Yin and Yang

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of Yin and Yang is used to describe how seemingly opposing forces are interconnected and interdependent in the nature. There are complementary opposites that, together, create a dynamic, balanced, integrated and inter-dependent whole. This is the central concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

 

The Main Aspects of Yin and Yang:

(1.) Yin and Yang are Opposites but in a constantly changing balance - They are either on the opposite ends of a cycle, like the summer and winter seasons of the year, or, opposites on a continuum of energy or matter. This opposition is also relative. For instance, water is Yin relative to steam but is Yang relative to ice.

(2.) Yin and Yang are interdependent and can't exist without each other - Nothing is totally Yin or totally Yang. When a state of total Yin is reached; Yang begins to grow.  As the Chinese old saying states:  "Yin creates Yang and Yang activates Yin."

(3.) Yin and Yang can be mutually weakened each other - In a harmonious state, the relative levels of Yin and Yang are continuously transform into each other. However, when Yin or Yang are out of balance, they affect each other and too much of one can weaken the other.

In practice, clinical signs and symptoms can be interpreted through the concept of Yin and Yang. When Yin and Yang are in dynamic balance and relating harmoniously, there will be no symptoms to observe. When Yin and Yang are out of balance, they become separate and symptoms appear.

When Yin does not cool and nourish Yang, then Yang rises - symptoms like headaches, red face, sore eyes, sore throats, nosebleeds, irritability, manic behavior appear.

When Yang dose not warm and activate Yin, then Yin rises - symptoms like cold limbs, hypo-activity, poor circulation of blood, pale face, low energy appear.

From this view, we get sick when the rhythmic cycling between yin and yang in our body gets out of balance. In general, a shift toward yin shows up as under activity, while a shift toward yang shows up as over activity.

For example, the immune system is influenced by two general kinds of signals: (1) those that promote attacking invaders and (2) those that inhibit, or shut off, the attack. The Chinese would call the attackers yang and the suppressors yin.

This table shows that allergies and autoimmune conditions are yang disorders because they come from an overactive immune system.  Infections and tumors are yin disorders because they come from an underactive immune system.

Thus, Diseases can be prevented by having a Balance Lifestyle, such as excessive (Yang) work without rest leads to deficiency (Yin) of energy; excessive consumption of cold food (Yin) leads to deficiency of body's Yang energy.

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