Mad Cow Disease and When to Refer On(Dairy)

[Guest guest]

> Isn't lightheadedness after dairy also a symptom of allergy and

other things?

 

When you look at TCM imbalances in people with allergies, Spleen

Deficiency crops up a lot. The Kidneys, Liver, and Lungs also

frequently are imbalanced in people with allergies. But the Spleen

is the biggie.

 

The Stomach " rottens and ripens " the food, and the Spleen extracts

the " Grain Qi " and carries it to the Lungs where it mingles with the

Air Qi to form the Qi of the body.

 

Part of this Qi becomes what is called " Protective Qi " . Protective

or Defensive Qi circulates at the suface of the body and gives people

protection against " External Evils " . These include not only

Pernicious Evils (Heat, Cold, Damp, Dryness, and Wind - weather

sensitivity) but allegens, pathogens, etc. If the Lungs or the

Spleen is weak, Protective Qi is Deficient.

 

" Wind " in particular is a factor in a lot of allergies and allergic-

like symptoms. Allergies tend to be more prevalent in the spring. At

the same time that wind tends to the predominate atmospheric

condition. You'll run across people who only have trouble with

allergies or allergy-like symptoms only when the wind is blowing -

whatever time of year. But wind tends to be strongest and more

frequent in the spring in most places. (The Chinese concept of

External Wind includes not the wind but changes in barometric

pressure and changes in ion concentrations. There also is artificial

Wind like that from an air conditioner or a fan. Not a good idea to

sit where either blows on you.)

 

In addition, one of the main functions of the Spleen is to " transform

and transport " water in the body. If the Spleen is weak, it can't

perform these functions adequately. Edema develops.

 

When water hangs around too long and is not being transported

properly, Dampness develops. If Dampness hangs around too long, it

changes into Phlegm. Phlegm loves to collect in the Lungs. It can

form anywhere in the body, but it has a particular affinity for the

Lungs.

 

Dairy and wheat are notorious Damp-engendering foods. Some allergies

are not IgE-mediated allergies at all but the effects of Dampness.

 

The Spleen hates Dampness and is vulnerable to it. When Dampness

accumulates, the Spleen is further damaged and weakened.

 

When the Liver is in Excess, it frequently will attack the Spleen,

further weakening the Spleen. BTW, the Liver is particularly

vulneralbe to Wind.

 

Complicating things is that Western allergy experts don't agree on

what constitutes an allergy. Some believe that it's only an allergy

if the immunoglobin IgE is involved. If the IgE level isn't

elevated, then it's no real allergy. Others believe that there are

other mediators in allergic responses besides IgE. Substance P

(which also plays a role in pain) was being looked at as one possible

mediator in allergies.

 

Curing Hay Fever Naturally with by Bob Flaws is a

good basic book for those new to TCM. The book concentrates on

allergic rhinnitis, but most of the information applies to other

allergies (and allergy-like reactions) as well.

 

Victoria

[Guest guest]

Thank you.

Michelle

-

victoria_dragon

Chinese Traditional Medicine

Thursday, August 07, 2003 5:18 AM

[Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: Mad Cow Disease and When to Refer On(Dairy)

 

 

> Isn't lightheadedness after dairy also a symptom of allergy and

other things?

 

When you look at TCM imbalances in people with allergies, Spleen

Deficiency crops up a lot. The Kidneys, Liver, and Lungs also

frequently are imbalanced in people with allergies. But the Spleen

is the biggie.

 

The Stomach " rottens and ripens " the food, and the Spleen extracts

the " Grain Qi " and carries it to the Lungs where it mingles with the

Air Qi to form the Qi of the body.

 

Part of this Qi becomes what is called " Protective Qi " . Protective

or Defensive Qi circulates at the suface of the body and gives people

protection against " External Evils " . These include not only

Pernicious Evils (Heat, Cold, Damp, Dryness, and Wind - weather

sensitivity) but allegens, pathogens, etc. If the Lungs or the

Spleen is weak, Protective Qi is Deficient.

 

" Wind " in particular is a factor in a lot of allergies and allergic-

like symptoms. Allergies tend to be more prevalent in the spring. At

the same time that wind tends to the predominate atmospheric

condition. You'll run across people who only have trouble with

allergies or allergy-like symptoms only when the wind is blowing -

whatever time of year. But wind tends to be strongest and more

frequent in the spring in most places. (The Chinese concept of

External Wind includes not the wind but changes in barometric

pressure and changes in ion concentrations. There also is artificial

Wind like that from an air conditioner or a fan. Not a good idea to

sit where either blows on you.)

 

In addition, one of the main functions of the Spleen is to " transform

and transport " water in the body. If the Spleen is weak, it can't

perform these functions adequately. Edema develops.

 

When water hangs around too long and is not being transported

properly, Dampness develops. If Dampness hangs around too long, it

changes into Phlegm. Phlegm loves to collect in the Lungs. It can

form anywhere in the body, but it has a particular affinity for the

Lungs.

 

Dairy and wheat are notorious Damp-engendering foods. Some allergies

are not IgE-mediated allergies at all but the effects of Dampness.

 

The Spleen hates Dampness and is vulnerable to it. When Dampness

accumulates, the Spleen is further damaged and weakened.

 

When the Liver is in Excess, it frequently will attack the Spleen,

further weakening the Spleen. BTW, the Liver is particularly

vulneralbe to Wind.

 

Complicating things is that Western allergy experts don't agree on

what constitutes an allergy. Some believe that it's only an allergy

if the immunoglobin IgE is involved. If the IgE level isn't

elevated, then it's no real allergy. Others believe that there are

other mediators in allergic responses besides IgE. Substance P

(which also plays a role in pain) was being looked at as one possible

mediator in allergies.

 

Curing Hay Fever Naturally with by Bob Flaws is a

good basic book for those new to TCM. The book concentrates on

allergic rhinnitis, but most of the information applies to other

allergies (and allergy-like reactions) as well.

 

Victoria