Application of the Theory of Yin-Yang

Introduction to Yuanqi Circle

The two most fundamental concepts in traditional herbal medicine are yuanqi and yin-yang. Yuanqi is the foundation of human life. In traditional herbal medicine, the state of one’s health is closely related to yuanqi.

Yuanqi circulates within our bodies, forming what is known as the yuanqi circle. This is similar to how water in nature rises and falls, creating a continuous cycle. The yuanqi circle is crucial as it influences our birth, aging, illness, and death. Just as stagnant water in nature leads to lifeless areas, stagnant yuanqi can lead to health issues. For instance, the North and South Poles, where water cannot rise, and deserts, where water cannot fall, are sparsely populated due to the lack of circulation.

In herbal medicine, yin-yang represents two aspects of yuanqi: rising yuanqi is yang, and falling yuanqi is yin. These are two states of the same yuanqi, not separate entities. Yin and yang simply describe the movement of yuanqi.

The State of Yang

Understanding the relationship between yin-yang and yuanqi allows us to explore the connection between wuxing (the Five Elements) and yuanqi. Yin-yang and wuxing are ancient Chinese classification methods used to study the universe, encompassing everything in nature.

For example, people are classified into yang (men) and yin (women) based on their characteristics. Similarly, when yuanqi rises, it is in a yang state, making the body more active. Drinking alcohol is another example of yang. Alcohol causes yuanqi to rise and disperse quickly, leading to a disorder in yuanqi and blood circulation. This excessive dissipation of yuanqi results in an extremely yang state, leaving a person feeling listless and uncomfortable in the days following alcohol consumption.

The State of Yin

Yin manifests when we are asleep, as our yuanqi is in a state of astringency. Ancient Chinese wisdom summarized that when yuanqi is in a yang state, a person is energetic, and when in a yin state, a person sleeps. This is why people traditionally work at sunrise and rest at sunset.

Disruptions to this natural rhythm, such as insomnia, indicate that yuanqi is not fully restrained. Traditional herbal medicine refers to this as yin-deficiency and fire-excess. People with poor sleep often have hot hands and feet, as their yuanqi cannot converge and disperse to the limbs. Others may experience restless sleep and vivid dreams due to yuanqi dispersing from the heart meridian, which governs the mind.

When Yin and Yang are Deficient

Yin and yang are interdependent. Proper dispersion of yuanqi allows for its proper collection. If yuanqi is not collected at night, it will be wasted, leaving insufficient yuanqi for the day, resulting in poor energy levels. Long-term yin-deficiency leads to yang-deficiency and vice versa.

Chronic diseases like high blood sugar and high blood pressure often result in both yang-deficiency and yin-deficiency. These conditions are increasingly common among young people due to poor lifestyle habits. Insufficient yuanqi leads to various health issues, including frequent hair loss and dark circles under the eyes.

Looking ahead

To feel energetic and happy, it is essential to bolster our yuanqi. For more herbal medical theories of Huang Yuanyu and his contributions to traditional herbal medicine, and how it helps in rejuvenating our health, stay tuned for the next episode.

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