HAIR HEALTH ACCORDING TO TCM (2): Kidney’s role

KIDNEY MERIDIAN

Functions of the kidney meridian encompass the urinary system, reproductive system, part of the endocrine system and autonomous nervous system.

TCM views the kidneys as the root of Qi (vital energy) and source of Jing (essences) for the entire body. Its health determines our youthfulness.

*The Kidney is the source of all primordial Yin and *primordial yang in the body.

* ‘YIN’ refers to tangible substances and bodily fluids such as tissues, blood, hormones, semen, urine etc. It has a cooling and moistening effect whereas its counterpart *‘YANG’ is energy that can move and transform substances. It is warming and drying. Yang is involved in growth, reproduction, fluid or water metabolism and blood circulation. Yang energy regulates the adrenal cortex. It is the force that enables organs to function.

Qi is a vital force that belongs to yang energy whereas Jing is a yin substance. Strong, healthy growing hair needs the sustenance of both blood and essence. Its vitality depends on Qi. Deficiencies of any one of these components leads to premature aging.

There are two types of kidney deficiencies. One is environmental and is due to factors such as poor diet, prolonged stress and overwork . Ingestion or exposure to toxic drugs or chemicals and chemotherapy may also weaken the kidneys.

The other type is an inherited weakness; both involve a deficiency of energy in the kidneys (kidney essence).

WESTERN VIEW

Modern Western medicine has identified the adrenal glands that sit atop each of our kidneys as the source of a number of important chemicals that affect many body processes and its malfunction can lead to hair loss. The important chemicals are adrenaline, sex hormones and Cortisol (hormones induced by stress).

Infection, anemia and illness also cause hair loss.

One of the signs of hypothyroidism is hair loss. Stress and iodine are known to be significant contributors to thyroid dysfunction. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are due to problems related to hormones.

In Chinese Medicine, Adrenal Exhaustion and thyroid problem are recognized as weak Kidney Energy or Kidney Deficiency. When the cold energy of Yin in the kidneys is deficient, it is unable to suppress the hot, active yang energy. The unrestrained yang energy may go wild, producing an excess pattern. This leads to internal heat with symptoms such as tidal fever (fever that come and goes), night sweat and thirst.

In kidney deficiency, the organs are not able to send enough nourishment up to the head resulting in hair loss, insomnia, dizziness, headaches and hearing problems .

Hypothyroidism is classified as Yang Deficiency. Hyperthyroidism is considered a disease pattern of excess due to Yin Deficiency.

Prolonged yin deficiency eventually harms the yang energy leading to symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold extremities, infertility among others.

HAIR HEALTH ACCORDING TO TCM (3): Liver’s role

LIVER MERIDIAN

According to TCM, the liver is the general that directs all the other organs in their performance of bodily functions. Therefore, liver disharmony (from Qi stagnation, dampness, heat, etc.) will affect the proper functioning of other bodily processes.

The liver sends blood to all parts of the body and acts as a reservoir for any excess blood.

Liver Qi help move body fluids including blood to all tissues. How well the liver does its job greatly affects the level of energy, nutrients, hormones and disease fighting capability in the body. Stress, emotional repression and unhealthy lifestyle can trigger liver Qi stagnation. When this happens, many very important functions performed by various organs will be impaired. Moreover, in the blood vessels the Qi and blood move together.

If the free flow of the Qi is stagnated by the liver, the blood will in turn stagnate as well.

Since the liver help to detoxify the body together with the kidneys, stagnation will lead to toxin buildup, which will be reflected in the hair. Prolonged stagnation result in toxic heat flare up leading to many types of chronic illnesses including hyperthyroidism as well as impaired functioning or damage to other organs such as the heart, spleen, lungs etc.

The liver houses the ministerial fire, which is utilized for digestion. What this means is that digestion is a warm process and needs heat to function properly. Enzymes work most efficiently and optimally at a body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Poor diet, improper eating habits, and diseases can affect digestion, transformation and absorption leading to malnutrition resulting in inadequate nourishment by the Qi and blood derived from food for the liver. This leads to liver blood deficiency and shows up as dry, brittle hair with split ends.

Patchy hair loss on the scalp or elsewhere (alopecia areata) is due to Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Prolonged deficiency of yin energy can lead to yang heat attacking blood in the body creating more Yin Deficiency and Deficiency of yang Heat.

Most people with alopecia areata have a combination of yin deficiency and toxic heat syndrome.

As one ages, qi, blood and jing will often decline, leading to hair loss, graying and white hair. The Chinese acknowledges the ‘heavenly factor’ (genes) has an influence on the matter. However, they also believe it is possible to keep aging hair healthy by replenishing the vital components that nourishes hair. When body and mind is balanced and in harmony through diet, exercise (both physical and mental), healthy habits and with a little help from herbs and acupuncture (when needed), our vital forces and body will be more vibrant , healthier and able to resist diseases better. This will be reflected in healthy, younger looking skin and hair.

A RESTFUL NIGHT

A tranquil mind brings restful sleep

Dinacharya- A Schedule for Health (4)

DOSHA: KAPHA

TIME SEGMENT:

6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

FUNCTIONS:

Calming and slowing down of bodily processes. This is the ‘winding down’ phase to prepare you mentally and physically for sleep.

ACTIVITIES:

• People rest and relax in different ways. Some prefer to be with friends or family. Others prefer time to themselves for hobbies, listening to music, practicing yoga, watching T.V. etc.

• Other ways to calm down and relax the mind are to engage in spiritual activities such as prayers, meditation, spiritual reading or reflecting on things to be thankful for that day.
  
  Engage in activities that make you feel happy, contented and satisfied so as to put you in a positive frame of mind. These feelings and attitude invoke the parasympathetic system, which is ***anabolic.

• Do not eat supper because your body will divert part of its energy for digestion instead of concentrating fully on repair and detoxification in the next Pitta phase. However, it is alright to drink beverages high in ‘tryptophan’ (an essential amino acid found in food), which aids sleep and makes you feel relaxed and happy. (Check out HAPPY FOODS for foods high in ‘tryptophan’.)

The Pericardium meridian is strongest at 8 p.m. Although the pericardium is not considered an organ in Western physiology, TCM view it as the protector of the heart both physically and energetically. Its fire-energy shields the heart against strong, negative emotional fluctuations in the body that may disrupt the healthy functioning of the heart. According to Chinese medical theory, different emotions can generate energy. Strong emotions can generate high levels of energies. The Pericardium keeps energy flow to the heart stable.

• Before retiring, unclutter your mind.

• Brush your teeth. Wash and clean yourself.

• Some find a massage very relaxing before bedtime. You can do the same massage as you had performed in the morning. Alternatively, have a warm footbath or massage the soles of your feet with warm oil.

• Just before bedtime, sit on your bed and do slow, deep breathing. You may play relaxing, soft music or chants in the background.  Pleasant scents also aid sleep. See Scent Of Sleep- Lavender, Jasmine for more scents that relaxes you.
  
  All these activities help calm your mind and keep energy flow steady, which is good for your heart.

• Sleep by 10 p.m. For the next nighttime Pitta phase, refer to RHYTHMS OF SLEEP 1B.

***Anabolic – Processes that occur when the body heals wounds, restores energy and creates new cells.

USEFUL LINK: Go to TIBBIT 1C- THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN AYURVEDA AND TCM and scroll down to TIME CHART OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK for circadian rhythm schedule according to Ayurveda and TCM.

Dinacharya- A Schedule for Health (3)

DOSHA: VATA 

TIME SEGMENT:

2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Functions:

See first article in this series.

Activities:

Afternoon is the creative energy phase according to Ayurveda. Your body is using its energy to create nutrients from the food you had eaten earlier. Use the time to engage in less demanding tasks.

• Heat of the afternoon saps the cold energy of Vata. Vata individuals may feel sleepy or tired and need to rest. Take a 15 – 20 minutes power nap.
  
  According to TCM, the Small Intestines Meridian is strongest at 2 p.m. Doing less demanding tasks allow your body to devote more of its energy towards digestion and transportation of nutrients to the spleen for transformation.
  
  Your bladder starts to get increasingly full and by 4 p.m., the Bladder meridian is most powerful. The organ is responsible for storing and excreting urine passed down from the kidneys. However, the bladder meridian is more than a storage and waste removal system. This meridian is closely related to the functioning of the *autonomous nervous system, which modulates vital functions in your body. A Portion of its pathway runs along both sides of your spine, enters the brain and resurfaces above the eyes and down the front of the body.
  
  The two branches of the autonomous nervous system counterbalance each other. The sympathetic branch promotes activity, alertness, shuts down or reduces digestive activities.
  
  The parasympathetic branch promotes rest, sleep and good digestion and waste elimination. Therefore, when you feel sleepy after a meal, your parasympathetic system is very active.

• By 5 p.m., the **Kidney meridian starts to assert itself. It is strongest at 6 p.m.
  
  If you hold a sedentary job, take a walk or do light exercise before dinner.

• Eat a light dinner before 6pm or transitional Vata-Kapha phase to allow enough time for digestion before bed.

• Do not sleep immediately after dinner as this may interfere with proper digestion leading to accumulation of ama. Allow at least 3 hours for digestion before going to bed.

*The autonomic system mainly controls functions over which we have less conscious control.  These include the digestion of food, blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, chemicals secreted by the body etc. 

**For more information on the kidney meridian, refer to TIBBIT 1C- TCM hair health.

USEFUL LINK: Go to TIBBIT 1C- THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN AYURVEDA AND TCM and scroll down to TIME CHART OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK for circadian rhythm schedule  according to Ayurveda and TCM.

In the next installment, we shall discuss the activities in the Kapha time segment. 

DAILY DOSHA SCHEDULE

Vata is active between 2 a.m. - 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Kapha is active between 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Pitta is active between 10 a.m. - 2 a.m. and 10 p.m. - 2 p.m.

USEFUL LINK: Go to TIBBIT 1C- THE CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN AYURVEDA AND TCM and scroll down to TIME CHART OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK for circadian rhythm schedule  according to Ayurveda and TCM.

 

http://jumblebox.webs.com/healthF/health12F/tidbit1clock.html

Dinacharya- A Schedule for Health (2)

DOSHA: PITTA

PIX: While people in the North are bundled up against cold winter, those in the Southern Hemisphere are frolicking on the beach.

Summer and the searing heat of noon that makes us sweat and aggressively burns our skin is reflective of the characteristics of Pitta.

Ayurveda advises eating the biggest meal of the day in this time segment as metabolism and digestion are strong. The meridians that are strong at this time also support this sagely Ayurveda advice.

TIME SEGMENT:

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Elemental characteristics:

Fire and water: hot, fluid, liquid, sharp and aggressive.

(Heat, metabolism, transformation)

Functions:

Pitta governs bodily processes that produces or needs heat to occur such as metabolism and energy production. Its scope includes the digestive process, transforming nutrients into useful substances such as    red blood cells and formation of various secretions and excretions that are either the means or the ends of tissue combustion.

ACTIVITIES:

• By the time Pitta takes over from Kapha, the Spleen meridian is at its strongest. Some people may feel the need to snack at mid morning to fuel Pitta’s energy demand. If you want to lose fat, STOP YOURSELF FROM SNACKING!

When your body has used up its horde of sugar (glycogen) from your breakfast, it starts to use your store of fat and glycogen for energy. Your body's fat burning processes are controlled by your sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Your SNS is activated by both exercise and lack of food. That is why in the previous article exercise is scheduled before breakfast. Experts found that exercising on an empty stomach helps you to burn up your fat reserve stored in the muscles. Eating carbohydrates interrupts the process of metabolizing fat for about six hours afterward.

Peter Hespel, a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Leuven in Belgium suggested, “Exercising without eating produces muscles that are better at absorbing glucose — which is important for preventing diabetes.”

• By 11 a.m., the Heart meridian asserts itself to transport nutrient rich blood to all parts of the body. With nutrients pouring in, you get another energy boost to continue working or studying.
  
  
• Have lunch at around 12 – 1 p.m. According to Ayurveda, this is the peak period for digestion. Eat your biggest meal at this time to take advantage of the strong digestion.

You can eat cool, raw food such as salad if you have good digestion (strong digestive fire). Those with weak digestion, stick to warm, easily digestible food. You can take small amounts of fermented food with your lunch to aid digestion. Examples of beneficial fermented foods are miso, temper, kin chi and sauerkraut.

Concentrate on your meal and chew your food well. Do not do other activities while you eat such as reading, watching a show or work in between each bite.

• Wash your face, ears, eyes, hands and feet just before and after each main meal. Rinse your mouth as well. Brush your teeth after the meal.

• Drink water an hour before and an hour after each meal. People with Vata constitution should drink warm water. Kaphas and Pitas can drink tepid water.

• Stroll around after your meal for a few minutes to help the food to go down for digestion. Moreover, walking assist the pumping action of the heart to carry blood and lymph throughout the body.

The Small Intestines meridian is active from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The function of the small intestine is the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients and minerals found in food.

Hey! Isn’t the food supposed to go to the small intestine first for digestion and absorption before their nutrients are moved to the spleen for transformation? Aha! Western translators (not the Chinese) do all the labeling of meridians in English according to organ names! There is some doubt whether the ‘Spleen meridian’ as named by Westerners was appropriate!

Let us follow the pathway of the Spleen meridian. From the Big Toe, the meridian goes to the Abdomen and enters the Spleen, continues to Stomach then up to root of the Tongue. Another branch continues from the Stomach to the Heart. As you can see, the Spleen meridian goes to a number of organs. The ‘Spleen meridian’ is involved in digestion, transformation, transportation and distribution of nutrients. Digestion starts in your mouth when saliva breaks down starch and continues in the stomach.

Other meridians may go to a number of organs, glands and/or body extremities including toes, fingers, crown of the head etc.

The information I gave about function of specific organs is culled from modern scientific sources, not traditional Chinese ones. As one Zen master once said, a word/name is like a finger pointing to the moon. The word/name is not the moon itself.

Dinacharya provides a skeleton with some recommendations for an ideal routine to harmonize your body’s circadian rhythm to the Master clock in Nature for a healthy lifestyle.  Consider your own constitution and be sensitive to your own biological rhythm when fleshing out your personal Dinacharya.

NOTE: This Dinacharya is for adults. Growing children who are not obese can take healthy snacks for brunch and tea (Tiffin) in addition to their main meals.