In the Chinese calendar, December 7, 2022, is the first day of the Yang Water Rat 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 Water Rat month extends till January 5, 2023.
The Yang Water Rat refers to the 29th hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is Water over Water. Of the sixty-four hexagrams, there are only eight where the upper and lower trigrams are identical. The Yang Water Rat is one of them and signifies "Abysmal" or "Sinking Water". It represents an image of water flowing on and on, without end. Yet, the Water trigram itself is considered to be an energetically, weak and stagnant trigram.
The Yang Water Rat hexagram:
From the perspective of the body and health, the Yang Water Rat hexagram represents a weakness in several levels of the body. The environmental influences are changing to more cold and wet weather. The result is stagnation along various energetic and fluid pathways in the body. The first level affected during this month is the immune system or our defensive mechanism that is attacked by the changing environmental pathogens. This is followed by weakness in the gastrointestinal tract. As the environmental pathogens work deeper into the body they will then begin to weaken the ability of the lymphatic system to drain toxins from the circulatory system and prevent proper endocrine and hormonal functions. The deeper progression of the Yang Water influence then inhibits proper respiratory and digestive functions. Finally, the last level of the Yang Water influence affects kidney and heart functions.
The Yang Water Rat month can be a hazardous time from the perspective of health and wellness.
Some of the symptoms in the Yang Water Rat month are:
Upper body stagnation: headache, neck pain, dizziness, sore throat, cough, asthma, nasal and sinus problems, nosebleeds, arm and elbow pain, blurred vision, red painful eyes, tinnitus, breast distention, laryngitis, palpitations
Lower body stagnation: sciatica, leg pain, lower back pain, hemorrhoids, gastric pan distention and bloating, poor appetite, diarrhea, bloody stools, irregular menstruation, urinary retention or incontinence
These conditions often respond well to either acupuncture or a customized herbal formula. It's important to remember that incorrect dietary choices during the Yang Water Rat month often are the catalyst for weakening the body's organs.
The Yang Water Rat describes Water within Water or the constant or incessant running of water and fluids. The Yang Water trigram corresponds to the Yang aspect of the Water element. This represents the Kidney and Bladder systems in Chinese medicine, our adrenal glands, and an aspect of our endocrine or hormonal system. Yang Water, refers to the more active properties of the Water element with regard to fluid metabolism. However, during the Yang Water Rat month fluid metabolism is impaired leading to joint swelling, stiffness, water retention, and edema.
Each season consists of various energetic states, often in conflict. These energetic states will be reflected in nature and more importantly in our bodies. The influence of Yang Water in the body represents Stagnant Dampness within the body. During this month Damp Stagnation affects the Water element organs, the Kidneys and Bladder. Damp Stagnation causes fluids to buildup in various regions of the body. This leads to a sense of heaviness in the body, sluggishness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, digestive problems and urinary issues.
So, now that we have a picture of the nature of this month what can we do to optimize our health and wellness? In our family, there are various strategies we use to keep ourselves healthy throughout the year as the seasons change.
Last month we began a discussion of Yin-Yang theory and how to use it to maintain health and wellness. This month continues this topic with the another strategy our family uses to optimize health.
Understanding flavors and their influences. In Chinese medicine the flavors of foods have a significant impact on the functions of our organs. Of the five flavors the two which have the most damaging affect on the health of the body are the sweet and salty flavors. These are the two flavors that are most attractive to eat. The sweet flavor is linked to the Earth element and the salty flavor is linked to the Water element. The primary organs of these two elements are the Spleen/Pancreas system and the Kidneys and Bladder. Each of the body's organs has unique functions in Chinese medicine in addition to the ones recognized in western medicine.
For example, one of the most important functions of the Spleen/Pancreas is:
• Governs the Transformation and Transportation of all nutrients and fluids
Wow! I bet you had no idea how much of an enemy the sweet and salty flavors are!
Many of the conditions listed above can be corrected simply by recognizing the flavors of the foods consumed and by eating foods best suited for your particular constitution. Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine does not condone a particular diet. Instead, each person's diet is best suited for them when it is aligned with their own unique constitution. If you're unaware of your unique constitution then schedule a Free 20-Minute Ayurvedic Health Consultation with Michelle. She can help you get started to maximize the nutritional benefit of your meals.
One last note on the Yang Water Rat hexagram is the significant lack of strength in the Yang aspect of the body. This represents a weakness in systemic functions. This is a good month to avoid overexertion, mentally, and physically.
A recent news article mentioned that the number of flu cases this past week is the highest ever recorded. Also, we've been seeing quite a number of patients who are getting reinfected with COVID. It seems evident that there is an impending collision of COVID, RSV, and influenza. If you are in need of treatment for any of these conditions, please reach out to us. In most cases we can schedule a tele-medicine visit for you.
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Meridian Harmonics Acupuncture and Herbal Compounding Pharmacy
