Guest guest Posted July 27, 2000 Report Share Posted July 27, 2000 My notes: This is an especially good and helpful Letter From China. It deals with the Earth element and the Spleen and Stomach. For those of you who have CFIDS or who are treating PWCs, see how many symptoms that you have that are related to the Spleen. Including some of the brain fog. The part about depression is particularly interesting. Mononucleosis attacks the spleen in particular, and one symptom of a really bad case of mono is depression. (Antidepressants won't lift the depression. Only bringing the viral infection under control and restoring balance to the Spleen will help this particular depression. Victoria >--------- Forwarded Message --------- > >DATE: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 00:00:22 >Dagmar Riley <dagmar-riley >Letter-from-China > >_____ > >LETTER FROM CHINA >July '00 (1) >A newsletter on and modern China > >by Dagmar Riley >______ > >In this issue: > >NOTE FROM THE EDITOR >Modern China > >THE 5 ELEMENTS >...(A) Short Revision >...(B) the organs associated with Earth > >MODERN CHINA >...life in a Chinese compound > >DISCLAIMER >SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE information >______ > >Please feel free to FORWARD this newsletter to friends. >______ > >NOTE FROM THE EDITOR >Up to know, my Canadian friend Robin has been writing the >modern China part of this ezine. >Robin came to China because her husband, a refrigeration >expert, was called to China to build an ice rink. Not knowing >what to expect from life in China, Robin came with an open >heart and fell in love with Beijing and its people. This >is partly due to Robin's open heart, unbound energy and >love for life. It is also due to the extreme friendliness >of the Chinese towards anyone who actually makes the effort >to understand them, their language and their culture. > >And effort it takes! Chinese is not an easy language, the >northern Chinese climate is far from temperate, and modern >China does not wear its beauty on the surface! The ugliness >of many modern Chinese cities makes it hard to look deeper >sometimes. So does the aggressiveness a lot of people develop >to survive in an enormous population that has to get used to the >fact that suddenly neither job nor housing, neither education nor >medical treatment are guaranteed by the state any more . > >Robin has made her dream come true and she and her husband >have settled in China. A Chinese friend has offered her a >job as bar manager in a local bar, which keeps her very >busy. > >While I liked to share the work on this e-zine with Robin, >it is high time that I am writing a bit about my own >experiences in China. Almost 10 years is a long time to live >here, after all. It is so long that I almost lost the feeling >of what would interest you about modern China! If there >is a particular area or topic that interests you, drop me >a line at gesund2000 ok? >____ > >A)SHORT REVISION: >The 5 Elements are a symbol for the 5 basic energies of >the Universe. >The 5 Elements are: Wood - Fire - Earth - Metal - Water. > >The Element EARTH is associated with: >Indian summer - Maturity - Brooding - Humidity - Spleen >- Stomach - Mouth - sweet. > >For BACK ISSUES of this series, please visit >http://www.topica.com/lists/Letter-from-China > >B) THE 5 ELEMENTS - EARTH > >If you just joined us and haven't read the >Letter from China [00/1 (2)] explaining the fundamental >difference between the Chinese concept and the Western >concept of the internal organs, please go to >http://www.topica.com/lists/Letter-from-China/read > >As you read about the function unit of the body that the >Chinese call the Spleen, it is helpful to keep one thing >in mind: >One of the main differences between Chinese and Western >medicine is, that internal organs in Traditional Chinese >Medicine (TCM) are not defined as physical matter but as >functions. > >The Chinese Spleen has 6 main functions: > >1. the Spleen governs transformation and transportation. >2. the Spleen manages blood. >3. the Spleen governs the raising of Qi. >4. the Spleen governs flesh and limbs. >5. the Spleen opens in the mouth and manifests in the lips. >6. the Spleen houses thought. > > >The Spleen, together with the stomach, is the primary >digestive organ. A good digestive function is the basis of >good health. However, both patients and doctors often >underrate its importance. Many doctors don't bother to ask >about the patient's digestion, on the other hand, many >western patients don't even notice their bad digestion. There >have been countless times when I have inquired about the >patient's digestion, whether they feel bloated after eating, >whether they are passing stool every day, whether there are >foods that they have difficulty digesting. Many western >patients can't answer these questions at the first appointment >because they are not used to taking their digestion seriously >(as opposed to Chinese patients who always know exactly what >they can't eat, if they feel bloated after eating, etc. This >is not because Chinese people are more perceptive but because >education is different and nutrition is taken quite seriously.) > >The following paragraphs will show you just how important a >good digestive function is: Not only is it the basis for qi >and blood production, but it is also the determining factor of how >much energy we have in our daily lives and whether we are able >to think clearly. Bad digestion can lead to fatigue, feeling of >no energy and low motivation to do anything, poor memory and >low ability to concentrate, depression, low self confidence, >obesity. > >Think of the picture of youth and success that we have in our >heads: The slim, dynamic, confident and smart person, highly >motivated and with plenty of energy to live life. Good >digestion is the basis for all these characteristics, since >it provides the body with vital energy to sustain the above >qualities. > >Again, we see that body and mind are no separate entities in >. Depression is in many cases connected to a >bad Spleen function. Thus, if you are depressed, there is more >to it than just to make an effort " to get out of it " by will. >As I often said before, it is hard to will yourself into any >state of mind without the help of a healthier body and the >additional energy you will be able to access once you improve >your health. A positive attitude and willpower are extremely >important, obviously. But positive states of mind, like >discipline, a strong will, generosity, courage, loyalty etc. >require more effort, more energy, than negative states of mind >like weakness of will, slackness, cowardice, being petty. >Therefore, the good functioning of the organs that provide you >with the energy that is necessary to uphold these positive >frames of mind is equally important. > >How then, is the Spleen involved in the digestive process? >1. the Spleen governs transformation and transportation. > >We said last time that Spleen and Stomach together are >responsible for the separation of nutrients from waste, >sorting out the useful from the useless. >The Stomach decomposes food. The Spleen then transforms the >decomposed food by extracting its useful parts, the essence >of the food, which it distributes to all parts of the body. > >Impaired transformation causes symptoms like abdominal >distension, diarrhoea, nutrition disorders, low appetite or >always being hungry but not knowing what to eat. > >Impaired distribution easily causes internal dampness, >phlegm, oedema, etc, which can generally be understood as >water being stuck in different parts of the body. Internal >dampness also causes symptoms like feeling of heaviness, >especially of the head and limbs, nausea, vaginal discharge, >and the general Spleen symptoms like bad appetite and >abdominal distension. > >Internal dampness can be caused by an impaired function >of the Spleen. However, exposure to external dampness, for >example living in a damp environment, damp weather, wet >swimming costumes (especially during menstruation for >women)or not changing your wet clothes after training also >easily affects the Spleen's ability to transform and >transport. External dampness can therefore cause internal >dampness, and a saying goes: " The Spleen likes dryness and >dislikes dampness. " > >This saying is of utmost importance when it comes to diet: >Cold foods easily cause dampness, and our typical modern- >western diet is the worst enemy of the Spleen: Raw foods, >fruit, cold drinks and, generally, uncooked meals easily >generate dampness. >If these foods are hastily eaten " on the go " during a short >lunch break or even while working, the digestive ability of >the Stomach and Spleen is even more reduced. The reason so >many people feel exhausted and without energy may not be that >we are all working long hours but that we cannot replenish >our energy properly due to poor nutritional habits. > >Whenever there are signs of dampness, phlegm or oedema, >the Spleen has to be treated. > >2. the Spleen manages blood. >The Spleen extracts essence from food, which is the basis >for blood and Qi formation. This is why people with an >impaired Spleen tend to have a pale complexion, a pale >tongue and pale lips. >Qi, especially Spleen Qi, also has the function of keeping >the blood within the vessels. A failure to do can cause >excessive blood flow during menstruation, blood in the >urine, blood spots under the skin etc. > >3. the Spleen governs the raising of Qi. >Whereas Stomach Qi has a downward tendency (the impairment >of which causes e.g. vomiting), Spleen Qi has an upward >tendency. This is expressed in two functions: >Spleen Qi raises essence up to the Lung and Heart. >Spleen Qi holds the internal organs in their place, a failure >of which may cause prolapse of the rectum, uterus, stomach etc. > >4. the Spleen governs flesh and limbs. >The Spleen is the source of blood and Qi formation. A well >functioning Spleen ensures both an ample supply of blood >and Qi and the correct transportation to the limbs. The limbs >thus receive proper nourishment and the flesh is firm and >powerful. >A person suffering from an impaired Spleen is likely to lack >physical energy, feel tired and weak, have cold limbs and, >especially women, flabby flesh. > >5. the Spleen opens in the mouth and manifests in the lips. >If the Spleen is healthy, the lips will be moist and rosy, >appetite will be good and taste will be normal. >An unhealthy Spleen will reflect in pale and dry lips >(because the Spleen does not provide sufficient essence to >produce enough blood), lack of appetite and a sweet, bland or >slimy taste in the mouth or a general impairment of taste. > >6. the Spleen houses thought. >If the Earth organs are healthy, a person will be able to > " digest " thoughts and emotions properly. Thoughts will be >organized in a clear order, emotions will be clearly recognized >and the person will be able to make them the basis of clear >decisions. >At the same time, excessive brooding, worrying, thinking in >circles, excessive studying or excessive intellectual work >without a balanced lifestyle to rest the brain will weaken >the Spleen and harm digestion. >An unhealthy Spleen will lower the ability to concentrate >and form clear thoughts. Thinking will be dull, muddled and >in circles. There will be a tendency to brood. > > >Typical symptoms of Spleen deficiency (not all symptoms have >to be present in a case of Spleen deficiency): >- tiredness, feeling of no energy, both physically and >mentally >- dull thinking, low ability to concentrate >- brooding >- depression >- weight problems, especially around the hip and thighs >- abdominal distension >- feeling especially tired after a meal >- loose stools, diarrhoea, well shaped stool that finishes >as loose stool, or alternating loose stools and >constipation. >- nutrition disorders >- low appetite, or always being hungry but not knowing >what to eat >- craving for sweets >- feeling of heaviness, especially of the head and limbs >- nausea >- vaginal discharge >- phlegm >- oedema >- puffy face in the morning >- a pale complexion, a pale tongue, pale and dry lips >- cold limbs, especially hands and feet >- flabby flesh (especially women) >- a sweet, bland or slimy taste in the mouth or a general >impairment of taste > >An unhealthy Spleen is extremely common, but unfortunately >both sufferers and doctors often don't even recognize that there >is a problem. It seems to be normal to feel constantly tired, to >have lost one's zest for life, to be without energy. >It is not normal, and there are ways to fight this " civilization >disease " . See you next issue! >______ > >**************** 1************************* >Health care products and dietary supplement store >http://www.allresults.com >Health products - The Internet's Premier Nutrition health store! >Meal Replacement Powders, Protein Powders, Nutrition Bars, >Vitamins, Minerals,Herbs, Sports Nutrition, diet pills and more! >**************** 2************************* >Yogaerobics E-Zine. The answer to total Mind Body Fitness. >How to squeeze more Life out of Life. You will learn more about >Meditation, Yoga, Aerobics, Weight Training and general all >around Mind and Body Fitness. E-Mail Request to Subscribe: >cyberphonc2?subject=Subscribe >*****************END ********************* > > >MODERN CHINA >...life in a Chinese traditional courtyard > >Living in different types of accommodations in China not only >means a change in architecture but also lifestyle. From >courtyard housing and work unit compounds to modern high-rise >apartments, the contrasts provide a window into the different >stages of China's development into a modern society. > >Traditionally, Beijing people used to live in compound >households called si he yuan. A single storey house is built >around a spacious courtyard on a North-South axis and closed >off to the outside with a gate. Windows only open to the >inside of the compound. Traditionally, the room facing South >was for the head of the family and his wife, the grown-up >children with family used to lived in the Eastern and Western >rooms, while the room facing North was intended for servants. >During the communist era, this strict structure fell apart a >bit when rooms were added here and there to accommodate more >people, and many of the once so spacious courtyards became >somewhat like a labyrinth. > >The compound I lived in had only been built recently and at >that time still had an intact courtyard. I lived there with >my Italian friend Julia (whom you know from the articles > " Qigong in Yunnan " and " Experience with a Qigong master " , >Letters from China February '00 (2) and April '00 (2)), her >Chinese husband and another Chinese girl who was just recently >divorced and wanted to get some peace from her family. The >fourth room served as kitchen and, in the summer, the shower: >We had a big barrel that was painted black on the top of the >entrance gate. In the summer, water was pumped up into the >barrel that heated up quickly in the strong sun. The barrel >was connected to a rubber-tube that lead to the kitchen - >voila the hot shower. Winter was obviously another story. >If we really felt the urgent need for a shower, we heated >up water in the biggest pot we had, mixed it with cold water, >and scooped it over our bodies with a bowl. Since our kitchen >did not have any heating, this was a very chilly affair in >minus 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. > >Another slight drawback of our otherwise so wonderful >courtyard, but interesting in the way of social studies, was >the public toilet a two-minute walk down the road. It was a >three-seater squat toilet without ANY partitions and provided >us with close contact to the neighbours. Initially, there was >much curiosity about the foreign neighbours, resulting in >public crowds within the toilet (only females, of course) >staring at us while we were attempting to relax and do our >business. After it became common knowledge in the >neighbourhood that foreigners do indeed do their toilet >business the same way as any Chinese, this phenomenon stopped. >Instead, we were treated with supreme friendliness, were >offered the sunflower-seeds that our neighbours loved to eat >while squatting on the toilet and reading the paper, and >asked numerous questions about our country. The toilet >provided a strong sense of community. After all, when you sit >on the toilet with someone in the above manner, there is not >much room for pretence. > >Something I had to learn while living in the Chinese courtyard >was that our sense of privacy was virtually nonexistent >amongst our Chinese neighbours. The doors to the courtyard >were only locked at night. That meant that during the day, >everybody could come in for a chat, whether we felt like it >or not, look into and comment on our rooms and generally just >wander about. I still feel a remnant of this trait in the >apartment building I live in now. Even though I can close >the door to my apartment, if a Chinese neighbour knows I am >in he or she will knock on the door until I open it (or until >the door falls down.). The thought that I would want to be >alone if I don't answer after, say, 5 minutes of constant >knocking, never occurs to him or her. Instead I am asked >whether I was asleep or no comment is made at all. > >It is the neighbourhood, though, that makes living in a >compound so special. Everybody sits outside in the summer, >playing chess on the road, reading the paper, chatting away, >looking after small children, eating melons, or just relaxing. >Nobody ever needs to feel lonely. > >One more Chinese phenomenon that I hadn't been confronted with >in the foreign students building was the Chinese way of >friendly greeting. I had encountered the greeting " Chi fanle >ma? " meaning " Have you eaten yet? " but that was all. In the >compound neighbourhood, I experienced the full range of >Chinese greeting, which was highly confusing at first. Whereas > " Chu qu ya " - " Going out? " - and " Hui lai le " - " You have >come back! " are not that confusing, although I never knew >what to say in return until I discovered that a simple " ey " >was enough, what really got me as a foreigner was the " qu >nar? " - " Where are you going? " . Because I didn't know that it >was just a form of friendly greeting, I always thought: Why >the hell do you want to know? Soon, though, I realized and >learnt the correct response: " Ban shir qu. " - " Taking care of >some business. " All this also made me understand why my teacher >always looked confused and slightly uncomfortable when I >greeted him with " Zenme yang? " " How are you? " It's not a common >greeting in China, and he must have always wrecked his brain >on what to answer to this highly private question. > >Living in the courtyard was wonderful, until the day our >landlord came and started to wildly add other rooms because >he had heard a rumour that the government would give him as >many rooms as he had in his compound when relocation was >coming. > >I decided to move out then. Soon after, the courtyard was >hit by modernization in the form of a character the city >government painted on its outside walls: " chai " , meaning > " tear down " . >______ >DISCLAIMER >The material in this newsletter is intended for >informational purposes only. I do not prescribe and I >do not diagnose. If you use the information in this >newsletter without the approval of a health professional, >you prescribe for yourself, which remains your constitutional >right, but the author assumes no responsibility. >_______ >SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE > >The Letter from China is published every month on Fridays. >New rs will be forwarded the current issue. > > >by sending a BLANK email to: >Letter-from-China- > > >by sending a BLANK email to: >Letter-from-China- > >submit your own personal stories >gesund2000 >and write " article submission " in the subject line. > >comments, suggestions or criticism >gesund2000 >and write " comment " in the subject line. > >for back issues visit >http://www.topica.com/lists/Letter-from-China >_______ >Copyright ) 2000 by Dagmar Riley. All rights reserved >worldwide. > > > > > > > > > > > >_________ >T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 >Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics > >--------- End Forwarded Message --------- > > > >--== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==-- >Before you buy. ______________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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