Author: Angel

Stomach 36- Zusanli

This is a very important point. It rectifies the qi. Well, really what does that mean? Rectify means to “correct, or put something right”. It is interesting that in electrical terms it means to “convert to direct current”.  So it takes our energy flow, and corrects it, converts it back to what it needs to be to flow properly. To correct it and make it right. This point strengthens and enriches the entire body. It is said to impart lastingness and endurance into old age. Helps prevent disease and conserves one vigor and strength. Stabilizes a person and makes them feel secure. Calms and strengthens the mind.

Lets take a look at one of the most used Acupuncture points:

* It is essential for any disorder with the stomach, no matter what it is , for epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, distention or heaviness in stomach, trapped gas, belching and hiccups. It helps people who have no appetite, or may feel hunger pains but just do not eat. 

* It helps the digestion tremendously in cases of diarrhea or dysentary, if there is a problem digesting food and nutrients and it is undigested and visible in the stool. When a person also has a overall feeling of dampness ,and their limbs feel heavy. Cold in the intestines. Helps also with abdominal swelling and pain that is hindering one from being able to urinate. Jaundice.

*It helps tonify both Blood and Qi. Is a He-Sea point and helps free stagnation and clears stagnation whether from excess worry, studying, emotions or real physical problems. Excellent for chronic illness, because it tonifies Upright Qi. (a term used to describe all the various Qi that protects from pathogens) Especially when Moxa is used to strengthen ones upright qi and resistance because it nourishes the middle Jiao which is where the nourishment of Wei or defensive Qi comes from. With Moxa one is said to be able to march 3 miles. Moxa 10 minutes per week to strengthen and improve Upright Qi. Also tonifies Lung Qi. Moxa on this point helps raise the Yang.

*Helps calm a person, can be used for mania, raving , abusive talk, anger, fear, even if one feels sad or has shockingly excessive, very bold or startling laughter.

*It helps any Stomach Channel disorder. So can also treat breast swelling, abcess and chest pain, since these occur along the Stomach channel. From The breast and Stomach Channel connection with the breast can help free stasis in masses and pain.

*Important for pain, hemiplegia, atrophy disorder, and any pain in the whole lower leg. Because it releases abundant  qi and blood it can be used to nourish the sinews of the lower leg so helps paralysis also.

It is safe to say Stomach 36 actually treats “All Diseases”.  Its really helpful for gastrointestinal discomfort of any kind, and helps a person reduce their stress level, and fatigue by helping to balance the body. It is also frequently used according to Traditional Chinese Literature and Medical Practice .  Its stimulation is believed to promote health and promote longevity.

There have been scientific studies on the use of St. 36-Zusanli, in neuroimaging studies it was shown to affect the limbic and paralimbic systems in the brain  which affect how the body responds to stress.

The limbic system is directly concerned with instinct and mood and controls basic emotions of fear anger pleasure, and also drives hunger, sex, dominance and care of offspring.  It also supports behavior, motivation, longterm memory and olfaction. (Smell) The Para-limbic helps process emotions, goal setting, motivation and self control.

This was a study on the large scale functional brain networks and how they are modulated by acupuncture. Further studies are being done to determine  and understand the long lasting effects of  acupuncture on the entire resting brain. Most studies have focused on the the neural activities that involve acute effects, while this one pays attention the sustained effects. It is very interesting to see the pictures of these areas “lighting up”.

These are the neurophysiological or  the “nervous system approach” mechanisms behind Acupuncture.

It is certainly interesting that this point was stated to be a Acupuncture point in which “ All disease can be treated” as far back as the Song Dynasty which was a era of Chinese History from 960-1279.

Study: Investigation of large-scale functional brain networks modulated by acupuncture.

Yuanyuan Fenga, Lijun Baia, Yanshuang Renb, Hu Wanga, Zhenyu Liua, Wensheng Zhanga,?, Jie Tiana,c,? 

aKey Laboratory of Complex Systems and Intelligence Science, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China bDepartment of Radiology, Guang’anmen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional medicine, Beijing 100053, China
cLife Science Research Center, School of Electronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710071, China
Received 29 January 2011; revised 7 April 2011; accepted 13 April 2011 

Sishencong  and Du 20

DU 20 (Bai Wei) is also called “100 Meetings” because many channels cross and meet here , located on the vertex of the head. It calms the nervous system and may be used for any nervous system disorder. Also good for dizziness, and any disorder of the stomach and conditions of prolapsed such as uterine prolapsed or prolapse of the rectum.  It can also be used to help revive consciousness with Du6, and P6.

Sishencong- also called “ Four Alert Spirit” can be used with Du 20.  These points are located 1 cun posterior, anterior and lateral to Du 20 on the cranium. Discussion of these points dates to the 10th Century. Even in that time period they were used functionally for  wind conditions such as stroke, epilepsy or dizziness. Along with Du 20 these points help calm the nervous system also. They can help lift a persons spirit if depressed,  invigorate and clear the mind for better clearer mental thinking. Treat headache and vertigo also.  One major function is they help with insomnia, especially when Moxa is used. In a study in China from 2005-2007, of 65 cases of insomnia these points showed to have obvious therapeutic effect on insomnia, and sleep disorders.  It was found that this is accomplished and partially carried out by increasing Nitric Oxide Synthases activity (a family of enzymes involved in producing nitric oxide from L-arginine)  and Nitric Oxide.  The discovery of Nitric Oxide is considered one of the most important in cardiovascular medicine. It helps modulate vascular tone, insulin production, peristalsis in digestion and is also involved in neural development. Nitric Oxide tells the arteries when to relax so therefore helps with Hypertension. It helps promote normal function of brain tissue and therefore helps with relaxation and insomnia.  These points together have shown to be of great aid in regulating sleep.

These points look like a beautiful flower on the top of the head as they do their job! Be careful the patient will fall asleep!

What is qi?

One translation of what qi is, means energy. It is referred to as ‘the life force’. Some call it Bio energy. The ancients observed the existence of “something’ that moved thru the meridians they mapped, especially when a point or area was stimulated, and that’s what they named “qi”. They essential idea is of a incorporeal, or subtle force. By incorporeal it means: having no material existence, so without material form or body. It extends to what we call life itself. It is a energy field in and around all living things. It is made up of Yin/Yang forces. We could call those forces of opposites working together.
Even without understanding the exact nature of qi or the energy we work with it is still possible to recognize its existence, it’s intensity can be appreciated and with acupuncture it can be directed.

Now with that being said, western science has proven our bodies are electromagnetic in nature, they use MRIs, EKGs , infrared thermography and have done this for many years. Recently Seoul National University confirmed the existence of the meridians, and call it the “primo-vascular system.” Over 50 years ago a Korean scientist claimed to map tubular structures, that were called meridians.

They believe it is a crucial part of the cardio vascular system. The Koreans have conducted studies that suggest our Acupuncture Meridian system, may channel the flow of energy using biophotons which are electromagnetic waves of light and use DNA. They did this research by actually injecting a staining dye into the meridians, and were able to see that they exist. They were able to determine that the lines did not show up at non meridian points. They used imaging and Cat scans to observe the same amp of acupuncture points the ancient Chinese energy practitioners did. The researchers found they are not confined to the skin, but are a concrete duct like system that in which the liquid flowed and aggregated in stem cells. (Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena)

It is too simple to say it is “energy or electricity”, because it is so much more with what it accomplishes. The ancients observed nature, they observed the spirals and the flow of everything around them. If you take a look at the picture of the Tao they used it as a spiral. Look at a hurricane from the satellite pictures it’s a spiral, and a very large “qi” circulation.

In modern times there is something called the “ Fibonacci sequence” , Spirals and the Golden Mean, at first it was just applied to math, but now we know that it is found spread thru out nature, as spirals in everything, just as the ancients observed. It is the growth force of qi that very precisely makes those spirals. The phi in nature in the Fibonacci sequence mimics the “chi” the ancients observed in the spirals of nature . It is the built in numbering of the cosmos.

Qi: as it is applied to our medicine:

Protection: Protects from external pathogens
Warming: Warms and cools the body
Holding: It holds your organs in place, your blood in its vessels, “governs” fluids in the body
Transformation: transforms food and air we breath into qi and blood
Transportation: governs all movement of qi thru the acupuncture meridians, prevents stagnation, promotes growth

When the qi is good a person feels strong and energetic, has a balanced immune system, good sleep and digestion, and a clear active mind.

When qi is deficient a person can feel, low energy, weak immune system, have problems with allergies or sensitivities, feel depressed, poor digestion,weight management problems, poor concentration and memory.|

By Angel Lyn Horner, AP

Green vegetables are extremely valuable in the everyday diet. They contain a high mineral content, even more so if organically grown. They contain Chlorophyll which is the “Blood” of the plant.  They are full of vitamins, carotenoids, (  plant pigments that play a important part of the health of the plant and provide protective  health benefits as well) flavonoids( diverse group of phytochemicals from plants, they are powerful antioxidants, with immune and anti inflammatory benefits. Diets rich in these have been shown to help prevent cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular prevention.)

Some benefits of consuming these foods are:

Balancing of blood pressure,  hormones, nervous system, heart rate, cholesterol, and electrolytes. Help with insulin balance and the inflammation and repair processes in the body. Very important to the lymphatic system and waste removal processes in the body. No wonder mom always told us to eat our vegetables!  Never underestimate what wholefood and traditional foods can do for you.

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