HAIR HEALTH ACCORDING TO TCM (1)

According to the Chinese, premature aging and hair loss are due to imbalance or deficiency in our blood, kidney and liver meridians. When these problems are fixed, we will see improvement in our hair.

Strong, healthy lustrous hair that retains its natural color is reflection of healthy vitality of liver blood and kidney essence according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

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.

 

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