Traditional medicine for a weary mind & body-Part 1
- healingsoulacuherb
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
Through clinical experience, I have come to realize that the majority of illnesses are related to the mind. Even simple pain often improves when the mind is healed. Most of a person’s mental suffering stems from emotions tied to unpleasant memories of the past. Unprocessed emotions that were not dealt with at the time continue to affect the body, leading to various issues. These unresolved emotions not only cause psychological symptoms but are also the root of numerous physical conditions, such as muscle pain, high blood pressure, and even obesity.
When only the physical discomfort is treated without addressing the root cause, the symptoms may not heal well, or they may frequently recur. Sometimes, the original symptom disappears but manifests as a different condition. In today's world, people are not only burdened by unpleasant memories of the past but also face a range of mental symptoms and illnesses due to the stresses of modern life. Therefore, healing the mind has become more essential than ever before.
THE CONCEPT OF THE MIND IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
The mind is formed through all experiences with the external world, meaning that all sensory information, such as sounds, surroundings, and touch, enters the brain and accumulates over time, becoming one's mind. The way one experiences these interactions with the external world then shapes how one responds to future encounters. The external world in this context refers to the six qi – wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire. These six qi represent elements that trigger sensations like light and temperature. Each of these qi is associated with specific emotions.
In Traditional Medicine, emotions are classified into seven categories, known as the Seven Emotions– anger, joy, worry, sadness, grief, fear, and shock. These seven emotions are emotional responses triggered by psychological and physical stimuli from both inside and outside the body. They are closely related to the function of the internal organs, particularly the five organs– the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. The physiological and pathological states of these organs are directly influenced by the emotions.
ANGER
This is an emotion governed by the liver. It arises when motivations are unfulfilled or suppressed, meaning that things do not go as desired.
When anger becomes excessive, it can lead to symptoms such as headaches, tinnitus, chest pain, dizziness, palpitations, and forgetfulness. Other symptoms may also include lower back pain, muscle atrophy, insomnia, and frequent dreaming.
JOY
This is an emotion governed by the heart and is an expression of satisfaction, happiness, and pleasure. However, when excessive, it can weaken the heart's energy, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, decreased concentration, and may cause scattered Qi, resulting in mania or delirium. Additionally, it can transfer to the lungs, making it difficult to walk quickly or stand for long periods, and may lead to conditions such as sores and skin eruptions.
WORRY
This is an emotion governed by the spleen. Excessive thinking can lead to stagnation and obstruction of Qi circulation, particularly inhibiting digestive function, which may result in loss of appetite, gas buildup in the abdomen, a feeling of heaviness leading to a desire to lie down, as well as various gastrointestinal symptoms such as a bitter taste in the mouth or vomiting. Additionally, it can cause palpitations, insomnia, shoulder pain, and emotional issues similar to fatigue or obsessive thoughts, leading to disturbances or abnormalities in thinking.
SADNESS
This is an emotion governed by the lungs, representing emotional responses such as sadness, sorrow, a sense of loss, depression, powerlessness, and feelings of worthlessness, often overwhelming the individual with negative thoughts and feelings. When lung Qi becomes excessive, it can stagnate the functions of the body's organs and Qi-blood circulation. This may result in increased heart rate, sensations of heat in the upper body, body heat, sensory abnormalities, muscle spasms, and mentally, it can lead to forgetfulness, mania, impaired judgment, loss of self-esteem, fatigue, and the disappearance of joy and motivation.
GRIEF
This is an emotion governed by the lungs and arises from heavy and difficult-to-resolve circumstances, leading to a state of uneasiness and an increase in worry and concern. When worry becomes excessive, it can stagnate the flow of Qi, causing congestion and leading to symptoms such as chest tightness, constipation, difficulty urinating, digestive disorders, lower back pain, insomnia, anxiety, irregular menstruation, and dry skin.
FEAR
This is an emotion governed by the kidneys and is a state of extreme mental tension caused by fear or dread of specific objects or situations based on past experiences. When fear becomes excessive, it can manifest physically as pain or disorders in the musculoskeletal system, such as bone chills or tendon contractions, as well as symptoms of weakened vitality and reduced libido. Mentally, it can lead to anxiety, restlessness, and a diminished ability to experience joy.
SHOCK
This is an emotion governed by the kidneys, characterized by a sudden shock or fear triggered by specific events or situations. When the emotion of fright becomes excessive, it can lead to symptoms such as palpitations, agitation, cold sweats, swelling, loss of appetite, and vomiting of blood, as the Qi rises and fails to descend, potentially damaging the liver, spleen, stomach, and heart. Mentally, it can cause heightened sensitivity to being startled, leading to symptoms like panic attacks.
In conclusion, the Seven Emotions in traditional medicine are physiological responses, but they are also one of the primary causes of internal injuries. While all emotional activities influence the corresponding organs, they primarily affect the heart, liver, and spleen. Prolonged emotional distress can also lead to the generation of heat. Under normal circumstances, the Seven Emotions do not cause disease. However, excessive, sudden, or prolonged mental stress can disrupt the functions of the organs and Qi-blood circulation, leading to illness. Therefore, maintaining a healthy mind and body requires effort in regulating emotions and stabilizing the functions of the organs.
The great Heo Jun once passed down the teaching in [Donguibogam]-"Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine": “If you wish to treat a person’s illness, treat their mind first.” Traditional medicine fundamentally operates on the theory of the unity of body and mind, which states that the body and mind are not separate but one. Numerous studies have already proven that a healthy mind leads to a healthy body, and conversely, an unhealthy mind cannot sustain a healthy body.
THE GOAL OF MIND HEALING IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE
In traditional medicine, the mind and body are not seen as separate entities. Traditional medicine understands both the mind and body as changes in "Qi" (energy). When Qi is unbalanced, it leads to illness in the body, and similarly, when Qi is disturbed in the mind, it results in mental illness. Just as the body is controlled by regulating the flow of Qi, the mind is also healed by adjusting Qi to resolve emotional and mental issues. The goal is to create harmony between the mind and body, achieving an optimal state where Qi flows freely. To reach this optimal state, one must rediscover their own unique rhythm. "Qi" acts as the bridge that connects the mind and body. Mental illness occurs when Qi is blocked or stagnant. Emotions can be understood as complex reactions of Qi, and by working with Qi, one can promote harmony between the mind and body, gaining the strength to overcome illness.
CLOSING WORDS ON THE DISCUSSION OF THE MIND
Emotions are natural and a gift from God. However, throughout life, various disappointments, pains, sorrows, and stresses prevent our emotions—and the flow of Qi—from always being in a positive state. When emotions become imbalanced, they disturb the flow of Qi, negatively impacting the body and leading to various illnesses.
The main cause of anxiety, worry, fear, and depression is one's own mind. Negative memories from the past fill the mind, blocking the natural flow and circulation of Qi in the body, causing emotional congestion, like a heavy stone lodged in the chest. We ourselves are the ones blocking the natural flow of energy within us.
What we cling to becomes our body's disposition. The essence of traditional psychiatric treatment is to identify and release these tendencies and motivations. All mental disorders are reactions of Qi, and emotions are disturbances in the flow of Qi. Emotions do not act arbitrarily; they follow specific meridians in the body just like physical illnesses.
*Thus, traditional medicine deeply understands the influence of the mind on the body. So, how can we heal this mind? In the next part, we'll explore specific methods and take a moment to reflect on the state of your own mind [Part 2-Link]
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*If you want to restore balance to your mind and body, please reach out to us!
Healing Soul Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic
301-433-9150
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