Welcome summer (even though it is overcast + kind of cold here in the Monterey peninsula)
With summer, we enter the season of the FIRE element
The FIRE element is associated with:
• the HEART + SMALL INTESTINES
• growth
• bitter taste
• the color red
• the tongue
• the vessels
• joy + laughter
FIRE /|\ HEART
The HEART is the YIN organ of the FIRE element
Functions of the HEART are to:
• govern the blood
• controls the blood vessels
• manifests in the complexion
• house the mind
• relates to joy
• opens into the tongue
• controls sweat
The HEART is the YIN organ of the FIRE element
In TCM it is known as the emperor, or monarch, of the internal organ systems.
It houses the mind (Shen) and has major impact on mental health, memory, thinking + sleep.
If your Heart-Blood is strong, you will fall asleep easily + your sleep will be deep
If the Heart-Blood is weak, your mind will float untethered, resulting in a hard time falling asleep, or disturbed sleep with excessive dreaming
All dreams relate to the Heart:
• when the Heart is deficient, you might dream of mountains, fires, and smoke
• when the Heart is in excess, you might dream of laughing
Emotions which affect the HEART:
Joy will slow down HEART-Qi
Sadness + Grief will deplete HEART-Qi
Anger will make HEART-Qi rise
Worry will knot the HEART-Qi
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 465). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
The HEART governs the Blood + controls the blood vessels
With the support of the Liver, it plays a big role in the menstrual cycle
The Liver blood influences the blood stored in the uterus, whereas the Heart controls the discharge of the stored blood
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 108). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
HEART /|\ SHEN
As doctors of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, you’ve heard us use the word SHEN
The SHEN is our spirit, our mind, our vitality
The mental aspect of the SHEN, resides in the HEART, and provides us with:
• mental activity
• emotions
• memory
• ability to think
• sleep
These aspects are affected by the state of the HEART and blood
The spiritual aspect of the SHEN, is not solely related to the HEART, but rather a combination of YIN organs
• SHEN /|\ mind (HEART)
• HUN /|\ ethereal soul (LIVER)
• PO /|\ corporeal soul (LUNGS)
• ZHI /|\ will power (KIDNEYS)
• YI /|\ intellect ( SPLEEN)
“The HEART is the root of Life and the origin if the Mind”
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 110-111). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
I don’t needle this point often, but when it do, it is quite incredible
Aside from points having specific functions, certain points fall into shared categories
This point on the HEART meridian, is the FIRE POINT
HEART 8
It is fantastic at clearing all types of Heat (agitation, mania)
It helps even out any rollercoaster emotions (sadness, worry, restless, agitation)
And it helps to regulate the uterus, specifically for prolapse situations
It is very similar in function from HEART 7 (see previous post), but it has a stronger action, and I do tend to use it for more severe cases of anxiety
This is an excellent point for self-massage. You find this point when you make a gentle fist. Where the pinky tip lands, you will find HEART 8
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 955-956). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
“wear your HEART on your sleeve”
The HEART meridian originates in the heart organ itself. It will pass through the diaphragm + connect with the small intestine
The HEART meridian has two branches:
1. One ascends to the throat + eye
2. The other will emerge form the heart to enter the lung, continue on to the armpit. From the armpit, it emerges to the surface running along the inside of your arm to the tip of the little finger
The 9 points found on the HEART meridian will:
• treat the mind (anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness)
• affects the inner aspect of the arm, the chest, and eyes
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 951). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Image of book: Pálos, S. (1994). Consilium CEDIP acupuncturae: Therapie in Wort und Bild. Ismaning bei München: CEDIP, Med.-Techn. Verl.- und Handelsges.
HEART 7
Shen Men /|\ Mind Door
This point is best known for its’ ability to calm + open the mind, as it nourishes the HEART Blood.
When the Blood is deficient the mind’s house becomes smaller + weaker causing anxiety, insomnia, poor memory + palpitations.
Because this point nourishes the HEART Blood, it has an influence on menstruation + can be very beneficial at promoting a healthy cycle.
There are a plethora of herbal formulas to support anxiety
Anxiety is not correlated with just one organ system or root cause
Self prescribing with herbal compounds that have been shown to be helpful for anxiety, is not the best approach
Have you identified the root cause for your anxiety? Is it due to deficiency or excess? Is there a mixed pattern?
Here are just some patterns from which your acupuncturist will discern your root cause for anxiety:
EXCESS:
• LIVER Qi stagnation
• LIVER fire + phlegm
• HEART Qi + blood stagnation
• phlegm heat
DEFICIENCY:
• Yin deficiency
• HEART Qi + yin deficiency
• HEART Qi deficiency
• HEART + KIDNEY yin deficiency
• HEART Qi + blood deficiency
• HEART blood + SPLEEN Qi deficiency
• HEART + GALLBLADDER Qi deficiency
My acupuncturist has me taking a formula for HEART blood + SPLEEN Qi deficiency
Even for myself, I do not self-prescribe
FLOWER ESSENCES /|\ IMPATIENS
The HEART virtues are courtesy, correctness, + propriety.
When these virtues become unbalanced, it may give rise to anxiety, nervousness + tension.
Impatiens + Scleranthus + Cherry Plum flower essences can help the HEART Psyche (Shen) to get back in contact with its life path.
Together they work to relieve stagnant emotions that cause Heat within, which restores the the HEART back to serenity + a state of content presence.
Noriega, P., & Colebeck, L. (2016). Bach flower essences and Chinese medicine. Healing Arts Press.
BAI HE :: Lily Bulb
In TCM herbology, the Lily Bulb enters the HEART + LUNG meridians.
It is a wonderful herb to help those experiencing sore throat, insomnia, cough, feelings of heat + restlessness as it is slightly cooling in nature + moistening in its benefits.
Bai He helps to calm the spirit (Shen) + restore proper moisture levels to aid the HEART in carrying out its’ essential function of maintaining vitality.
Single herbs are rarely used in TCM, and you should always consult a Doctor of Acupuncture + Chinese Medicine prior to taking any Chinese herbs. This is a powerful medicine when used the correct way. Herbs have side-effects and require a correct diagnosis to be administered.