown that a healthy, substantial breakfast stabilizes blood sugar levels and regulates the appetite throughout the day. Individuals who eat a good breakfast are less likely to be obese or suffer from diabetes. In one study of US school children, eating a healthy breakfast was associated with higher math scores, and a reduction or depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity.

And speaking of breakfast, "congee" (also known as "jook" in the Southern Chinese dialect) is a common Chinese breakfast which is most often a thin rice porridge, often prepared with other foods and herbs depending on what is available or appropriate for a given season, person, condition, and constitution.  It can be a regular morning meal,  and it can be especially helpful during times of debility and recovery where our bodies need healthy, easily digestible food that has the added capacity to be cooked with other, therapeutically valuable foods and herbs, sort of like an herbal  tea in meal form.  

White or brown rice can be used as well as an assortment of other grains, vegetables, meat or other protein, and herbs.  Recipes are many and varied. For more info click here, and here for a  book of therapeutic recipes.     

 

I want to include this list from the World Health Organization in all my newsletters just to remind you of everything acupuncture and Chinese medicine can treat.  As a practitioner I know this is just a partial list, but it is official and great PR! To see the list again click here.