The Effect of Emotions - JOY

[Lilian]

Emotions are believed to be the cause of disease. As such, they impact the Mind, Ethereal and, Corporeal Souls and may also alter the balance of the internal organ functions and the harmony of both Qi and Blood.

THE EMOTION OF JOY

Most of us would agree that Joy is beneficial to one’s well being. We think of the emotion of Joy as a state of healthy contentment. We would agree that the emption of Joy promotes the smooth functioning of the internal organs and mental faculties. However, we should look beyond this premise when we are examining the role of emotion in disease.

When pleasure, excitement or intense Joy is the main focus of one’s life, it becomes difficult to retain one’s reserve energy. Intense Joy disperses energy, which then dissipates and becomes lost. This depletion of energy results in a continuous need for gratification, excitement and stimulation. A feeling of balance is lost. This is replaced by a feeling of depletion, emptiness or hopelessness. The pathology in this instance leaves a person feeling either up or down. For Westerners this pathology may be more easily recognized as manic-depressive disorder.

A person who seeks this constant stimulation may well be the soul of the party and a hopeless romantic. Yet, they are unable to sustain their interest and excitement without props, and without being the center of attention. They dislike being alone because it brings on the feeling of lifelessness and emptiness. This person requires constant company, to be around others, to be “in love”. These are the things that bring them back to life.

Joy becomes a factor in disease when it turns to the need for excessive excitement and the continuous craving for attention. This condition might produce adverse effects on the heart and it may result in over-stimulation of the mind. When the seeking of excess and intensity in pleasure/Joy, the condition becomes chronic and long-term. This may lead to the following symptoms:
Palpitations over excitability insomnia
incessant talking restlessness anxiety
Easy excitability manifests as giggling, talkativeness, and garrulousness.

When one is overcome with Joy it may cause giddiness, weakness, exhaustion and/or a feeling of being drained. Sudden Joy can be compared to shock, e.g. the heart’s blood vessels dilate and the pulse slows down. It can also precipitate a migraine attack.

Explanation of Concepts (Found under: Internal Conditions and Food and Medicine)

(1) Pernicious Influences: The Climatic Conditions (Cold, Heat, Damp, Dry and Wind) that adversely affect the body are referred to as Pernicious Influences. They may or may not be related to outside climatic conditions. The body creates its own Climatic Conditions or Pernicious Influences when an imbalance between the Five Elements exist.

(2) Cold: The kidneys produce the Climatic Condition of Cold. In harmony it cools the body. In deficiency it causes stagnation of Blood and Qi. In excess it causes Heat in the body

(3) Heat: The heart produces Heat. In harmony it warms the body. In excess it dries the body fluids. In deficiency it produces excess Cold

(4) Heart position on the pulse: The heart pulse is located on the left radial artery at the level of the styloid processes of the radial bone.

(5) Stagnation of Qi: Qi, or Vital Energy/Life Force Energy, is the fundamental energy of life. Stagnation of Qi means the Qi energy is no longer flowing, this can also lead to Stagnation of Blood

(6) Fire: Long standing emotions cause excessive Heat in the body which can turn into Fire. Fire is produced by the heart


Internal Conditions
Internal conditions may develop from the following Pernicious Influences (Explanation of Concepts 1)
(1): Cold (Explanation of Concepts 2)
(a) Causes deficiencies of metabolic heat or excess food, liquids or medicines (Cold), cold and refrigerated foods.
(b) Prolonged stress, illness, lack of proper nutrition or repeated exposure to a cold climate can lead to the depletion of Yang Qi. Coldness overcomes Heat and Yin overcomes Yang.

(2): Heat (Explanation of Concepts 3)
(a) Invades the surface of the body causing skin eruptions, red rashes, welts, sores, ulcers, boils and acne.
(b) Heat has a tendency to rise, resulting in a red face, neck and eyes.
(c) The metabolism accelerates, which may result in hypoglycemia, anorexia and other manifestations of Heat.
(d) Heat is responsible for inflammation, increased pulse rate, fever, thirst, dryness and constipation.
(e) There may be difficulty urinating; there may also be agitation, a desire for cold foods and an aversion to warm food and climate.
(f) One may feel confused, bewildered and apprehensive. Schizophrenia may also be an outcome of this condition. The emotional state can range from anger, happiness to embarrassment.

Food and Medicines
Food and medicines can be divided into Cold and Heat producing substances.
Diet: Diet can be a contributing factor for mental-emotional problems. For example, the intake of excessive hot-energy foods and drinks (alcohol) can lead to Fire, which harasses the Mind. An excessive intake of Damp-producing foods can lead to the formation of Phlegm which, when combined with Fire disturbs and obstructs the Mind.

Food and medicines can be divided in Cold or Heat producing substances. Cold – cold raw foods, chilled drinks, ice and ice cream can damage Yang Qi. Antibiotics, aspirin and antacids are Cold by nature. Cold (Pernicious Influence) medicines weaken and undermine the digestive function because they dissipate Heat. Other problems such as asthma, colitis, arthritis, eczema and candidiasis may occur. Children who are repeatedly subjected to antibiotics suffer from digestive dysfunction, weakened immune systems and allergies. There may be a desire for hot foods and drinks and an aversion to cold food and drinks. There is a feeling of weariness and debility. The circulation is poor due to stagnation of Blood and Moisture resulting in clots, lumps and masses, which are fixed and localized, tender and painful.

Heat producing substances include the following: Vitamin B, thyroid hormone, sugar, coffee, adrenalin, spicy foods and alcohol. If a Heat condition exists, these substances will exacerbate it.
Excessive Joy may manifest on:
1. Complexion: Should be clear and bright and moist with luster. The pathological emotion of Joy can manifest with a reddish color on the check bones
2. Eyes: Reflect the state of Mind, Spirit and Essence. In health the eyes are controlled and have glitter. In pathology the eyes seem uncontrolled, i.e. shifty or too fixed and slightly watery.
3. Pulse: Indicates the state of Qi. In pathology the pulse is slow and slightly hollow in the heart position ((Explanation of Concepts 4).
4. Tongue: The body of the healthy tongue should be reddish-pink with a slight coating and should move easily. In pathology the tip of the tongue is red. However, the tip may be red regardless of the emotional problem, as the heart is affected with all Mind/Spirit problems. All “emotions” lead to stagnation of Qi ((Explanation of Concepts 5), which produces Fire (Explanation of Concepts 6). Emotional problems affect Qi, Blood and Yin and in turn problems with Qi, Blood and Yin cause emotional problems.

The tongue, pulse and complexion should be closely assessed in all mental emotional problems.

1 If the complexion is normal but the pulse has changed it is an indication of a more recent disturbance.

2 If both the complexion and the pulse change it is an indication of a long-standing condition.

3 If the complexion is unchanged but the eyes have lost their glitter, it is an indication that the condition is not too serious.

4 If there is a change in both the complexion and eyes, the condition is long-standing.


Patterns of Disease and Treatment Options
Heart-Blood Stasis
Treatment Principle: To eliminate stasis, move the Blood, clear the Heart and calm the Mind
Symptoms: Excess joy, anger, frustration, resentment, shock and guilt may lead to various stages of stagnation of Qi and eventually to stasis of Blood. Stagnation of Blood agitates the Mind because Qi cannot flow smoothly. It obstructs the Mind because of the reduced flow of Blood to the Mind. In this condition the person would feel anxious with an acute sense of anxiety in the chest. They would feel restless and may startle easily. Other symptoms include chest pain or a feeling of oppression, mood swings, anxiety and disturbed sleep. Cold hands and cyanosis of the lips may be present.
Treatment Options:
Reflexology - Wand Reflex: Liver/gallbladder reflex, because the liver promotes the heart and moves Blood and Qi
Acupressure points: He 7, Pc 6, Sp 6, UB 14, 15, 17 and 44, Ren 14 and 17
Tongue: Purple or purple spots
Pulse: Choppy, knotted or irregular

Heart-Yin Deficiency
Treatment Principle: Tonify the Heart, nourish Yin and calm the Mind
Symptoms: Long–term fear and worry combined with overwork may lead to Heart-Yin deficiency. When this deficiency affects the Heart it deprives the Mind of its residence. In this condition the person feels very anxious, particularly in the evening, with a vague and fidgety sense of anxiety. They feel dispirited, depressed and tired with poor memory and concentration. This is the result of the Mind being deprived of its Residence. Other symptoms include insomnia, difficulty falling asleep with frequent episodes of waking up.

Treatment Options:
Reflexology - Wand Reflex: Kidney/Urinary bladder – Kidneys control and tonify Yin
Acupressure Points: He 6 and 7, Pc 7, Sp 6 , Ki 3 and 6, UB 15 and UB 44, Ren 14 and 15
Tongue: Red with less coating and dry
Pulse: Thready and rapid
Stomach and Heart Phlegm-Fire
Treatment Principle: Resolve Phlegm, harmonize the Stomach, open the Mind’s orifices, clear the Heart and calm the Mind.
Symptoms: This condition obstructs and agitates the Mind. There may be periods of depression and confusion and periods of abnormal elation, agitation and manic behavior. This person may also exhibit aggressive and violent behavior and suffer from insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, incoherent speech, uncontrollable laughter or crying and palpitations.
Treatment Options:
Reflexology - Wand Reflex: Spleen/Stomach, because the Spleen is responsible for the formation of Phlegm.
Acupressure Points: He 7, 8 and 9, Pc 7, St 8, 40 and 25, Liv 2 and 3, UB 13, 15 and 20, Ren 12
Tongue: Greasy
Pulse: Rapid

Explanation of Acu-Points

He 6 – Nourishes Heart Yin and clears Heat
He 7 – Tonifies Heart Blood, calms the Mind and is used for deficiencies
He 8 – Clears Fire, resolves Phlegm-Fire
He 9 – Clears the Mind, opens the orifices, clears Heat and tonifies Yin
SI 5 - Opens the mind and relieves confusion
Pc 6 – For emotional problems causing stagnation of Qi. Calms the Mind, regulates Heart Qi and Blood and opens the chest
Pc 7 – Calms the Mind and resolves Phlegm-Fire from the Heart
Sp 4 – Nourishes Blood, calms the Mind, resolves obstruction, tonifies all meridians and tonifies the Spleen and Stomach
Sp 6 - Eliminates Stagnation of Blood, nourishes Blood and Yin and removes Damp
St 8 – Resolves Phlegm
St 25 – Calms and opens the Mind’s orifices, settles the Ethereal Soul
St 40 – Clears the Mind, removes Damp and Phlegm and clears Heat
Ki 3 – Tonifies Kidneys and nourishes Yin
Ki 6 – Stops night sweats with He 6, nourishes Yin and calms the Mind
UB 13 – Expels Heat and promotes Lung function
UB 14 – Moves Blood and calms the Mind
UB 15 – Clears and tonifies the Heart
UB 17 – Clears Heat, removes Obstruction and tonifies Qi and Blood
UB 20 – Tonifies the Spleen
UB 44 – Houses the Heart-Point for housing the Mind, clears the Heart and calms the Mind
Liv 2 - Regulates Qi and Liver Yang, clears Fire and Cools the Blood
Liv 3 - Regulates Blood, regulates Liver Qi and Yang and for all excess patterns
Ren 12 – Resolves Damp
Ren 14 – Benefits the Heart, moves Heart Blood and calms the Mind
Ren 17 – Moves Blood
Du 20 and Du 26 – Lift the moods, clear the Mind and help depression

References

The Practice of Chinese Medicine -Giovanni Maciocia Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh London Madrid Melbourne New York and Tokyo 1994

Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion – Forein Language Press, Beijing

1979 The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine -Simple Questions, People’s Health Publishing House, Beijing. First published c. 100 BC

1981 Spiritual Axis Health Publishing House, Beijing. First published c. 100 BC

Between Heaven and Earth, A guide to Chinese Medicine – Harriet Beinfield, L.Ac and Efrem Korngold, L.Ac., O.M.D. (1991)

Acupuncture, Meridian Theory and Acupuncture Points - Foreign Languages Press, Beijing Foreign Languages Press, Beijing, Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Five Elements and Ten Stems - Matsumoto, Kiiko, and Birch, Stephen,

Moving The Energy: Reflexology and Meridian Therapy – Lilian Tibshraeny-Morten, JLM Publishing Inc. 2008

Course Notes – Acupuncture training Institute 1994 Dr. G. Radevic