Yin and Yang Balance

Ancient Chinese believed all living things rely on balance between two opposing yet complementary forces – Yin and Yang. They form Qi, the life energy circulating through meridian pathways in our bodies.

Certain organs and meridians are said to be half Yin and half Yang. Stress, pollution, diet, emotions or infection can upset the Yin-Yang harmony. This disrupts Qi flow, potentially leading to health issues.

To further assess imbalances, Yin and Yang are categorized as internal/external, hot/cold, deficient/excess. This detailed system aids practitioners in tailoring herbal remedies. The goal is restoring efficient Qi circulation by rebalancing Yin and Yang energies.

The Five Elements Framework

Traditional Chinese Medicine additionally views all matter, including our organs, as composed of five fundamental elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Herbs themselves are grouped according to five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and salty. Each taste links to an element. For example, pungent herbs correspond to metal-element organs like the lungs.

When an organ’s energy becomes weak or excessive, its associated element is said to be imbalanced. Practitioners match herbs with complementary or suppressing elemental energies to address the underlying issue.

This conceptual framework provides structure for understanding energetic relationships and gives guidance in herbal formulations. Combining Eastern and Western medical knowledge provides a more comprehensive view of health for many.