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A.Month Rhythms of Yin and Yang
of Nature : One cycle of the moon's revolution around the earth undergoes a
syzygial change , being a synodic month .
Gravitation of the moon to the earth and that of the sun to the earth
separately form lunar tide and solar tide . Lunar tide is greater than solar
tide . During new moon and full moon , lunar tide and solar tide occur at the
same time . They enhance each other to form spring tide . During first quarter
and last quarter , flood tide of the lunar tide and ebb tide of the solar tide
occur at the same time . They offset each other to form neap tide . The moon
belongs to yin . The stage from new moon and first quarter to full
moon is a part of yang within yin . After full moon
, the stage from last quarter and remnant moon to new moon is a part of
yin within yin.
B.Month Rhythms of Yin and Yang of Human
Body Zhang Jiebin point out in his "Systematic Compilation of the Internal
Classic":" The moon belongs to yin , that is , essence of water ,
therefore , ebb and flow of the tide match with the moon . The structure of
human body belongs to yin . The blood and vessels belong to water
, therefore , their asthenia , sthenia , floating and sinking match with the
moon as well ." The main composition of female menstruation is the blood , so
its rhythms conform to the rhythms of growth and decline of
yin-natured blood . On an average , the female menstrual cycle is
about 28 days , and it approximates the cycle of sidereal month 27.321661 days
and the cycle of synodic month 29.530588 days , and lies between them . The
research on time distribution of menstruation shows that the number of people
who menstruate around the first day of the lunar month is specially large .
Comparing this result with development of the follicle , changes of endometrium
and changes of hormone level in the blood during the menstrual cycle , we can
draw such inference : The general trend of female menstrual cycle conforms to
the cycle of synodic month . Around the first day of the lunar month ,
menstruation appears and endometrium sheds . After new moon , secretion of
follicle-stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and estrogen gradually increases , the
follicle develops and the endometrium thickens . After first quarter ,
follicle-stimulating hormone reaches peak value , luteinizing hormone ( LH )
starts secreting and the endometrium continues thickening . Around full moon ,
secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone decreases , progestin starts secreting
, the follicle ruptures , and ovulation occurs . After full moon ,
follicle-stimulating hormone continues decreasing , luteinizing hormone ,
estrogen and progestin continue increasing , the corpus luteum starts forming ,
and the endometrium continues thickening . Around last quarter , luteinizing
hormone , estrogen and progestin reach peak value , the corpus luteum develops
to maturity . After last quarter , luteinizing hormone decreases , the corpus
luteum starts atrophying and follicle-stimulating hormone , estrogen and
progestin continue decreasing and reach minimum value around the first day of
the lunar month , then , the endometrium sheds and menstruation occurs again .
Therefore , the date of female menstruation tends to the days around new moon ,
while the date of ovulation tends to the days around full moon . For female
sexual desire , there are two peaks in a menstrual cycle . One is in several
days before ovulation , and the other is in several days before menstruation .
In several days before ovulation , follicle-stimulating hormone reaches peak
value . In several days before menstruation , luteinizing hormone estrogen and
progestin reach peak value . In the full moon day , sexual desire of both the
male and the female is stronger . If sexual intercourse occurs in this time ,
the female is easy to be pregnant because she just ovulates . Therefore ,
pregnancy most likely occurs in the full moon day , and birth of baby most
likely occurs in the last quarter day .
The stage from new moon , first quarter to full moon is a part of
yang within yin , and the stage after full moon ,
which going through last quarter , remnant moon and new moon, is a part of
yin within yin , therefore , in the full moon day ,
bioelectric activity in human body strengthens , blood pressure increases ,
endocrine is abundant , but in the first day of the lunar month , blood pressure
is the lowest . For the female , FSH , LH and estrogen belong to
yang , so they start increasing after the new moon day ; progestin
belongs to yin , so it starts increasing after the full moon day .
Oxytocin belongs to yin , so the baby most likely is born at the
last quarter night . That is to say , the yin and
yang rhythms of human body matches with the yin and
yang rhythms of nature .
(3).Day Rhythms
A.Day Rhythms of Yin and Yang of Nature
One cycle of the earth's rotation is a day . Because of the
change of solar radiation intensity , atmospheric temperature shows a change of
day rhythms . " Plain Questions . on the Truth in Golden Chamber " point out : "
The time from morning to high noon is yang of the heaven , or a part of
yang within yang ; the time from high noon to dusk
is yang of the heaven , or a part of yin within
yang ; the time from night to cockcrow is yin of the
heaven , or a part of yin within yin , the time from
cockcrow to morning is yin of the heaven , or a part of
yang within yin . Therefore , human matches with it
." The time from morning to high noon is 6-12 o'clock ; the time from high noon
to dusk is 12-18 o'clock ; the time from night to cockcrow is 18-24 o'clock;the
time from cockcrow to morning is 0-6 o'clock . This description in " Canon of
Medicine " is the conditions in the Central Plains of China , therefore the
above discussion basically conform with the actual conditions . In 6-12 o'clock
, solar radiation strengthens gradually , and reaches maximum value , it being a
part of yang within yang . In 12-18 o'clock , solar
radiation weakens gradually and disappears finally , it being a part of
yin within yang . In 18-24 o'clock , long wave
radiation of ground weakens gradually , and atmospheric temperature decreases
gradually , it being a part of yin within yin . In
0-6 o'clock , long wave radiation of ground weakens continuously , and
atmospheric temperature decreases continuously and reaches minimum value finally
, but the sun will soon rise , so it being a part of yang within
yin . Relative humidity also shows a change of day rhythms . In
general , the minimum value appears in afternoon .
B.Day Rhythms of Yin and Yang of Human
Body
Physiological activities of human body shows a change of day
rhythms . It is discussed as follows.
(A).Day rhythms of yin and yang in
hormones
The secretion of the yang-natured hormones such as
thyroxine , calcitonin , glucagon , adrenocorticotropic hormone , glucocorticoid
, renin , aldosterone , catecholamine , gonadotropin and testosterone , as well
as estradiol in female body and others increases in daytime and decreases at
night , it matching with yin and yang rhythms of
nature .
The secretion of the yin-natured hormones such as parathyroid ,
progesterone , growth hormone , lactogenic hormone and others decreases in
daytime and increases at night , matching with yin and
yang rhythms of nature .
The secretion of the yang-natured hormones such as
thyroid-stimulating hormone , antidiuretin and others decrease in daytime and
increase at night . It is opposite to yin and yang
rhythms of nature to coordinate yin and yang in body
.
Insulin is yin-natured hormone . Its secretion increases in
daytime and decreases at night . This is opposite to yin and
yang rhythms of nature to coordinate yin and
yang in body as well .
(B).Day rhythms of yin and yang in
cyclonucleotide
cAMP : cAMP belongs to yang . The maximum
value of cAMP concentration in plasma appears at about 16 o'clock in afternoon ,
and the minimum value appears at about 6 o'clock in morning . The maximum value
appears at about 6 o'clock in morning . The maximum value of cAMP concentration
in urine appears in 15-17 o'clock of afternoon . The rhythms of cAMP matches
with the yin and yang rhythms of nature .
cGMP : cGMP belongs to yin . The maximum value of cGMP
concentration in plasma appears at 2 o'clock in morning , the minimum value
appears around noon . The maximum value of cGMP concentration in urine appears
from 20 o'clock at night to 2 o'clock in morning . The rhythms of cGMP matches
with yin and yang rhythms of nature .
(C).Day rhythms of yin and yang in body
temperature
Increasing of body temperature is yang , and
decreasing of it is yin . The maximum value of body temperature
appears at 16 o'clock in afternoon , the minimum value appears in 2-3 o'clock of
morning . The rhythms of body temperature matches with the yin and
yang rhythms of nature .
(D).Day rhythms of yin and yang in
metabolic rate
Metabolic rate can be reflected in oxygen consumption .
Increasing of oxygen consumption belongs to yang , and decreasing
of it belongs to yin . Oxygen consumption is high in daytime and
low at night , and it relates to sleep . The rhythms of metabolic rate matches
with the yin and yang rhythms of nature .
(E).Day rhythms of yin and yang in the
blood composition
Sodium , bicarbonate and phosphate : The
yin nature of sodium and bicarbonate is stronger . Their
concentration is high in morning , then it decreases and reaches the lowest
value at 24 o'clock of midnight . The yang nature of phosphate is
stronger . On the contrary , its concentration is low in morning , then it
increases in afternoon , and it is the highest at night . The rhythm change of
sodium , bicarbonate and phosphate in plasma lies in coordination of
yin and yang in body .
Concentration of plasma amino acid : Increasing of concentration of
plasma amino acid is yang,while decreasing of that is yin
. The concentration of plasma amino acid of normal person is the highest
during high noon to 20 o'clock in afternoon , and it is the lowest in 4-8
o'clock of morning . Concentration of tyrosine , phenylalanine and tryptophane
in plasma is the highest at the time slightly later than half past ten in
morning , and it is the lowest at 2 o'clock of later night . The rhythm of
concentration of plasma amino acid matches with the yin and
yang rhythm of nature .
Leukocyte : B lymphocyte , T lymphocyte and acidophilic granulocyte
belong to yin . The maximum of B lymphocyte number , T lymphocyte
number and acidophilic granulocyte number appears in 24 o'clock to 4 o'clock at
later night , the minimum appears in 12 o'clock to 16 o'clock in daytime . The
rhythm of leukocyte number matches with the yin and
yang rhythm of nature .
(F).Day rhythms of yin and yang in other
physiological indexes
Activity of magnesium dependence ATP enzyme : Increasing
of the activity of this enzyme belongs to yang , and decreasing of
it belongs to yin . The activity of human erythrocyte membrane
dependence ATP enzyme is the highest at 8 o'clock in morning , it matching the
yin and yang rhythm of nature .
In addition , diarrhea before dawn occurs at mao o'clock , that is , 5
a.m. to 7 a.m. . Relative humidity at this time is the highest .
[3].The Characteristics and Interrelations of Yin and
Yang
It can be seen from the above analysis that yin
and yang have several main characteristics .
Firstly , yin and yang show divisibility . All
factors of nature and human body can be divided into yin and
yang two types . Each type can be subdivided into
yin and yang as well . On the analogy of this , they
can be divided down to infiniteness . For example , the metal elements potassium
, sodium , calcium and magnesium among the inorganic elements show alkalinity in
body , belonging to yin ; while the nonmetal elements chlorine ,
sulfur and phosphorus show acidity in body , belonging to yang .
However , for the metal elements belonging to yin , they can be
subdivided into yin and yang as well . For potassium
and sodium , the former belongs to yin , and the latter belongs to
yang . Other elements are similar in this way . In addition , for
the vegetative nervous system , the sympathetic nerve belongs to
yang , while the parasympathetic nerve belongs to
yin . The sympathetic nerve has two kinds of postganglionic fibers
; the adrenergic fibers belong to yang , being a part of
yang within yang ; the cholinergic fibers belong to
yin , being a part of yin within yang
.
Secondly , yin and yang show stratumity . In
nature , the revolution of the earth around the sun causes year rhythm changes
of yin and yang ; the revolution of the moon around
the earth causes month rhythm changes of yin and
yang ; the rotation of the earth causes day rhythm changes of
yin and yang . In human body , there are
yin and yang at the level of whole body ,
yin and yang at the levels of system and organ ,
yin and yang at the levels of tissue and cell , and
yin and yang at the level of molecule.
Thirdly , yin and yang show diversity . The
hormones in human body can be divided into yin and
yang two types , but their ways of action are different . Some of
them act by taking cAMP and cGMP as second messenger ; others of them act
directly on DNA in nucleus without dependence of cAMP and cGMP . Therefore , in
some kinds of hypertension with yin deficiency and
yang excess , cAMP does not increase . The main cause resulting in
hypertension may be increasing of aldosterone . Aldosterone belongs to
yang , but it does not act by taking cAMP as second messenger .
Therefore , taking only cAMP and cGMP as indexes of yin and
yang is not complete . Fourthly , yin and
yang show relativity . The yin and
yang natures of some factors are relative . For example , relative
to chlorine , sulfur and phosphorus , potassium , sodium , calcium and magnesium
are yin . However, relative to potassium , sodium is
yang . When yin deficiency occurs , sodium in the
blood will increase , and potassium will decrease .
Fifthly , yin and yang show transformity . The
yin and yang natures of some factors can transform
into opposite aspect under certain conditions . For example , aldosterone
generally cause increasing of blood volume and rising of blood pressure ,
belonging to yang . However , excessive aldosterone can result in
alkalosis and edema , it transforming into yin .
Sixthly , yin and yang show rhythmity . The
movement of celestial body makes nature show the changes of year rhythm , month
rhythm and day rhythm of yin and yang .
Yin and yang of human body match with
yin and yang of nature and show rhythmical changes
as well . The rhythmical changes of yin and yang in
human body exist two situations . One is conforming with nature , the other is
opposing to nature . Generally speaking , yang-natured hormones
increase in day time and decrease at night . This matches with that daytime
belongs to yang ,while night belongs to yin . But ,
the opposite situations exist . For example , thyroid-stimulating hormone
belongs to yang , but its concentration increases at night and
decreases in daytime . This is an adaptation to coordinate the balance of
yin and yang in body . At night , most
yang-natured hormones decrease . Increasing of thyroid-stimulating
hormone makes function of the thyroid gland not to decrease excessively , and it
makes metabolism of the organism maintain at certain level .
There are complicated relations among the factors contained by
yin and yang , and there are complicated relations
between yin and yang as well .
For whole body , yin and yang of the different
systems and different organs , as well as at the different levels show
interrelativity . When yang excess and yin
deficiency occur , the interrelative phenomena as follows will appear :
excitation of the sympathetic nerve , inhibition of the parasympathetic nerve
;strengthening of tonicity of the extensors and the abductors , weakening of
tonicity of the flexors and adductors ; long inspiration and short expiration in
respiratory movement ; Increasing of acidity of body fluid ; increasing of
carbohydrate , amino acid and lipid in the blood ; increasing of ATP production
in cells , active metabolism in cells ; increasing of cAMP , decreasing of cGMP
; strengthening of nonspecific immune function , weakening of specific immune
function , and others . We can call this as interrelativity in the same category
. This is the basis of diagnosis and treatment for diseases in Sinomedicine . In
addition , mutual supplement sometimes exists among the factors belonging to the
same category of yin or yang . For example , when
the function of thyroid gland is excessive , the activity of sympathetic nerve
is slight weak . However , when the function of thyroid gland is insufficient ,
the activity of sympathetic nerve evidently strengthens . Here , the functions
of both thyroid gland and sympathetic nerve belong to yang . Their
mutual supplement changes make the organism not to be excessive or insufficient
overly .
When we evaluate the yin and yang state of whole
body or a certain organ , we must judge it according to its overall effect . For
example , the adrenal glands,kidneys and sex glands make up the substance of
the" kidney ". When we evaluate the yin and
yang state of the" kidney ", we must consider the
actions of the vegetative nervous system on these organs and the actions of
stimulating hormones secreted by pituitary gland on these organs . We also must
consider the microcirculation state of these organs and the actions of inorganic
elements , trace elements and other factors on these organs .
Coordinative relation generally exists between yin and
yang . When yang increases , yin will
decrease ; when yin increase , yang will decrease .
The coordinative relation of yin and yang maintain
the normal functions of human body . When the coordinative relation of
yin and yang is abnormal , the human body will
suffer from diseases .
The theory of yin and yang was a
spontaneous and naive dialectic philosophy in ancient China . In Sinomedicine ,
the theory of yin and yang is used to explain
physiological functions and pathological changes of human body , and direct
clinical diagnosis and treatment . In this chapter , on the basis of
summarization of experimental researches on the substance of yin
and yang in China and other countries , we have comprehensively
analysed the yin and yang of nature and structures
and functions of human body from various angles and various levels according to
the principle of yin and yang classification in
Sinomedicine . We believe that the basic principle of the theory of
yin and yang has substantial basis , and it is
correct basically . Expounding of substance of yin and
yang makes us understand the basic principle of Sinomedicine more
profoundly. In addition , this expounding has important significance for
promoting the development of modern bioscience.
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