Guts As A Conveyor System

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of the "guts as a conveyor system" is primarily encapsulated within the functions of the Spleen and Stomach, which are collectively considered the "foundation of the five organs" and the "source of qi and blood biochemistry". This theoretical framework, known as Biweilun (Spleen-Stomach theory), describes a sophisticated system for the reception, digestion, transformation, and transportation of food and fluids, akin to a conveyor system that processes and distributes vital substances throughout the body

The Stomach's primary role in this system is to receive and "ripen" (digest) food, functioning as the initial processing stage. It is associated with Yang, implying its active and dynamic nature in breaking down ingested substances. Following this initial digestion, the Spleen takes over, responsible for the "transformation and transportation" (yunhua) of the refined essence from food and drink, converting it into Qi (vital energy) and Blood. The Spleen also manages the distribution of body fluids and ensures that blood remains within its vessels. Unlike the Stomach's descending action, the Spleen's Qi typically ascends, distributing nutrients upwards to nourish the entire body, including the limbs and the heart-lung system. This coordinated upward and downward movement of Qi by the Spleen and Stomach is vital for the "lifting and lowering of the Qi machine," regulating the body's energetic balance.

Pathologies within this "conveyor system" can arise from various imbalances, often rooted in the Yin-Yang theory. For instance, a Spleen-Yang deficiency—where the warming, active energy of the Spleen is insufficient—can impair its transformative and transportive functions, leading to coldness in the abdomen, poor appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea. This emphasizes that warmth and sufficient Yang Qi are crucial for the efficient operation of this internal conveyor. Conversely, Stomach Yin deficiency, characterized by a lack of moistening Yin substances in the Stomach, can manifest as dry mouth, burning sensations, and constipation.

The smooth operation of this conveyor system is also vulnerable to external factors and emotional states. The consumption of raw and cold foods, for example, is considered detrimental because it taxes the Spleen's Yang Qi, forcing it to expend more energy to warm and process these foods. This can weaken the Spleen over time, leading to conditions like Spleen Qi deficiency or the accumulation of cold-dampness. Emotional disturbances, particularly worry and anxiety, can also directly impact the Stomach and Spleen Qi, causing stagnation and disrupting their harmonious functions, leading to symptoms like abdominal distention or nausea.

In the context of digestive diseases, the Spleen and Stomach theory provides a direct framework for diagnosis and treatment. For example, conditions like gastric mucosal intraepithelial neoplasia can be understood as an imbalance of Yin and Yang at the cellular gene level, reflecting disordered proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis cycles. Treatment principles often involve strengthening the Spleen and Stomach (Bupishenwei), dispelling dampness, regulating Qi, and harmonizing the Stomach's descending function (Hehwei Jiangyi), often through specific herbal formulas. Jujube fruits, for instance, are commonly used to reinforce the Spleen, and studies have investigated their mechanism through metabolomics and intestinal flora analysis.

The "guts as a conveyor system" theory therefore emphasizes a holistic view of digestion, where the Spleen and Stomach, guided by Yin-Yang principles and influenced by diet and emotions, are central to the body's health by continuously processing and distributing essential nutrients and fluids

Raw Foods And Spleen Deficiency

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the consumption of raw foods is often discouraged, particularly for individuals with spleen deficiency, due to its perceived negative impact on digestive function and its potential connection to various health issues, including women's reproductive health conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This perspective stems from the foundational TCM understanding of the Spleen and Stomach's crucial role in transforming and transporting nutrients, a process heavily reliant on "Yang Qi" or digestive fire.

The Spleen and Stomach are considered the "foundation of the five organs" and the "source of qi and blood biochemistry". Their primary functions are the reception and "ripening" (digestion) of food by the Stomach, and the subsequent transformation and transportation of nutrients and fluids by the Spleen. This transformative process requires warmth and energy, which is supplied by Spleen Yang. Raw and cold foods, by their very nature, are believed to be "cold" in energetic quality. When consumed, they necessitate a greater expenditure of the Spleen's Yang Qi to "warm up" and digest them. If the Spleen's Yang Qi is already weak or repeatedly overtaxed, its ability to transform and transport nutrients and fluids becomes impaired.

The pathological mechanisms linked to excessive raw food consumption and spleen dysfunction include:

  • Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾氣虛): Overconsumption of cold and raw foods can weaken the Spleen's Qi, leading to symptoms such as poor appetite, abdominal distension after eating, loose stools, and fatigue.

  • Cold-Dampness Encumbering the Spleen (寒濕困脾): When the Spleen's transformative function is compromised, fluids can accumulate and condense into dampness (湿) and phlegm (痰). Raw and cold foods can directly introduce cold and dampness into the digestive system, exacerbating this condition. Dampness is characterized by symptoms like abdominal fullness, nausea, heavy limbs, and a thick, greasy tongue coating.

The connection between spleen dysfunction, particularly cold-dampness, and women's reproductive issues like PCOS in TCM is significant. In TCM, dampness and phlegm are frequently identified as key pathological factors in various gynecological disorders. When the Spleen fails to properly transform and transport fluids, dampness can accumulate in the lower abdomen and reproductive organs. This accumulation can lead to:

  • Qi and Blood Stagnation: Dampness is heavy and obstructive. Its presence can impede the smooth flow of Qi and Blood within the uterus and ovaries, which is essential for normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. Stagnation can manifest as irregular periods, painful menstruation, and infertility.

  • Phlegm-Damp Obstruction: Prolonged dampness can congeal into phlegm. In the context of PCOS, phlegm-damp obstruction is often associated with the formation of cysts in the ovaries. This condition can interfere with follicular development and ovulation, contributing to the anovulation characteristic of PCOS. Symptoms often include obesity, excessive vaginal discharge, and menstrual irregularities.

  • Impaired Kidney Essence: The Spleen and Kidney have a close relationship in TCM. The Spleen generates Qi and Blood, which nourish the Kidney Essence (精), a vital substance for reproduction. A weakened Spleen can lead to insufficient Essence, further impacting ovarian function and fertility.

Clinical manifestations arising from spleen deficiency exacerbated by raw food intake, particularly relevant to women's issues, may include:

  • Digestive symptoms: Chronic indigestion, bloating, gas, loose stools, or alternating constipation and diarrhea

  • Fatigue and low energy: A weakened Spleen cannot adequately produce Qi and Blood, leading to systemic fatigue

  • Weight gain and edema: Dampness accumulation can contribute to fluid retention and weight gain

  • Menstrual irregularities: Irregular cycles, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), or menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) due to disordered Qi and Blood flow or dampness obstruction

  • Infertility: As a direct consequence of anovulation and impaired reproductive organ function due to phlegm-dampness.

Therefore, in TCM, avoiding excessive raw and cold foods is a fundamental dietary recommendation to protect and strengthen Spleen Yang, thereby maintaining proper digestive function and preventing the accumulation of dampness and phlegm. This preventive measure is particularly emphasized for individuals with existing spleen deficiency or those susceptible to conditions like PCOS, where internal dampness and phlegm are considered significant pathogenic factors. The treatment principles for such conditions often involve invigorating the Spleen, resolving dampness, and regulating Qi and Blood, often through herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments that favor warm, cooked, and easily digestible foods.

Acupuncture for Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to get the amount of sleep you need to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Because different people need different amounts of sleep, insomnia is defined by the quality of your sleep and how you feel after sleeping—not the number of hours you sleep or how quickly you doze off. Even if you’re spending eight hours a night in bed, if you feel drowsy and fatigued during the day, you may be experiencing insomnia. 

There are many different causes of insomnia but emotional issues such as anxiety and depression are two of the most common causes of chronic insomnia. Other common emotional and psychological causes include chronic or significant life stress, anger, worry, grief, bipolar disorder, and trauma.

At Raah Natural Care, since your body and mind is one, we may balance your Spleen, Gall Baldder and Pericardium Energy depending on the emotional issues you are having trouble with using acupuncture.

 

Recommendations

  • Calcium and Magnesium - they have calming effect. try to take those in food which are much better than supplement form.

These are some of the calcium rich foods we recommend
Collard Greens,
lack sessime
broccoli
kale, 
edamame
figs
bok choy
sardines
orange
white beans
salmon
okra
tofu
almonds

These are magnesium rich foods.
halibut, 
almonds, 
spinach, 
mackeral, 
cocoa, 
cashews, 
pumpkin seeds

  • Supplements:
    vitamin B complex - helps to promote a restful state. and also good for relieving stress.
    inositol - enhances REM sleep
    vitamin C with bioflavonoids - very important for reducing stress
    zinc - aids recovery of body tissues while sleeping

  • california poppy, hops, kava kava, lemon balm, passionflower, skullcap, valerian root are all good for helping to overcome insomnia.

  • Valerian root has become the favorite among many experts. It is best not to rely on one herb on a regular basis but to rotate among several.

  • In the evening, eat Bananas, dates, figs, nut butters, tuna, turkey, whole grain crackers, yogurt. These foods are high in tryptophan which promotes sleep. eating grapefruit half at bedtime also helps.

 

AVOID

bacon, cheese, chocolate, eggplant, ham, potatoes, sauerkraut, sugar, sausage, spinach, tomatoes and wine close to bedtime.

If you’ve tried the insomnia self-help strategies above and are still having trouble getting the sleep you need, Raah Natural Care may be able to help. 

  • Your insomnia doesn’t respond to self-help

  • Your insomnia is causing major problems at home, work, or school

  • You’re experiencing scary symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath

  • Your insomnia occurs almost every night and is getting worse

For more detailed consultation please give us a call to book an appointment.

Thank you

 

Is it a Miracle?

Is it a Miracle?

It is not uncommon to hear patients talk to others about their “acupuncture miracles.” 

To someone suffering with severe migraines for years on end, and who has tried every drug and medical remedy under the sun, it might seem like a miracle to get relief after just a few simple acupuncture treatments.

To the woman pronounced infertile, it certainly seems miraculous when she is able to finally conceive.

To the man with chronic lower back pain and sciatica, the relief from pain is expected, but the miracle comes in the form of better digestion and improved bowel and bladder function.

We tend to consider these events miracles because as a whole we have grown so accustomed to living life with chronic, sometimes debilitating ailments, that after a while they just become part of us and are accepted as normal. 

On top of that, medicinal treatments, while offering at best symptomatic relief, do nothing to actually correct the underlying problem and bring the body back into its natural balance.  Therefore, whenperpetually treating a condition with medicine it is easy to become resigned to living with the vicious cycle of relief while on the drug (outside of the medicine’s inherent side effects), and the return of the symptoms when the drug wears off.  To those raised on the medical model this is as good as it gets.

So when they finally find acupuncture and discover what it means to be truly healthy and allow the body to fully express itself mentally, physically, and emotionally from the inside out, it is only natural to consider it miraculous.  Especially given the torturous path that finally led them to acupuncture in the first place.

But what does it say about our general state of health that when the body is functioning as it was designed to and simply expressing life as it was meant to be, we tag it a “miracle”?

It is sobering that the majority of us have settled for way too long to live a life so far below our natural potential that we have forgotten what it feels like to be wholly healthy and well.  The true miracle is that we allow ourselves to be abused by such an inefficient, often dangerous, system of medical care.

The acupuncturist works no miracles and heals nothing, but rather removes blockages and restores balance in the body, allowing the body’s wisdom to go to work and express health and life the only way it knows how.  A life that more and more people are discovering is easily within their grasp.

Maintenance

  PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Buying an automobile is probably one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make.  When you consider all the hard work that went into your purchase I’m sure you would agree that it only makes sense to protect your investment so that you get as much return on it as possible.  You understand that even though your car runs great, performs magnificently, and looks wonderful on the outside it is imperative that you keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance to keep it running smoothly.  Routine oil changes are essential to the life of your car’s engine.  It would be foolish to sink tens of thousands of dollars into a new vehicle only to neglect the maintenance and drive it to an early grave.

Restoring your health through acupuncture requires an investment of both your time and money, and is truly one of the best investments you can make for yourself.  If you have completed, or are in the process of following through with a schedule of comprehensive acupuncture treatments, then congratulations on your commitment to excellent health!  However, to remain at the pinnacle you worked so hard to achieve it is essential to incorporate acupuncture wellness care into your lifestyle.

Once you have completed an initial or comprehensive care plan it is important to follow up with routine visits to maintain your newfound level of health.  After all, if it was worth the investment to regain your health, then you owe it to yourself to maintain it.

The key is to remain proactive and to stay one step ahead of potential problems before they have a chance to develop.  It is far less costly to take your car to the mechanic for routine maintenance work than it is to wait for a breakdown.

Keep in mind, however, that even with routine automotive maintenance there is still the potential to develop trouble between service appointments.  When the warning lights on your dash alert you to a problem, it is best to get it checked right away rather than wait until your next scheduled service.

The same goes for your body. When pain, injuries, or illness occur between wellness visits, resist the temptation to hold out until your next scheduled visit.  If your body is talking to you, listen to it.  The sooner a problem is addressed, the easier and more cost effective it is to get you over it.

Your body is meant to last you a lifetime.  It is not leased and there is no trading it in.  Isn’t it time you started caring for your body as well as you treat your car?  Just like oil changes, fuel line flushes, and tire rotations, wellness visits will keep you running strong for a lifetime!