Significance of Pulse Diagnosing
One of the most common questions that
people ask about acupuncture is: "Why does my acupuncturist check my
pulse?"
Pulse and tongue diagnosis are
two of the more important diagnostic tools in Chinese medicine. They are both
used to derive a traditional diagnosis for your condition which is used to plan
your treatment. Of the diagnostic tools, pulse diagnosis is one of the more
important tools used in Chinese and Japanese acupuncture and herbal
medicine. While tongue diagnosis provides valuable clinical
information, the pulse can be used to gain a deep understanding of the patient
on many levels. "Mastering" pulse diagnosis is difficult without the
guidance of a skilled teacher. Even at basic levels, however, the pulse
provides immediate and specific information that can help clarify contradictory
diagnostic information and symptomology.
THE ORIGINAL PLACE OF PULSE DIAGNOSIS IN
THE ACUPUNCTURE TRADITION
Pulse diagnosis is one of the original
set of four diagnostic methods that are described as an essential part of
traditional Acupuncture. The other three diagnostic methods are:
- inspection: general
observations of the patient, including facial expression; skin color and
texture; general appearance, and the shape, color, and distinctive
markings of the
tongue
and the nature of its coating; and smelling (noting any unusual smell of
the body, mouth, or urine);
- listening: to the
quality of speech (including responsiveness to questions, rapidity of
talking, volume of the voice); to the respiration; and to sounds of
illness, such as coughing, gurgling from the intestines; and
- inquiring: obtaining
information about the patient's medical history and their symptoms and
signs, such as chills/fever, perspiration, appetite and dietary habits,
elimination, sleep, and any pains; also, for women inquiring about
menstruation, pregnancy, leukorrhea and other gyno-obstetric concerns.
All of these diagnostic methods yield
information that helps to determine the syndrome and constitution to be
treated. While the Chinese pulse and tongue diagnosis methods, because of their
frequent mention and somewhat unique quality among traditional medical systems,
receive much attention, the other aspects of diagnosis cannot be ignored or
downplayed.
THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF PULSE DIAGNOSIS IN
MODERN PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE
In modern medicine, the traditional
style of pulse diagnosis, which was also practiced in a slightly different form
in Western medicine until the 19th century, is replaced by a number of other
tests. Tests by stethoscope and blood pressure cuff are routinely performed as
pulse diagnostic techniques. The stethoscope reveals pulse rate and, at a low
level of inference, irregularities in the structure and function of the heart,
which must be evaluated further. When deemed necessary, additional testing is
performed via various heart monitors, such as an electrocardiogram. The
non-invasive sonograms as well as the more invasive testing (e.g., insertion of
monitors into the body) allow modern physicians to examine the interior of the
arteries and the heart. The information from these tests is generally
understood to reflect only the conditions of the heart and major vessels (the
cardiovascular system); it is not thought of as a means of examining other
aspects of health. Unlike the traditional concept, the pulse form or
information obtained by examining the vessels is not thought to provide useful
information about, for example, the liver, kidney, lung, or spleen conditions.
Brief Story of Su Jok
In Korean language SU means hand, and
JOK means foot. Su Jok therapy, also called Korean Hand Acupuncture, is based
on the five element principles used in Chinese acupuncture. The primary
difference between acupuncture and Su Jok is that Su Jok involves stimulation
only to the hands and feet, whereas in acupuncture the whole body is treated.
Zones on the feet and hands are stimulated with micro-needles, massage rollers,
soft lasers, magnets, moxa sticks, or colored disks.
Su Jok therapy is a form
of alternative medicine wherein pressure is applied to the hands and
feet of a patient. It is often referred to as Korean acupressure, as it
was created by Park Jae Woo, a professor of Korean origin. People who practice
Su Jok therapy believe it will treat and prevent health issues holistically,
using the energy of the body instead of medicine to improve a person’s health.
Generally, Su Jok therapy practitioners
believe that by applying pressure to certain areas of a patient’s hand or foot,
an ailment can be treated or prevented elsewhere in the body. For example,
according to Su Jok therapy diagrams, if a practitioner were to apply pressure
to the base of a patient’s hand, it would treat ailments relating to the
spleen. In another example, if a practitioner were to apply pressure to the tip
of a patient's thumb, stress would be reduced — according to the practice, this
would work even if a patient were to use her own fingers to apply pressure. The
finger pressure technique primarily works because the tip of the thumb is
related to ailments of the brain, and many practitioners believe that stress
originates in the brain.
In many cases, Su Jok therapy treatment
plans last for six to 12 sessions. Depending on the severity of the ailment,
the number of sessions may increase or decrease. The number of sessions might
vary for a patient who is using the therapy as a preventative measure as well.
Many practitioners report that patients begin to feel improvement in their
conditions immediately after the first session.
People who practice Su Jok therapy claim
it is easier to learn than other forms of holistic treatment, such
as acupuncture. Typically, a practitioner will start out by applying
constant pressure to her patient’s hands and feet. While doing this, she will
continually observe the patient. When she reaches a specific area on a hand or
foot where her patient shows tenderness or pain, she will have found the source
of illness of the patient. For example, if the patient winces or flinches when
the practitioner applies pressure to a specific area on the patient’s hand, she
can then check that area against the corresponding map to see what organ is
affected by illness.
Once the ailing organ has been
discovered, the practitioner may engage in other treatment plans. For example,
she may apply acupuncture needles, magnets, or color rings to the person’s
body. Many practitioners will recommend that the patient undergo a massage of
her hands and feet as well, which can be done by hand or through the use of
rollers or other massage accessories.
What You
Need To Know about Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used for thousands
of years throughout many parts of the world. But despite its long track record
as a successful treatment for a host of maladies and overall wellness, for many
people in the west it continues to be misunderstood and relegated to the
sidelines of medicine.
This means that millions of people are
missing out on its benefits, simply due to a lack of awareness about how it
works and why, and what it can do for them.Acupuncture is an ancient
healing art and well worth getting to know a little better, so here are some of
the basics:
1. Acupuncture works by stimulating
specific points on or near the surface of the skin, called acupuncture points.
These points have high concentrations of
nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatics and capillaries, all capable of
triggering biochemical and physiological changes in the body, from the subtle
to the dramatic.
When a needle is inserted into an
acupuncture point, it stimulates the sensory receptor and sets off a chain
reaction — the sensory receptor stimulates the nerve, which in turn transmits
impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. This complex system of
interactions between the brain, hormones and glands is a powerhouse,
responsible for regulating a number of bodily processes.
One of the processes that acupuncturists
commonly work with is the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins, the
body's natural pain-killing hormones (thought to be some 200 times more potent than
morphine!). Endorphins play a significant role in the hormonal system, which is
why acupuncture is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, PMS and
even infertility.
Acupuncture is also used to release
substances that relax the body and regulate serotonin, which affects emotions.
Other physiological effects include increased circulation, decreased
inflammation, easing of muscle spasms and increased T-cell count, which
supports the immune system.
2. Qi (pronounced “chee”) plays a vital
role in acupuncture, and there's a lot of misconception about the concept.
“Qi” is a Chinese word that roughly
translates to “energy.” Like the word energy, the word qi is
used in many different ways to describe many different things. For example, a
car is called a “qi vehicle”; if you’re angry, you have “rising qi”; the
weather is “sky qi”; if you’re stingy, that’s “little qi.”
In modern and traditional Chinese
medicine, qi is used mainly as a metaphor for metabolic function. For example,
“heart qi” would refer to functions of the heart and cardiovascular system, and
“ancestral qi” refers to genetics. Most modern practitioners are well-versed in
the Latin science and disease terminology of Western medicine, and will often
use this language.
3. Acupuncturists undergo extensive,
rigorous training that incorporates both Eastern and Western medicine.
Acupuncture is a respected field of
medicine, and most states, provinces and countries require formal training and
certification. The U.S. has particularly rigorous standards. Most states
require completion of approximately 3,500 hours of formal education from an
accredited acupuncture school.
This usually leads to a four-year
Master's degree in Acupuncture (M.S.A.C.) or Traditional Oriental Medicine
(M.S.T.O.M.). In addition, licensing requires written and practical state
and/or national board exams. Training includes all aspects of Western medicine
and Traditional Oriental Medicine.
Some acupuncturists pursue an advanced
doctoral degree, the Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (D.A.O.M.).
The highest degree available in the U.S., the D.A.O.M. requires an additional
2,500 hours and two-and-a-half years of schooling.
4. Almost everyone can benefit from
acupuncture.
Regardless of your health history and
physical background, almost anyone is a candidate for acupuncture. If you have
an ailment, acupuncture can help relieve it. If you feel well, acupuncture can
help you maintain wellness, boost immunity and manage stress.
Acupuncturists are trained to work in collaboration with your MD to coordinate
treatment. Patients very often see greater improvement in their condition when
treated by both an MD and an acupuncturist.
5. Acupuncture is a form of therapy.
As much as I’m tempted to believe it
because of the amazing results I’ve seen, acupuncture is not magic. In reality,
it is a form of therapy and should be seen as such. As with any therapy, such
as physical therapy or psychotherapy, there is always a treatment plan. The
practitioner works with the patient to decide on a plan that best fits his or
her needs. This may involve just a few sessions for simpler issues or long-term
management for serious chronic conditions.
Five
elements - The inner journey
What
is the philosophy?
In ancient China, Taoist scholars and mystics developed a profound
understanding of life based on minute observation of nature. They understood
that everything in the Universe comes out of the ‘unnamable’ , the TAO, which
manifests as the dual principles of Yin and Yang, i.e. heaven and earth, day
and night, masculine and feminine energies.
Along with the law of Yin and Yang, the ancient Taoists observed a pattern of
expression in nature that they interpreted as and named, the Five Elements or
Five Phases.
These elements, or energies, were described as Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and
Water and were understood to be the prime energetic building blocks from which
all material substance in the phenomenal world is composed.
The Elements are representations of the transformation that occurs in the world
around us; they are metaphors for describing how things interact and relate
with each other.
Everything is made up of some combination of these elements: people, companies,
games, plants, music, art and so on. All can be examined and understood from
the perspective of the Five Elements.
Why are the five elements important?
Although the insights of the Five Elements are thousands of years old, the
teachings can be applied to our modern day life.
Below
a short Introduction to each of the Five Elements:
Wood Element
Fire Element
Earth Element
Metal Element
Water Element
Wood Element
Archetype: The Pioneer and Strategist/Directing
Wood Element Chinese 5 ElementsIt is yang/masculine in character. The
predominant attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility, as with
bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of generosity and idealism. One
quality of the Wood element is leadership. It is the leader within us, that can
take charge and determine a plan of action. The wood is one that seeks always
to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of life, springtime and buds,
sensuality and fecundity.
Wood type people are often aggressive or assertive, direct, and can have a
strong temper and a lot of drive. They are usually outgoing and socially conscious
and can be insensitive. The Wood element is associated with negative
feelings of anger, and positive feelings of patience and altruism.
Fire Element
Archetype: The Wizard and Socializer/Marketing
Fire Element Chinese 5 ElementsFire is yang/masculine in character, its
direction is upward and its energy is expansive. In Chinese thought Fire is
associated with the qualities of dynamism, strength and persistence; however,
it is also connected to restlessness. The fire element provides, warmth, enthusiasm
and creativity, however an excess of it can bring aggression, impatience and
impulsive behavior. In the same way, fire provides heat and warmth, however an
excess can also burn. Fire is the Element responsible for the passionate
resonance when you are following your life's calling. It is the joy and
laughter associated with playfulness. Fire type people are charming, fun,
mischievous, easily excitable, and change emotional states rapidly. They love
change, bright colorsand environments that stimulate.The negative emotion is
hate, while its positive emotion is joy.
Earth Element
Archetype: The Mediator and Peacemaker/Human Resources
Earth Element Chinese 5 ElementsEarth is a balance of both yin and yang, the
feminine and masculine together. Its motion is inward and centering, and its
energy is stabilizing and conserving. It is associated with the turn of each of
the seasons and with damp. In Chinese thought Earth is associated with the
qualities of patience, thoughtfulness, practicality, hard work and stability.
The earth element is also nurturing and seeks to draw all things together with
itself, in order to bring harmony, rootedness and stability. Other attributes
of the earth element include ambition, stubbornness, responsibility and
long-term planning. On the shadow side, the earth element can represent
selfishness and self-centeredness. Earth type people are usually warm, kind and
supportive. They can be overprotective and tend to merge with their
environment, having difficulties with boundaries. The negative emotion of the
Earth element is worry and its positive emotion is empathy.
Metal Element
Archetype: The Alchemist and Judge/Organizing
Metal Element Chinese 5 ElementsMetal is yin/feminine in character, its motion
is inwards and its energy is contracting.Metal represents the minerals,
crystals, and gems of the world. The metal aspect is the diamond found within
each one of us. It is similar to the Air Element found in western
paradigms. The Metal Element is the breath of life. When you are
connected to that experience, you know your own self-worth. You
respect others and yourself; you are willing to give and receive acknowledgment
for the magnificent being that you are. The qualities associated with
metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination.
Metal type people like minimalism. They are organized, clean, and contained.
They can be controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is
very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems
alone.The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive
emotion is courage.
Water Element
Archetype: The Philosopher and Thinker/Innovation
Water Element Chinese 5 ElementsWater is yin/feminine in character, its energy
is downward and its motion is stillness and conserving.
In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom,
flexibility, softness and pliancy; however, an over-abundance of the element is
said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the same
way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods
and overwhelms the land.
When your Water Element is in balance, you use your resources of energy, time,
contacts, and money wisely, neither hoarding nor squandering that which gives
you life. Water is also the element of stillness and rest, taking time to
rest and rejuvenate yourself. It is in the Water element that all great
innovations and ideas are birthed.
Water type people appear a bit reserved, yet are often very creative, sometimes
even eccentric. They can appear cool and stoic, yet have the capacities to be
still and deeply reflect. The negative emotion
associated with water is fear, while the positive emotion is calmness.
Health and
Acupuncture
Indian acupuncture is a
scientific and holistic method of treatment. Disease is nothing but stagnation
of (morbid matter) accumulated waste in the body and obstruction of energy flow
in the acupuncture (meridians) channels. The dysfunctions of five major
internal organs are responsible for the stagnation of waste in the body. By
finding the weakness organs and treating through acupuncture point in the
energy channel.
We can regain
health by helping the waste, which are responsible for the disease, to be
removed from the body.
Laboratory
tests such as blood glucose, urine, motion, sperm phlegm and all other
types of scan reports, x rays are not at all necessary. As
well as all kind of medicines like tablets, capsules, injections,
tonic etc., are also not necessary. Whether the disease is in initial stage or
final stage, Indian acupuncture rectifies the malfunctions of the body and
gives complete cure for the patient.
More than 5000
years ago Acupuncture originated in china and has been followed completely as
well. From the beginning of 20th century, Acupuncture started to spread
to countries like America, Japan, Srilanka, etc, Acupuncture was welcomed all
over the world.
Indian
Acupuncture is a constructive method of treatment which aims at removing the
basic cause of the disease through rational use of the elements freely
available in nature. It is not only a system of healing, but also a way of
life, a complete revolution in the art and science of living.
It is wrong to understand Indian Acupuncture as the acupuncture practiced by
Indians. Acupuncture system understanding the body on basis of
Indian philosophies is the Indian acupuncture.
Presence of
life is invisible. Activity of life is invisible. We can only feel or sense its
presence by the external signs and we cannot see it. The root cause of a
disease also is invisible. So also is the energy which cures it. As such, to
have faith on invisible things that can be felt is the basis of Indian
acupuncture.
Giving
treatment to the root cause of a disease rather than giving treatment to the
symptoms of the disease is the method of treatment in the Indian acupuncture.
Rectifying the root cause is the only way to eradicate the disease. It is
enough that we stimulate the natural life energy of the body to remove the
disease. The body’s defense force – the immunity power will look after the
eradication of the disease. The method of treatment to give this stimulation
requires only a single needle or a touch.
The
first basic principle of Indian acupuncture is that all forms
of disease are due to the same cause, namely, the accumulation of waste
materials.
The
second basic principle is that all acute diseases such as
fevers, colds, inflammations, digestive disturbances and skin eruptions are
nothing more than self-initiated efforts on the part of the body to throw off
the accumulated waste materials and that all chronic diseases such as heart
disease, diabetes, rheumatism, asthma, kidney disorders, are the results of
continued suppression of the acute diseases through harmful methods such as
drugs, vaccines, narcotics and gland extracts.
The third basic principle is that the body contains an elaborate
healing mechanism which has the power to bring about a return to normal
condition of health; provided right methods are employed to enable it do so. In
other words, the power to cure the disease lies within the body itself only.
Important
features of Indian Acupuncture :
Acupuncture treatment means, through inducing the outer skin surface of our
body with a thin needle or fingers, all those possible diseases that could
occur in our body and their root cause are removed, and it’s a medical practice
that makes us realize the life science of prevention of disease.
Acupuncture is
a scientific method of treatment. Disease is nothing but the stagnation of
morbid matter (waste) in the body and obstruction of energy flow in the
Acupuncture channel.
Morbid elimination philosophy is a unique feature of the Indian acupuncture.
(Morbid means any wastes in the form of heat, gas, and liquid, solid). Of the
Indian tradition, Naturopathy and Siddha are based on the morbid elimination
philosophy.
With the imbalance of Pancha Bhoodhas, changes takes place in the functioning
of the body, so the internal organs are affected. Five element energies do not
imbalance on their own. Generation alone is their natural feature.
Because of
nature violating habits by the human being morbid is stagnated in the internal
organs, and the internal organs get weakened. Due to this weakness of the
organs, the malfunctioning of the body and imbalance of five elements happen.
All the organs, the heart, spleen, lung, kidney, and Liver, the five royal organs
and the five elements in the body, that were accepted by all the medicines, can
be examined by acupuncture pulse, and can level the disorders in the body, is
the distinctive feature of this treatment.
Further its important:
- This
heals completely all kinds of diseases from head to toe that affects
everyone from children to adult.
- Not
only is the symptom of the disease, but also the disease is completely
cured.
- It is
used as a preventive treatment of all diseases
- It
easily cures all that diseases which were not cured by other system of
medicines and also all kinds of chronic diseases.
- Mental
illness is the main cause of many diseases. Acupuncture mends the bad
emotions (Psycho Somatic Disorder) and heals the body as a whole.
Infringement
of nature of life and infection of disease :
Because of
infringement of nature, internal organs become week and the wastes get
accumulated.
They are:-
Suppression of
hunger and thirst :
Suppressing
the natural hunger can cause, instability of the body, confusions, stomachache,
shrinkage of intestines, wheezing, tiredness in face, joint pains etc.
Suppression of
sleep:
Suppression of
sleep will cause heaviness in the head, eye pain, giddiness, dumbness, ulcer,
speech etc.
Suppression of
sperm:
Suppression of
sperm can cause fever with joint pain, chest pain, and diabetes and gastritis
problems.
Suppression of
urine:
By suppressing
urine, we will get ulcers in the urinary tract, joint pains and gastric
problems.
Suppression of
vomiting and sneezing:
By suppressing
vomiting, sneezing all the five sense organs will get affected.
- Drink
water when you feel thirsty.
- Don’t
drink water when there is no thirst.
- Eat
when you feel hungry.
- Don’t
eat when there is no hunger.
- Being
awake when you feel sleepy.
- Don’t
work when the rest is needed.
- Don’t
do over hard physical work.
- Behave
in contrast to the normal thoughts.
- Don’t
take in excess flavored food (tasty food).
- Usage
of Tobacco, beedi, cigarette, and consumption of alcohol type of drinks
and so on…
The wastes get
deposited in the internal organs of the body because of the unnatural diet and
habits. We call discretion of waste a disease. Living without violating the
nature and allowing the elimination of waste after accumulation is the only way
of getting relieved from the diseases.
Disease
is approached by Acupuncture
Every one of us goes in search of medicines only after getting the disease. We
never think of about the root cause of the disease. So all that which is called
as disease in the body like all kinds of pains, tumors, irritation, itching,
asperity, Allergy whatever it could be it is important that we need to observe
only the three things.
Food Consumption and Drinking water:
Thirst and appetite (hunger) should naturally be there in human body. The
feeling of no thirst, loss of appetite is the first symptoms of the disease.
Hence we must first realize whether we have hunger and thirst.
Rest and Sleep:
If the digestion is normal after intake of any food then there shouldn’t be any
problem. Sleeplessness and mental stress and getting dreams often, then even
this indicates that there is some problem in the internal organs of the body. A
normal person requires 6-8 hours sleep.
Elimination of inner organs waste:
Like how food and rest is important for our life, like wise elimination of the
waste is also very important. That is if there is any problem in urine, stools,
sweat, and in case of women regular menstrual cycles, it is also an important
reason indicating the existence of disease.
So the
classical formation, pulse diagnosing and natural techniques are the back bone
of this treatment. Raaja's AcuArogya is now a popular acupuncture healing home
committed to spread this wonderful and traditional drugless treatment to the
world community.
Acupuncture
and Acupressure
The basic difference
between acupressure and acupuncture is that the second one
uses thin needles in addressing health issues, while the first one doesn't
break your skin. However, the two methods of classical holistic medicine have
much in common, since they are both based on touching meridians that carry
energy, or chi, throughout the body.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine ailments
are caused by blockages of chi somewhere along fourteen meridians all over the
body, so both acupressure and acupuncture encourage energy to flow freely once
again; they are used to treat allergies, arthritis, depression, nausea,
migraine headaches, menstrual cramps, and anxiety, according to the
philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Acupuncture, as the word suggests,
punctures the skin with very thin, long needles. They do not resemble the
needles you see at a western doctor's office, for they don't inject any
material. Acupuncture needles are flexible lengths of disposable,
hypoallergenic, sterile metal that a trained acupuncturist delicately
inserts beneath the skin. When properly done, this shouldn't hurt at all. The
needles reach certain areas, called pressure points or energy gates to
break up the blockages.
So Acupressure or Acupuncture, the
philosophy is same. It encourages the energy flow to the body and let the body
cure itself. It is like supporting the body in its divine process of self
healing.
The practitioner may use needle or
his/her finger to pressure or touch, they should stick with the ancient
philosophy.
The TAO
Way - An Understanding of Nature
Taoist philosophy is closely related to
the meaning of a single word: the Chinese word "Tao."
Every language, culture, and religion
has words that convey more than one simple idea. Even though such words often
have several layers of meaning, there is never any confusion as to what is
being said.
Ask a dozen people, for example, to
explain the word "heaven" -- as likely as not, you'll hear a dozen
different definitions or descriptions. The same is true of the word
"Tao," which is often translated as "way" or
"path."
The Tao
Although there are many definitions of
Tao, this one word communicates an entire philosophy, an outlook on the
fundamental nature of life and the universe.
The word Tao is nothing less than an
expression of the profound unity of the universe and of the path human beings
must take to join, rather than disturb, that unity.
What is this path, and how do we find
it? The path begins with an understanding of the origin of the universe.
"Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of the way," stated the
ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching.
Known in English as The Book of the Way,
this poetic masterpiece was written approximately 2,500 years ago. As well as
being a matchless work of literature, it takes its place in history as the
first written record of Taoist philosophy.
The Interdependence of All Things
Early Taoist philosophy was profoundly
influenced by observations of nature. Taoist philosophers determined that
everything has its complementary opposite. More than this, they saw that
everything can only be understood by comparing it to its opposite.
Day is only day in relation to night,
cold only cold in relation to heat, and soft only soft in relation to hard.
Looking deeper still, they realized that these relationships are in a constant
state of flux: Day flows gradually into night and back again.
All things, then, are interdependent. By
observing the processes of nature, the Taoists say, we can come to some
understanding about the meaning of our lives and about our place in the world.
These concepts are the cornerstone of Taoist philosophy.
Taoist philosophers also noticed that
what happens in nature is effortless. This does not mean that there is no
struggle, but that events occur without premeditation.
Consider the life of a plant. The seed
falls onto the ground. If the soil is fertile, and if it receives warmth,
light, and water, it may emerge as a seedling. It does not require instruction
to know how to take nourishment in through its roots or how to photosynthesize
light and unfold into a mature plant.
Given the knowledge it contains, the
plant is complete within its own nature. The Taoist asks: why should life be
different for people? Why not allow situations to unfold as they may rather
than trying to manipulate others and orchestrate events?
This belief in Taoist philosophy is
known as the doctrine of doing-by-not-doing, and it lies at the heart of Taoist
practice. It is the message of the following portion of Verse 29 of the Tao Te
Ching:
Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?
I do not believe it can be done.
The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it,
you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it,
you will lose it.
Nature is complete without us, this
verse tells us. We must recognize this fact and begin to participate with
nature as a partner in the universal scheme.
Our mission, according to Taoist
philosophy, is to return to a natural way of life, unencumbered by complicated
social institutions and intellectual ideas. Doing so, Taoism suggests, will
return us to a state of natural grace -- Tao.
This contact with what is innately pure
will, in turn, strengthen our spirit, the source of which is nature.
Brief
Hisotry of YIN - YANG
In Chinese culture, Yin and Yang
represent the two opposite principles in nature. Yin characterizes the feminine
or negative nature of things and yang stands for the masculine or positive
side. Yin and yang are in pairs, such as the moon and the sun, female and male,
dark and bright, cold and hot, passive and active, etc. But yin and yang are
not static or just two separated things. The nature of yinyang lies in
interchange and interplay of the two components. The alternation of day and
night is such an example.
The concept of yinyang has a long
history. There are many written records about yinyang, which can be dated back
to the Yin Dynasty (about 1400 - 1100 BC) and the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100 -
771 BC). Yinyang is the basis of Zhouyi (Book of Changes), the jing part of
which was written during the Western Zhou. Yinyang became popular during the
Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC) and the Warring States (475 - 221 BC).
The principles of yinyang are an important
part of Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine), the earliest
Chinese medical book, written about 2,000 years ago. They are still important
in traditional Chinese medicine and fengshui today.
Here is a summary of the characteristics
of yinyang. Yin and yang are opposite in nature, but they are part of nature,
they rely on each other, and they can't exist without each other. The balance
of yin and yang is important. If yin is stronger, yang will be weaker, and vice
versa. Yin and yang can interchange under certain conditions so they are
usually not yin and yang alone. In other words, yin can contain certain part of
yang and yang can have some component of yin. It is believed that yinyang
exists in everything.
Acupuncture
in India - A Historic View
ACUPUNCTURE IN INDIA
Acupuncture has been practised in India
for thousands of years as a part of Ayurveda. It is common to see Indian
villagers with earrings placed at specific points in the ear, to treat diseases
elsewhere in the body. Many villagers also have scars on the abdomen, as a
result of cauterization carried out to treat pain in the abdomen. This is
similiar to moxibuxtion or heat treatment, which is used in Chinese medicine.
There has been a rich exchange of ideas,
philosophy and literature between India and China over thousands of years.
Travellers and scholars from India went to China to teach and pilgrims from
China came to visit Buddhist shrines and universities in India. This gave rise
to the belief prevalent in many parts of India and Japan that acupuncture
actually originated in India from where it spread to China.
In India, Ayurveda was a highly
developed and effective system of medicine and acupuncture was only used for
those diseases that did not respond to Ayurveda treatment. As there were
thousands of herbs that were effective for different diseases, acupuncture was
not as widely practised in India as it was in some parts of China. As explained
earlier, in northwest China, very few herbs were available, so here traditional
practitioners developed acupuncture into a highly advanced science.
With the onset of British rule and their
promotion of the Western system of medicine, the art of acupuncture was largely
lost. It was practised only by a few village doctors with a very basic
knowledge of certain "effective points" which were passed down from
father to son. It is only recently that there has been a resurgence of interest
in acupuncture in India, fuelled by the intense worldwide awareness of its
efficacy in curing a multitude of ailments.
ACUPUNCTURE IN THE FAR EAST
Over the years, Acupuncture and Chinese
medicine spread beyond the borders of China, to Japan and Korea, where it soon
became the accepted form of medicine. Acupuncture was first introduced to these
countries around two hundred years before Christ. It only became popular there
after the arrival of Buddhism, which reached China about the middle of the
first century A.D. Buddhism developed and spread from China to Korea and Japan
between 400 A.D. and 800 A.D. Chinese medicine remained popular in Japan till
the 16th Century, after which it was gradually overshadowed by influences
from the West. Over the next 300 years, Western medicine overshadowed
acupuncture in Japan.
In 1884, an attempt was made to wipe out
acupuncture from Japan by issuing an edict prohibiting the teaching of
acupuncture. This coincided with the inauguration of the medical faculty at
Tokyo University. Fortunately this did not stop people from practising
acupuncture, which is still practised in Japan along with Western medicine.
ACUPUNCTURE IN THE WEST
One of the first Western countries to
show an interest in acupuncture was France. The earliest European books on
acupuncture were written in the early years of the 18th century. The two most
important were entitled" "The Secrets of Chinese Medicine" and
the "Perfect Knowledge of the Pulse". These were written by a
respected Frenchman who had lived and studied in China, but who withheld his
name for fear of ridicule. Acupuncture has been practised sporadically in
France over the last 200 years and is now well established.
There were also missionaries from
Austria and Germany who went to China in the l7th and 18th centuries and learnt
the art of acupuncture. They returned to their own countries and started
schools and institutes for acupuncture, some of which flourish to this day.
However, acupuncture did not become
popular in the West till the second half of the 2Oth century. Acupuncture
received the attention of the world after President Nixon went to China in 1971
and the journalists accompanying him publicised the practice and efficacy of
acupuncture in various American magazines.
Acupuncture is now rapidly gaining
popularity and is being practised all over the world. The introduction of
modern scientific instruments like lasers and ultrasound and their use by
acupuncturists have led to the integration of modem technology with ancient
Chinese methods to give us a science that is effective and up to date.
Acupuncture, like allopathy, homeopathy
or ayurveda is a complete system of medicine. Like other systems of medicine it
has a treatment for almost every disease and like each of these, it is
extremely effective in treating some diseases, but not so effective in others.
Subsequent chapters describe some ailments that respond better to acupuncture
than to any other system of medicine.
7 Reasons
to Chew Your Food Properly
1. Absorb
More Nutrients and Energy From Your Food
Chewing breaks your food down from large particles into smaller particles that
are more easily digested. This also makes it easier for your intestines to
absorb nutrients from the food particles as they pass through.
This also prevents improperly digested food from entering your blood and
causing a wide range of adverse effects to your health.
Recent research presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists Annual
Meeting and Food Expo in Chicago showed, in fact, that when participants chewed
almonds longer, the smaller particles were better and more quickly absorbed by
the body.
In those who chewed less, the larger particles were passed through the body,
while also providing opportunistic bacteria and fungi with a source of fuel
during their transit. Purdue University professor Dr. Richard Mattes
explained:1
“Particle size [affects the] bio accessibility of the energy of the food that
is being consumed. The more you chew, the less is lost and more is retained in
the body.”
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
The longer you chew, the more time it will take you to finish a meal, and
research shows that eating slowly can help you to eat less and, ultimately, to
avoid weight gain or even lose weight. For example, chewing your food twice as
long as you normally would will instantly help you control your portion sizes,
which naturally decreases calorie consumption.
It takes time (generally about 20 minutes) for your brain to signal to your
stomach that you’re full, and this may explain why one study found people
reported feeling fuller when they ate slowly.2 They also ended up consuming
about 10 percent fewer calories when they ate at a slow pace, and presumably
chewed slower, as opposed to when they were rushing.
3. Your Food Gets More Exposure to Your Saliva
Saliva contains digestive enzymes, so the longer you chew, the more time these
enzymes have to start breaking down your food, making digestion easier on your
stomach and small intestine. One of these enzymes is lingual lipase, an enzyme
that helps break down fats, for example. Saliva also helps to lubricate your
food so it’s easier on your esophagus.
4. Easier Digestion
The chewing process predigests your food into small pieces and partially
liquefies it, making it easier to digest. Digestion is actually a very
demanding task for your body, requiring a great deal of energy, especially if
forced to digest improperly chewed food. Chewing properly allows your stomach
to work more efficiently and break down your food faster.
5. It’s Good for Your Teeth
The bones holding your teeth get a ‘workout’ when you chew, helping to keep
them strong. The saliva produced while chewing is also beneficial, helping to
clear food particles from your mouth and wash away bacteria so there may be
less plaque buildup and tooth decay.
6. Less Excess Bacteria Lingering in Your Intestines
When large particles of improperly chewed food enter your stomach, it may
remain undigested when it enters your intestines. There, bacteria will begin to
break it down, or in other words it will start to putrefy, potentially leading
to gas and bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramping and other
digestive problems.
7. Enjoy and Taste Your Food
If you rush through your meal with hardly any chewing, you’re also not really
tasting or enjoying the food. When you take the time to properly chew your
food, it forces you to slow down, savor each morsel and really enjoy all the
flavors your food has to offer.
How to Chew Your Food Properly
The way you chew is unique to you and is probably deeply ingrained by this
point in your life. In other words, you’ll likely need to make a conscious
effort to change the way you chew, but the good news is you can start with your
next meal. There are many theories about how many times you should, ideally,
chew each piece of food. The Times of India recently highlighted Horace
Fletcher, a late-1800s health-food guru (also known as “The Great Masticator”)
who was famous for chewing each bite 100 times before swallowing (and to this
he attributed his good health, strength and endurance).3
You needn't be this strict, however, as the amount of chewing a food requires
will obviously vary depending on its type and texture. Here’s a guide to ensure
that you’re chewing in a way that will support your health.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to eat in a relaxed, non-distracted
environment; eating on the run or while you’re working or watching TV is not
conducive to proper chewing.
* Take smaller bites of food to begin with (it’s easier to chew smaller
morsels)
* Chew slowly and steadily
* Chew until your mouthful of food is liquefied or lost all of its
texture
* Finish chewing and swallowing completely before taking another bite of
food
* Wait to drink fluids until you’ve swallowed
THE DANGERS OF CHEWING FOR NO REASON…
While chewing is essential when you eat, chewing without eating food can be
counterproductive. When you chew gum, for instance, you send your body physical
signals that food is about to enter your body. The enzymes and acids that are
activated when you chew gum are therefore released, but without the food
they’re intended to digest.
This can cause bloating, an overproduction of stomach acid, and can compromise
your ability to produce sufficient digestive secretions when you actually do
eat food.
Besides this, chewing gum can cause jaw muscle imbalances (if you chew on one
side more than the other) and even TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder in
your jaw, which can be a painful chronic condition. I generally recommend
avoiding gum chewing, but if you do chew gum, do so only occasionally or right
before a meal when the acid and enzyme stimulation may actually be
beneficial.
Why we
should not consume milk?
- Milk is among our main foods, given
without restriction to children and elderly. Is milk a food? Yes! It is
food to the one it was created for.
- When a child is born, milk is
secreted from the mother’s breast. This food is only the child. Is there
any limit for its intake? Certainly, there is. Mother’s milk is required
till the milk teeth grow. Thereafter, solid foods have to be increased
gradually, reducing mother’s milk.
- When calf is born, the cow secretes
milk. This is only for the calf. We take it away from the calf and drink
it, as well as feed our children.
- A glass of milk equals four full
meals. We gulp down a full meal without hunger and take a glass of milk
too. Is there a better way to hold up our digestion?
- Modern scientist’s exact view says
that, after digestion of cow’s milk, one thing is left – caseinogens (a
membrane). Human’s body does not have the energy to digest this membrane,
say scientists. Who has the energy to digest casein? The calf! Drinking
calf’s milk or saturated milk will harm us.
காய்ச்சல் வந்தால் என்ன செய்யலாம்?
உனக்கு
காய்ச்சலா? டாக்டரிடம்
சென்றாயா? ஊசி
போட்டுக்கொண்டாயா? மாத்திரை
சாப்பிட்டாயா? இது
தான் இன்றைக்கு அனைவரும் கடைபிடிக்கும் பொது வழக்கம்.
இயல்பான
வெப்பத்தில் இருக்கும் நமது உடலானது திடீரென தனது வெப்ப ஆற்றலை அதிகரிக்கிறது.
அதற்கு நிச்சயம் காரணம் இல்லாமல் இருக்கப்போவதில்லை. எந்தக் காரணமும் இல்லாமல்
உடலானது ஒரு செயலை செய்யாது.
நீங்கள்
நினைத்தபோதெல்லாம் சிறுநீர் கழிக்க முடியாது. தேங்கிய சிறுநீரானது அதன் வெளியேற்ற
அளவை எட்டிய பின், சிறுநீர்
கழிக்கும் உணர்வு ஏற்படும். சிறுநீர் கழித்த பின் அவ்வுணர்வு போய்விடும். சிறுநீர்
வெளியேற்றம் என்பது உடலின் ஒரு இயல்பான நிகழ்வாகும். அதன் நோக்கம் கழிவை
வெளியேற்றி உடலுக்கு நன்மை செய்வதாகும். அது போலத்தான் காய்ச்சலும். உடலின்
வெப்பம் அதிகரிக்க தேவை ஏற்படும் போது உடல் அதனைச் செய்கிறது. இன்று உலகம்
முழுவதும் காய்ச்சலை ஒரு நோயாக நம்பும் அளவுக்கு விளம்பரப்படுத்திவிட்டார்கள்.
காய்ச்சல்
என்பது ஒரு நோயே அல்ல. உடலுக்கு மிகவும் அவசியமான நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தியை
உருவாக்கும் ஒரு செயல் தான் காய்ச்சல்.
நமது
ரத்தத்தில் சேரும் கழிவுப் பொருட்களை நமது பிராண சக்தியானது வெளியேற்றுகின்ற
நிகழ்வின் போதும், ரத்தத்தில்
உள்ள வெள்ளை அணுக்கள் நோய்க்கிருமிகளோடு போராடும் போதும் நமக்கு காய்ச்சல்
ஏற்படுகிறது.
அந்நேரத்தில்
நாம் தெளிவான புரிதலோடு, ஓய்வை
மட்டுமே மேற்கொண்டால் அது எந்த வகை காய்ச்சலாக இருந்தாலும் தானே அடங்கும். அது வரை
தேவையானது ஓய்வு மட்டுமே. காய்ச்சலை விரட்ட மருந்துகள் சாப்பிடுவது என்பது நமக்கு
நன்மை செய்ய வந்த ஒருவனை ஓட ஓட விரட்டுவதற்கு ஒப்பாகும்.
மருந்துகள் சாப்பிடாமல்
காய்ச்சலை முழுமையாக அனுமதித்து நமது உடலை தூய்மையாக்கிக் கொள்வதே நமக்கு நன்மை
தரும்.
காய்ச்சல் வரும்போது எவ்வித மருந்துகளின்றி தானே குணமடைய
நாம் கடைபிடிக்க வேண்டியவை:
1. காய்ச்சலின் போது வெப்பம் மிக மிக அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக இருந்தால்
மட்டும் நெற்றி, அக்குள், மற்றும் அடிவயிற்றில் ஈரத்துணியை
சிறிது நேரம் வைத்து எடுக்கலாம்.
2. பசி உணர்வு அறவே இருக்காது. தாகம் மட்டும் அவ்வப்போது இருக்கும்.
அவசியமான தாகம் எடுக்கும் வரை ஒரு வாய் தண்ணீர் கூட குடிக்க வேண்டாம். உதடுகள்
காயும் போது மட்டும் தண்ணீர் கொண்டு உதடுகளை நனைத்துக்கொண்டால் போதுமானது. அல்லது
வாய் கொப்பளித்துக் கொள்ளலாம்.
3. முறையான தாகம் எடுத்தால் மட்டும் அளவான தண்ணீர் அருந்தவும்.
எந்தவித உணவோ, பால், டீ, ஹார்லிக்ஸ், பிரட் போன்றவைகள் நிச்சயமாக
எடுத்துக்கொள்ளக் கூடாது.
4. பசி உணர்வு ஏற்படும் போது அரிசிக் கஞ்சியும், அடுத்த வேளையிலிருந்து மிதமான
உணவும் எடுத்துக்கொள்ளலாம்.
5. உடல் உழைப்பு ஏதுமின்றி பூரணமான ஓய்வு முக்கியம்.
காய்ச்சல்
என்ற ஒன்றை மட்டும் நாம் தெளிவாக புரிந்து கொண்டு அதற்கு முறையாக
ஒத்துழைத்தோமானால் நமது வாழ்நாளில் நோய் என்ற பேச்சுக்கே இடமில்லாமல் போய்விடும்.
காய்ச்சல் சமயத்தில் உடலே நமது ஆரோக்கியத்திற்கு தேவையான அத்தனை வேலைகளையும்
செய்து விடுகிறது. அதனை நாம் தடுக்கும் போதுதான் நமக்கு பிரச்சினை ஆரம்பமாகிறது.
உடல்
உங்கள் நண்பன். உடலின் மொழியறிந்து ஆரோக்கியம் பெறுங்கள்.
உணவின்
தெளிவே ஆரோக்கியத்தின் விடியல்!
உணவு தான். . . உணவு மட்டும் தான்
மனித இனத்தின் முதல் தேடலாக இருந்தது. காரணம் உணவு தான் உடலை வளர்க்கிறது. உடலின்
தேவைகளில் முதல் முக்கிய தேவை உணவு தான். நாம் உண்ட உணவு தான் நம் உடலாக
மாறியிருக்கிறது. உணவு தான் மனிதனின் மையம். அவனை அங்கிருந்து தான் வளர்க்கவோ
அழிக்கவோ முடியும். உணவே சகலமும் என்று சொன்னால் மிகையாகாது.
எந்த ஒரு மனிதனுக்கு உணவு பற்றிய
தெளிவு இருக்கிறதோ, அவனை
ஆரோக்கியம் அரவணைத்துக் கொள்கிறது. இவ்வுலக வாழ்விற்கு உடலே பிரதானம். உடலுக்கோ
உணவே பிரதானம். பசிக்கும் அது தான் தீர்வு. நோய்க்கும் அது தான் தீர்வு.
என்றைக்கு மனிதன் தன் நோய்களுக்கு
தீர்வாக(மருந்தாக) உணவை விடுத்து ரசாயனங்களை நோக்கி தன் பார்வையை திருப்பினானோ
அன்றிலிருந்து வளர்ந்தது தான் இன்றைக்கு இருக்கும் பல வகையான நோய்களும். இன்று
நாம் கேள்விப்படும் பல நோய்கள் ஒரு 20 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்னர் இல்லவே
இல்லை. மனிதன் தன் நோய்களுக்கு தீர்வாக மீண்டும் உணவுக்குத் திரும்பாத வரை
அவனுக்கு ஆரோக்கியம் வாய்க்கப்போவதில்லை. உடலில் இருந்து வெளியேற வேண்டிய கழிவுகளை
உள்ளேயே அடக்கி வைத்து ரசாயனங்கள் தரும் தற்காலிக சுகமானது, நிச்சயம் பெரும் ஆபத்தை
விளைவிக்கும் என்பதை நாம் புரிந்து கொண்டே ஆகவேண்டும்.
மனித உடல் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளக் கூடிய
உணவுகளை தயாரிக்க இயற்கையால் மட்டுமே முடியும். மனிதன் தனக்கு தேவையான உணவின்
ஆற்றலை தன் சொந்த ஜீரண சக்தியில் இருந்துதான் தயாரிக்க முடியும். மனிதனால் ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்ட ரசாயன
தொழிற்சாலையில் அப்பணி நிகழ முடியாது. ரசாயன தொழிற்சாலையும் இயற்கையும்
ஒன்றாகிவிடுமா என்ன? மனித
அறிவானது அதனைப் படைத்த இறை ஆற்றலுடன் தன்னை இணை வைத்துக்கொள்ளும் பெரும் பாவத்தை
செய்யத் தொடங்கியுள்ளது.
உணவாகக் கொள்ள முடியாத எதையும்
மருந்தாகக் கொள்ள முடியாது என்பது மனிதனுக்கான இயற்கையின் உணவு விதியாகும். இதனை
நாம் முழுமையான தெளிவுடன் உணர்ந்து கொள்ளவேண்டிய முக்கியமான கால கட்டத்தில்
வாழ்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறோம்.
‘விருந்தும் மருந்தும் மூன்று
நாளைக்குத் தான்’ என்பது
பழமொழி. இதில் சொல்லப்படும் மருந்து என்பது உணவின் அடிப்படையில் உருவாக்கப்படுவது.
அதையே கூட மூன்று நாட்களுக்கு உண்டாலே போதும் என்கிறது நம் கலாச்சாரம். ஆனால் நாம்
இன்றைக்கு ரசாயனத்தால் ஆன மருந்துகளை வருடக்கணக்கில் சலிக்காமல்
சாப்பிட்டுக்கொண்டிருக்கிறோம். வருடக்கணக்கில் மருந்துகள் சாப்பிடுகிறோமே, இருந்தும் நோய்கள் நமக்கு
சரியாகவில்லையே என்று நாம் என்றைக்காவது யோசித்திருக்கிறோமா?
‘உணவே மருந்து, மருந்தே உணவு’,
‘உண்ணும் உணவில்
நோயில்லை, உண்ணும்
முறையில் தான் நோய்’ என்ற
எளிமையான தெளிவுகளில் மனிதனுக்கான மாற்றம் ஒளிந்திருக்கிறது.
