Yin Organs and its Relation to Five Elements PDF

YIN ORGANS AND ITS RELATION TO FIVE ELEMENTS PART I By Prof. Dr. Samy Abdel Samad Nasef  THREE TREASURES OF MAN The following three energies combine in the developing fetus: Jing (Essence), Qi (Energy) Shen (Spirit). Jing nourishes th...

YIN ORGANS AND ITS RELATION TO FIVE ELEMENTS PART I By Prof. Dr. Samy Abdel Samad Nasef  THREE TREASURES OF MAN The following three energies combine in the developing fetus: Jing (Essence), Qi (Energy) Shen (Spirit). Jing nourishes the tissues and is the foundational bodily substance. Qi emerges from the circulating Jing and promotes the body’s metabolism. Shen governs the body. Collectively, they are called the “Three Treasures of Man”  YUAN (ORIGINAL) QI Upon entering the ovum, the sperm produces a polar axis that creates an energetic vortex. This central vortex creates the Taiji Pole, draws Qi from Heaven and Earth and the Eternal Soul into the fetus.  YIN AND YANG VESSELS FORMATION This polarization not only produces the Taiji Pole but also determines a ventral and dorsal surface, which contain the embryo’s Conception (Ren) and Governing (Du) Vessels, respectively, produced upon the first cleavage of the fertilized egg. The first cell division also establishes a left and right side containing the Yin and Yang Heel vessels  PRENATAL AND EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS Embryonic development: (a) The Governing Vessel (Yang) controls the fetal back development. (b) The Conception Vessel (Yin) controls the fetal front development. (c) The Thrusting Vessels carry energy through the center of the fetus and control the fetal central core. (d) The Yang Heel Vessels control the development of the fetal right and left Yang energy.  FORMATION OF YANG ORGANS During the formation of the embryo, nine Yang channels begin to flow out of the Governing Vessel (Sea of Yang Qi). These nine rivers are: the Small Intestine, Triple Burner, Large Intestine, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Bladder Meridians, and the Yang Heel, Yang Linking and Belt Vessels.  FORMATION OF YIN ORGANS Similar, nine Yin channels begin to flow out of the Conception Vessel (Sea of Yin Qi). These nine Yin rivers are: the Lung, Heart, Pericardium, Spleen, Liver Kidney Meridians and the Yin Heel, Yin Linking, and Thrusting Vessels FIVE ELEMENTS  FIVE ELEMENTS FIVE Wood Fire Earth Metal Water ELEMENTS Seasons Spring Summer Late Summer Autumn Winter Zang /Yin Liver Heart Spleen Lung Kidney organs Fu /Yang Gallbladder Small Intestine Stomach Large Intestine Bladder organs Directions East South Middle West North Tastes Sour Bitter Sweet Pungent Salty Tissues Tendons Vessels Muscles Skin/hair Bones Colors Green Red Yellow White Blue/Black FIVE ELEMENTS THE ZHANG (YIN) ORGANS The Heart (Xin)  THE HEART (XIN) a) Governs Blood It transforms Food Qi into Blood. The Lung Qi helps push Food Qi to the Heart. The energy for this process, called the Post-Heaven Cycle of Blood production, is supplied by the Original Qi b) Controls the Blood Vessels Blood Vessels depend on the Heart’s Qi and Blood. If these are strong the Blood Vessels will be good and the pulse will be full and regular.  THE HEART (XIN) c) Manifest in the Complexion If the Heart is strong and the Blood is abundant, there will be a rosy and lustrous complexion. If the Blood is hot or is stagnant the complexion will be too red or bluish- purple, respectively. If the Blood is deficient, the complexion will be bright white or pale  THE HEART (XIN) d) Houses the Mind and Spirit (Shen) Shen is used in two different ways in Chinese medicine: (i) Shen indicates a complex of mental activities If the Heart is strong and the Blood is abundant, there will be normal mental activity, balanced emotions, a clear state of consciousness, good long-term memory, intelligence and sleep.  THE HEART (XIN). (ii) Shen is also used to denote the whole complex of the spiritual, mental and emotional aspects of man. In this sense, Shen is not only related to the Heart but also to other mental and spiritual aspects of the Yin organs. The Heart is called the Emperor or supreme controller of all the Zang fu  THE HEART (XIN) e) Emotions The Heart is related to joy. If the Heart takes excessive control of mental activities, it will cause uncontrollable laughter. A Heart deficiency can make one susceptible to grief. Excessive joy as well as other excessive emotions can affect the Heart because the mind is housed in the Heart. Conversely, emotional problems can cause Heart problems  THE HEART (XIN) f) Opening into the Tongue The tongue is referred to as a “seedling” or “offshoot” of the Heart. The Heart influences the appearance, form and color of the tongue, particularly, its tip. It also controls the sense of taste. The tongue will be rosy, moist, lustrous, with a normal sense of taste and move freely for a healthy Heart. The Heart also affects speech, influencing talking and laughing. Thus, an abnormality of the Heart can cause excessive talking, inappropriate laughter, aphasia or stuttering  THE HEART (XIN) g) Controls Sweat The Classic of the Jade Letter of the Golden Shrine states that Body fluids enter the blood vessels and change into Blood. The relation of the Heart to sweat also appears clinically. profuse sweating will lead to deficiency of Blood. Deficiency of Heart Yin often causes night sweating. A deficiency of Heart Qi often causes spontaneous sweating  THE HEART (XIN) h) Dreams Dreams and sleep are related to the Heart, since it houses the Mind. The Heart’s housing the Mind depends on an adequate Blood supply. Conversely, the Heart governing the Blood depends on the Mind. If the Heart-Blood is strong, the Mind resides in the Heart and one will easily fall sound asleep. If the Heart is weak the Mind is not anchored in the Heart and flits around at night, leads to difficulty in falling asleep, disturbed sleep and excessive dreaming  THE HEART (XIN) ) Hates Heat Heat, more than any other exterior pathogenic factor, adversely affects the Heart. However, the Heart is not invaded by external Heat since it is shielded by the Pericardium. The Heart has vessels and Channels carrying Blood and Qi to the brain. These are interpreted as “Orifices of the Heart”. When the Pericardium is invaded by exterior Heat, the Heat clogs the “Heart Orifices”. This can lead to aphasia, delirium or coma, since the Heart houses the Mind  THE HEART (XIN) Western Medical Functions (4) The heart propels the blood through the body. The circulating blood carries nutrients and oxygen for the cells and aids in the removal of waste products and other substances. THE PERICARDIUM (XIN BAO)  THE PERICARDIUM (XIN BAO) The Pericardium is considered to be a protective covering of the Heart more than an independent organ. The functions of the Pericardium are approximately those of the Heart. It governs Blood, houses the Mind and influences mental and emotional states. The Pericardium tries to create feelings of pleasure or joy for the emperor (Heart).  THE PERICARDIUM (XIN BAO) The western medical function of pericardium is to provide a protective covering which encloses the heart. The pericardial cavity contains a lubricating fluid which allows the heart to move with less friction. THE LUNGS (FEI)  THE LUNGS (FEI) The Lungs inhale pure Qi (air) and exhale dirty Qi. This ensures proper functioning of all the physiological processes that require Qi They are more vulnerable to attack by external Pathogenic Factors and sometimes called the “Tender” Organ.  THE LUNGS (FEI) b) Control the Voice The Lungs control the strength, clarity and tone of the voice. Weak Lung Qi can cause a weak voice, breathlessness and tiredness. A muffled tone of voice can result from the obstruction of the Lungs by Phlegm.  THE LUNGS (FEI) c) Control Blood Vessels and Channels The Lungs govern Qi and Qi is required to help the Heart to circulate the Blood and also to circulate Qi in the Channels. Thus, if Lung Qi is strong, Blood and Qi will circulate properly to warm the limbs. If the Lung Qi is weak circulation will be impaired and the limbs, particularly the hands and feet will be cold  THE LUNGS (FEI) d) Control Dispersing and Descending Dispersing refers to the disseminating Lung Qi throughout the body to perform the functions. Descending refers to sending Lung Qi downwards in the body to perform the functions  DISPERSE AND DESCEND FUNCTION The Lungs also disperse Wei Qi between the skin and muscles warming them and also protecting the body from external Pathogenic Factors. The Lungs are the upper most Organ and so their Qi must descend. They send Qi down to the Kidneys which hold the Qi. The Lungs also direct Body Fluids and food Essence transported to the Lungs by the Spleen downwards as part of the dispersing function. They also direct fluids to the Kidney and Bladder Control Skin and Body Hair The dispersing function, nourishes and moistens the skin and hair.  REGULATES THE WATER PASSAGES The Lungs, after receiving the refined fluids from the Spleen disperse them in a fine mist under the skin and also direct fluids down to the Kidney and Bladder. The Kidneys receive the fluids, vaporize part of them and then send them up to moisten the Lungs. The Lungs by its dispersing and descending functions helps excrete Body Fluids via sweat and urine  OPENS INTO THE NOSE. The Lungs are the major Organ affecting the sense of smell, but other Organs have some influence, mainly the Spleen. If the Lung Qi is strong, the nose will be open, respiration and the sense of smell will be normal. Heat invading the Lungs can result in loss of sense of smell, bleeding and rapid flapping of the alae nasi. Invasion of an exterior Pathogenic Factor can lead to a blocked nose, sneezing and loss of the sense of smell.  HOUSE THE CORPOREAL SOUL (PO) The Lungs house the Po. The Po is the mortal part of the Soul and is a manifestation of the breath of life. Breathing can be interpreted as pulsations of the Corporeal Soul. Pain and itching can be felt when it is active.” This can be interpreted as the Po is responsible for clear and sharp sensations and movement.  EMOTIONS AND GOVERNS THE 100 VESSELS Emotions j) Sadness and or grief obstruct the movement of Po and so constrict breathing. An example is the shallow and short breathing of a sad and depressed person. Thus, treating the Lungs is often helpful in emotional problems arising from anxiety, bereavement, depression, sadness or grief. k) Governs the 100 Vessels The Lungs govern Qi and so have an influence on all of the blood vessels. Therefore, the radial pulse on the Lung Channel reflects the state of all of the Organs.  DREAMS LUNGS HATE COLD l) Dreams Lungs are in Excess one dreams of weeping m) Lungs Hate Cold The Lungs are the canopy of the Organs and influence the skin and Defensive Qi and so are easily attacked by exterior Pathogenic factors, especially Cold.  WESTERN MEDICAL FUNCTIONS On inhaling air, oxygen is introduced into the lungs and on exhalation carbon dioxide is expelled from the lungs. Blood passing through the lungs receives oxygen and expels carbon dioxide. The oxygenated blood is delivered back to the heart where it is circulated through the body