February 5 The Yang Fire Tiger Month

  

The first month of the Yang Wood Dragon Chinese year is the Yang Fire Tiger which begins February 5, 2024. 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 Fire Tiger month extends till March 5, 2024.

The Yang Fire Tiger refers to the 21st hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is Fire over Thunder. The Yang Fire Tiger represents "Biting Through an Obstacle". Its image is that of weakness and stagnation below unable to support a strong position above. 

The Yang Fire Tiger hexagram:

From the body and health perspective, the Yang Fire Tiger hexagram represents a weakness of various energetic conditions. The environmental influences, currently, are in Winter mode. Here in Texas, it seems more like Spring with all the rain we're getting. The Yang Fire Tiger continues a season with a predominant damp, cold, stagnant nature. The Yang Fire Tiger, generally, represents the stagnation in the middle and lower body encouraging toxic buildup there along with increasing inflammation in the upper body. 

Chinese medicine recognizes two types of inflammation. One is Yang type, and the other is Yin type. The Yang Fire Tiger is an example of both types existing concurrently. The Yin-type inflammation is due to a toxicity buildup in the spleen, pancreas, liver, and lungs. Yang-type inflammation is located in the gallbladder, lymphatic system, urinary bladder, and small intestine. 

The organ meridians of the intestines and stomach reach the upper body, especially the head. During the Yang Fire Tiger month, Yang-type inflammation and fevers from infection will be located here. The two main causes are incorrect diet for a person’s constitution and external environmental pathogens. When damp toxicity accumulates in the tissues and organs, toxic inflammation will overwhelm our body's natural immunity. During the Yang Fire Tiger month, damp toxic patterns have their root in external climatic pathogenic factors, such as cold damp weather, coupled with the accumulation of turbid fluids in the internal organs. This culminates in an extreme weakness of Yang Qi, the motive force necessary to maintain vibrant health.

The Fire trigram originates in the Fire element. When Fire is located in the upper trigram it indicates a condition marked by fever and inflammation in the upper body. This pathology affects the Wei Qi or Defensive Qi, the lymphatic system, and is related to the immune system. Heat stagnates the stomach and large intestine causing a buildup of turbid toxins, facial swelling and pain, sore throat, and neck and upper back pain.

The Thunder trigram is one of two trigrams originating in the Wood element and is related to damp, sticky, and toxic conditions. During the Yang Fire Tiger month, the Thunder trigram affects the yin aspects, primarily in the respiratory, and gastrointestinal tracts, and inhibits blood flow in the circulatory system.

Each season consists of various energetic states, often in conflict. These conditions will be reflected in nature and, more importantly, our bodies. As mentioned earlier, the Yang Fire Tiger represents a generalized pattern of stagnant damp accumulation in the digestive organs and inflammation or infections in the upper body. The buildup of toxicity requires a focused effort to flush toxins from the body. Flushing the body of toxins will be inhibited with certain foods, diets, and wrong or inadequate exercise. Additionally, care should be given to clear heat toxins responsible for infections and fevers in the upper body. We have specific herbal formulations to address toxic buildup in the body.

During the Yang Fire Tiger month be careful not to initiate inflammation in the small intestine, gallbladder, and lymphatic system. These organs and tissues are prone to developing infections and inflammation this month. The focus with meals is to use simple combinations, fewer spices, and foods easy to digest.

Common problems during the Yang Fire Tiger Month are: 

Upper Jiao (above the diaphragm)

acute mastitis, aching shoulders and back, facial paralysis and swelling, headache, red eyes, tinnitus, deafness, sore throat, scapular region pain, finger stiffness, migraines, eye redness, and pain, mastitis, breast distention, neck pain, and stiffness

 

Middle Jiao (between the diaphragm and umbilicus)

acute gastric or abdominal pain, borborygmus, rib pain, 

Lower Jiao (below the umbilicus)

knee joint pain and swelling, lower leg paralysis or weakness, leg pain, foot and toe spasms and pain, irregular menstruation, lumbar and sacrum pain, 

Many of the signs and symptoms of toxic dampness, inflammation, and fever will fatigue the body. Fortunately, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have great treatment options for all the above conditions.

We continue to see a lot of patients with a variety of respiratory conditions. No one is immune from contracting, influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the current strain of COVID-19, the common cold, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections. Once you develop a fever it is advisable to avoid most all foods you normally consume. The reason is once you're sick your body needs to sluff off the accumulated turbid fluids that are aggravating your symptoms. 

Once your health returns and you want to undertake a maintenance dietary program, I recommend patients schedule a personal consultation to determine the correct foods for them as most diet programs miss the mark. Michelle offers patients an opportunity to help with identifying those foods that will prevent dampness, mucous, and phlegm from accumulating, specifically for you. Schedule with her here.

If you need remedies from our herbal compounding pharmacy please reach out to us. In most cases, we can schedule a telemedicine visit for you. If you're unsure a condition will respond to pharmaceutical-grade herbs, send us a text or give us a call. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Schedule an herbal appointment

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Closed: Sat, Sun, Mon

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www.mhaom.com

2024 Yang Wood Dragon Year Part 2

 

In our previous post 2024 Yang Wood Dragon Year Part 1 we discussed the initial stage of disharmony characterizing the Yang Wood Dragon Year. In this post, we continue this discussion by investigating the second, the Jueyin stage.

The second stage requiring support this year is the Jueyin regions and organs, specifically the Liver and Pericardium. The liver and pericardium belong to the Wood element. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that the Pericardium is assigned to the Fire element, but this is incorrect. One of my early mentors Dr. Richard Tan, taught me that the Pericardium and San Jiao (Triple Burner or Triple Heater) are actually assigned to the Wood element. The liver and pericardium are closely connected in TCM, with the liver responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids, and the pericardium functions as the heart protector. An imbalance of the liver and pericardium can result in various health issues, affecting both mental and physical aspects.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Jueyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Jueyin stage is characterized by both deficiency and excess patterns of disharmony related primarily to the various TCM liver functions. Another fundamental characteristic of the Jueyin level is its relationship to the movement of blood in the arteries and veins. When the Jueyin level is stagnant it adversely affects blood circulation. When the Jueyin is excessive Blood Heat and Blood Deficiency will result. 

TCM Functions of the Liver:

Governs the smooth flow of Qi and blood.

Stores blood and regulates its volume.

Controls the tendons and manifests in the nails.

Opens into the eyes and is associated with vision.

Houses the ethereal soul (Hun).

TCM Functions of the Pericardium:

Protects the Heart.

Regulates blood circulation and nourishes the blood vessels.

Influences mental and emotional well-being.

Houses the mind (Shen).

A unique characteristic of TCM is the various internal connections each organ has with other organs and body regions. These connections are considered to be similar to the acupuncture meridians but without acupuncture points. In the case of the liver and pericardium they each have specific connections that help to explain pathological processes affecting each of these organs. It's helpful to review the TCM organs and their location within the San Jiao.

Notice how the Wood element organs are located in both the upper and middle jiao. Their effect on these regions is of major importance

The Liver (LV) is connected to the Pericardium (PC), Gallbladder (GB), Small Intestine (SI), Large Intestine (LI), Lungs (LU), the lymphatic, endocrine, and psycho-emotional systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the liver's functions, either weakening or inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, the gray organs to the Metal element, and the green organs to the Wood element. A common source of excess energy affecting the liver is in the small and large intestines. Pathogenic heat easily disturbs the liver which then is transported to the lungs, lymphatic and endocrine systems, and agitates the emotional state. 

One feature of the Wood element is its impact on the moving energy of the body. One way of assessing health in TCM is by determining the relative movement in the body. In the field of physics, there are two types of energy, kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy is the yang energy in the body. Potential energy is the yin energy in the body. Balancing yin and yang is simply a matter of balancing the moving and stagnant energies of the body. In TCM moving energy is necessary for health and wellness. Stagnant energy creates disease. When yin and yang are out of balance disease patterns begin. This can be simple aches and pains to severe chronic diseases such as cancer. The Wood element organs, liver, pericardium, san jiao, and gallbladder, typically, are known for their patterns of disharmony involving excess pathogenic patterns. In most of these cases, the result is a problem with stress, psycho-emotional disturbances, irritability, menstrual problems, digestive problems, and sleep disorders. 

The deficiency patterns of the Liver are that of blood deficiency and or yin deficiency. The effects are similar: insomnia, blurred or impaired vision, dry eyes, and menstrual problems. 

The small intestine is within the Fire element. It is a yang organ, which by definition, is very active and tends to have a highly energetic and hot nature. This characteristic can become excessive and can, actually, transfer heat to the liver. This is known as Liver Fire in TCM. This is characterized by irritability, insomnia, red or flushed face, rapid pulse, mental restlessness, hypertension, and headaches.

The gallbladder functions to process fats and oils in our diet. When it is overloaded with excessive amounts of these food types, gallstones develop. If this goes on long enough it may impede the ability of the gallbladder to continue its functions and become inflamed, resulting in having it removed surgically. If the gallbladder is removed it can drastically affect the liver. This is because the liver now has to function in a way it was not designed to. This will result in a pattern in TCM known as liver-damp heat. This disease pattern is characterized by jaundice, yellowing of the sclera, poor or low appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal distention, elevated cholesterol, yellow vaginal discharge with foul odor, or testicular pain and swelling in males. 

The Pericardium (PC) is connected to the Liver (LV), Gallbladder (GB), Stomach (ST), Kidneys (KI), and the Psycho-Emotional, Lymphatic, and Endocrine systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the pericardium function of protecting the heart. The yellow organs belong to the Earth element, blue organs to the Water element, and green organs and systems to the Wood element.

Of the organ connections to the Pericardium the Stomach and Gallbladder are yang organs and the Kidneys and Liver are yin organs. Yang organs tend to be highly energetic and prone to inflammation. When this occurs with either the stomach or gallbladder, heat is transferred to the pericardium resulting in cardiovascular problems, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches, to name a few.

Small intestine inflammation oftentimes causes heart fire in Chinese medicine. Both small intestine inflammation and heart fire can weaken the kidney yin. Some common conditions are chronic hearing problems, chronic low back pain, chronic nephritis, diabetes mellitus, and essential hypertension. 

The Lymphatic, Endocrine and Psycho-Emotional characteristics of our body belong to the Wood element. Each element has particular properties that define its pathological influence. The pathology associated with the Wood element is Wind. Wind moves things. When Wind is not controlled it can combine with the other elemental pathologies and move them through the meridian system, organs, and tissues. Excessive Wind results from Yin Deficiency or internal heat and inflammation and causes extreme irritability, anxiety, and stress. Deficient Wind results from Qi Deficiency or Qi Stagnation and causes depression, lymphatic swelling, and GI tract disorders, to name a few.

As was mentioned in Part 1 of the Yang Wood Dragon, the Kidneys are connected to the Pericardium and function to provide energy for its function of protecting the heart and aiding in blood circulation. Psycho-emotional imbalances, such as stress or anxiety, can often affect the Kidney Yang, crashing the adrenal glands, and leading to a major cause of fatigue.

Conclusion

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver and pericardium are two important organs with distinct functions, yet they are closely interconnected. 

Relationship between Liver and Pericardium:

The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood in the body. It is associated with the Wood element.

The pericardium, also known as the Heart Protector, is responsible for protecting the heart and managing the circulation of blood and Qi. It is associated with the Wood element per Dr. Richard Tan.

The liver and pericardium work together to ensure the harmonious flow of Qi and blood, playing a crucial role in emotional well-being and cardiovascular health.

Disorders Resulting from Weakness, Deficiency, and Excess Patterns:

Liver Qi Stagnation (Excess): emotional imbalances, irritability, and menstrual disorders.

Liver Blood Deficiency (Deficiency): blurred vision, dizziness, and muscle spasms.

Pericardium Heat (Excess): emotional disturbances, anxiety, and insomnia.

Pericardium Deficiency (Deficiency): palpitations, poor memory, and mental fatigue.

Patterns of Disharmony:

Liver Qi Stagnation and Heat in the Pericardium: Emotional stress and pent-up feelings causing both liver and pericardium disharmony.

Liver Blood Deficiency and Cold in the Pericardium: Weakness in nourishing the blood and protecting the heart.

Balancing the liver and pericardium through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle adjustments is crucial in TCM to address these patterns of disharmony and promote overall health and well-being. 

In Parts 1 and 2 of the discussion of the Yang Wood Dragon, we've looked at problems with two of the yin stages. In Part 3 of our discussion of the Yang Wood Dragon year, we will begin looking at the two yang stages of disharmony.

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2024 Yang Wood Dragon Year Part 1

February 5, 2024, is the first day of the Yang Wood Dragon Year. The Yang Wood Dragon is rooted in Chinese philosophy, which is based on a lunar calendar. The Chinese zodiac comprises 12 animal signs and five elements, forming a 60-year cycle. The Dragon is one of the animal signs, and each sign is associated with one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). 2024 the Dragon is linked with the Wood element, creating a Yang Wood Dragon Year. The next Yang Wood Dragon Year will be 2084. 

Each of the 60 years has an associative hexagram from the I-Ching. The Yang Wood Dragon corresponds to the 62nd hexagram "Small Preponderance".  The image is Thunder, the upper trigram, over Mountain, the lower trigram.

Thunder is one of two trigrams linked to the Wood element. When Thunder is the upper trigram in a hexagram there is weakness in the defensive Qi or Wei Qi of the body and weakness in the GI tract, specifically the stomach and colon. This weakness is due to the inability of the Yang aspect of the Wood element to activate the Qi of the stomach and large intestine.

The Mountain trigram is one of two linked to the Earth element. When the Mountain trigram is the lower trigram in a hexagram there is phlegm and mucous affecting the circulation of blood within the vessels along with phlegm and dampness affecting the heart and kidneys

It's important to note that Chinese medicine is based on oscillating energy cycles. With that in mind, the potential effects of the Yang Wood Dragon Year are listed below.

The combination of Thunder over Mountain is the underlying influence for the Yang Wood Dragon year. The implication is to engage in activities, and dietary practices to strengthen those regions of the body prone to weakness this year. 

The first stage requiring support this year is the Shaoyin regions and organs, specifically the Heart and Kidneys, two very important organs. The heart and kidneys belong to the Fire (yang) and Water (yin) elements, respectively. This represents the balance of heat and cold in the body. The heart and kidneys are closely connected in TCM, with the heart governing the mind and the kidneys storing essence. An imbalance between the heart and kidneys can result in various health issues, affecting both mental and physical aspects.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Shaoyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Shaoyin stage is characterized by a deficiency of both Yin and Yang energy in the body. 

Heart TCM Functions:

Governs blood and vessels: The heart is responsible for pumping blood and ensuring its proper circulation throughout the body.

Houses the mind (Shen): The heart is associated with consciousness, emotions, and mental activities.

Controls sweat: The heart regulates the body's sweating mechanism.

Heart Disorders from Weakness or Deficiency:

Insomnia: Heart deficiency may lead to sleep disturbances and insomnia.

Palpitations: Weakness in the heart can result in palpitations or irregular heartbeats.

Poor memory and concentration: Heart deficiency may affect cognitive functions.

Kidneys TCM Functions:

Stores essence (Jing): The kidneys are believed to store the body's essence, which is crucial for growth, development, and reproduction.

Govern water metabolism: The kidneys regulate fluids in the body, including urine production.

Controls the lower orifices: The kidneys play a role in the function of the lower orifices, including the anus and urethra

Govern reproduction, development, and growth: The kidneys are responsible for the reproductive process and development and growth after childbirth.

Kidney Disorders from Weakness or Deficiency:

Lower back pain: Kidney deficiency may manifest as lower back pain or weakness.

Sexual dysfunction: Kidney deficiency can lead to issues such as impotence or infertility.

Weak bones and teeth: The kidneys are associated with the skeletal system, and deficiency may impact bone health.

A unique characteristic of TCM is the various internal connections each organ has with other organs and body regions. These connections are considered to be similar to the acupuncture meridians but without acupuncture points. In the case of the heart and kidneys they each have specific connections that help to explain pathological processes affecting each of these organs. 

The Heart (HT) is connected to the Kidneys (KI), Urinary Bladder (UB), Small Intestine (SI), Gallbladder (GB)and Spleen/Pancreas (SP). Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the heart's functions, either weakening it or inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, blue organs to the Water element, green organs to the Wood element, and yellow organs to the Earth element.

One aspect of the Water element is its relationship to the battery of the body - our adrenal glands. This is known as pre-natal Qi. This is the energy and essence we're born with. It's the combination of the energy and essence of our parents transferred to us. The Water element organs, kidney, and urinary bladder, typically, are known for their patterns of disharmony involving weakness, and deficiency. In most of these cases, the result is a problem with fluid metabolism, fatigue, low back pain, knee pain, hearing problems, thinning head hair, sexual dysfunction, and weak bones. 

The deficiency patterns stress the heart by not providing sufficient energy to support its various functions. One exception is when the yin aspect of the kidneys is weak or deficient. Health involves a balance between the yin and yang energies of the body and of each organ. When kidney yin is weak it allows kidney yang to be exuberant. This leads to many of the symptoms mentioned above along with night sweating, low-grade fever in the afternoon or evening, malar flush, red cheeks, sore throat, and dark scanty urine. These signs are commonly seen in menopause.

The small intestine is the paired organ with the heart within the Fire element. It is a yang organ, which by definition, is very active and tends to have a highly energetic and hot nature. This characteristic can become excessive and can, actually, transfer heat to the heart. This is characterized by irritability, palpitations, insomnia, red or flushed face, rapid heart rate, and mental restlessness.

The gallbladder functions to process fats and oils in our diet. When it is overloaded with excessive amounts of these food types, gallstones develop. If this goes on long enough it may impede the ability of the gallbladder to continue its functions and become inflamed, resulting in having it removed surgically. Many times before this happens the greasy, fried, fatty, and oil foods will begin to deposit in the bloodstream and negatively affect the blood vessels and heart. This can lead to a variety of serious cardiovascular disorders.

The Kidneys (KI) are connected to the Heart (HT), Urinary Bladder (UB), Large Intestine (LI), and the Psycho-Emotional, Lymphatic, and Endocrine systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the kidney's functions, either weakening it or by inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, blue organs to the Water element, green systems to the Wood element, and gray organs to the Metal element.

Of the organ connections to the Kidneys all are considered yang organs except the Heart, a yin organ. Yang organs tend to be highly energetic and prone to inflammation. When this occurs with either of the intestines, heat is transferred to the kidneys and urinary bladder resulting in either a kidney infection or bladder infection.

Small intestine inflammation oftentimes causes heart fire in Chinese medicine. Both small intestine inflammation and heart fire can weaken the kidney yin. Some common conditions are chronic hearing problems, chronic low back pain, chronic nephritis, diabetes mellitus, and essential hypertension. 

The Lymphatic, Endocrine and Psycho-Emotional characteristics of our body belong to the Wood element. Each element has particular properties that define its pathological influence. The pathology associated with the Wood element is Wind. Wind moves things. When Wind is not controlled it can combine with the other elemental pathologies and move them through the meridian system, organs, and tissues. Excessive Wind results from Yin Deficiency or internal heat and inflammation and causes extreme irritability, anxiety, and stress. Deficient Wind results from Qi Deficiency and causes depression, lymphatic swelling, and GI tract disorders, to name a few.

Conclusion

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Shaoyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Shaoyin stage is characterized by a deficiency of both Yin and Yang energy in the body.

Yin-Yang Imbalance: The Shaoyin stage signifies an imbalance between Yin and Yang energies, with a tendency towards deficiency.

Problems of Weakness and Deficiency:

General Weakness: The Shaoyin stage often exhibits overall weakness, fatigue, and lethargy.

Emotional Imbalance: Since the Heart is affected, emotional symptoms such as anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia may manifest.

Reproductive Issues: Kidney deficiency can lead to reproductive problems, including infertility and menstrual irregularities.

Fluid Metabolism Issues: Kidney involvement may result in water metabolism issues, leading to edema or urinary problems.

Associated Western Diseases and Disorders:

Cardiovascular Issues: Heart involvement may contribute to conditions like arrhythmias, palpitations, and poor circulation.

Endocrine Disorders: Kidney deficiency may be linked to hormonal imbalances and disorders such as adrenal fatigue.

Reproductive Health Problems: Infertility, menstrual irregularities, and sexual dysfunction may be associated with Kidney deficiency.

Immune System Weakness: Overall weakness and deficiency may compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.

Neurological Disorders: Emotional disturbances linked to the Heart can contribute to psychological issues, including anxiety and insomnia.

In Part 2 of our discussion of the Yang Wood Dragon year, we will look at the next stage of disharmony.

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January 6, 2024 Yin Wood Ox Month

 

The last month of the Yin Water Rabbit Chinese year is the Yin Wood Ox which begins January 6, 2024. 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 Yin Wood Ox month extends till February 4, 2024, which marks the end of the Yin Water Rabbit year.

The Yin Wood Ox refers to the 20th hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is Wind over Earth.  The Yin Wood Ox represents "Contemplation". Its image is that of weakness and stagnation below unable to support a strong position above. Again, this month has four lines denoting a weakness and stagnation of various body regions and organ systems.

The Yin Wood Ox hexagram:

From the body and health perspective, the Yin Wood Ox hexagram represents a separation of various energetic conditions. The environmental influences, currently, are in early Winter mode. The Yin Wood Ox begins a season with a predominant stagnant nature in the middle and lower regions of the body and inflammation in the upper body. This occurs as a result of the sudden transition to a colder environment which drives us more indoors leading to closer contact with others. More frequent contact indoors during the winter months has proven to show increased infection rates of respiratory illnesses.  The Yin Wood Ox represents the accumulation of cold dampness in the middle and lower body encouraging toxic buildup there along with increasing inflammation in the upper body. 

Chinese medicine recognizes two types of inflammation. One is Yang type, and the other is Yin type. The Yin Wood Ox is an example of both types existing concurrently. The predominant one is Yin-type inflammation due to a toxicity buildup in the spleen, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and lymphatic system. Yang-type inflammation is located in the small and large intestines, the urinary bladder, and the stomach. The organ channels of the intestines, bladder, and stomach reach the upper body, especially the head. This is the location of the Yang-type inflammation and where fevers from infection will be located. The two main causes are incorrect diet for a person’s constitution and external environmental pathogens. When damp toxicity accumulates in the tissues and organs, toxic inflammation will overwhelm our body's natural immunity. During the Yin Wood Ox month, damp toxic patterns have their root in external climatic pathogenic factors coupled with the accumulation of turbid fluids in the internal organs. This culminates in an extreme weakness of Yang Qi, which is the motive force necessary to maintain vibrant health.

The Wind trigram is one of two trigrams originating in the Wood element. When Wind is located in the upper trigram it indicates a condition marked by fever and inflammation in the upper body. This pathology affects the Wei Qi or Defensive Qi and is related to the immune system. It also stagnates the lymphatic systems causing a buildup of turbid toxins, neck and upper back pain, tightness in the chest, and labored or difficult breathing.

The Earth trigram is one of two trigrams originating in the Earth element and is related to damp, sticky, and toxic conditions. During the Yin Wood Ox month, the Earth trigram affects the yin aspects, primarily in the lower body, weakening the gastrointestinal tract, stagnating the circulatory system, and weakening the heart and kidneys.

Each season consists of various energetic states, often in conflict. These conditions will be reflected in nature and, more importantly, our bodies. As mentioned earlier, the Yin Wood Ox represents a generalized pattern of stagnant damp accumulation in the digestive organs and inflammation or infections in the upper body. The buildup of toxicity requires a focused effort to flush toxins from the body. Flushing the body of toxins will be inhibited with certain foods, diets, and wrong or inadequate exercise. Additionally, care should be given to clear heat toxins responsible for infections and fevers in the upper body.

Common problems during the Yin Wood Ox Month are: 

Upper Jiao (above the diaphragm)

manic psychosis, dementia, headache, neck rigidity, acute spasms in the fingers, elbows, and arms, epilepsy, deafness, eye congestion and pain, upper eyelid atrophy, difficulty opening the eyes, facial and general edema,  toothache, sore throat, fever, redness, and swelling of fingers and dorsum of the hand, febrile disease, redness, swelling, and pain in the eye, tinnitus, spasms, and pain in the upper extremities, night blindness, blurred vision, weakness, distention, and pain in the breast, cough, asthma, nasal problems, chest congestion, irritability, coughing blood, asthma, depression, dizziness, vertigo, chest congestion, cardiac pain, palpitation, sudden loss of voice, stiffness of the tongue, wrist and arm pain, palpitations 

Middle Jiao (between the diaphragm and umbilicus)

hypochondrium pain and distention, abdominal distention, acute gastric pain, gastric distention and stuffiness, poor appetite, pain around the umbilical region, epigastric pain, vomiting, hiccup

Lower Jiao (below the umbilicus)

lumbar and sacrum pain, swelling, and pain in the dorsum of the foot, numbness and pain in the lower extremities, urogenital system problems: pain in the penis, hematuria, spermatorrhea, diarrhea, bloody stools, retention of urine, enuresis, constipation, heel pain, irregular menstruation, morbid leukorrhea, dysuria, hernia

Internal organ damp toxicity patterns are aggravated by:

Seafood: especially shellfish, like crabs, oysters, scallops, clams, lobster, and shrimp 

Fermented foods: cheese or fermented tofu.

Dairy: milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.

Sugar: all foods containing sugar, such as cake and dessert.

Meat: lamb, beef, goose, and duck.

Deep-fried or greasy food.

Certain fruits: mango and durian.

Stimulants: coffee, alcohol, and energy drinks.

Carbohydrates: white rice or bread as they may damage the Spleen and in turn produce more dampness.

Spicy, pungent, aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi.

Many of the signs and symptoms of toxic dampness, inflammation, and fever will fatigue the body. Fortunately, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have great treatment options for all the above conditions.

This time of year we're seeing a lot of patients with a variety of respiratory conditions. No one is immune from contracting, influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the current strain of COVID-19, the common cold, bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections. Once you develop a fever it is advisable to avoid most all foods you normally consume. The reason is once you're sick your body needs to sluff off the accumulated turbid fluids that are aggravating your symptoms. A simple congee of water, rice, chopped celery, and a small bit of salt is the best meal to eat until the body temperature is back in the normal range for two to three days. Yes, this is bland but your body will love you for it. Once the fever is down to normal levels consider adding in a small amount of roasted chicken without too much fat.

Once your health returns and you want to embark on a maintenance dietary program, I recommend patients schedule a personal consultation to determine the correct foods for them as most diet programs miss the mark. Michelle offers patients an opportunity to help with identifying those foods that will prevent dampness, mucous, and phlegm from accumulating, specifically for you.

On a personal note, I don't remember the last time I was sick. However, I tested positive in early December for COVID-19 after being exposed by one of our patients in late November. Four years after the virus began in China I contracted the virus for the first time. I had many of the more common symptoms associated with the current strain. I treated myself with herbal formulations from our herbal compounding pharmacy. Thankfully, I never needed to be hospitalized for COVID, as do many patients. Nor did I take the more common pharmaceutical medications for treating COVID, such as Paxlovid. To recover fully I had to close the clinic for two weeks in December to simply allow my body the rest it needed. It was a good reminder for me that the virus can take up to seven days to incubate before the body exhibits any symptoms. Though we're not requiring patients to wear a mask while in our office, Michelle and I will resume wearing our masks so that we're not another link in the chain of transmission of either bacterial or viral infections. 

If you need remedies from our herbal compounding pharmacy please reach out to us. In most cases, we can schedule a telemedicine visit for you. If you're unsure a condition will respond to pharmaceutical-grade herbs, send us a text or give us a call. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Our special this month: 10% discount on BSABV-ES, our herbal anti-viral, anti-bacterial formula. This formula is compounded in-house to address the many signs and symptoms associated with infections. This formula is available in a 200-capsule bottle or a 100gm powder for making an herbal tea.

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