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Yin Yang

Yin and Yang

The theory of yin-yang is a conceptual framework which was and still is used to represent many things, from immediate situations to the most universal concepts. Yin and yang are a philosophical conceptualization, a means to generalize the two extremes of the same process or quality, which may be observed in all related phenomena within the natural world. Hence, yin and yang exist in relation to each other, they both oppose and complement each other. Through their opposition, they have the ability to control each other and maintain a relative balance. Just like night (yin) and day (yang), where there is a mutual inter-dependent relationship and a continuous mutual consumption and support. For instance, when the sun (yang) is above our heads at noon and slowly sets as the day progresses to night (yin), it is the process of "consumption of yang leading to the gaining of yin.' Under normal conditions, the inter-consuming-supporting relationship of yin and yang is in a state of relative balance. If this relationship goes beyond normal physiological limits, the relative balance between yin and yang is disturbed, resulting in excess or deficiency of either yin or yang and the occurrence of ailments.

The theory of yin and ang permeates all aspects of the theoretical system of TCM. It serves to explain the organic structure, physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body as well as guides clinical diagnosis and treatment. In terms of anatomical location, the ventral side indicates yin and dorsal side indicates yang. According to the nature of their functional activities, the internal organs known as zang-fu in TCM.) are divided into yin an yang. The zang organs lung, heart, liver and spleen) are yin and fu organ (large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder, stomach, urinary bladder and sanjiao) are yang. Furthermore, within each of the zang-fu, there are yin and yang aspects; for instance, heart-yin and heart-yang, kidney-yin and kidney-yang. As mentioned before, when there is a relative loss of balance between yin-yang, it results in the occurrence and development of disease. When yang pathogenic factors cause disease, this may lead to an excess of yang fire which consumes yin (water) and gives rise to heat syndromes. When yin pathogenic factors cause disease, it may lead to a preponderance of yin, which damages yang and gives signs of cold syndromes. From this, one can see that yin-yang serves as a basis to simplify complicated clinical situations as well as the basic principle in acupuncture and moxibustion and herbal treatments.

Yin-Yang is the balance of forces, polarity in energy. The Chinese regard Yin-Yang as the fundamental ordering of the universe as being based on the interplay of these groups of opposite but complementary aspects of the principle of energy. Yin in ancient Chinese means the back of the sun and yang refers to the front. Yin-Yang is the universal order of the material world, the principle and source of the existence of myriad of thins and the root cause for the flourishing and perishing of things. Every event is to be then regarded as the interaction of an active and constructive force, each of which has its own peculiar characters that determine the nature of the event.

Yin organs

The Yin organs are responsible for producing, circulating, and storing the fundamental energy in the body, the Qi, blood, or life force. These organs are more internal than the Yang organs. The body's Yin organs are:

Heart

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body, it circulates the blood and stores the human spirit. When the human spirit is properly nourished, it is in harmony with its surroundings and is happy. When the heart cannot sustain the spirit, the spirit becomes irrational, unfocused, and unglued. The tongue and face are closely related to the heart, and a Chinese doctor can diagnose many disease of the blood and heart by examining the tongue and face.

Lungs

The lungs are very important for the overall health of the body because they mix the Qi and blood and regulate the Qi of the entire body The Qi of the outside world meets the Qi of the human body in the lungs, and from there it is spread throughout the body. Therefor it is extremely important to have healthy lungs. Indeed, because of the lungs act as intermediaries between external and internal Qi, they are the organ most susceptible to harmful outside effects. The health of the lungs manifests itself in the body hair and sweat glands as well is the overall bodily health. Because they circulate the Qi, dysfunction in the lungs can affect the entire body.

Spleen

This little known organ is vital in Chinese medicine. It transforms food into blood and Qi and regulates the digestion. Indeed, in Chinese medicine it is considered the very foundation of life. It governs the muscles, flesh, and limbs. Weak limbs may indicate a problems with the spleen. The mouth and lips are also closely related to the spleen as it the sense of taste.

Liver

The liver is responsible for the smooth movement of the harmony blood, bodily substances, and movement throughout the body. The smooth movement of the Qi throughout the body depends on the liver. Because it ensures the harmony of the flow of Qi, dysfunction of the liver can also manifest itself in emotional turmoil or digestion difficulties. It is said that during physical exertion, the blood flows to the meridians, but during rest, it returns to the liver. Although the eyes are truly "the windows to the soul" and a Chinese doctor can diagnose many organs disharmonies through them, liver difficulties in particular are readily apparent through the eyes and the vision. Therefore many eye and vision difficulties are treated by treating the liver.

Kidneys

The kidneys are the source of Jing--the substance that all the body's organs require to survive and thrive. Jing can be though of as the fundamental organic fluid, the "life force"--when it grows, the body grows, when it decays, the body ages. Jing is even more basic than Yin and Yang, though it also contains Yin and Yang within itself. The kidneys are responsible for regulating the flow of water and fluids within the body as well as for strong teeth and bones. Kidney dysfunction is particularly manifested through the ears. Thus hearing problems can be a symptom of kidney malfunction.

Yang organs

The Yang organs are responsible for taking in food, absorbing nutrients, and discarding the excess, unusable by products. These organs are more external than the Yin organs. The body's Yang organs are:

Gall bladder

The gall bladder secretes bile, an important part of the digestive process. Bile is produced by the liver, thus the liver and gall bladder are mutually dependent upon each other. The gall bladder is rules the decision making process. Hastily made decisions or those made in anger are thus a sign of too much Qi in the gall bladder. Conversely, the inability to make a decision or timidity can be a sign of a lack of gall bladder Qi.

Stomach

The stomach is responsible for receiving and breaking down food into its component parts. The "pure," and useful parts for the body are sent to the spleen which creates Qi and blood from it; the "impure," parts are sent to the small intensive. Dysfunction of the stomach results in vomiting, nausea, or belching.

Small intestine

The small intestine receives digested food from the stomach and then further refines it. It removes the remaining "pure" substances and sends them to the spleen. The impurities are sent to the large intestine. Disorders of the small intestine are manifested by abdominal pain, stomach growling, and diarrhea or constipation.

Large intestine

The large intestine finishes the work of the small intestine and the stomach and remove the final "pure" substances and sends them to the spleen, eliminating the rest. Like the small intestine. Disharmonies of the large intestine are evidenced by abdominal pain, stomach growling, and diarrhea or constipation.

Bladder

The bladder secretes urine, removing the final impurities distilled from the kidneys from fluids received from the small and large intestines and the lungs. Bladder dysfunction results in painful urination or incontinence.

Triple burner

The triple burner is a organ without an exact location. It is the relationship between the water organs--particularly the lungs, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, and bladder. Because fire is required to harness and control water, the triple burner is required to regulate the flow of water throughout the body. The body itself is divided into "burners." The upper burner is the "mist"--that is the head and chest, as well as the heart and lungs. The middle burner is the "foam"-- the area of the body below the chest but above the navel, such as the stomach and spleen, that churns away at food. The lower burner is the "swamp"--the area below the navel, including the kidneys, small and large intestines, and bladder that remove impure substances from the body.