NMT 150: Naturopathic Therapeutics I - PDF

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I T RA DIT ION AL CHIN ES E M ED ICIN E (TCM ) E-L EAR NIN G L ECT UR E 10 TCM LIVE R A N D G AL L B LA DD E R F UN CT IONS A ND T HEORY Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand the functions of the TCM Liver Understand the funct...

NMT 150: NATUROPATHIC THERAPEUTICS I T RA DIT ION AL CHIN ES E M ED ICIN E (TCM ) E-L EAR NIN G L ECT UR E 10 TCM LIVE R A N D G AL L B LA DD E R F UN CT IONS A ND T HEORY Author: Neemez Kassam, M.Sc., N.D., R.Ac. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand the functions of the TCM Liver Understand the functions of the TCM Gall Bladder LIVER FUNCTIONS Stores Blood Ensures the smooth flow of Qi Controls the Sinews Manifests in the nails Opens into the eyes House the Hun (Ethereal Soul) STORES BLOOD Regulates Blood volume Blood flows to muscles and sinews during activity Blood flows back to the Liver at rest Influences resistance to external pathogens Moistens eyes and sinews Deficiency: Dry eyes or blurred vision Excess heat: Red and burning Poor nourishment of sinews may lead to muscle cramps and poor tendon functioning Internal Wind may cause muscle tremors STORES BLOOD Regulates menstruation Deficiency can lead to amenorrhea or light bleeding Excess heat can lead to heavier bleeding Stagnation can lead to pain, cramping, and PMS Influences the Conception (Ren Mai) and Penetrating vessels (Chong Mai), which are connected to the uterus ENSURES TH E SMOOTH FLOW OF QI Relates to emotions Essential to balanced emotions Reduced flow → Obstructed Qi → Irritability/frustration/anger Repressed emotion → Obstructed Qi ENSURES TH E SMOOTH FLOW OF QI Aids in digestion Assists in the normal movement of Qi for each organ Descending for Stomach, ascending for Spleen Obstructed Qi → blocked movement of Qi → symptoms Liver directs Qi traffic in the middle burner Regulates secretion of bile Obstructed Qi → poor bile secretion → poor digestion CONTROLS THE SINEWS Nourishes the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage An extension of the Liver Related to Liver Blood levels Muscles are under control of the Spleen GB 34 is the Influential point for tendons and sinews MANIFEST IN THE NAILS Nails are a byproduct of sinews in TCM Related to Liver Blood Deficient = dry, brittle, cracked Stagnation = dark or purple OPENS INTO THE EYES Related to Liver Blood Proper vision requires adequate Liver Blood Blood Deficient = blurred vision, myopia, floaters Yin Deficient = dry, gritty eyes Excess Heat = burning, painful, redness Stagnation = painful eyeball (or behind the eye) Liver Wind = moving eyeball Kidney Essence and Heart Qi/Blood required for vision CONTROLS TEARS Tears are the fluid related to the Liver Mainly for moistening and clearing of foreign bodies Not linked to emotional tears Necessary for proper functioning of the eyes Deficiency of Blood or Yin can lead to dry eyes Liver Yang Rising may cause watery eyes HOUSE THE HUN (ETHEREAL SOUL) Linked to “Spirits” and “Demons” Yang in nature Planning life and giving life a sense of direction Affected by Liver function Linked to the Corporeal Soul (Po) of the Lung The Po closes with death The Hun continues to the next life CONTROLS PLANNING Gives life direction and meaning Organizes functions to ensure smooth flow of Liver Qi GALL BLADDER FUNCTIONS Stores and excretes bile Controls Decisions Controls the Sinews STORES AND EXCRETES BILE Aids the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach Affected by Liver’s circulation of Qi Only Yang organ to store a “pure” substance Depends on flow of Liver Qi CONTROLS DECISIONS Works with Liver’s control of planning Other organs depend on Gall Bladder’s decision-making capabilities Seen as a motivator for others Courage and initiative (“Drive”) CONTROLS THE SINEWS Like the Liver but less nourishing and more qi distribution to the sinews REFERENCES Liangyue, Deng et al. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing, China: Foreign Languages Press, 1996. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. 3ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Ltd, 2015. Tyme. Student Manual on the Fundamentals of Traditional Oriental Medicine. San Diego, CA: Living Earth Enterprises, 1997. Kaptchuk, Ted. The Web That Has No Weaver. Chicago, IL: Congdon & Weed, Inc, 1983.