June 6, 2024, in the Chinese calendar, marks the beginning of the Yang Metal Horse month. The Chinese calendar assigns one of the twelve animals, five elements, and the polarity of yin or yang to each year, month, day, and hour. The Yang Metal Horse month extends till July 6, 2024.
The Yang Metal Horse refers to the 13th hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is the Heaven trigram above, and the Fire trigram below. The Yang Metal Horse represents "Fellowship". From the I Ching, we find this description of this month's hexagram:
"True fellowship among men must be based upon a universal concern. It is not the private interests of the individual that create lasting fellowship among men, but rather the goals of humanity. That is why it is said that fellowship with men in the open succeeds. If unity of this kind prevails, even difficult and dangerous tasks, such as crossing the great water, can be accomplished. But to bring about this sort of fellowship, a persevering and enlightened leader is needed, a man with clear, convincing, and inspiring aims and the strength to carry them out."
The Yang Metal Horse is a strong/energetic/hot/dry hexagram. It has a nature that is dry due to excessive energy in the Yang channels/organs, and heat depleting the Yin channels/organs. These pathologies occur when the current external climatic factors overwhelm the body. This month coincides with the late Spring and early Summer seasons. When the Yang Metal Horse occurs during this time of the year the influence from the increasing warmth of Spring and Summer, dominates the Yang meridians and organs. In addition, the environmental heat depletes the Yin channels and organs. Energetically, this hexagram is a complex combination of pathogenic factors. It combines the yang aspect of warmth/dryness and its deficiency effect on yin meridians and organs.
The Yang Metal Horse hexagram:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the large and small intestines play crucial roles in maintaining overall health and balance within the body. TCM views these organs from a physiological perspective and their energetic and functional relationships within the body. Here’s an overview of their importance and functions according to TCM principles:
Small Intestine
Functions:
Separation of the Clear and Turbid: The small intestine is responsible for separating the "clear" (nutrients and usable substances) from the "turbid" (waste and unusable substances). This process is crucial for the body's nourishment and energy (Qi).
Absorption of Nutrients: While not emphasized as strongly as in Western medicine, the small intestine’s role in nutrient absorption is acknowledged in TCM. The nutrients from food are absorbed and then distributed throughout the body to nourish organs and tissues.
Role in Fluid Balance: The small intestine also aids in regulating the body's fluids, separating the pure fluids from the impure ones, which are then sent to the large intestine and bladder for further processing and excretion.
Associated Energetics:
Heart Connection: The small intestine is paired with the Heart in TCM. This relationship means that the small intestine can influence mental clarity and emotional well-being, as imbalances can affect the Heart's functions.
Meridian Pathway: The small intestine meridian runs from the little finger, up the arm, and across the shoulder, ending at the face. This pathway can influence symptoms and conditions along its route, including pain and discomfort.
Large Intestine
Functions:
Excretion of Waste: The primary function of the large intestine is to move the body's waste material out for excretion. This is essential for maintaining internal cleanliness and preventing the buildup of toxins.
Fluid Reabsorption: The large intestine absorbs water and some salts from the waste material. This process helps maintain the body's fluid balance and prevent dehydration.
Support of Lung Function: In TCM, the large intestine is closely related to the Lungs. Proper function of the large intestine helps support Lung Qi, which is important for respiration and the immune system.
Associated Energetics:
Lung Connection: The large intestine is paired with the Lungs. This means that large intestine issues can affect respiratory health and vice versa. For example, constipation might be linked to respiratory problems.
Meridian Pathway: The large intestine meridian starts from the index finger, travels up the arm, across the shoulder, up the neck, and ends at the side of the nose. This pathway can influence conditions such as sinus issues, shoulder pain, and toothache.
Overall Importance in TCM
Qi and Blood Regulation: Both intestines are vital for the proper transformation and transportation of food and fluids, which directly affect the generation and movement of Qi and Blood.
Digestive Health: Proper intestine functioning ensures that the body receives adequate nutrition and can effectively eliminate waste, which is fundamental for maintaining health and vitality.
Emotional and Mental Health: The relationship between the intestines and their paired organs (Heart and Lungs) highlights the importance of the intestines in emotional and mental health. Imbalances can manifest as anxiety, stress, and other emotional disturbances.
Holistic Balance: In TCM, health is seen as a state of balance. The intestines play a key role in this balance, affecting and being affected by other organs and systems in the body.
Understanding the functions of the large and small intestines from a TCM perspective provides a holistic view of how these organs contribute to overall health and the interconnectedness of bodily systems.
Each of the body's organs plays a vital role in TCM theory, not only in physical health but also in maintaining emotional balance and overall well-being. The meridians and channels associated with them are pathways through which the body's vital energy flows, affecting various physiological and psychological functions.
Our special this month: 10% Discount on Summer Cool, our in-house Chinese herbal formula to address the many signs and symptoms associated with Texas summers. We developed this formula for folks who exercise or work outdoors in the Texas heat. This formula comes in a 200-capsule bottle and helps with summertime influenza, acute skin rashes, acute tonsillitis, acute upper tract infection, early-stage acute bronchitis, acute tonsillitis, and acute conjunctivitis. Summer Cool aids in helping with low-grade fever, chills, headache, body aches, sneezing, coughing, red eyes, thirst, and sore throat.
Since I cycle frequently during the summer, I take this formula to prevent heat exhaustion, fatigue, heat-type headaches, and the like.
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