ACU-Polarity
Anatomy
The Light and sound vibration manifest consciousness, technically termed chit
in Ayurveda / Samkhaya philosophy. In a common sense way, it is what we
would relate to attention. Chit is one of the four aspects of mind. The other
three being intelligence (as in analysis), a sense of individuation (as
in individual will power), and sensory perception (from the 5 sense organs)
according to Ayurveda.
The Acu-Polarity book elaborates the chakras as they relate to sensory perception;
but briefly, the ether chakra in the throat is related to hearing;
the air chakra in the chest is related to touch; the fire chakra in the
solar plexus is related to vision; the water chakra around the sacrum is related
to taste and the earth chakra at the tip of the spine is related to smell.
As thought strikes these various chakras we have particular emotions related
to them such as pride, desire, anger, attachment and fear, etc.
These aspects of mind are expressions
of the inner life energy which steps down to operate in matter.
It�s neutral source being beyond the expression of any polarity of
yin or yang, positive or negative.
The body is acted on through polarized
stepped down energy currents which are the root of life and growth.
Dr. Stone points out in Vitality Balance that the primal creative egg
(as an oval) arises from one latent neutral center and flows in
opposite directions, away from the center into space.
This creates the positive / yang at its
greatest point of expansion and the negative / yin after falling from
the expansion point in a ellipse to its most negative point. This is
then it is drawn back into the center. This has been referred to as
the �cosmic egg.� �Vital energy currents precipitate as
structural patterns,� according to Dr. Stone. At the center or
source is the life energy. On the circumference is the coagulation of energy
called matter.
The central ultrasonic core is the
vital axis of energy travel in the human body spinning as a sattvic
(energetically neutral, light and subtle) core in horizontal patterns
out from the crown of the head to the end of the spinal cord (at the
acupoint mingmen below the second lumbar vertebra). This energy
pattern is related to the parasympathetic nervous system which is its stepped
down material manifestation.
The doctors staff shows the caduceus
current of the dual mind patterns crossing the spine. Ida, the left
(-) and pingala, the right (+) and sushumna (0) through the center.
These patterns cross and form the five chakras discussed above of
ether, air, fire, water and earth. These crossing centers form
clockwise spinning wheels which throw off currents that precipitate
anatomy and physiology in the physical manifestation. These currents
are related to the central nervous system.
The acupuncture meridian energy enters
from the spine - yang and spins internally accordingly and is
distributed all over the body. These channels consists of twelve
regular channels, eight extra channels and fifteen collaterals,
twelve divergent channels twelve muscle regions and twelve cutaneous
regions.
They manifest in these spinal areas by
first forming the microcosmic oval or egg of the Ren and Du channels.
They move and form the basic yin (-)
and Yang (+) of the body. From this basic pattern is formed the basic
meridians which are related to the organs and the five elements.
The Tao that can be named is not the
primal Tao. The primal Qi is beyond conception. Having said that, the
acupuncture meridians would, in theory, relate to the caduceus
current and central nervous system in its yin / yang aspect. As it
crisscrosses over the spine forming the chakras and the currents that
spin off from them. Also relating to the transition from the imperceptible
and energetic to the measurable and physical.
The twelve regular meridians connect
with the internal yin / yang organs and externally connect with the
joints, limbs and other superficial tissues of the body.
From yin comes the ren or conception
vessel meridian in the body. This energy channel runs from the center
of the perineum, up the center of the midline of the front of the
body through the throat, circles around the mouth, passes through the
cheek and enters the infraorbital region below the eye (at acupoint
st. 1).
From yang comes the du or governing
vessel which runs from the base of the spine, up the center of the
spine and over the head to meet the ren channel.
Each of the five elements are further
divided into their yin aspects and yang aspects as follows:
There are six yin (zang) organs and six yang (fu) organs. The yin organs are
the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, kidneys and pericardium. The function of
the yin organs is to produce and store the essential substances.
The six yang organs are the gall
bladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder and
triple burner. The yang organs receive, digest and absorb that part
of the food that will be transformed into essential substances, then
transport and excrete the unused portion.
The
ACU-Polarity session
When someone first comes to the office they fill out
a short and easy evaluation form. A copy of this can be seen in the herbal
pharmacology section. Questions are asked and answered by practitioner and
client.
The person's shen (spirit) is observed, to some extent - their skin, voice
and eyes. The pulse is taken and tongue observed.
The Zen landscaper /' practitioner is not very mechanical, trying to
create balance of the life energy as the ideal. Not necessarily treating
disease but dis-ease.
This is done by using finger pressure, acu-pins, heat, cups, electro-stem,
exercise, diet, thought and herbs.
There are several external and internal things that can cause imbalance.
Externally there is environment, such as: wind, cold, heat, damp, dryness,
toxins / contaminants, accidents and traumas, etc.
Internally there are a wide range of thoughts and emotions. When negative
thinking is repeated day after day or emotions are experienced very
intensely, they can cause physical illness.
Some of the negative emotions from a polarity point of view include grief
/ sadness, greed/desire, anger, attachment, worry, excitement, fright and
fear.
The practical procedure of the session after the question / answer, pulse
and tongue observation (which usual only takes about 15 minutes), then the
session begins.
Every session is different, but to generalize:
The person undresses to their underwear and covers with a sheet. They ring
the gong and the practitioner enters and begins by looking at the leg
length and spends 5 to 20 minutes doing energy balancing manipulation with
the hands.
Then the acu-pins (which are disposable, never used before and from fine
surgical stainless steel) are inserted. there may be some sensation and
even some pain involved in the insertion. This is not much though,
normally. And it quickly disappears.
This is usually followed by a deep relaxation. It may sound funny that
sticking pins in you can be relaxing, but it is.
The pins stay in for 5 to 20 minutes. If it is deemed necessary, then both
sides are needled. But typically only one side is manipulated with the
pins and both sides with hands.
While the pins are in, if the person agrees, an herbal formula is then
mixed. The formula can be geared to a specific problem or it can be a
general formula to build blood, energy, yin or yang; or, enhance
physiological functioning of certain organ systems.
It is often suggested that a person try at least 6 sessions before they
can claim to have 'tried' acupuncture; although, it can certainly be more
or less than this. Usually a person does not come in more than once a
week.
When the session is over, there made be some dietary and exercise
suggestions. The sheet, "Things to Do Between Treatments" is
often given to the client / acu-polarity patron.
Female
related issues
Question
from the web page - Could I suggest another section on female related issues?
Lots of women are now perimenopausal and getting to that age where they
need info to cope with all the female stuff. Such as how do you shrink
fibroids (without hysterectomies). Also, how do you add progesterone to
the body to help balance hormones. These are things I'm specifically
interested in myself and probably others need to know too.
The
response to this question is off the top of my head from the years of
dealing with this in the acu-polarity practice. First I would like to
confirm that Oriental medicine for women's health, and specifically
menopause, is definitely an area that it is felt to be very helpful,
especially in light of it being so non invasive.
One thing that often happens with women as they near and pass forty is
their cycles can start becoming shorter. This can be due to chi
deficiency or heat in the blood, more likely the later. The periods can
start being irregular.
Easy wondering powder (an herbal formula directed toward liver chi
stagnation), with maybe some kidney tonics in it can help along with
acupuncture common points being conception vessel 4, spleen 6, liver 2 or
3, maybe urinary bladder 23, large intestine 11.
As we age the kidney energy becomes less. For men the hair may start to
fall and the teeth loosen. The theory is that women age by 7,s; such that,
2 X 7 is 14 and the period begins. 7 X 7 is 49 and the period ends. Kidney
yin deficiency can give rise liver yang rising with symptoms of hot
flashing and night sweating. Herbal therapy can be very effective. The two
immortals formula (that tonifies kidney yin and yang and clears liver
fire) is often used.
Herbal therapy is more effective than acupuncture when there is this type
of deficiency. Of course, it is good to do both.
Herbs that tonify Kidney yin , yang and liver blood could be said to
increase progesterone. Progesterone measurement is a Western medicine
concept. In Oriental medicine progesterone concerns is a blood concern.
Thus, the treatment would be treating the blood.
Herbal tonics like dong quei, rehmannia, lycium fruit, fo ti,
millettia, longan are a few of the herbs that are frequently used in
women's formulas that fortify and move blood. These herbs have a tonifying
quality which cannot be said for pharmaceuticals.
Then the number one cause of hysterectomies is inappropriate uterine
bleeding. Inappropriate menstrual bleeding can be cause by fibroids. In
Oriental medicine this translates as blood stagnation which with further
complication, turns into blood stasis.
Blood
stagnation can be caused by the seven emotional disturbances (#1
anger/depression, fear,fright, worry, sadness, excitement, etc.), causing
liver chi stagnation, resulting in retarding chi and blood movement in the
uterus. Constitution, diet, exercise, life style, and karma in
general are also factors.
The practical approach, if there is inappropriate bleeding, is to first
take hemostatics to stop the bleeding; then, acupuncture and herbal
formulas to keep inappropriate bleeding from reoccurring (or starting). If
a women can pass through these challenging, times naturally, the fibroids
(blood stasis) can shrink and disappear.
It is written that menopause usually last 5 years. Many women will
experience little or no symptoms, and others will go through the gamete of
hot flashes, depression, headaches, heart palpitations and inappropriate
uterine bleeding.
Low fat diet and yoga stretching are also strongly encouraged to avoid
formation of blood stasis and to encourage smooth and easy wondering,.
Attitudes have and are changing that assist in this hormonal transition.
Then one can happily move from the child bearing and/or career developing
years to the years of enhanced possibilities of developing wisdom.
The
Body Tissues
According to Ayurvedic teachings as elaborated by
Dr. Vasant Lad in his book Ayurveda The Science of Self Healing, the human
body consists of seven basic and vital tissues. In Sanskrit language
they are referred to as Dhatus which means constructing elements.
These are responsible for the entire structural anatomy and some of the
physiology of the body. These tissues maintain the functions of the
different organs, systems and vital body parts.
With the help of agni, the biological fire, they are
responsible for the immune mechanism. When a particular tissue is
defective, it affects the successive tissues as each tissue receives its
nourishment from the previous one.
The seven important dhatus in serial order are:
1) Plasma contains
nutrients from digested food and nourishes all the tissues, organs and
systems.
2) Blood governs
oxygenation in all tissues and vital organs and maintains life.
3) Muscle covers the
delicate vital organs, performs the movements of the joints and maintains
the physical strength of the body.
4) Fat maintains the
lubrication and oiliness of all the tissues.
5) Bones gives support to
the body structure.
6) Marrow and Nerves
(Sanskrit - Majja) fill up the bony spaces and carries motor and sensory
impulses.
7) Shukra and Artav (male
and female reproductive tissues) contain all tissues and are responsible
for reproduction.
The fire of digestion produces
the nutrient plasma within a few hours. This post digested food is
the nutrition for all the succeeding tissues.
Plasma is transformed into
blood, which is further manifested into muscle, bones, nerves and at last
semen and ovum. It is said that a drop reproductive tissue takes 28
days to form.
This points to the Eastern and
Oriental teaching of conservation of reproductive fluids for health,
vitality and long life. This is a particular teaching that we in the
West have yet to fully ingest!
Dr. Lad further points out that
this transformation results from three basic actions: irrigation
(nutrients are carried to the seven tissues through the blood vessels);
selectivity (each tissue extracts the nutrients it requires in order to
perform its physiological functions); and direct transformation (as the
nutritional substances pass through each tissue, the food for the
formation of each subsequent tissue is produced). These three
processes - irrigation, selectivity and transformation - operate
simultaneously in the formation of the seven basic tissues. The
tissues are nourished and transformed in order to maintain the normal
physiological functions of the different tissues,
organs and systems. (Dr. Lad, page 45).
The
Natural Diet of Human-Kind
To back up these assertions, I refer to Diet and Nutrition, by Dr.
Rudolph Ballentine. According to him, the general public are frequently
dining at fast food chains. The most frequently purchased foods,
comprising the most popular American meal, are hamburgers, french fries, a
small salad, coffee and soft drinks.
This
diet contains between 60% and 70% fat and sugar. Packaged foods that are
high in fats and sugars also require the addition of flavorings, colorings
and preservatives. There are about 2,000 such additives used by the food
industry today, and the average person eats between three to five pounds
of chemicals a year.
Nutrition
is more than a simple biochemical process. It involves our state of mind,
digestion and environment along with the condition and type of food we
consume.
Dr.
Ballentine suggests that a healthful transitional diet would eliminate
many of the items characteristic of modern urban eating and would more
closely resemble the traditional diet of many primitive cultures. It could
still retain foods which are familiar and well-liked.
A
good first step is to eliminate refined sugar products and use raw sugar,
raw honey, maple sugar, molasses or date sugars. Secondly, eliminate
refined white flour products, things in lots of packaging.
Then
next would include canned or frozen "convenience foods" and
processed preparations. Limit supermarket and natural food shopping to the
produce counter, dairy section and dried grains and beans.
Try
and purchase foods which are as fresh as possible. Visit the farmers'
market, where your foods will be fresh, local and seasonal. This is the
best, especially if you can also get them organic. An ideal place for this
experience is one's own back yard. You may not be able to grow beans and
grains in your backyard, but they have normally been universally
available, at low prices. They can easily be stored.
With
these raw materials, the ideal is to correctly combine these foods to form
a diet which is not only balanced, but appealing.
This
is the simple brief strategy.
In
traditional Ayurvedic nutritional philosophy, food is considered
important. The wrong foods can block the Way. Food influences the
mind, and the mind influences food. But this is not our primary way
to achieve the higher aim in life. Or, has been stated,
"we cannot simply eat our way to heaven."
But,
having said this, one's attitude, psychological state and sense of
awareness can help him / her step outside their conditioning into a
process that transforms limits, negativity into a naturalness that we
could label as a sense of well being.
SARS
On Larry
King the other night, Dr. Andrew Weils gave an interesting perspective on
SARS. He pointed out that in the Southern province where SARS was first
reported, a lot of wild animals are consumed and there is a lot of close
contact with domesticated animals. This would lead one to
consider not consuming animal foods. In fact, later reports have
found the corona virus (sars is a corona virus) in a type of cat in this
part of China that is regularly eaten. The virus doesn't seem to bother
the cat but is not so good for humans.
The
following is an interpretation from English of an from an article
translated from Chinese by Fu Jing Hua posted in the TCM (Traditional
Chinese Medicine) Forum of the Chinese Medical School of the Hong Kong
Baptist University. This is an attempt to give a Traditional Chinese
medical conceptual framework to the current SARS epidemic.
(I will only try to extract the useful and /
or interesting points from this article and not all the technical details.
I do not want to suggest a treatment, nor do I want to try and treat it
but to
promote understanding and how to avoid the necessity of treatment. )
The article points out that "a typical
pneumonia" as to TCM etiology and pathomechanism falls under the
category of "warm pestilential Qi." (As you know, Qi is
translated as energy).
Warm pestilential Qi is similar to other
seasonal diseases. It is a normal phenomenon of the rhythmical] periodic
process of flow and change in the universe. This is referred to in
Oriental medicine as the process of flow and change in the "Five
Flows," the five phases or better known as
the five elements of fire, earth, metal water and wood; and, the "Six
Qi's," which refers to wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness and
fire. These six qi's are referred to as the six external pathogenic
factors.
When the universe rotates in the complete
circle of 360 degrees, the yin and yang and six qi emerge. In a year and
in the passage of the four seasons, the earth rotates by itself. As it
revolves, the five flows emerge and the multi-layered temporal-spatial
pattern and rhythm of the year,
month, day and time unfold.
The five flows and six qi's are a
temporal-spatial state of natural existence. It is the Tao of the flow and
transformation of the universe, temporal-spatial effects and principle of
nature.
In the South of China, the warm season comes
earlier, hence the dis-ease spreads there
first. And this is a time when there is more cosmic heat.
The Tao of Chinese medicine is established
upon life processes and a plurality of other types of life motion and
their mutual interactions with nature and social processes. Its philosophy
holds that the causes of diseases is the loss of harmony between the
various life motions and its relationship with nature and society. Hence
it is said: "When harmony is attained, there is Zheng Qi. Zheng Qi is
righteous qi (energy) especially in opposition to disease. It is the
normal qi of the seasons, warmth in spring, heat in summer, coolness in
autumn and cold in winter.
When disharmony happens "xie Qi"
emerges. Xie Qi is often translated as "evil qi" or more
appropriately, disease pathogen from the external or internal environment
that threatens health.
Because of irregular eating patterns, sleep
and waking patterns, and mental pressures, people often build up fire and
heat within their bodies. Body fluids are consumed. Then, in an unhealthy
state, become "cohorts predisposed or susceptible to atypical
pneumonia." This is because of the fact that the disharmony between
life motion state and nature's Qi flow becomes a favorable condition for
the multiplication and spread of the virus.
The external xie qi refers to "the
pestilential qi between heaven and earth." This is different from the
six climatic conditions wind, cold, summer heat, dampness (humidity) and
dryness being in excess, which is the normal cause of dis-ease. The
pestilential Qi referred to is not limited to virus. Instead they are
referred to as abnormal mode of temporal-spatial flow transformation and
change. TCM pathomechanism (the process by
which a disease arises and develops as a etiology) emphasizes seeking the
, categorizations and force trajectory.
In categorizations, SARS begins in the
lungs. Then it rapidly makes inroads downwards towards the kidneys while
at the same time making a surprise attack upon the pericardium (heart
protector).
Its force trajectory is heat with an
inclination towards "dryness". Its time frame trajectory
may be subdivided into the initial, middle and latter stages.
Life hinges on balancing, centering and
harmonizing the Zheng (righteous Qi).
As for preventing being afflicted by this
illness, aside from fostering hygenic habits such as quarantining,
disinfecting hospital wards, as well as avoiding crowds, the more critical
aspect is 'harmony' between life processes themselves and the natural and
societal environment. What TCM refers to as "when the Zheng Qi is
retained within, the pathogen would not dare invade."
The basic purpose and aim of the regulation
of diet, rhythm of sleep and waking up, breathing, physical activities
etc. in 'nurturing life' is to maintain a 'centered and harmonious' state.
The ideal is to become familiar with the concretemethods of going with the
flow of nature; balancing the Yin and Yang; regulated diet; normal rhythm
of sleep and waking; tranquility, emptiness; guarding the quintessential
Spirit within; Taoist and Yogic breathing exercises and stretching
postures.
But the only problem is that people are
frightened of death but not afraid to take the route of rushing towards
death. People love life, but are unwilling to take the Tao of nurturing
life. At this point in time this is like the old saying digging the well
while thirsty or forging weapons when engaged in battle.
Wo/man by her/himself has all that is needed
to overcome diseases (according to the article). Life is capable of
self-stability, self-regulation, self-control, self harmonization and self
organization.
TCM's aim is to promote the
self-realization, self development and self harmonization of human life
processes. In the use of preventative medicines, they must be administered
on the basis of different body states and constitutions. This will promote
the body's self harmonization and thus
achieve the aim of 'preserving the righteous Qi from within'.
Healthy people who have not come in contact
with atypical pneumonia, can take precautions. Regulate diet, balance work
with play, relax the mind, and there is no need to blindly take
medications, according to Fu Jing Hua.
At this period of time, pay attention to
eating and drinking light and bland foods, and, while having less of
fatty, sweet and rich foods, eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, edible
fungi as well as walnuts, black beans and lotus seeds.
Dr. Andrew Weil pointed out that this
disease should lessen with the return of warmer weather. But it could
return again next season.
The details of the herbal treatment that is
prescribed for the different stages of this illness goes beyond the scope
of the intent of this article since we are not emphasizing the treatment
of SARS but its prevention. This is following the ideal of not treating
disease but balancing the life energy, as the Polarity teacher Pierre
Pannetier often recommended.
The use of Oil
As we age our blood starts to stagnate and our skin starts to dry out.
The blood stagnation can also be referred to as poor circulation. One
practical way to deal with this phenomenon is to keep
exercising, resisting the onslaught of inertia. Both of these
matters can be helped greatly by giving ourselves a daily massage
and using more oil externally in general.
The following
are some ideas taken from aa Ayurvedic Newsletter from
Banyan Botanicals on Abhyanga, Ayurvedic oil massage. This article
was by Dr. Claudia Welch.
"The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much
even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil
massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body
parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age."
Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89. The Charaka Samhita is the
fundamental text for the practice of Ayurvedic medicine, the Ancient
wisdom of India.
Abhyanga
is the anointing of the body with oil. Often medicated and
usually warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before
bathing. For thousands of years, people have used abhyanga to
maintain health, benefit sleep patterns, increase longevity. It
has also been used as a medicine for certain disorders. Abhyanga
can be incorporated into a routine appropriate for almost anyone.
The Sanskrit
word sneha can be translated as both "oil" and "love.@ It
is believed that the effects of abhyanga are similar to those
received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of
being loved, abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and
warmth. Sneha is subtle; this allows the oil/love to pass through
minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue.
Ayurveda
teaches that there are seven layers of tissue in the body:
1) plasma; 2) blood; 3) muscle; 4) adipose (fat) tissue; 5) bone;
6) nerve tissue and bone marrow; and, 7) reproductive tissue. Each
successive layer is more concentrated and life-giving than the
previous. For sneha to reach the deepest layer, it is believed
that it must be massaged into the body for roughly five minutes.
To give this kind of attention to your entire body, you may need
about fifteen-minutes. Considering the benefits that have
been gained by people for thousands of years, fifteen-minutes per
day is a minimal amount of time.
Benefits of
applying oil to the body that Dr. Claudia Welch lists (which
are outlined in three major Ayurvedic texts: Charaka Samhita,
Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hrdayam) - Produces softness,
strength and color to the body - Decreases the effects of aging -
Bestows good vision - Nourishes the body - Increases longevity -
Benefits sleep patterns - Benefits skin - Strengthens
the
body's tolerance - Imparts a firmness to the limbs - Imparts tone
and vigor to the tissues of the body - Stimulates the internal
organs of the body, including circulation - Pacifies vata and
pitta and harmonizes kapha. Benefits of applying oil to the scalp: -
Makes hair grow luxuriantly, thick, soft and glossy - Soothes and
invigorates the sense organs - Removes facial wrinkles.
Benefits of applying oil to the ears: - Benefit disorders in the ear
which are due to increased Vata - Benefits stiff neck - Benefits
stiffness in the jaw Benefits of applying oil to the feet: -
Coarseness, stiffness, roughness, fatigue and numbness of the feet
are alleviated - Strength and firmness of the feet are attained -
Vision is enhanced - Vata is pacified - Sciatica is benefitted -
Local veins and ligaments are benefited.
Vata
Pacifying application of oil: The primary qualities of vata are
dry, light, cool, rough, subtle and mobile. Most of these
qualities are opposite to those of oil. This is why warm oil is
especially good for pacifying vata. If your vata is high, either
in your constitution or present imbalance, doing daily oil
application can be highly beneficial, even life-changing.
Sushruta says, "The deranged vata of the body is restored to its
normal condition by the help of massage." Do abhyanga in a warm
place. Place the bottle of oil in a pan of hot water until the oil
is pleasantly warm. - Sit or stand comfortably in a warm room, on
a towel that you don't mind ruining with oil accumulation.
Dr. Welch
suggests beginning at the extremities and working toward the
middle of the body. Use long strokes on the limbs and circular
strokes on the joints. Massage the abdomen and chest in broad,
clockwise, circular motions. - Apply oil to the crown of your head
and work slowly out in circular strokes. Put a couple drops of
warm oil on the tip of your little finger or on a cotton ball and
apply to the opening of the ear canal. Actually oil can and should
be applied to every orifice every day.
It just so
happens that the ACU-Polarity office now carries medicated
oils for the constitutions of vata, pitta or kapha. Also, Brahmi
oil the brain, oil for joint pain and oil especially designed to
rub in your hair and feet before retiring at night.
Carbohydrates
Now we are having a fat epidemic, and it seems that carbohydrates are
taking the brunt of the blame. First it is good to distinguish between
simple carbohydrates, which are sugars, and complex carbohydrates -
which are called starches.
The use of simple carbohydrates, like table sugar, has more than
doubled in the last 100 years, according to Dr. Ballentine in his book
Diet and Nutrition. At the same time, the amount of complex
carbohydrates such as that which is found in grains and beans, has
decreased dramatically.
Common sense would tell us that carbohydrates that are overly prepared,
overly packaged and overly preserved would not be that healthy. No
matter how many or what amount of these articles we consume, they will
not satisfy our hunger because they contain few or no real nutrients.
These simple sugars easily turn to excess body weight.
Complex carbohydrates, like as in whole grains - rice, buckwheat,
millet, oats, whole wheat, etc., - provide us with the energy we need.
If one tries to depend on fats or protein for energy, it will work to
some extent but these articles are more meant for the building and
lubrication of bones, tissues, joints etc. They are not the best foods
for fuel and will not burn cleanly. Check out the overhead wall of a
kitchen where there are a lot of animal fats cooked. This could reflect
the conditions of the arterial walls from a diet which burns excess
protein and fats for fuel. This is often the case due to a deficiency
consumption of complex carbohydrates in the diet.
The area of the body where food is primarily broken down, assimilated
or burned is the solar plexus, the first 1/3 of the small intestine.
The burning of carbohydrates by the cell breaks the carbohydrate
molecule down to its original components, carbon dioxide and water. The
water is vaporized in the breath or excreted in the urine. The carbon
dioxide is exhaled and returns to the atmosphere.
This is a constantly recurring cycle; carbohydrates being formed by the
plant with the release of oxygen (photosynthesis) and the entrapment of
the sun"s energy. The carbohydrate is being oxidized with the throwing
off of carbon dioxide and water, and the recovery of that energy from
the sun.
The plant reaction takes up energy; the animal reaction releases it.
Plants alone have the capacity to capture energy from the sun and
package it as carbohydrates. The carbohydrate molecule contains only
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen plus the energy from the sun that was
trapped during their combination.
For an article on the natural diet of human...
The
Aging Process
After 42 you become more and more familiar with it. In fact,
I was "over the hill" at 42, but then I started taking
those dang Chinese herbs, got married and started having children.
Starting from the top, your hair thins, turns color and may start
falling out. From a Chinese medicine point of view the kidneys
control the head hair. Loss of balance is a kidney issue, as
the ears are considered the external organ of the kidneys. Western
physiology considers balance problems as inner ear problems.
There are numerous traditional and modern formulas to nourish
the kidney energy. One could take fo ti, polygonum multiflori,
to nourish the kidney yin (vital essence) to help nourish and
keep hair dark and healthy.
Tai Chi has also been shown to help with balance problems and
strengthen bones and sinews (tendons).
Right underneath the scalp is the brain which can start getting
fuzzy with memory loss. A commonly used herb is gingko biloba
to affect cerebral arterial insufficiency, which means the brain
is not getting proper nourishment due to poor circulation.
Hearing is also associated with the kidney energy. Tinnitus
and hearing loss are also treated with giving kidney tonics to
nourish the kidneys. The herbal formula Er Long Zuo Ci wan is
also referred to as "pills for the deaf" and "ear
ringing's friend pill."
The thinning teeth and bones are also considered aging conditions
that are treated through strengthening kidney energy.
Then your vision starts getting less. In chinese medicine, vision
is associated with the liver. So nourishing liver yin would be
an approach here. Lycii berries would be an herb that would help
this.
The Health Concerns formula Bil Lutein would be also useful.
It contains bilberry, a relative of the blueberry and huckleberry,
which has been used to treat macular degeneration, glaucoma and
cataracts.
Lutein is a fat soluble carotenoid that helps in the prevention
of macular degeneration.
It so happens that the Kan herb company sent me a newsletter
on "Chinese Herbs and the Aging Process".
On cardiovascular health, it is pointed out that aging along
with fast food, high fat diets, excessive use of alcohol and smoking
and lack of exercise contribute to obesity, high cholesterol,
high blood pressure and diabetes. Chinese herbs can help to strengthen
vascular activity and clear blockages of chi, phlegm and blood
which are the background of cardiovascular dis-eases.
A stroke is the third most common cause of death in the U.S.
This is referred to as wind stroke in Chinese medicine.
Internal wind is generated from liver yin and kidney deficiency.
It is like a dry desert that allows the wind to blow to the head.
This can lead to paralysis combined with phlegm heat and blood
stasis. Prevention is much more desirable than treatment after
the fact.
Chinese herbs can be extremely helpful in the prevention of wind
stroke by nourishment of the liver and kidney yin.
Liver wind rising can be a cause of high blood pressure with
headache and dizziness. The traditional formula tian ma gou ten
yin calms wind and nourishes the liver and kidneys.
Along with diet, exercise, medicinal herbal supplementation and
tai chi the stretching postures of polarity and hatha yoga improve
balance, endurance and flexibility.
Nadis -
Energy Pathways
Readers could rightfully wonder how it is
that I am talking about all these things that are well beyond my scope.
When I studied with Dr. Vasant Lad, in Santa Fe, ours was the first class
that he taught in the US. At the end of the class year Dr. Lad told us to
go and teach Ayurveda "to the four corners". That is what I am
doing.
According
to ancient Ayurvedic yogic lore and teaching, there are 72,000 nadis in
the body which are rooted in the navel. Some we are familiar with such as
veins and arteries and some are too subtle to be known by dissection or
any other type of physical observation.
Three of these nadis in particular are important in Ayurveda and yoga
theory. They are known as:
Pingala, the current associated with the right nostril with the
positive/sun energy;
Ida, the current associated with the left nostril negative/moon energy;
Sushumna the current going through the eye center and the center of the
spine with a neutral polarity.
As these currents spiral through the body and crisscross they form energy
centers. These centers have emotional as well as physical functions.
Briefly the first chakra is located between the coccyx (tail bone) and the
apex of the sacrum. It is the earth element and has to do with elimination
of feces and the sense of smell.
The negative emotion associated with this energy center is fear (like the
fear of losing our body or other possessions, friends, etc.) and
attachment (to those same things). The balance is detachment, discernment
and discrimination (realizing the true nature and impermanence of all
things).
The second chakra is located between the 5th lumbar and the base of the
sacrum. It is the water chakra associated with the function of
reproduction and the sense of taste.
The emotions of this chakra are negativity, indulgence and balance
simplicity. Indulgence like in food, negativity and inappropriate sex
(like as in the word lust), etc. The balance, simplicity, means words like
continence and being happy with simple things.
The third, fire chakra is located below the 2nd lumbar in the back and
area of the navel in the front. It is involved in the fire of digestion
and assimilation and is associated with the sense of sight. The negative
emotion associated with fire is, understandably, anger, and its balance is
peace and calm.
The emotions of this chakra are indulgence and the balance is
simplicity. Indulgence like in food, emotional negativity and
inappropriate sex (like as in the word lust), etc. The balance,
simplicity, means like in words continence and being happy with simple
things, etc.
In the throat is the ether chakra. It relates speech and hearing. The
negative emotion associated with it is a sense of separation. The balance
is a sense of oneness.
Like the rivers on planet earth, these energy river/currents can and do
become polluted. Pranayama (control of breath) is practiced - along with
diet, meditation, posture and life style - to help clean these nadis. The
exercise alternate nostril breathing in particular is used for this
purpose.
Alternate nostril breathing is performed by placing the index and middle
fingers of the right hand on the forehead at the eye center. The right
ring finger is used to close the left nostril, and the right thumb to
close the right nostril.
The practice begins by closing the right nostril with the thumb and
exhaling through the left nostril. Keeping the right nostril closed,
inhale through the left nostril, close off the left nostril and exhale
through the right. Then inhale through the right, close off the right
nostril and exhale through the left. This is one round.
It is advised not to do this if you have sinus problems. Simple deep
breathing exercises and the postures are better to practice until your
sinuses clear up somewhat.
This breathing exercise is not meant as a spiritual practice, but a
psycho-physical balance to promote strength, well being and clean the body
and consciousness.
Begin by exhaling through the left nostril and inhale detachment while
your thumb is touching the little finger (this is meant for counting
purposes only). Breathe in detachment, exhale fear and attachment. A
second time, this time through the right nostril breathe in detachment and
exhale through the left fear and attachment. You are affirming with breath
that you are not fear. Fear and attachment is associated with the earth
element. The higher Self is detached from any turmoil.
Now move your thumb to the water finger and breathe in simplicity through
the left nostril and exhale indulgence through the right. Inhale
simplicity through the right and exhale indulgence through the left.
Move your thumb to the middle, fire finger. Breathe in calm and exhale
anger. Breathe calm in through the right nostril and exhale anger through
the left. You are not anger. Anger is associated with the element of fire.
Move your thumb to the index, air finger. Breathe contentment in through
the left nostril and exhale greed through right. Breathe in through the
right nostril contentment and exhale greed. You are not greedy and full of
desire. These emotions are associated with the air element.
Move your thumb and stick it out like you are hitch hiking. Though the
left nostril, breathe in Oneness and exhale a sense of separation. Through
the right nostril, breathe in Oneness and exhale separation. You are not
separated. You are one. Separation and the grief of separation belong to
the ether element.
This completes 5 rounds of two in and out breaths with awareness
affirmations. It is suggested that you could do these 5 rounds daily, but
not more than this without further instruction.
Alternatives to Flu Shots
Many people feel distressed because they are not able to receive
a flu shot. The flu is the leading cause of calling in sick with
5-20% of US residents contracting the flu, on average, each year.
The following are signs, symptoms, formulas and suggested
strategies for an intelligent alternative treatment program for
preventing colds and flu. And, if one does get the flu or has
a cold, several protocols for the different stages and conditions
are suggested.
Oriental medicine is not so interested in identifying a particular
viral or bacterial strain. It looks for the conditions of hot
or cold; dry or damp. Wind, as in airborne pathogens, are normally
involved; so it is usually considered a wind/cold or wind/heat
condition and treatment is prescribed accordingly.
A cold/flu situation is usually acute, although in the later
phases of this condition, it can be treated with tonic herbs.
Tonic herbs are usually only used for chronic or deficient conditions.
In the later stages of a cold/flu, in combinations with other
herbs, they can give a boost and bring a person out of a 'run
down' feeling.
Jade screen is an ancient formulation of herbs that has been
used for centuries for cold and flu protection as well as protection
from allergies.
If a person is exposed to flu from family members, work associates,
crowded public transportation and public places they can use secondary
formulas that treat the first stages of exposure. This formula
is called Yin Qiao or Health Concerns has a formula called Cold
Away.
Let's say a person 'catches a cold.' In the first stage they
could take Echinacea and Goldenseal plus Isatis as an herbal heat
clearing (like in anti-biotic). With sore throat (wind/heat)
they could add the afore mentioned Yin Qiao. If a person is chilly
and achy (wind/cold) they can take Echinacea, Goldenseal and Isatis
with Ginger tea.
If a person develops coughing with large amounts of clear
phlegm, Minor Blue Dragon would be the herbal combination of choice.
If the phlegm is colored, Ma huang and Gingko could be suggested.
If the head is stuffy and congested, Pueraria Nasal could be
used. For a dry cough - Lily combination.
If a person has sneezing with clear phlegm, Xanthium combination
would be the best. For sneezing with colored phlegm, use Pueraria
Nasal combination.
Ear congestion with clear phlegm would call for Wen Dan Tang.
Heat conditions, like in infection and fever, Long Dan Xie Gan
Tang could be used.
Headaches and stiff neck with chills would call for Pueraria
combination to remove wind and cold. If a person has whole body
aches, Health Concerns makes a formula called Mobility 3, which
could be beneficial.
Then, of course, some health authorities recommend regular
exercise (yoga), eating regular low fat meals, trying to avoid
eating too many sweets and getting sufficient rest and exercise.
Keeping life simple and well organized as possible and at the
same time 'going with the flow' also helps in reductions of cold
and flu attacks.
Srotas, Chakras and
Marmas
In the teachings of Ayurvedic anatomy and
physiology, there are veins and arteries just like in conventional anatomy
and physiology. In addition, there are numerous energy channels which are
too subtle to detect with the human eye or even with a high powered
microscope. These are referred to as nadis, which emanate from whirling
energy centers - the chakras.
Nadis and chakras have been discussed in
the newsletter before. What has not been discussed is what are referred to
as 'srotas'. Srotas are pathways for air, food, water and the seven
tissues (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, nerve tissue and reproductive
tissue). There is a pathway for prana - as in respiration, and the
mind which is technically know as 'manas' - the sense perception
mind.
The srotas have a root, a passage and an opening. We may not be accustomed to thinking of the mind in
such a manner. Dr. Lad enlightens us in his book The Textbook of Ayurveda.
He says the root of the individual's sense perception mind (manas) is the
heart (cardiac plexus) and the ten sensory pathways. There are 5
senses in bilateral pathways.
The passage way of manas is the entire
physical body. And the openings are the sense organs - ears, skin, eyes,
tongue and nose. 'Marmas' - the energy points which are located all
over the body like acu-points - are also openings for mind.
It might be pointed out that according to
Samkhaya philosophy, which is the basis for Ayurvedic medical theory, the
mind has four aspects: Chitta, which is consciousness and the ability to
discern dimension, beauty and harmony; Buddhi, the intellect and the
ability to make decisions; Ahamkar, the ego and the sense of
individuation; and Manas, the sense perception mind. Manas is often
contrasted as the lower, individual mind with the higher, Universal mind.
The marma points are traditionally listed as 107 or 108 and sometimes 365,
like in traditional Oriental Medicine.
When you think about it, what a person
hears, touches, sees, tastes and smells affects their mind. Likewise
manipulations of the external openings of the mind via the marma and acu-points
can also affect the mind.
The ideal in manipulating the marmas and
acu-points is to bring benefit to the person receiving treatment. This is
the principle behind marma therapy and acupuncture / acupressure. By
manipulation of certain external points one influences internal tissue,
organ systems and the mind, promoting relaxation, health and beauty.
There are marma and acu-points which
affect all the srotas. There are 15 srotas (channels) and two extra for
women - a channel for lactation and a channel for menstruation.
In Polarity, we usually talk about the
five elements and their association with the five chakras along the spine
- ether, air, fire, water and earth. These are spinning energy centers
that carry out their physiological function by way of the nadis (energy
channels). The chakras are the subtle function behind the 3 nervous
systems - central, sympathetic and parasympathetic.
The chakras have a relationship to sense
perception. The subtle aspect of ether is sound and hearing; the subtle
aspect of air is touch; the subtle aspect of fire is sight; the subtle
aspect of water is taste; the subtle aspect of earth is smell.
The higher energy centers are not
discussed in too much detail but only acknowledged due to the fact that
they are usually accessed through programs of yoga and meditation not
manipulation.
Addressing individual marma points which
relate to the chakras - Sthapani marma, which is acu-point yintang, is
located between the eyebrows. It controls the sixth chakra (Ajna), prana,
the mind (manas), the senses, pituitary gland and the meeting of the nadis
in the head, which include pingala (positive current), ida (negative
current) and sushumna (the neutral current that runs through the center of
the spine).
Neel marma, located near acu-point
stomach 9 and 10, is a large area of the lower neck just lateral to the
trachea. It governs brajaka pitta (combined fire and water principle)
which is the heat of the skin, speech, thyroid and circulation to the
brain. Its location is at the ether chakra.
Hridaya marma, which is at the same location as acu-point conception
vessel 17 but is much larger, is located in the general region of the
heart, the middle of the sternum. It controls the tissues of plasma and
blood; the circulatory systems and the air chakra.
Nabhi marma, which is the same as acu-point
conception vessel 8, but is much larger in size, is located in the navel
and surrounding area. It governs the fire chakra, which includes digestion
and exertion. Controls digestive fire (the fire of the solar plexus
located in the first 1/3 of the small intestine), digestive juices, bile
and pitta (combined fire and water principle) in the whole body.
Basti marma, which includes acu-points
conception vessel 2 through 6 located between the pubic symphysis and
umbilicus in the region of lower abdomen and the surrounding area above
the bladder. It governs the muscular system and bodily fat and kapha
(combined earth and water principle), according to Dr. David Frawley in
his book Ayurveda and Marma Therapy. This point affects the second, water
chakra.
Guda marma, which includes acu-point
governing vessel 1 and acu-point conception vessel 1. It is located at the
anus and surrounding area. It governs the earth chakra, the channels of
excretio nurination, reproduction and menstruation as well as the testes
and ovaries.
Kung Fu, Acupuncture
face
lift, When you turn 60 its party time;
I've been waiting for the coconut oil to get hard to
let me know that it is fall. It has finally happened
but now the newsletter is three weeks behind.
The latest thing that has been going on here is the
release, by Warner Bros., of the complete Kung Fu
series with Qwai Chang Caine. Remember? The series
was first recorded for television back in the early
70's. It ran for three years and picked up more
interest on subsequent reruns. Toby and I have been
watching the DVD release for the past month.
Qwai Chang Caine had the ability, through his Kung Fu
training at the Shaolin temple, to harmonize with many
difficult situations, trusting in the Tao (the Way,
the flow of Nature).
You may recall, he also had the ability to disarm
violent, angry and prejudiced people; could live on
water with a few herbs sprinkled in it. He knew how
to gather wild, eatable herbs and dine on a bowl of
beans and rice on occasions. These are all talents
that one could employ with benefit in these times of
terrorism, earth changes and the like.
You may say that it was just a television series,
which of course is true, but these Myths help us to
reach for inner strength. The I Ching advises to
look for the superior man/woman within and act
accordingly in every situation.
When doing a yoga posture, a young, strong and
flexible practitioner, like we see in a magazine, can
demonstrate the ideal. And then there is the reality
- the way the rest of us do a posture. It is the
same in the way we employ our ideals in daily living.
If we pursue our highest ideal, we can fall. But if
we keep high ideals in mind, we may find in the end
that ideals have more reality than what we take for
reality on the physical plane.
The 30 episodes of Kung Fu and a 90-minute pilot move
are available from Amazon.
When I was studying acupuncture in Sri Lanka the
teacher said, "Learn acupuncture face lift." I have
to get continuing education credits to renew my
Arkansas and California licenses. This year I am
going to Orange, California to take a three day
seminar in constitutional facial acupuncture and
advanced facial renewal. This seminar is scheduled
for the early part of November.
The journal "Acupuncture Today" in its November '05
issue had an article on vibrational medicine by Darren
Starwynn, OMD that discusses facial rejuvenation and
the various attitudes surrounding the practice. Some
acupuncturists express they would rather stick with
"real" healing arts of traditional Acupuncture or
other energetic medicine.
Regular intended effects of facial rejuvenation are:
wrinkle reduction, facial muscle tone to more youthful
firmness; normalization of skin coloration to more
healthy hues; reduction or elimination of acne,
blemishes and age spots; increase in collagen and
elastin to fill out and contour face; and,
facilitating a healthy, vibrant glow to the face.
Starwynn reports additional "side effects:" 1. Relief
from menstrual cramps; 2. Weight loss; 3. Relief from
back and neck pain; 4. Depression or emotional
malaise lifted, increase in mental clarity and inner
calm; 5. Increased energy; 6. Insomnia relieved; and
other miraculous reports which are almost hard to
believe since the people were only treated on their
face and neck with little or no adjunctive body
acupuncture points stimulated. We will see.
My high school graduating class is holding a 60th
birthday party. The menu is beer, wine, ice cream and
barbequed beef and chicken. One would have to
congratulate a person for having a hale and hardy
enough constitution to have lived this long on this
diet. I joked on the RSVP that I was no fun in high
school and seldom went to parties then and am even
worse now.
I naturally think we need a new paradigm starting
with what we take to be the 'normal' diet of
humankind. What we at Acu-Polarity consider to be the 'natural
diet' of human kind can be found on the web page
under the Energetics of Natural Healing section.
Bird
Flu
The government is planning on spending a few billion
in preparation for Avian flu, the H5 N1 virus also
know as bird flu. It is known as bird flu because it
has its origins in Vietnam among farmers who are in
close contact with chickens and ducks. The virus is
passed from an infected bird to a human.
The problem could arise if the virus mutates to the
point where one human could pass it to another human.
Then there is the possibility for a pandemic.
Authorities, like the world health organization, say
one is due.
Witnessing the events of the past few months one
might observe that they cannot always depend on the
government. What are some steps we as individuals can
take?
I have not spent a lot of time in laboratory
research, but looking at the situation it seems there
are a few simple and practical things that can be
practiced.
First of all it would seemed that as the virus start
with infected birds (as in chickens) we might think
about how closely we want to associate with chickens.
In some respects, the life style of some farmers in
Arkansas is not that far removed from they way they
live in Vietnam. The logical way to avoid close
association with chickens is not to eat them.
Tyson could decide to become the world's largest soy
burger producer instead of the largest chicken farmer.
Ha ha.
Bacteria and viruses do the worst damage to
someone with weaken immunity. Strengthening the lungs
through yoga postures, breathing exercises and/or Chi
Kung (cultivation of life energy) would seem
appropriate. Chi Kung, like yoga, combines breath and
specific movement to open and move the Chi in certain
parts of the body. Tai chi is chi kung and has been
practiced to maintain health and develop specific
capacities like Qwai Chang Caine did.
There are many herbs and herbal formulas that can be
effective. The most appropriate herbs come from a
category referred to as "heat clearing and toxicity
relieving." The herbs in this category serve as a
broad spectrum of antibiotics and antivirals. Their
complexity as a full spectrum product from nature also
helps support the host to resistance pathogens. Some
of these are:
1. Isatis Root and Isatis Leaf. Taste: Bitter.
Property: Cold. Channels entered: Lung, Heart and
Stomach. Functions: Eliminates toxic heat from the
blood, anti-viral - dispels damp heat in the lower
burner. Indications: Fevers, infectious diseases,
sore throat, mumps and hepatitis.
Special note: Isatis leaf and root represent two of
the most powerful antiviral herbs in all of herbal
medicine according to Michael Tierra. They can be
used for epidemic fevers of various kinds for
individuals regardless of their constitution.
2. Andrographis. Taste: Bitter. Property: Cold.
Channels entered: Lung, Stomach, Large and Small
Intestine. Functions: Clears heat and toxin
(anti-bacterial, anti- viral). Indications: Sore
throat, purulent sputum, acute infection of the GI
tract.
3. Dandelion. Taste: Bitter, sweet. Property: Cold.
Channels entered: Liver and stomach. Functions:
Expels toxic heat from the blood, antiviral - dispels
damp heat in the lower burner. Indications:
Infections, mastitis, conjunctivitis, boils urinary
tract infection cirrhosis and hepatitis.
4. Burdock. Taste: Bitter and Pungent. Property:
Cold. Channels entered: Lung and Stomach.
Functions: Clears heat and allows release of toxicity
from the surface; Reduces swelling and clears
pathogen. Indications: External wind heat (like in
flu), sore throat, skin ailments.
Special note: Burdock seed is best treatment for
skin diseases while the root is helpful as a general
detoxifier and blood purifier.
5. Violet. Taste: Pungent and Bitter. Property: Cold.
Channels entered: Heart and liver. Functions:
Expels toxic heat and reduces swellings. Indications:
Swollen and painful eyes, acute inflammatory
infections, boils, breast abscesses.
6. Prunella. Taste: Bitter and pungent. Property:
Cold. Channels entered: Lungs, Gallbladder and
Liver. Functions: Clears fire, brightens eyes,
scatters nodulations and disperses swelling.
Indications: Headache, vertigo, acute conjunctivitis;
Mumps, acute mastitis, goiter; Hypertension.
8. Forsythia. Taste: Bitter. Property: Cool. Channels
entered: Heart, Liver, Lung, and Gallbladder.
Functions: Expels toxic heat from the blood. Dispels
external wind-heat; Reduces lumps, swollen lymph
glands and hot sores. Indications: Common cold with
fever, thirst, sore throat, headache, urinary tract
infection. Abscesses, carbuncles and scrofula.
7. Honeysuckle. Taste: Sweet. Property: Cold.
Channels entered: Lung, Heart, Stomach, and Large
Intestine. Functions: Expels heat, fire and
toxicity. Dispels wind heat derived from an external
pathogen. Expels damp heat from the lower burner.
Indications: Any hot infection where there is pain
and swelling. Boils, fore throat, conjunctivitis,
respiratory infection and abscesses. Wind heat with
fever, Common cold and flu with headache; acute
dysentery and urinary tract infection.
Other herbs and formulas could be according to sign
and symptoms.
A preventive formula would include the famous Jade
screen formula to strengthen the wei (protective) chi
(energy). It consists of Astragalas, Siler root and
Atractylodes. Astragalus is well known for its
ability to help prevent colds and flu.
It would be a good idea to keep a bottle of Yin Qiao
on hand. This can be taken in the initial first 24 to
48 hours of fever and the first sign of sore throat.
This along with gargling with salt water, and the use
of a neta pot can
also be practiced daily as a preventive.
Avoid eating
too many deserts.
These are practical steps. If there ever is another
pandemic and there are ample supplies of something
that effectively treats an epidemic illness, then it
would be appropriate to take such medicine. This,
unfortunately, cannot always be depended on.
Bird Flu Part II
These are some of the highlights of a recent article written by Jon
Herring on Avian flu continuing the topic from the last newsletter.
First all he points out that there have been an average of 15 cases a
year out of a world population of 6 Billion. He says, "The most
pessimistic disease models put the U.S. death toll at 10 million people
out of a population of 295 million. Strictly for the sake of
discussion, let's assume this will happen. There are two ways to look
at these numbers:
1) You can focus on the possibility that 10 million people might die;
or 2) You can focus on the fact that at least 285 million people will NOT die."
"The question then becomes: How can you make sure that you and your
family are among the 285 million survivors?" He says, "Here is what I
suggest you don't do:
"a. Don't rely on a vaccine for prevention. For it to work, you would
have to be vaccinated against the actual strain going around. Besides,
many vaccines contain mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, and ethylene
glycol (anti-freeze), not exactly immune-boosting ingredients.
b. Don't put your faith in Tamiflu. Tamiflu is an antiviral drug that
is being touted as a treatment for the bird flu. And though the
government is asking people not to, many Americans are buying up
supplies and stockpiling it."
"Tamiflu does NOT prevent you from becoming infected with the flu. What
it can do is reduce the severity of the symptoms and the number of days
you suffer from them (by one or two days). It can also help inhibit the
spread of a virus." "Will Tamiflu work against a future, mutated strain
of avian flu? Many strains of flu are already resistant to it. And, in
this case, "close" doesn't cut it. If the drug you are taking does not
target the specific strain you're faced with ... you have no
protection. So stockpiling a drug that is currently available is a
crapshoot, at best."
In the event of an outbreak of the bird flu, here's his advice (not all
of it am I reproducing and several things were discussed in the last
ACU-Polarity newsletter):
1. For prevention, rely on your own immune system.
2. If you do fall ill (or know you have been exposed to avian flu), give your immune system some support.
Fortunately, there are many safe, natural medicines that can help your
body recover. "I (Herring) would group these in two basic categories:
immune boosters and pathogen destroyers."
First, some proven immune boosters:
a. Vitamin D - Growing evidence suggests that colds and flu are, in
large part, due to a winter time vitamin D deficiency - which
compromises the immune system. Patrick - try to take some time to spend
in the sun.
b. Selenium - Studies show that people who are deficient in selenium
are more susceptible to viruses. (Viruses also readily mutate in
selenium-deficient individuals.) This mineral is scarce in the food
supply. Brazil nuts are the richest natural source. Just throw a few in
your morning cereal.
d. Astragalus - The best-known immune-boosting herb in Chinese
medicine, research now shows that astragalus increases the production
of Natural Killer cells and lymphocytes.
e. Reishi mushrooms - The Chinese refer to these as "the mushrooms of
immortality." They are widely recognized for their ability to promote
resistance to flu-causing viruses.
Here are some proven pathogen destroyers:
a. Oil of oregano - This has been shown to effectively kill pathogenic
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It also has strong antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory effects.
b. Garlic - Stimulates your immune system and inhibits the
proliferation of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. For optimal immune
benefits, garlic should be crushed and eaten raw.
d. Pau d'arco - This herb, which comes from the South American
rainforest, has been used for centuries to boost immunity and protect
against pathogens. Research shows that it kills bacteria and viruses.
e. Colloidal silver - In the event of an epidemic, I would not be
without a colloidal silver solution. It has been shown to kill ALL
viruses and is known to be effective against more than 650
disease-causing organisms.'
He suggests that it," be used only as an occasional prophylactic or to
combat an illness. If you do use it he suggests, "you should also
supplement with pro-biotics to restore your digestive flora."
Marijuana
On my annual trip to the East this past February, the book Healing
Immune disorders by Andrew Gaeddert was carried along for down time. In
it was a very good statement on the use of Marijuana that I would like
to paraphrase.
He points out that Marijuana has been
used since biblical times. He quotes a doctor in California as saying,
'Working with AIDS and cancer patients, I repeatedly saw how marijuana
could ameliorate a patient's debilitating fatigue, restore appetite,
diminish pain, remedy nausea, cure vomiting and curtail down to the
bone weight loss.'
While it may have some potential for people with AIDS, cancer and
chronic pain, it does not mean it is a cure all or that it can be
safely used by many people.
Like the smoking of tobacco, smoking marijuana is associated with
chronic bronchitis, cough, phlegm production, shortness of breath, and
wheezing according to a study published in the Journal of General
Internal Medicine which based its results on 6,728 questionnaires
completed by adults twenty to fifty-nine years of age. Marijuana
smokers predispose themselves to lung cancer, sinus problems, coughing
and sore throats.
In addition it may cause symptoms of anxiety including overreaction,
apprehension, sweating, tremors and shakes. It can increase the heart
rate and disturb heart rhythms.
In teenagers it can lead to coping problems and blunted emotional
development. Other side effects include impaired coordination,
judgment, and short-term memory, mood swings and irritability due to
low blood sugar reaction.
Interestingly enough, marijuana seeds are an Oriental - Huo Ma Ren. It
is used as an emollient � for constipation caused by dry intestines.
The seeds contain barely a trace amount of the intoxicating principle
(cannabinol) of the leaf and stem. To prevent the seed from
germinating, they are processed by roasting.
Some practitioners consider the seed medicinal and the leaf toxic. The
leaf when smoked is thought to negatively affect and deplete the kidney
yang energy which has to do with will power.
If a person considers pot smoking as beneficial, then this message has
no bearing for them. But if one is not sure about their indulgence or
wants to quit -In order to break any habit that one considers
undesirable, it is important to look at the reasons you use it. Is it
used for relaxation, to enhance sensory perception, pain relief or a
change in state of mind or energy? We at acu-polarity have always in
the 20 years of business advocated a tee totaling vegetarian life
style, if possible.
This opinion is not from a self-righteous point of view as the author
of this newsletter feels vulnerable to all negative habits. It is
perceived as the best way to be in harmony with nature by tuning in,
not needing something supplied from with out. This is why the
consumption of medicinal tonic herbs, yoga postures, tai chi and
meditation seem to us as the natural way to over come pain, misery and
dull, negative states of mind.
To put it simply, in the present moment, the coming future and in death we need all our wits about us.
Acupuncture, herbs and yoga has helped many people overcome addictions,
but if one was interested in quitting smoking pot and did not want to
pursue these avenues, Andrew Gaeddert lists the we site for further
information at www.marijuana-anonymous.org .
Synthetic Hormones
In a recent program on NPR was an article on the growing popularity of
oral contraception that prevents periods altogether. The new pill,
Seasonale, will limit women�s menstrual periods. Called "continuous
contraception," It is a practice that suppresses the menstrual cycle so
it happens only once in three months, four months, or even a year or
more.
Continuous contraception works the same way as the 21 days on/seven
days off cycle. It stops the body's monthly preparation for pregnancy
by lowering the production of hormones that make pregnancy possible.
"During a natural menstrual cycle," says Dr. Lesley Miller, an OB/ GYN,
"hormones like estrogen and progesterone will vary ten-fold in
concentration from week to week. So, when a woman says she feels
different, there's a good reason. Estrogen may be 10 times higher than
the week before.
"On the other hand, when a woman is on the birth-control pill, every
day becomes the same hormonally. The woman has a set dose of
progesterone and a set dose of estrogen. She takes the pill, the
hormones are absorbed, and 12 hours later, hormone levels fall. After
24 hours, she needs another pill. Every day becomes the same pattern,"
Miller says.
When hormone production is lowered every day, there is no buildup of
the uterine lining, and therefore, no need to shed it. Hence, no
bleeding.
When women are on traditional 21 days on/seven days off birth control,
monthly periods are artificial anyway, says reproductive
endocrinologist Sheldon Segal, a longtime contraceptive researcher at
New York's Population Council and an adjunct professor of pharmacology
at Cornell Medical School.
These periods are considered artificial because they're not shedding an
unfertilized egg along with the uterine lining. And monthly bleeding,
says Segal, "was actually a marketing decision made decades ago when
the pill was developed."
�Marketers at the manufacturing company which developed the pill," says
Segal, "felt at the time that an oral contraceptive might or might not
be accepted by the public. These were very different times. Not only
was this the first oral contraceptive but it was the first medication
given to healthy women for any purpose at all."
Taking away ovulation and imposing synthetic hormones was already a big
change, and apparently marketers felt it might be too much to also take
away monthly periods.
To comment on the foregoing: Dr. Lad, Ayurvedic physician, has said, �a
woman without her period is like a flower without fragrance.�
It is understandable that a woman, during her menstrual years, would
like to avoid the hassles of bleeding and the various inconveniences
this involves. Also the ability to avoid unwanted pregnancies has the
benefit of giving a woman more freedom.
In Oriental Medicine, when you treat a woman, you treat the blood. A
regular period, with normal bleeding is the basic indicator of a
woman�s good health.
The first thing a woman will notice if she starts using synthetic
hormones, is that her period will typically become regular but the
bleeding will become less. This indicates that the blood supply has
become less, hence her vitality will be decreased.
Back to the article, "You have to remember also that this was a time
before drugstore pregnancy tests, so that if a woman was not bleeding,
having a regular menstrual period, she wouldn't know for sure whether
she was pregnant or not," says Segal.
"Such anxiety about unintended pregnancy was another reason why
marketers felt it was better to have one week off, to allow this
artificial menses to occur," he explains.
Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, an OB/GYN at the University of Utah, says that
for years, physicians have controlled their own menstruation.
"In fact, I just did an exam for a female OB/GYN today," says Jones,
"and I asked her when her last period was and she said, 'Hmmmm. I don't
know, three years ago, maybe. I only have periods when I'm trying to
get pregnant and if I'm not having babies then I don't have my
periods.' "
Jones says taking birth-control pills continuously throughout the month
carries the same risks as taking it for just three weeks.
It's important to note that there are no long-term studies looking at
the health risks, if any, of taking birth control pills for more than
one year. Segal says that's unrealistic because "it would require women
to promise not to have babies for three, five, even 10 years."
But from close observation, Jones says the evidence is powerful that
birth-control pills -- either 21 days on/seven days off, or continuous
-- are safe.
"Remember we've had pills for 40 years," says Jones. "At any given
time, about 30 percent of women of reproductive years are taking
hormonal contraception. That's a lot of information."
To comment, one could logically conclude that the significant increase
in breast cancer can be linked to the use of synthetic birth control
over these 30 years even though studies and statistics are quoted as
pointing out that this is not the case.
We do not blame or condemn anyone who might want to use this procedure,
but even if there is no increased risk of breast cancer later in life,
it does appear that this is a kin to eating processed foods with
preservatives or genetically modified food that has been raised with
chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Longevity
From a supplemental text Secret of Rejuvenation and Longevity it is
stated that the fact is that since ancient times, the Chinese have
systematically and constantly sought natural methods to help them
achieve a dual goal of rejuvenation and longevity.
Dr. Sun Simiao laid down a list of �lesses� as a guide for health and
longevity: 1) Less thinking to keep your spirit clear; 2) Less worry to
keep your mind concentrated; 3) Less desires to make you happy; 4) Less
speech to save your saliva; 5) Less social life to keep yourself
comfortable; 6) Less anger to protect your liver and lungs; 7) Less
jealousy to keep your heart peaceful and in harmony with nature; 8)
Less ejaculation to conserve your vital energy. (I was going to leave
that one out. It says less, not necessary don�t. Then this would be
referring to men only, of course. Women lose qi by having too many
children, or by devises used to avoid having children such as birth
control pills, abortion, etc.).
In this book we are advised to have regular living habits. Go to bed
early and wake up early, following the rise and fall of the sun. The
rising sun is the call to work, and the setting sun is nature�s call to
retire. To be in harmony with nature it helps to realize that there is
a biological clock inside the body that regulates the activities of the
central nervous system.
It is now clear that diet has a lot to do with our aging process.
Taoist adepts, not cooks, developed diet plans that contained plenty of
wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and fruits to invigorate our systems
and keep our skin smooth and youthful.
The key to rejuvenation and longevity lies in constant maintenance, and
the guiding principle of maintenance is moderation. What is regimen? It
means simplifying our diet, saving our self from excess thinking and
worries, abstaining from excess desires, avoidance of anger and
excessive labor, conservation of vital qi energy, limiting our speech,
minimizing the importance of material gains and losses, and pacifying
our mind and spirit.
Practice fitness exercises every day. Physical exercise greatly retards
the aging process. Also, spending a considerable amount of time outside
is helpful (vitamin D).
A lot of the physical decline that older people suffer from stems not
from age but from simple disuse of their mind and body. Bikram says old
age means we just got lazy.
From the reading it is stated that decrepitude is not inevitable. In
the animal world, the life span rule is stated to be seven times that
of the age of maturity. For example, a dog can live to fifteen years
because it normally matures at around the age of two.
Applying that rule to humans, one could reasonably expect to live more than ninety years (14 X 7 = 98 years).
How Does Acupuncture Work Anyway?
This question is often asked. Hua-Ching Ni, a Taoist adept, points out
that human beings are a complete model of the universe. As such, humans
demonstrate the physical as well as mental and spiritual aspects of
existence.
Knowledge of the more subtle aspects of the human body is not gained
through dissection and observation of anatomy. Oriental Medicine (and I
use that term �Oriental Medicine� as a metaphor not something that is
limited to certain practices that remain entombed in the Chinese
countryside) and the acupuncture energy meridians delineate the
circulation of energy within the human body on an extremely subtle
level.
The ideal health system helps prevent dis-ease rather than treat
illnesses after they have manifested as painful or distressing physical
and mental symptoms. An Ideal health program can involve elevation of
our general state to enjoy a feeling of well-being with physical and
mental energy.
The term organ in Oriental Medicine does not refer to simply an
anatomical entity, but the manifestation of a functional sphere of
energy that is carried out all over the body.
These organ spheres have certain responsibilities to keep the body in
harmony with nature through the process of cycles of energy
transformation. The transformation of energy that creates the planets,
the Earth and the four seasons also creates the corresponding organs
within the human body.
The subtle energy meridians of Acupuncture not only connect the organs
to each other but the external to the internal. These pathways have
clearly and distinctly established pathways and definite directions of
flow just as the circulation of the blood and lymph systems do.
Those from the past who had the skills of human observation and
understanding discovered that illness often produced painful areas upon
the skin and that the pain would disappear when a cure was affected.
They saw that stimulation or sedation of various points on the body
produced an effect upon the functioning of internal organs.
In a somewhat tongue in cheek extreme, it was observed that when
someone was �speared�, a chronic ailment would heal. It has been
learned through centuries of experience that stimulation of what is
referred to as �distal points� will work like the points that are
stimulated �locally�. Thus the stimulation of a point in the thumb web
can affect the face or throat. A point on the leg can affect the colon,
etc.
The energy circulation in and among the organs themselves cannot be
acted upon directly. But they may be influenced through the surface
points. These key points are well established through thousands of
years of observation and experience.
At these points, energy imbalances, deficiencies, excesses, blockages
can be restored to normal balance. �Pain is the lack of free flow.� The
blood and energy wants to flow in certain natural pathways, and if they
can�t, dis-ease may follow. So the simple objective is to restore the
normal circulation of chi (energy) and blood. Then one feels relaxed
and energized and all the tissues and organs are nourished. The
protective chi is strong and the shen (spirit) is balanced.
All of the channels are connected and polarized in such a manner that
the circulation of energy throughout the body flows in continuous and
constant patterns. There are six yang channels, six yin channels and
eight extra channels that form the body�s energy network. These
channels, along with the acu-points, are described in various
acupuncture books and in the Acu-Point book.
The continued harmony of an individual depends on maintaining the
appropriate balance of yin and yang. The five phases of fire, earth,
metal, water and wood maintain the equilibrium of yin and yang if their
energy transformations are appropriate. If the energy transformation
becomes unbalanced dis-ease can appear.
For example, wood attacks earth. Say a person feels angry or has some
other emotional upset, or takes some inappropriate food that causes
excess blockage in the liver (wood) channel. The excess wood can shut
down the food absorption function of the spleen (earth), etc.
Taken from the Acu-Point Book - in summary, to bring about balance in a dis-eased condition, manipulate the
following:
1.
Local points and distal points that relate to the affected area and
adjacent points (points in the same area but on the other side of the
body).
2. Points that are sore, ah-shi points.
3. Front mu and back shu points.
4. Influential points.
5. Yuan source points.
6. Xi-cleft points.
7. Five element points.
8. Points according to signs and symptoms related to a particular organ system designated by the four diagnostic methods.
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