Oriental Medicine


Yin & Yang

In Chinese medicine, health is represented as a balance of yin and yang. These two forces represent the bipolar manifestation of all things in nature, and because of this, one must be present to allow the other to exist.

Hence, where there is above there is below, whatever has a front also has a back, night is followed by day, etc. On an emotional level, one would not know joy had they never experienced pain.

It is important to note that the balance of yin and yang is not always exact (even when the body is healthy). Under normal circumstances the balance is in a state of constant change, based on both the external and internal environment. For example, during times of anger, a person's mood is more fiery, or yang, and yet once the anger has subsided, and a quiet peaceful state is achieved, yin may dominate.

This shift in the balance of yin and yang is very natural. It is when the balance is consistently altered, and one (be it yin or yang) regularly dominates the other, that health is compromised, resulting in illness and disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners determine the exact nature of the imbalance, and then correct it. As the balance is restored, so is the health of the individual.

Zangfu

Zangfu is the term used to describe various yin and yang organs in the body. A yin organ is called a Zang, while a yang organ is called a Fu. Although the organs are identified by their western anatomical names, Traditional Chinese medicine views their function on a far broader scope, due in part to the concepts of chi and essence, their movement (flow) and storage responsibilities.

The twelve organs of chinese medicine (which correspond to the twelve meridians, or channels within the body) are classified according to the functions of either transformation (yin organs), or transportation (yang organs).

The Zang is made up of the six solid (yin) organs:

         heart

         pericardium (sac surrounding the heart)

         lungs

         spleen

         liver

         kidney

The Fu consists of the six hollow (yang) organs:

         small intestine

         triple warmer (an organ function)

         stomach

         large intestine

         gallbladder

         urinary bladder