Hi Everyone!

As promised, this month I am continuing to indulge my love of Chinese medical theory by sharing some about the concept of JING, one of the Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine. I also write a bit about the related subjects of Taoist sexual practices and herbal medicine for male potency, as well as remind us that Chinese Medicine is appropriate for most aspects of men's health.

In February I began a discussion of longevity and its central place in this medicine, and I am continuing on that track. So, if you missed the last two newsletters and are interested, I refer you to my archives (see link to the left) where you can find them and maybe get a better picture of the whole.

I also want to reiterate, as I did last month, that one need know no theory or have any clue what JING is to get a result from acupuncture and Chinese herbs. I include theory here as I spent many years as a theory teacher at a local acupuncture school and it is just my nature to blab about all this stuff.

I hope you enjoy it and continue to enjoy our fabulous weather.

Best To You All,

Beth

JING and the Three Treasures        

As promised in my last two newsletters, this month I am continuing the theme of LONGEVITY through the discussion of QI, JING, and SHEN, the THREE TREASURES of Chinese Medicine.

The Three Treasures, translated as Energy, Vital Essence and Spirit, are considered the Fundamental Substances of our bodies (along with blood and other body fluids), and of the three, JING or vital essence is considered the most substantial.

As our vital essence, Chinese Medicine posits that "Pre-Heaven" or Constitutional JING is established in the individual at conception, and is the root of our constitutional strength. The quality and amount of JING we are born with then is often the difference between a frail and sickly individual and someone with greater energy and stamina. Genetics and the health and age of the parents at conception is paramount here.

JING is responsible for growth, development, reproduction, and sexuality. It has a great deal to do with one's energy level and resistance to disease as well. An aspect of JING is thought of as sexual energy, and could be thought of as the strength of one's libido or "mojo" if you like.

As we live and age our energy stored as JING naturally diminishes. Potential signs of JING weakness are developmental abnormalities, vulnerability to disease, sexual and fertility issues, low energy, and all the tell tale signs of aging like graying hair, diminished hearing and eyesight, shrinking libido, etc.

There is some ability to supplement our JING however. Even though our inherited JING is fixed at conception, Chinese Medicine acknowledges "Post-Heaven" or Aquired JING.  This is anything that builds our QI energy which in turn can conserve and supplement our JING in general. In this way we can think of the JING in our bodies like we can a bank account on which we make both deposits and withdrawls.

Hard living, too much sex, drugs, and rock and roll, overwork, lack of sleep, negative emotions, and anything that depletes us will spend our QI and subsequently our JING, and anything that is healthy and nourishes us on any level will supplement it. Good diet, appropriate levels of activity and rest, positive thoughts and emotions, herbs and other supplements, and acupuncture, tai qi and qi gong are all examples.

If you are still curious and want to know a bit more subtlety about the Three Treasures, I highly recommend this four minute video.

And again, for a short book on the Chinese concept and practice of longevity, I can recommend Blue Poppy Press's Imperial Secrets of Health and Longevity.

Hand in hand with the discussion of longevity in Chinese Medicine and certainly of JING, is the concept and practice of male virility. Historically, (and currently of course), the goal has been to live as long and vital a life as possible, and for men, there was an emphasis on staying sexually potent to a ripe old age. This was not only for pleasure, but was also for the ability to practice certain techniques, in and out of the bedroom, for the continued building of QI and JING.

There is a long and detailed history of these practices. For more info here is the Wikipedia entry.

Originally these techniques were focused on men as they came out of a male dominated culture. These days there are techniques for women as well, and if any of you are further interested in a personal exploration of this topic I refer you to the books of Mantak and Maneewan Chia, a husband and wife team who have written extensively on the subject.

Herbal supplementation for male potency has a long history as well, with ginseng as the premiere herb. (See Feb newsletter in the archive.) These virilific herbs are warming in nature and supplement the Yang energy which is considered hot and active. Most of these come from plant material but others derive from animals, deer horn and dog penis prominent among them. I would caution any interested party not to go out and ingest these herbs without a diagnosis from a qualified Chinese Medicine practitioner however, as herbs and herbal formulas need to be matched to one's constitution, and if warming herbs are not appropriate, they could potentially do more harm than good.

Piggy backing off the theme of today I want to remind you all that there are great treatments with acupuncture and Chinese herbs for all aspects of men's health. From all the usual things that humans of both sexes can experience (see the link below to the World Health Organization's list of treatable diseases) to issues related specifically to men.

Naturally over the centuries with such an emphasis placed on sexual health and potency, issues relating to this have a long history of treatment.  Prostate and urinary concerns are also addressable and most everything in between.

To read the article Sexual Health the Natural Way (pertinent for females as well), click here.  For one entitled How Chinese Medicine Views Sexual Disorders and Men's Health, this is your link.