YIN – YANG theory                 

The concept of Yin and Yang is influenced by the Daoist philosophy and was mentioned in the “Book of Changes” (Yi Jing) dating back to 700 BC.

The Yin- Yang theory is the most fundamental and important in Chines Medicine.

It represent opposite but complementary qualities, as everything or every phenomena in the universe has it opposite. Yin is opposite to Yang, yet each has the seed of the other in it. Yin has the seed of Yang so it can transform to Yang and Yang has the seed of Yin so it can transform to Yin. i.e. Day can transform to Night

The observation of the cycle of day and night, was observed by peasant thousands of years ago and was extended to other opposites phenomenon in nature and in the universe.

YANG corresponds to: Light, Sun, Brightness and Activity.

YIN     Corresponds to: Darkness, Moon, Shade and rest.

This theory was applied to different aspects of life, in science, literature, politics and mainly in medicine. The Yin and Yang theory is in every aspect of Chinese Medicine, the human body is divided into Yin and Yang. The back of the body is where the Yang channels flow carrying Yang energy to protect and interact with the exterior, while the front of the body is where the Yin channels flow carrying Yin energy and have the function of nourishing the body. Each Yang organ has a pair Yin organ. Yang organs has the action of constantly transforming, filling, emptying, separating and excreting the products of food in order to produce Qi (energy). Yin organs do not transform or excrete but they store pure essence extracted from the food that we eat and they store the Vital Essences (i.e. Qi, Blood, Body Fluids and Essence).

Yang correspond to Heat in the body and Yin correspond to cold in the body, however these opposites are relative to one another and it is not absolute i.e. If Heat (yang) rises in the body that is in relation to cold (Yin) in the body meaning that yang is relatively higher than yin.

When Yang raises in the body we have the symptoms of: irritability, anxiety, headache, red face and eyes, hypertension, insomnia, and dream- disturbed sleep.

When Yang is deficient in the body we have the symptoms of: feeling cold, cold limbs, tiredness, loose stools, desire to lie down, oedema and infertility.

During acupuncture treatment we ask many questions to check the function of the body and in turns the function of each organ, as well as we check the pulse and through pulse reading we can tell if there is an increase of yang in the body in relation to yin i.e. If the patient has headache or migraine, we ask the patient where the pain is exactly? Is it on the top of the head or at the back of the head or the sides and the temples? the severity and the type of the pain as well as taking the pulse to check which organ needs cooling down? Is it the stomach, the liver or the kidneys need nourishments. Nourishing the body with Blood, Qi and essence means nourishing the body with Yin which is cooling.  

If Yang is deficient in the body we use Moxa which is a herb called “ artemisia vulgaris” (similar to mugwort), we usually use smokeless moxa in clinics shaped as a cigar, we light it and bring it close to the skin to warm the body or the channel. Moxa has a very therapeutic effect, it nourishes Blood and Qi as well as warm the body.

As Winter is coming closer and the weather is becoming colder, the night hours are longer, Yin energy is predominantly closing in and Yang energy is retreating. We need to honour our bodies by resting, keeping warm and eating warm nourishing food like porridge, soups and stews.    

Influenced by the book: the Foundation of Chinese Medicine by; Giovanni Maciocia.