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Chapter Two The Theory of Yin and Yang
At first , the theory of yin and
yang was found in the classic book " Zhou Yi " (
Canon of Changes ) . It was a spontaneous and naive dialectic philosophy in
ancient China . Through development , the theory of yin and
yang gradually became the general program elucidating the
structure of the entire cosmos.
In Sinomedicine , the theory of yin and yang is
used to explain physiological functions and pathological changes of the human
body , and direct clinical diagnosis and treatment . Therefore , the theory
of yin and yang is an important component in
Sinomedicine .
1.Basic Concepts of Yin and YangThrough observation of
natural phenomena , the ancients recognized that every thing had two mutually
opposed aspects , opposing each other and connecting each other . The ancients
used yin and yang to generalize these two aspects ,
taking the interaction , movement , production and change of yin
and yang as the program explaining changes of all things .
Yin and yang are the basic law of nature , the
program of all things , the basis of changes and the origin of the processes in
which things go through the beginning to the ending . Therefore , all things
consist of yin and yang which are two opposed
aspects , and the generation , development and change of all things are the
results of mutual movement of the opposed yin and
yang aspects. Generally speaking , movableness , hotness,
upperness , outside , brightness , hyperfunction, excitation , sturdiness ...
are yang ; while quietness , coldness , lowerness , inside ,
dimness , decline , inhibition , weakness ... are yin .
Yin and yang properties of things are relative .
On one side , yin can transform into yang and
yang can transform into yin under certain conditions
. On the other side , yin and yang can be subdivided
into yin and yang . That is to say , there are
yin and yang within yin , and there
are yin and yang within yang . All
things can be classified into yin-category and
yang-category , any thing can be divided into
yin-aspect and yang-aspect as well , and
yin-aspect or yang-aspect can still be subdivided
infinitely into yin and yang .
The law of movement of yin and yang shows in the
following four aspects :
(1).Interdependence between yin and yang
Both yin and yang presuppose the
existence of its opposed aspect . If any aspect separates from the other opposed
aspect , it can not exist alone .
(2).Growth and decline of yin and yang
Both yin and yang are not in the
state of standstill and changelessness , while they are in movement and change
of mutual growth and decline , i. e. " decline of yang and growth
of yin " or " decline of yin and growth of
yang ".
(3).Coordination of yin and yang
In normal state , growth and decline of yin and
yang are coordinative , forming relation of synchronously mutual
replenishment . If growth and decline of yin and
yang are not coordinative , diseases will occur .
(4).Transformation between yin and yang
Under certain conditions,yin-aspect and
yang-aspect of one thing can transform into its opposed aspect ,
i. e. yin can transform into yang , and
yang can transform into yin as well.
2.Uses of the Concepts of Yin and YangIn Sinomedicine ,
the concepts of yin and yang are used in anatomy ,
physiology, pathology , diagnostics , therapeutics and others .
[1].In Anatomy and Physiology Yin and
yang can be used to generalize the structures and functions of the
human body . For the whole body of human being , the upper part is
yang , while the lower part is yin ; the surface of
body is yang , while the inside of body is yin ; the
dorsum is yang , while the abdomen is yin ; the
lateral part is yang , while the medial part is yin
. For classification of the zang-organs and
fu-organs , the five zang-organs ---- the
liver , heart , spleen , lung and kidney are
yin , while the six fu-organs ---- the
gallbladder , stomach , large intestine,small intestine,urinary bladder
and triple warmer are yang . Among the five
zang-organs,for those belong to the dorsum, the
heart is a part of yang within yang ,
and the lung is a part of yin within
yang ; for those belong to the abdomen , the liver
is a part of yang within yin , the
kidney is a part of yin within yin ,
and the spleen is a part of extreme yin within
yin.
The normal life activities of the human body are the results
that yin and yang keeps coordinative relation of
unity of opposites , and they are the processes of coordination and unity of
assimilation in which " yin gives shape to things" and
dissimilation in which " yang forms vital energy".
[2].In Pathology Diseases are caused by abnormality of
coordination of yin and yang in the body . Although
pathological changes are very complicated , they can be generalized by using the
concepts of yin and yang . Generally speaking , the
diseases which show chronic , cold , asthenic and hypofunctional pathological
changes belong to yin syndromes ; the diseases which show acute ,
hot , sthenic and hyperfunctional pathological changes belong to yang
syndromes.
[3].In Diagnostics The basic cause of genesis and
development of a disease is abnormality of the coordination of yin
and yang . Therefore , to diagnose correctly , yin
and yang should be distinguished first , so that the
nature of a disease can be grasped . For inspection , bright and lustrous color
in the skin belongs to yang , while dark and gloomy color belongs
to yin ; for auscultation and olfaction , a loud and clear voice
belongs to yang ,while a low voice belongs to yin ;
for palpation and pulse-feeling , such pulse conditions as floating pulse, rapid
pulse and large pulse belong to yang , while sunken pulse , slow
pulse and small pulse belong to yin .
[4].In Therapeutics Diseases result from abnormality of
coordination of yin and yang . Therefore , the
general principle of treating diseases is returning coordination of yin
and yang to normal , i. e. invigorating its insufficiency
or attenuating its excess according to excess or insufficiency of yin
and yang to correct the phenomenon of excess tendency or
insufficiency tendency of yin and yang , and to
return yin and yang to normal coordinating
relation.
3.Substance of Yin and Yang In
recent years , the medical world have extensively explored the substance of
yin and yang and made much headway . We will analyse
the structures and functions of human body at the levels of whole body , cell
and molecule according to the principle of classification of yin
and yang in Sinomedicine on the basis of these
achievements . We will discuss the laws of changes of yin and
yang , and the characteristics and interrelations of them as well
.
[1]. Yin and Yang in the Human Body
(1). Yin and Yang for the Structures and
Functions at the Level of Whole Body
A. Yin and Yang for Regions
Upperness and lowerness : Upperness is yang
, while lowerness is yin . The upper region of human body
belongs to yang , while the lower region belongs to yin
. To pump the blood to the organs in the upper region , the heart
consumes much energy in surmounting gravity to do work , therefore , the upper
region of body belongs to yang . To pump the blood to the organs
in the lower region , the heart consumes less energy because of taking advantage
of gravity , therefore , the lower region of body belongs to yin .
The dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus is the thirst center , and it is
near the upper region , belonging to yang . The ventromedial
nucleus of the hypothalamus is the thirst inhibiting center , and it is near the
lower region , belonging to yin .
Left and right: The left is yang , while the
right is yin . The left cerebral hemisphere is in charge of
linguistic thinking , and it controls the activities on the right side of human
body , belonging to yin ; the right cerebral hemisphere is in
charge of space distinguishing , and it controls the activities on the left side
of human body , belonging to yang . In the male , the activities
of the right cerebral hemisphere occupy a dominant position , and his ability of
space distinguishing is stronger , it belonging to yang ; in the
female , the activities of the left cerebral hemisphere occupy a dominant
position , and her ability of linguistic thinking is stronger , it belonging to
yin .
The sex difference of two cerebral hemispheres results from the influence of
sex hormones secreted by the fetus in the period of embryonic development . "
Sphygmology in Poems " point out : " When short and quick pulse appears on the
left cunkou ( the left radial artery ) of a gravida , she is being
pregnant with a boy fetus , however , when this pulse condition appears on the
right cunkou of a gravida , she is being pregnant with a girl fetus . "
According to report,in judgment of sex of a fetus on the basis of pulse
conditions , the conforming rate of pulse-feeling by the doctors of Sinomedicine
is 51.4 % , and the conforming rate of measurement with sphygmograph is 77.7 % .
The short and quick pulse appearing on the left cunkou of a gravida who
is being pregnant with a boy fetus might result from the increasing of bloodflow
on the left side of the mother's body , which is the result that the mother's
right cerebral hemisphere is affected by androgen secreted by the fetus . The
short and quick pulse appearing on the right cunkou of a gravida who is
being pregnant with a girl fetus might result from the increasing of bloodflow
on the right side of the mother's body , which is the result that the mother's
left cerebral hemisphere is affected by estrogen secreted by the fetus .
Front and rear : The posterior or dorsal region is yang
; while the anterior or ventral region is yin .
Stimulation on the intermedial portion or posterior portion of the cingulate
gyrus will result in acceleration of respiratory movement , these portions
belonging to yang . Stimulation on the anterior portion of the
cingulate gyrus will result in inhibition of respiratory movement , this portion
belonging to yin . The posterior portion of the hypothalamus is
the sympathetic nerve center , belonging to yang ; and the
anterior portion of the hypothalamus is the parasympathetic nerve center ,
belonging to yin . The sympathetic trunk is located in the
posterior wall of the thoracic cavity , abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity ,
belonging to yang ; while the vague nerve is located in the front
of the sympathetic trunk , belonging to yin . The various
yang channels and extensors are arranged on the dorsal face of the
trunk , and the sweat glands and hairs on this face which are controlled by the
sympathetic nerves are more developed , the dorsal face of the trunk belonging
to yang . The various yin channels and flexors are
arranged on the ventral face of the trunk , and the sweat glands and hairs on
this face which are controlled by the sympathetic nerves are less developed ,
the ventral face of the trunk belonging to yin .
Inside and outside : The outside is yang ; while
the inside is yin .The lateral portion of the hypothalamus is the
" feeding center ", belonging to yang ; while the ventromedial
nucleus of the hypothalamus is the " satiety center ", belonging to yin
. When the dorsal portion of the hypothalamus is stimulated, the blood
vessel of the leptomeninx will contract , this portion belonging to yang
. When the central portion of the hypothalamus is stimulated , the blood
vessel of the leptomeninx will dilate , this portion belonging to yin
. The parasympathetic nucleus at the superior colliculus level of the
midbrain is located in the deep of the brain stem , belonging to yin
. The pressor area in the lateral reticular formation of the medulla
oblongata which can promote the rising of blood pressure belongs to yang
. The depressor area in the medial reticular formation of the medulla
oblongata which can promote the falling of blood pressure belongs to yin
. The lateral nucleus in intermediate zone of the lateral horn of the
1st thoracic segment to the 3rd lumbar segment of the spinal cord is a
sympathetic nerve center , belonging to yang . The medial nucleus
in the intermediate zone of the lateral horn of the 2nd to 4th sacral segment of
the spinal cord is a parasympathetic nerve center , belonging to yin
. In the spinal cord,the nerve cells which control the extensors of the
extremities arrange along the edge of the anterior horn , belonging to
yang ; while the nerve cells which control the flexors of the
extremities arrange in the deep , belonging to yin .
Medialness and lateralness: On the lateral face of the
extremities and trunk , three yang channels of hand and three
yang channels of foot , as well as the extensors and abductors are
arranged , and the sweat glands and hairs which are controlled by the
sympathetic nerves are more developed , so the lateral faces of the extremities
and trunk belong to yang . On the medial faces of the extremities
and trunk , three yin channels of hand and three yin
channels of foot , as well as the flexors and adductors are arranged ,
and the sweat glands and hairs which are controlled by the sympathetic nerves
are less developed , so the medial faces of the extremities and trunk belong to
yin .
In a word , the structures of human body conform the law that the upperness ,
left , rear and outside or lateralness belong to yang , while the
lowerness , right , front and inside or medialness belong to yin
.
B. Yin and Yang for Organs
The zang -organs are yin , while the
fu -organs are yang . The heart , lung , liver
, spleen and kidney belong to yin .
Generally speaking , excitation of the sympathetic system can strengthen the
functions of these organs , while excitation of the parasympathetic system can
weaken the functions of these organs . The gallbladder , stomach , large
intestine , small intestine and urinary bladder belong to
yang . Generally speaking , excitation of the sympathetic system
can weaken the functions of these organs , while excitation of the
parasympathetic system can strengthen the functions of these organs. Among the
five zang -organs , the heart ( the heart , thyroid
gland , parathyroid glands and brain ) and the lung ( the trachea
, the bronchi and the lungs ) are located over the diaphragm , being yang
zang -organs ; the liver , spleen ( the spleen , pancreas
and duodenum ) and kidney ( the adrenal glands , kidneys and sex
glands) are located below the diaphragm , being yin zang -organs.
Among the yang zang -organs , the arteries which supply the
heart ( the heart , the thyroid gland , the parathyroid glands and
the brain ) branch firstly from the aorta , and the superiority of blood supply
for the heart is the strongest , therefore , the heart is a part
of yang within yang ; the nutrient blood vessels of
the lung ( the trachea , the bronchi and the lungs ) branch later
from the aorta , and the superiority of blood supply for the lung is weaker ,
therefore , the lung is a part yin within yang
. Among the yin zang -organs , the liver
keeps close to the diaphragm , its position is the highest , and
metabolic rate and temperature in it are the highest as well , therefore , it is
a part of yang within yin . When comparing the
kidney ( the adrenal glands , kidney and sex glands ) with the
spleen ( the spleen , the pancreas and duodenum ) , it can be
found that the arterial bloodflow of the former is larger , and it can secrete
several kinds of yang -natured hormones ; while the arterial
bloodflow of the latter is smaller , and it can secrete only one kind of
yang -natured hormone . Therefore , the kidney is a
part of yin within yin , and the spleen
is a part of extreme yin within yin . For
the reproductive organs , the testicles of the male are located in the out of
the abdominal cavity , and the penis protrudes , therefore , they belong to
yang ; the ovaries of the female are located in the abdominal
cavity , and the vagina sinks inward , therefore , they belong to yin
.
C. Yin and Yang for Muscles
The skeletal muscle of whole body can be divided into two types
, one being the flexor and adductor , and the other the extensor and abductor .
The flexors and adductors which are arranged on the ventral face of the trunk
and the medial faces of the extremities belong to yin ; the
extensors and abductors which are arranged on the dorsal face of the trunk and
the lateral faces of the extremities belong to yang . Excess and
insufficiency of yin and yang embody as the changes
of the muscular tonicity . When excess of yin and insufficiency of
yang occur , the tonicity of the flexors and adductors increases ,
while the tonicity of the extensors and abductors decreases . When excess of
yang and insufficiency of yin occur , the tonicity
of the extensors and abductors increases , while the tonicity of the flexors and
adductors decreases .
D. Yin and Yang for Blood
Yin and yang for plasma :
Generally speaking , the increasing of serum total protein and albumin , the
rising of ratio of albumin to globulin ( A/G ratio ) , and the increasing of
fibrinogen are yang ; while the decreasing of serum total protein
and albumin , the falling of A/G ratio , and the decreasing of fibrinogen are
yin . The increasing of nonprotein nitrogen ( NPN ) is yang
, while the decreasing of it is yin . The increasing of
carbohydrate and lipid in plasma is yang , while the decreasing of
it is yin . Such positive ions as Na+ , K+ ,
Ca++ , Mg++ in plasma are yin , while such
negative ions as Cl- , HCO-3 , HPO-4
,SO-4 in plasma are yang . The increasing of plasma
total osmotic pressure , crystal osmotic pressure and colloid osmotic pressure
is yang , while the decreasing of them is yin . The
increasing of plasma acidity , or decreasing of its pH is yang ;
while the increasing of plasma alkalinity , or the increasing of its pH is
yin . When plasma acidity goes beyond certain limit , acidosis
will occur . Acidosis belongs to the category of yin exhaustion
syndrome . When plasma alkalinity goes beyond certain limit , alkalosis will
occur . Alkalosis belongs to the category of yang exhaustion
syndrome .
Yin and yang for erythrocyte : The increasing of the
number of the erythrocytes is yang , while the decreasing of that
is yin . The increasing of ATP produced by the erythrocytes is
yang , while the decreasing of that is yin . Under
the situation that the number of the erythrocytes is normal , the decreasing of
hematocrit and average volume of the erythrocytes is yang , while
the increasing of them is yin .
Yin and yang for leukocyte : Generally speaking , the
neutrophilic granulocyte and monocyte belong to yang ; the
acidophilic granulocyte , basophilic granulocyte , T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte
belong to yin .
Yin and yang for thrombocyte : Generally speaking , the
increasing of the number of the thrombocytes is yin , while the
decreasing of that is yang . cAMP which inhibits aggregation of
the thrombocytes is yang ; while cGMP which strengthens
aggregation of the thrombocytes is yin .
Yin and yang for coagulative system and fibrinolytic
system : The strengthening of activity of coagu-lative system is
yin , while the weakening of that is yang . The
strengthening of activity of fibrinolytic system is yang , while
the weakening of that is yin .
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