Basic Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Hongcai Wang, Bing Zhu

• Publisher: Singing Dragon
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9780857010209
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Alternative & Complementary Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long and complex history, yet the basic principles at the heart of practice have remained the same for hundreds of years. Without a solid understanding of these fundamental theories, effective practice is impossible, and this book provides a complete introduction to everything that students and practitioners, both new and experienced, need to know.

The book describes and explains all of the fundamental principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including yin/yang, the five elements, the 'zang and fu' organs, Zang Xiang, Qi, and the meridians and collaterals of the body. Explaining not only the principles upon which these elements work, but also how they interrelate, the book describes how they can be used in practice to identify, treat and prevent ill-health and disease.

This thorough and accessible textbook, compiled by the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center (CBIATC), under the editorial directorship of leading Chinese clinicians Zhu Bing and Wang Hongcai, is essential reading for students of traditional Chinese medicine, and is also a useful basic reference for TCM practitioners.

1

C H A P T E R

THE THEORIES OF YIN-YANG,
AND THE FIVE ELEMENTS

I. THE THEORY OF YIN-YANG

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1. THE CONCEPT AND CHARACTERISTICS OF YIN AND YANG

1.1 Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are general terms used to describe and encapsulate the opposite yet interdependent aspects of objects or natural phenomena. Together, they carry the meaning of opposition and unity. Yin and Yang may represent two opposing objects, such as Heaven and Earth, day and night, Water and Fire, brightness and dimness, etc.; or two opposite aspects of a single object, such as Qi and Blood, Zang and Fu, Yang meridians and Yin meridians of the body.

1.2 The original meaning and extended meaning

The original meaning of Yin and Yang refered to the sunny side and shady side, for example of a moutain. The side facing the sun is Yang; the side at the back, where the sun does not shine, Yin. Later, the meaning broadened to include all opposites. Yin and Yang were then used to denote cold and warm weather; downward or upward, left or right, exterior or interior direction; quiescence or dynamism concerning movement, etc.

2. YIN-YANG ATTRIBUTES

2.1 Attributes classified according to Yin-Yang

Generally speaking, things that are dynamic, external, ascending, warm, hot, or bright can be classified as Yang; things that are static, internal, descending, cold, cool, or dim can be classified as Yin. Chapter 5 of the book Plain Questions states: ‘the left and right are the channels of Yin and Yang; Water and Fire are the symbols of Yin and Yang; Yin and Yang are the origin of birth.’

Attributes classified according to Yin–Yang

Yang	Yin
Dynamic	Static
External	Internal
Ascending	Descending
Warm	Cold
Bright	Dim
Nonsubstantial	Substantial
Functional	Material
Excitement	Inhibition
Promotion	Stagnation
Warming	Nourishing

2.2 Universality of Yin-Yang

All things or phenomena that have a relation to each other, or related aspects within the same object or phenomenon, can be classified and analyzed according to their Yin–Yang properties. It was pointed out in Chapter 5 of the book Plain Questions: ‘Yin and Yang are the laws of heaven and Earth, the great framework of everything, the parents of change, the root and beginning of life and death, and the source of all mysteries.’ In other words, everything that exists can be described in terms of Yin–Yang theory.

2.3 Relativity of Yin–Yang

The Yin or Yang nature of a phenomenon is not absolute but relative. Phenomena are Yin or Yang only in relation to other phenomena.

2.3.1 Infinite division of Yin-Yang

Yin and Yang are infinitely divisible. There is Yin–Yang within Yin and Yang. For instance, daytime pertains to Yang; night pertains to Yin. As far as the morning and afternoon of the day are concerned, the morning is Yang within Yang, afternoon is Yin within Yang as the day comes closer to night, and similarly; the first and second half of the night, the former is Yin within Yin, the latter Yang within Yin.

2.3.2 Mutual transformation of Yin-Yang

There is a dynamic mutual transforming relation between Yin and Yang. As circumstances change, Yin transforms into Yang and Yang transforms into Yin. Everything in the universe can be analyzed into Yin and Yang categories. Every object itself can be further divided into Yin and Yang aspects (the universality of Yin and Yang). Moreover, any aspect of Yin or Yang within a single object can be subdivided into Yin and Yang (the relativity of Yin and Yang). Countless phenomena in nature are opposite yet related to each other. As Plain Questions says, ‘Yin and Yang could amount to ten in number; they could be extended to one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand or infinity; but although infinitely divisible, Yin and Yang are based upon only one important principle.’

3. THE BASIC NATURE OF YIN-YANG

3.1 Opposition of Yin-Yang

Yin and Yang are opposite in nature, yet control and restrain one another. The opposition of Yin and Yang is mainly manifested in their intercontrolling and consuming-supporting relationship. Only when Yin and Yang are not only in opposition, but also in unity, can a relative balance between Yin and Yang be maintained to ensure change and development in nature. If this balance is out of kilter, disease will be the result.

3.2 Inter-dependence between Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are opposed to, and yet dependent on each other for existence. Neither Yin nor Yang can exist in isolation but only in relation to one another.

The interdependence between Yin and Yang reflects not only the relevant substantial and functional relations, but also the relation between substances and functions. If this relation of interdependence is out of balance, the body cannot perform its normal functions, resulting in disease.

3.3 Equilibrium of the mutual consuming–supporting relationship between Yin and Yang

The balance between Yin and Yang is neither fixed nor absolute. The relative equilibrium is maintained through their mutual consuming–supporting relation in which the consumption of Yin leads to the gaining of Yang, and the consumption of Yang leads to the gaining of Yin within certain limitations and over a period of time. The consuming–supporting relationship between Yin and Yang is absolute, while their balance is relative. Under conditions where the consuming–supporting relationship results in relative balance between Yin and Yang, normal life activities keep on going. If the consuming–supporting relationship exceeds normal physiological limits, then the relative balance of Yin and Yang will not be maintained, resulting in excess or deficiency of either Yin or Yang and therefore the occurrence of diseases.

4. APPLICATION OF THE THEORY OF YIN-YANG IN TCM

4.1 The organic structure of the human body

According to the properties of Yin and Yang, in terms of anatomical location, the upper part of the body is Yang and the lower part Yin; the exterior Yang and interior Yin; the lateral aspects of the limbs Yang and medial aspects Yin; the back Yang and abdomen Yin. As far as the Zang Fu organs are concerned, the five Zang organs pertain to Yin and the interior because they store Essence and don’t excrete; the Fu organs pertain to Yang and the exterior because they transport and don’t store. Within the five Zang organs, there are Yin and Yang aspects. The Heart and Lungs, situated in the upper part of the body (thorax), pertain to Yang, while the Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys, located in the lower part of the body (abdomen), pertain to Yin. Furthermore, within the specific organs, there are also Yin and Yang aspects, namely, Heart Yin, Heart Yang, etc.

4.2 The physiological functions of the human body

The normal vital activities of the human body are based on the coordination of Yin and Yang in a unity of opposites. Functional activities pertain to Yang, and nutrient substances pertain to Yin. The physiological activities of the body rely on the support of the nutrient substances. Without these substances, the body is unable to perform its functional activities; while at the same time, the physiological functional activities constantly promote the metabolism of the substances. The relationship between the functional activities and substances reflects the interdependent, interconsuming and supporting relationship between Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang are no longer interdependent but separated, life reaches its end. Chapter 3 of Plain Questions says, ‘When Yin is stabilized and Yang well-conserved, the spirit will be in harmony; separation of Yin and Yang results in exhaustion of essential Qi.’

4.3 Pathological changes of the human body

There should be a relative coordination between Yin and Yang in terms of the body structure, the internal and external, the upper and lower parts; the substances of the body, and the functions of the body whereby the interaction of the substances and functions of the body guarantee normal physiological activities. Yin and Yang are interdependent yet intercontrolled, consumed by each other and also supported. So, any disorder of Yin and Yang will cause either deficiency or excess of Yin or Yang, resulting in disease.

However, the occurrence and development of a disease is also related to the strength of the antipathogenic Qi and pathogenic factors. Antipathogenic Qi relates to the structure and functions of the whole body, including the body’s resistance to diseases; pathogenic factors include all kinds of causative factors of disease.

Antipathogenic Qi consists of both Yin and Yang, including Yin fluid and Yang Qi. Equally, pathogenic factors can be distinguished as Yin or Yang pathogenic factors. For instance, among the six exogenous factors, Cold and Damp are Yin pathogenic factors; Wind, Summer Heat, Heat (Fire), Dryness are Yang pathogenic factors. The course of a disease is usually a process of the conflict between antipathogenic Qi and pathogenic factors, resulting in excess or deficiency of Yin and Yang. So, the pathogenic changes of diseases are no more than the conditions of excess or deficiency of Yin and Yang.

4.3.1 Excess of Yin-Yang

Excess of Yin or excess of Yang means a pathological condition in which Yin or Yang is excessive beyond the normal balanced level.

Excess of Yang leads to Heat, resulting in a Yin disease. Generally speaking, Yang excess syndromes are usually caused by Yang pathogenic factors in which Yang is absolutely excessive. When Yang increases, Yin decreases. So, excess of Yang will inevitably consume Yin, giving rise to a Yin disease.

Excess of Yin leads to Cold, resulting in a Yang disease. Yin excess syndromes are usually caused by Yin pathogenic factors in which Yin is absolutely excessive. When Yin increases, Yang decreases. So, excess of Yin will inevitably injure Yang, giving rise to a Yang disease.

4.3.2 Deficiency of Yin-Yang

Deficiency of Yin or Yang constitutes a pathological condition in which Yin or Yang is deficient in relation to the normal balance.

Yang deficiency leads to Cold, indicating weakened and consumed Yang Qi of the body. When Yang is deficient, it is unable to restrain Yin, resulting in Cold symptoms and signs caused by relative excess of Yin.

Yin deficiency leads to Heat, indicating lack of Yin fluid within the body. When Yin is deficient, it fails to control Yang, resulting in Heat symptoms and signs caused by relative excess of Yang.

Injured Yang affecting Yin: This is a phenomenon of Yang deficiency to the degree that there is failure to generate Yin fluid, leading to the simultaneous presence of Yin deficiency.

Injured Yin affecting Yang: This is a phenomenon of Yin deficiency to the d...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Companion volume
• China Beijing Internat Ional Acupuncture Training Center
• Preface
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The Theories of Yin-Yang, and the Five Elements.
• Chapter 2 The Theory of the Zang Fu organs
• Chapter 3 Qi, Blood and Body Fluids
• Chapter 4 Meridians and Collaterals
• Chapter 5 The Aetiology and occurrence of Diseases
• Chapter 6 Pathogenesis
• Chapter 7 Prevention of Diseases and principles of Treatment
• Glossary
• A Brief Chronology of the Chinese Dynasties
• Bibliography
• Index