Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Our Emotional Wellness/Health
Your Emotions and Physical Health According to TCM
WHAT is Traditional chinese medicine?
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. Western medicine focuses mainly on treating disease.
But TCM looks at your entire well-being. TCM, on the other hand, doesn’t focus on science and medicine. Instead, it’s based on balance, harmony, and energy.
TCM aims to create harmony and a healthy flow of Qi which is also called life force or vital energy.[1] Actually, here the main point is to understand what the body is saying, and then make the suitable changes needed to bring back the balance and restore your health.
Whatever you do, all these things surely have an enormous impact on your health and vitality in the long run. And your emotional states and the healthy expression of your emotions are connected to your health and well-being.
Emotions and Our Body acording traditional chinese medicine
According to Chinese Medicine, each emotional state is associated with a specific system in the body. Each system has a related organ, a season, a taste, and a time of day when it is most active. Again, each system may also have a corresponding sense organ (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, etc.), time of year, flavor, and color. When you can understand and say what your emotions are related to, you can make better choices to help heal instead of sending you more off balance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has helped many people improve their emotional and physical health/wellness.
Example emotion is associated with the specific body’s system: the Kidney system link with your ears and hearing abilities. Your adrenal/stored energy reserves in your low back and knees are all part of this system. The emotions associated with this system are fear or feeling overly nervous, but while you are healthy and abundant, you may naturally have more courage and stamina. To keep this system balanced, try to ensure adequate rest and free time avoid too many stimulants such as coffee, sugar, stimulating environment, or substances.
Again, the Lung system shows up in our nose and sense of smell; it shows up in our skin (rashes, color, moisture levels) and our immune system. Either grief and sadness or inspiration and hope can be the emotion of this system. People experience lung system issues like allergies, more colds or flu, and breathing problems or skin eruptions with intense sadness.
And the Heart system is mainly related to your mind and emotions such as anxiety or depression. When this system is in balance, you experience joy and love, and, on the contrary, you experience anxiety and despair when it is out of balance.
System Balance or System Out of Balance?
While talking about the Liver system, you will see that this system superintends the circulation or flow of Qi (life force or vital energy) in the body and is said to be the governor of all emotions. That is, it makes sure everything is working smoothly. However, when this system usually gets imbalanced or out of balanced and taxed due to stress, busyness and overwork, frustration and anger become the byproducts of a blocked, stressed out system.
A certain amount of anger may be healthy and normal. But, when there is too much expression of anger, an imbalance or problem occurs. Due to this system out of balance or imbalance, a lot of symptoms start to show and they include: headaches, PMS, period cramps, circulation problems such as cold hands and feet, any pain or discomfort that gets worse with stress or heightened emotions.
Here are a few symptoms below that your system is in or out of balance and some things you can do to help bring some clarity and balance back to your physical and emotional world. Also these are some of the foundational principles of Chinese Medicine. The excerpts are taken from the wonderful book ‘Rhythms of Change’ by Mary Saunders.
Earth Phase: Spleen/Stomach/Pancreas system [2]
Out of balance:
Often tired, particularly after eating
Weak digestion: nausea, poor appetite, loose stools, abdominal pain or bloating
Overweight or overly thin
Worried easily, obsessive thought, feelings of ‘not enough’
Has trouble with boundaries
Feels worse in Damp humid climates
Has trouble/gets sick in transition times (between seasons)
Balanced:
Feels good after eating
Strong healthy digestion and appetite
Able to set healthy boundaries and state needs
Healthy weight with good muscle tone
Practical, sympathetic and responsible
Satisfied with life and can nurture self and others
Life: Since this system loves touch and physical contact, a lot of massages or caring hugs can work miracles! Stretching, grounding rituals of helpful and being sure to balance mental work and physical exercise will be the key.
Foods: The foods include sweet vegetables and whole grains, warm cooked food, yellow and orange colored vegetables (squash, carrots, sweet potato etc.)
Questions for reflection:
What do I need to feel nourished/supported/safe in this world?
What kind of nourishment do I need at this moment to satisfy my real need – Whole food, attention, silence, movement, touch, sleep, meditation, laughter?
Liver system out of balance:Quick to anger, easily frustrated, negative or depressed
Rigid, inflexible, and stiff in body or mind/attitudes
Shoulder or neck tension, occipital or temporal headaches, hormonal imbalances, and PMS
Timid and afraid to assert oneself or overly pushy and domineering
Things worse with stress, in the springtime
Indecision or makes impulsive decision making
Doesn’t like windy environments
Liver balanced:
Sense of inner purpose and vision for future
Flexible – body and tendons, mental attitude
Adapts to change and moves forward in life
Stable hormones, mood, and energy
Inflow of life with minimal stress and tension
Carefully assesses situations and calmly makes plans and decisions
Nourishing Liver/Wood
Life: Movement and physical exercise is paramount for this system to be balanced. Balance drive and work with adequate rest, creating a healthy vision and direction for life also essential.
Food: greens, pungent foods (onion family, mints, dill, etc.), raw or sprouted fresh foods, smaller meals avoiding heavy greasy foods, and late-night eating.
Questions for reflection:
Do I have a strong vision for the future? Am I rigid in my plan or am I open to what comes and do I take action? Where could I loosen my grip? Where do I need more drive and focus for moving forward?
Heart system out of balance:
Heart palpitations
Insomnia with trouble falling asleep
A confused mind
Anxiety or despair
Overheated easily, restless or cold, and withdrawn
Things worse in hot weather or in the summer
Poor circulation, very red or very pale face
Heart in balance
A warm personality and ability to sustain intimacy
Good circulation (warm hands and feet), healthy rosy complexion
Focused mind with clear thoughts and easily able to express self
Balances activity with restful sleep
Disciplined with a good sense of humor
Joyful, enthusiastic, play
Nourishing Heart/Fire:
Life: Connection with oneself and others, staying open and avoiding closing off or becoming isolated, cultivating joy and connection to something greater (through nature, ritual, music, etc.), using your voice, and fully expressing.
Foods: Bitter tasting foods (bitter grains rye, amaranth, dandelion, rapini), mushrooms, if lacking vibrancy use pungent spices if overheated, and anxious use cooling foods (cucumber, mint, chamomile, etc.). Avoid stimulants like coffee or alcohol, particularly before bed.
Reflection Questions:
Where do I find thoughtful meaning and connection in my life? Where do I feel warmth, enthusiasm, and love in my life? What brings me joy? What is connecting, meditative, and calming for me?
Lung system out of balance
Shortness of breath
Regularly sick with coughs, colds, or sore throats and takes a long time to heal and recover
Dry skin or nose
Allergies or skin rashes
Symptoms worsen in the fall or in dry weather
Trouble keeping commitments, disorganized
Melancholy or excessive grief
Lung in balance
Healthy balanced attachment –knowing when to hold on and when to let go
Physically active with strong voice and lungs
Skin glossy and bright fresh complexion
Allows self to grieve completely before letting go
Good immune system, rarely ill and recovers quickly
Inspired by beauty in all forms
Able to reflect inwardly
Strong inner values and highly principled living
Nourishing Lungs/Metal:
Life: Breath! Yes, breathe a lot of fresh air, exercise, work on boundaries (in self and respecting others), voice work, or self-expression.
Foods: adequate-protein, pungent foods (hot peppers, white pepper, etc.), radish, mushroom, sprouted vegetables and seeds, lower-fat foods.
Reflection Questions:
Where do I find inspiration in life? Where do I feel I add value to life/others? Is there something I need to grieve? Can I let go?
Kidney system out of Balance
Depletes self through overwork, exercise, sex, or stimulants
The decline in hearing, ear infections, or hair loss
Low back, knee pain or weakness or bone/tooth problems
Excessively fearful or insecure
Premature aging, poor development in children, infertility
Symptoms worse in the winter or in cold weather
Lacks stamina, endurance, or motivation
Kidney in balance
Has good endurance and concentration
Able to manage energy and resources well and has deep reserves of energy
Doesn’t fear solitude or going inward
Has healthy will and motivation to reach goals
Is courageous, calm, and serene
Nourishing Kidney/Water:
Life: Balance between activity and rest (non-doing), adventure followed by stillness and reflection, strengthen lower back and core, curiosity, limit drama, and fear-based media and stimulation.
Foods: varied diet, naturally salty foods (seaweeds, miso, etc.), slower cooked foods, bean and legumes, healthy fats and butter, walnuts, almonds.
Reflection Questions:
Do I overextend myself or push through? How do I recharge and rest? Am I curious? How do I express my creativity and purpose in life?