by Kate Henderson, L.Ac.

Chinese medical theorists from the last two thousand years have written about the functions of the organs in the body and how to affect them with acupuncture and herbs. Based on Taoist theory of yin and yang as well as thousands of years of applied practice, Chinese medicine suggests that all functions of the body have a yin and a yang component. A person can be diagnosed according to these principles by assessing all of their bodily signs and symptoms. Some of this is done by asking the patient questions, and some of this is done by observation: looking at the complexion, observing how the person interacts with others (irritable, jumpy, lethargic, talkative, restless), taking the pulse on both radial arteries and observing its qualities in different positions (overall, is the pulse forceful? is it hard to find? is it deep or at the surface when you place your fingers there? and are the qualities different at the three different pulse positions at each side?), and checking the tongue for different phenomena such as redness, paleness, coating, or cracks.

Yang:
Inflammation, redness, forcefulness, restlessness, and excessive energy indicate conditions that are more yang in nature. This means that rather than the body balancing itself by maintaining an appropriate amount of energy and being able to rest when necessary and rejuvenate itself in a balanced daily cycle, it stays active past the point of appropriateness. The body stays in a sympathetic “fight or flight” mode for too long, causing problems such as insomnia, anxiety, and eventually exhaustion.

Yin:
Lethargy, the need for excessive amounts of sleep, lack of energy and animation (someone who seems listless, speaks quietly, lack of expression) indicate conditions that are more yin in nature. The body imbalanced by excessive yin stays in a parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode an inappropriate amount.
Continue reading Chinese Medical Theory: Yin/Yang and Organs

Five strategies that can help dry skin…

1. Hydrate your entire system with lots of water and high anti-oxidant green tea. During winter there’s a tendency not to drink as much due to cool temperatures. You may want to bring your water to room temperature to encourage drinking more.

2. Eat a healthy diet of mostly raw foods, and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which produce a hydrating effect from the inside out. Winter might be a good time to increase your intake of Krill oil also, for its omega-3s.

3. Take a revitalizing bath – in warm water, not hot! Himalayan salt baths are rejuvenating, and help dry skin to slough off. Hot water is damaging to your skin, so stick with warm water.

4. Wear gloves when you go outside. Sure, you’re ‘just’ running from your car to your office, but gloves will help protect your hands from winter’s ravages.

5. Moisturize daily with non-clogging organic moisturizers such as coconut oil or body butter. These nourish your skin instead of clogging it, as many toxin-impaired moisturizers do. It’s especially important to cleanse and moisturize before you go to bed at night, to remove impurities from your skin before your revitalizing sleep time. Just be sure your moisturizer isn’t tainted with toxins.