Chinese Medicine Philosophy:

Chi, Yin Yang and the 5 Elements

Chi

Chinese medicine philosophy evolved from ancient Taoist roots.  That philosophy recognizes a vital force that flows through all things called the Chi or Qi. (They are the same thing.) Chinese medicine practice seeks to promote the unimpeded circulation of Chi by ensuring a proper balance of Chi’s negative and positive forms within the body.

The traditional Chinese medicine definition of this proper balance considers the patients conditions of Yin and Yang; Hot and Cold; Internal and External; and Empty and Full.

In addition, Chinese medicine practice evaluates not just the physical aspects of the patient but also their mind and emotions as well. For the Chinese, medical information includes assessments of the “six excesses” of Wind, Dryness, Cold, Moisture, Fire and Heat.  Beyond the excesses, Chinese medicine philosophy pays attention to the seven emotions of  Joy, Anger, Anxiety, Brooding, Sorrow, Fear and Fright.

The traditional Chinese medicine definition of illness is not thought to ever be caused by only one thing. Just because pain is in the stomach doesn’t mean that the illness is only in the stomach. Neither does it mean that the illness is only physical, it may well be caused by or irritated by one of the seven emotional excesses.

The strength of Chi and the balance of Yin and Yang are all considered when a patient’s illness is being diagnosed.

The Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang are opposites which depend upon each other for their existence.

There would be no Yin without Yang and Yang without Yin. Think of the Chinese symbol for Yin and Yang. Half is light, half is dark and the two curl around one another. In the Yang part of the symbol there is a spot of dark (Yin) and in the Yin part of the symbol there is a spot of light (Yang).

Yin translates from Chinese to English literally as, “‘shady place, north slope (hill), south bank (river); cloudy, overcast’. Yin is female. Yin is characterized by sadness, darkness and passiveness. Yin corresponds to night and is often depicted by water.

Patients with an excess of Yin feel cold. They will have cold hands and/or feet, their face will appear white, they will move slowly, their heart rate will be slow, they will not be thirsty, they will not sweat, they will have much clear urine that is odorless, and their tongue will be covered with a white coating.

For a Yin related disease, Chinese medicine practice will order heat to be applied to specific areas of the body and will prescribe warm/spicy food, warm drinks and warm herbs.

Yang translates from Chinese to English literally as, “sunny place, south slope (hill), north bank (river); sunshine”. Yang is male. Yang is characterized by light, happiness and activity. Yang corresponds to day and is often depicted by fire.

Patients with an excess of Yang feel hot. They will have hot skin, they will sweat profusely, they will be extremely thirsty, their urine will be infrequent and be a dark color with a strong odor, their movements will be quick and nervous, and their tongue will have a red or yellow coating.

For a Yang related disease the Chinese medicine practice calls for cold baths, cold food, cold drinks, and cool herbs.

The Five Elements

The Five Elements and their functions is a diagnostic tool used in Chinese Medicine practice.

Each of the five elements represents organs of the body. Wood is representative of the liver; fire represents the heart; earth represents the spleen; metal represents the lungs; and water represents the kidneys.

Each element has a corresponding function to generate and, overcome and can be overcome by another element. Water, for example generates wood and overcomes fire but is overcome by earth while Wood generates fire and overcomes earth but is overcome by metal.

According to this theory: the kidneys (water) generate the liver (wood), overcomes the heart (fire) and is overcome by the spleen (earth). The Chinese herbalist uses this information to help him determine what herbs will make his patient feel better.

Since Chinese Medicine philosophy is based on the strength of Chi and the balance of Yin and Yang in the body, the object is to choose herbs that will strengthen Chi and restore the balance of Yin and Yang.