Chinese Medicine and Heart Health

In traditional Chinese medicine, the organs that can be seen with the naked eye are distinguished as Zang-Fu organs. 6 principal organs in the human body can be recognized in the category Zang: heart, liver, lung, spleen, kidney and pericardium. The main functions of these vital organs are the creation and storage of essential substances with which feed and nourish the entire body. These vital substances can name the blood, hormones and all vital fluids.

On the other hand, in the category Fu, we find the small intestine, gall bladder, stomach, large intestine, bladder and Sanjiao. The main functions played by these bodies are to receive and digest food, absorb, process, transform nutrients and evacuate waste and toxins or unnecessary. Another category in Fu category are called Special. In this category we find the organs like the uterus and brain.

Although zang organs are different in function of the fu organs, there is a close relationship between them and the various physiological activities they perform. A characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine is the concept of considering the body as a whole pathophysiology.

The heart

The heart is the organ located behind the thorax, is a body to pump that distributes blood and blood food substances throughout the body via the blood. In Chinese medicine, each organ is connected with zang or fu organ through communication channels. The channel of heart, for example, is connected to the small intestine in Chinese medicine; this is understood as being outside their relationship. The heart also is reflected in language, (each zang organ is reflected in a sense organ).

One way to know whether we are right in the heart is to observe the countenance of a person: when blood is being pumped efficiently, and blood is rich in nutrients, we can clearly notice the facial appearance of the person, which will be pink, bright, spotless, full of mind and eyes with clear eyes. Even the hair looks strong, healthy, never weak and brittle. In the extremities, we can know if the heart is working well if we have warm, if not often fall asleep or stay very cold. All these details speak of a heart with a smooth performance, the tissues are well nourished and blood circulates vigorously.

Another way to know the health of the heart is through the tongue. The heart and its functions are closely related to the shape, color, movement and taste of the tongue. Some say that "tongue is an outbreak of heart."

Brain and heart

Regarding the brain, the heart is considered the most influential organ of the mind, the heart is who generalizes the physiological function of the brain. The thinking is closely related to heart function. The Neijing states: "The heart is the organ that controls blood vessels and the vessels are the residence of the mind."

Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the concept that when the Qi (vital energy) does not flow efficiently, can affect, among other things, the function of the heart. The problem is compounded when the Qi does not circulate efficiently so frequent, resulting in a myriad of diseases that affect, among other things, the normal functions of the brain and nervous system, causing stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression and others. These states of mind, at once more begin to stall the flow of Qi, which if not resolved early, it can later lead a host of ailments.

Heart Health

Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the oldest in a matter of healing. It's a rather preventive medicine, and medicine's oldest book is the Huangdi Neijing (Canon of Internal Medicine).

The fundamental pillars of Chinese Medicine are based mainly on diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage.

Regarding diet, traditional Chinese medicine classifies foods according to their taste, color, temperature, etc.. For example:

Classification according to temperature:

• Fresh food and cold refreshments: heal, moisturize.
• Neutral foods: stabilize, harmonize, focus.
• Food hot and temperate: tone, heat, rise, move.

Taste:

• Acids: astring, get the energy inward. It acts on the Liver and Gall Bladder (Wood element).
• Bitter: promote drainage and evacuation, and dried down. Act on the heart and bowel.
• Salty: in adequate amounts, soften, lubricate. Acting on the Kidney and Urinary Bladder (Water element).
• Sweet: amount of energy and lubricate. They act on the Spleen, Pancreas and Stomach (Earth element).

Color:

• Red foods: revitalize.
• Food yellow: stabilize, balance.
• Green Food: detoxify, purify.
• Black Food: astring, invigorate the "Ying" (essence).
• White Food: purify.

To learn how to eat according to these bases, you must know well the conditions of each person and environment as their physical constitution, age, season, country living, type of work performed, type of pathology that presents etc.

The healthy heart is vital to the whole organism because without a good pump and a good quality of our blood, are impeding vital functions not only physically but in terms of energy (emotional and mental).

If you wish to pursue a cure based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is best to seek advice from a professional or seek expert lectures on a topic that can guide you.

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