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TCM Functions

The document outlines key concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), focusing on the roles of Qi, Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements in maintaining health. It discusses how imbalances in these elements can lead to various health issues and emphasizes the importance of diet, emotions, and specific herbs in restoring balance. Additionally, it highlights the unique health considerations for women and men, particularly regarding reproductive health and energy management.

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Nevi Jones
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2 views

TCM Functions

The document outlines key concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), focusing on the roles of Qi, Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements in maintaining health. It discusses how imbalances in these elements can lead to various health issues and emphasizes the importance of diet, emotions, and specific herbs in restoring balance. Additionally, it highlights the unique health considerations for women and men, particularly regarding reproductive health and energy management.

Uploaded by

Nevi Jones
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

functions

Qi (Energy)
What it is: Qi is the body’s vital energy, which flows through
pathways called meridians.

Role: It powers all physical and mental activities, like digestion,


movement, and thinking.

Problems: Qi can become:

Deficient: You feel tired or weak.

Stagnant: You feel bloated, achy, or irritable.

Solution: Foods and herbs are used to either increase qi (like rice
or ginseng) or move qi (like ginger or citrus peel).

Yin
What it is: Yin represents coolness, moisture, and calmness. It’s
the body’s nourishing energy.

Role: It keeps the body hydrated and cools down heat.

Problems: Yin can become:

Deficient: You feel hot, dry, or restless.

Solution: Foods like pears, watermelon, and cucumber increase


yin.

Yang
What it is: Yang represents warmth, activity, and energy. It’s the
body’s heating energy.

Role: It keeps the body warm and active.

Problems: Yang can become:

Deficient: You feel cold, tired, or slow.

Excess: You feel hot or overstimulated.

Solution: Warming foods like lamb, ginger, and cinnamon


increase yang.

The Five Elements


What it is: These are the five natural elements connected to the
body:

Wood (Liver): Controls emotions and energy flow.

Fire (Heart): Controls blood and mental clarity.

Earth (Spleen/Stomach): Controls digestion.

Metal (Lungs): Controls breathing and immune defense.

Water (Kidneys): Controls energy storage and hydration.

Role: The elements must stay balanced for good health.

Solution: Foods and herbs target each element to fix imbalances.

For example, sour foods (like vinegar) help the liver, and sweet
foods (like dates) strengthen digestion.

Dampness
What it is: Dampness is excess fluid or stickiness in the body.
Role: Dampness blocks energy flow and weakens digestion.

Problems: It causes bloating, swelling, and heaviness.

Solution: Foods like barley, ginger, and adzuki beans dry


dampness.

What it is: Blood nourishes the body and keeps it healthy.

Role: It supports physical strength, skin, and mental clarity.


Problems:

Deficient Blood: You feel pale, tired, or dizzy.


Solution: Foods like spinach, red dates, and eggs build blood.

Body Fluids

What it is: Body fluids (like saliva and sweat) keep the body
hydrated.

Role: They prevent dryness and cool the body.

Problems: Lack of fluids causes thirst, dry skin, and constipation.

Solution: Foods like pears, watermelon, and soups replenish


fluids.

In TCM, emotions play a big role in health. It is believed that


strong or long-lasting emotions can harm specific organs.
Emotions cause imbalances in energy (Qi), leading to
deficiencies and diseases over time.

Liver - Anger

Anger causes Qi to rise, leading to headaches, high blood


pressure, or irritability. Symptoms include dizziness, tightness in
the chest, or feeling out of control.

Heart - Joy or Overexcitement


Too much joy scatters energy, leading to insomnia, anxiety, or
palpitations. Symptoms include restlessness, excessive talking, or
trouble focusing.

Spleen - Worry or Overthinking

Worry weakens the Spleen, causing poor digestion or fatigue.


Symptoms include bloating, lack of appetite, or mental fog.

Lungs - Grief or Sadness

Grief blocks Lung Qi, leading to breathing issues or a weak


immune system. Symptoms include shortness of breath, frequent
crying, or chest tightness.

Kidneys - Fear

Fear depletes Kidney energy, causing fatigue or issues with the


lower back and bladder. Symptoms include weakness, trembling,
or feeling drained.

When an emotion is intense or lasts too long, it disrupts the


flow of Qi in its related organ. Over time, this weakens the
organ, creating imbalances or physical problems.

TCM uses herbal medicine, acupuncture, and calming


practices like Tai Chi or meditation to heal emotional
imbalances. Eating the right foods supports each organ, such
as sour foods for the Liver or sweet foods for the Spleen.
Managing stress and practicing mindfulness also helps
prevent emotional imbalances.
FOR WOMEN

For women, health is supported by multiple organs: the Kidneys


(for reproduction), Liver (for emotional balance and menstrual
health), Spleen (for digestion and energy), and Blood (for
menstrual health). Women’s health is more complex due to
hormonal changes, while men’s focus is primarily on the Kidneys
for overall vitality.

FOR MEN

The Kidneys are very important for men because they control vital
energy, which affects sexual health, strength, and overall well-
being. The Kidneys are linked to reproductive function and libido.
They also help with energy levels and physical endurance.

For men, strong Kidney energy supports sexual performance and


fertility. As men get older, Kidney energy naturally decreases,
which can lead to problems like low energy, weak bones, or
sexual issues. That’s why it’s important for men to take care of
their Kidneys to stay strong and healthy.
COMMON TCM HERBS
Ginger
Warms the body, strengthens digestion, and expels cold.

Garlic
Expels toxins, strengthens the immune system, and stimulates
circulation.

Chinese Dates (Jujube)


Tonifies the blood, strengthens the spleen, and improves
digestion.

Goji Berries
Tonifies the liver and kidneys, nourishes the blood, and supports
immunity.

Astragalus
Strengthens the Qi, boosts immunity, and protects the body from
external pathogens.

Shiitake Mushrooms
Boosts Qi, strengthens the immune system, and nourishes the
blood.

Chinese Yam (Shan Yao)


Tonifies the spleen, nourishes the lungs, and supports digestion.

Angelica Root (Dong Gui)


Nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, and
calms pain.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
Harmonizes other herbs, tonifies the Qi, and supports the
digestive system.

Reishi Mushrooms
Nourishes the heart, strengthens the immune system, and calms
the mind.

Dried Longan
Nourishes the blood, calms the spirit, and improves sleep.

Chrysanthemum Flowers
Clears heat from the liver, improves circulation, and promotes
vision.

Lily (Bai He)


Nourishes the lungs, clears heat and phlegm, and calms the mind,
especially for insomnia or anxiety.

Dried honeysuckle flowers


dispels wind-heat from body

Honey or rock sugar


moistens the body

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Dispels clears out excess or unwanted substances (like heat, cold,


wind, dampness) from the body and helps eliminate blockages
and pathogens that cause illness or discomfort.

Moistens adds moisture to areas of the body that are dry,


preventing dryness in the lungs, skin, or digestive system, and
helping promote smoother functioning.
Warms increases internal warmth to counteract cold conditions in
the body and helps activate and support the body’s systems
when they are sluggish or weakened by cold.

Expels forces out harmful substances such as pathogens, phlegm,


toxins, or excess fluids, removing blockages and clearing out
negative elements that hinder the body’s normal function.

Strengthens enhances the body’s functions or organs, boosting


energy, vitality, or immunity, and supporting the body when it’s
weak or deficient.

Tonifies replenishes and restores essential energy (Qi), blood, or


internal systems, helping to improve overall health and vitality.

Improves digestion helps with digestive issues, like bloating or


indigestion, by supporting the digestive system and promoting the
smooth flow of food and fluids.

Harmonizes balances the internal systems of the body, ensuring


they work together smoothly and in harmony, often addressing
any disharmony or imbalance between organs.

Nourishes provides the body with essential nutrients and energy,


supporting vital processes like blood production and organ
function, while addressing deficiencies.

Weak Spleen and Stomach


Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Chinese Yam (as needed) +
Tangerine Peel (3 slices)

Constipation
Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Burdock (as needed)

Acne with Yellow Tongue Coating


Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Luo Han Guo (1/6)

Internal Heat, Damp-Heat


Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Chrysanthemum Flowers (5) + Luo
Han Guo Seeds (3g)
Prone to Anger, Liver Fire
Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Tangerine Peel (3 slices) + Rose
Buds (2)

Phlegm-Damp Constitution
Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Tangerine Peel (3 slices)

Hot Upper Body and Cold Lower Body


Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Sichuan Pepper (8)

Yin Deficiency Constitution


Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + White Tea (as needed)

Scanty Menstruation
Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Hawthorn + Longan

Insomnia
Ginger (3 slices) + Jujubes (6) + Wild Jujube Seeds

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