Most messages fly faster than the speed of light! They are also closely linked to beliefs, thoughts and emotions. Nothing is separate. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root cause of ailments is first at the invisible, energetic level, and then migrates to the physical, visible level. This means that if a condition exists on the visible At the level of the body, something deeper is happening inside. When an imbalance occurs, the body has the wisdom to send us a warning signal.
How do we decode the signals? Grandmaster Nan Lu offers the following insights.
First we look at the vital triangle of the body: liver/gall bladder, spleen/stomach and kidney/bladder. These three organ pairs must function well independently and also communicate harmoniously with each other so that the body can enjoy healthy metabolic function.
Liver-gallbladder
In the Five Elements framework of TCM, the Liver-Gallbladder is a crucial team. This organ pair is the first organ that suffers most from the load on the body. Its main energetic function is to keep Qi, blood and emotions flowing smoothly through the body. This organ system is critical to women’s health. Almost all menstrual problems and reproductive cancers can be traced to the liver.
The health of the organ systems is visible on the body. Healthy fingernails are a byproduct of healthy liver function. If the nails are ridged, thin and brittle and often break, the liver seeks help in performing its functions. If the crescents of the nails are small or non-existent, this is the body’s way of telling you that the liver-gallbladder pair needs extra support. Migraine, especially on the left side, is a sign of energy stagnation in the gallbladder. The liver also takes responsibility for eye function. The eyes are the liver’s opening to the outside world. Vision problems, blurry, red or dry eyes are another message from your body.
Spleen-stomach
The spleen and stomach are vital for digestion. Belching, bloating, bad breath, food allergies, and worrying/overthinking are all signs of an imbalance between the spleen and stomach. Studying the tongue can also provide clues about the energetic health of this organ system. A white coating on the tongue indicates excessive cold – seen by TCM as a cause of disease. Excessive heat, manifested by an oily, yellow tongue, can also be harmful.
Show this organ couple some love by avoiding foods and drinks with cold temperature and essence, such as salads and ice-cold drinks. Those with a warm essence, including ginger, turmeric and cinnamon, support this organ system. An experienced acupuncturist can also help rebalance stomach and spleen function so that the body can do the rest of the healing work.
Kidney-bladder
The Kidney and Bladder also work harmoniously as a team. What throws these hard-working organs out of balance? Often it is emotions – such as deep-seated fear – or overuse of the innate Qi of the kidneys. The kidney uses the ear – often through a challenging condition called tinnitus or ringing in the ears – to send a signal to the body.
TCM associates the kidney with the knee, lower back and heel – places where people often experience pain. Pain in these areas, or problems with bones and teeth, are signs of a deeper imbalance in the body. Infertility and low sperm count are also associated with poor kidney function. A sure sign of sluggish Kidney Qi is cold hands and feet. The body begs for more internal heat. How do we respond to these signals and begin to rebuild our low energy reserves? Peace is a key ingredient, just like warmth. Drink a simple hot tea made with real ginger root, honey and lemon juice.
Heart-small intestine and lung-large intestine
Each of the above organ pairs must also work together with the lung-large intestine and the heart-small intestine. The lung is connected to the outside world via the nose. It supplies Qi and nutrition to directly support your skin, the body’s largest organ. Moreover, the lung-large intestines play a crucial role in the digestive process. Once the lung receives the essence of food from the spleen, it determines how much Qi each organ needs to function optimally, and distributes that Qi accordingly. This organ pair works to continually release and release what the body no longer needs. By allowing yourself to let go of emotions and experiences that no longer serve you, you can support this organ system in its process of receiving and eliminating.
When all organ systems are functioning properly independently, the Heart acts as the conductor of the orchestra, coordinating the vibrations of the organs into a harmonious symphony. When the body is in this beautiful state of balance, emotions and weight are balanced, digestion is smooth, and the person feels creative and energetic, yet calm and peaceful. However, if the organ systems are not working in sync, the body will find a way to send a signal – in the form of fatigue, digestive problems, muscle and tendon problems, memory loss and more. Our bodies are truly born with amazing wisdom.
Keep learning!
Click here to read about the Five Element Consciousness Framework and the five major organ systems in the body.
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