An old note from my days in school

Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Basic knowledge and theory of Yin Yang

1) The opposition of Yin and Yang.

Everything in nature has two opposites, namely yin and yang. The opposition of yin and yang is reflected in their ability to struggle with, and thus control each other. If for any reason this mutual opposition results in an excess or deficiency of yin or yang, the relative physiological balance will be destroyed, and disease will arise.

“When yin predominates, yang will be diseased; when yang predominates yin will be diseased.”

2) The interdependence of yin and yang.

Yin and yang oppose each other and yet, at the same time, also have a mutually dependant relationship. Neither can exist without the other. Both yin and yang are the condition for the other’s existence, and this relationship is known as the interdependence of yin and yang.

“Yin remains inside to act as a guard for yang, and yang stays outside to act as a servant for yin.”

When this is applied to the physiology of the human body, yin corresponds to nutrient substances, and yang to function activities. “Without yang there would be no production of yin; without yin there would be no production of yang.”

3) The inter-consuming-supporting relationship of yin and yang.

The two aspects of yin and yang within any phenomenon are not fixed, but in a state of continuous mutual consumption and support. Under normal circumstances the inter-consuming-supporting relation of yin and yang is in a state of relative balance.

4) The inter-transforming relationship of yin and yang.

In certain circumstances either of the two may transform into its opposite. “Extreme yin will necessarily produce yang, and extreme yang will necessarily produce yin….Severe cold will give birth to heat, and severe heat will give birth to cold.”

5) The infinite divisibility of yin and yang.

“Yin and yang could amount to ten in number; they could be extended to one hundred, ten thousand or infinity; but although infinitely divisible, yin and yang are based upon only one important principle.”

Greater Yin is called Taiyin (the third yin), Lesser Yin is called Shaoyin (the second yin), Greater Yang is called Taiyang (the third yang), Scanty Yang is called Shaoyang (the first yang), Extreme Yang is called Yangming (the second yang), and Declining Yin is called Jueyin (the first yin). The three yin and the three yang are a further amplification of yin and yang, and also reflect the consuming-supporting relationship of yin and yang.

Application of the Theory of Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1) Yin-Yang and the organic structure of the human body.

When the theory of yin-yang is applied to xplain the organic structure of the human body, the underlying premise is that the human body is an integrated whole. “Man has a physical shape which is inseparable from yin and yang.”

Yin-Yang and the physiological functions of the human body.

Functional activities pertain to yang and nutrient substances to yin. “When yin is stabilized and yang well-conserved, the spirit will be in harmony; separation of yin and yang will cause exhaustion of essential Qi.”

Yin-Yang and pathological changes in the human body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers that the occurrence of disease results from the loss of relative balance between yin and yang, and hence and excess or deficiency of either. The occurrence and development of disease is related both to the antipathogenic qi and to pathogenic factors. There are two types of pathogenic factors: yin and yang. Antipathogenic qi involves yin fluid and yang qi.

These types of disease can be generalized and explained by: “imbalance of yin and yang,” “excess of yin leading to cold syndromes,” “excess of yang leading to heat syndromes,” “deficiency of yang leading to cold syndromes,” and “deficiency of yin leading to heat syndromes.”

“A good doctor will observe the patient’s complexion and feel the pulse, and thus take the first step in determining if it is a yin or a yang disease.”

“The essential technique of needling consists of striking a balance between yin and yang.”