3.Substance of the Theory of Five ElementsThe core of the theory of five elements is the relations of generation , restriction , subjugation , and reverse restriction among wood , fire , earth , metal and water five elements . The basis of matching of the things in nature , organs and tissues in human body , emotional activities and others with five elements is classification according to similarity of characteristics.However, classification according to similarity of characteristics only is the demonstrative foundation in expounding the theory of five elements after forming of this theory . From the evolutional process that five elements match the five zang-organs , we can see that this matching is only in order to make the relations among the five zang-organs conform to the relations of generation , restriction , subjugation and reverse restriction among five elements . The matching of the five zang-organs with five elements in " Canon of Medicine " reflected the innate character of the relations among the five zang-organs in certain degree , and it was proven by the medical practice . Therefore , this matching relation has been used up to now . As for matching of things in nature , as well as other organs and tissues in human body with five elements , the matching relations were repeatedly revised on the basis of classification according to similarity of characteristics , to strive to make the relations among these things , organs and tissues conform to the relations of generation , restriction , subjugation and reverse restriction among five elements . The ancient Chinese doctors established an enormous five elements system by this method . The determination of five elements system was tested by practice , therefore , the theory of five elements reflects the relations among the different things in nature and the relations among the functions of the different organs in human body in certain degree . In the following , we will analyse the content and substance of the theory of five elements by the knowledge of modern sciences .[1].Substance of Five Elements System for Nature
(1).Substance of Classification of Five Elements System for Nature The classification of five elements system for nature reflects the innate character of order in nature . The things and phenomena classified into the same element interrelate mutually , their movement is synchronous and harmonious .
(2).Substance of Generation among Five Elements System for Nature The generation among five elements system for nature reflects the developmental sequence of things in nature . For the five directions , east generates south , south generates center , center generates west , west generates north , and north generates east . This reflects the phenomenon that the sun rises from the east , goes through the zenith , and sets in the west , and the process that the place of sunrise moves from the south to the north with the replacement of the seasons . For the seasons , spring generates summer , summer generates late summer , late summer generates autumn , autumn generates winter , winter generates spring , this reflecting the sequence of replacement of seasons . For the five weathers , wind generates summer-heat , summer-heat generates wetness , wetness generates dryness , dryness generates cold , and cold generates wind , this reflecting the sequence of replacement of weathers in a year . For the processes of genesis and change , they show the changes of germination , growth , transformation , harvest and storage , this reflecting the growth process of living things in nature .
(3).Substance of Restriction among Five Elements System for Nature The restriction among five elements system for nature reflects
the confining relations among the things of nature.
For the seasons , spring surpasses late summer , late summer surpasses winter
, winter surpasses summer , summer surpasses autumn , and autumn surpasses
spring . This may reflect the restricting relations of replacement of weathers ,
that is , during a year , when the wind in spring is stronger , the humidity in
late summer will be lower ; when the humidity in late summer is higher , the
temperature in winter will be higher ; when the temperature in winter is lower ,
the temperature in summer will be lower ; when the temperature in summer is
higher , the humidity in autumn will be higher , and when the humidity in autumn
is lower , the wind in spring will be weaker.
For the five tastes , sour surpasses sweet , sweet surpasses salty , salty
surpasses bitter , bitter surpasses salty , salty surpasses bitter , bitter
surpasses acrid , and acrid surpasses sour . This may reflect the law of
treatment by diet and drug . When overeating the sweet foods leads to disorder
of the spleen , the sour foods or drugs can be used to treat it ; when
overeating the salty foods leads to disorder of the kidney , the sweet foods or
drugs can be used to treat it ; when overeating the bitter foods leads to
disorder of the heart , the salty foods or drugs can be used to treat it ; when
overeating acrid foods leads to disorder of the lung,the bitter foods or drugs
can be used to treat it ; and when overeating sour foods leads to disorder of
the liver , the acrid foods or drugs can be used to treat it .
[2].Substance of Five Elements System for Human Body
(1).Substance of Classification of Five Elements System for Human Body The classification of five elements system for human body reflects the innate character of order in human body . The tissues , organs , and emotional activities classified into the same element interrelate mutually , their movement is synchronous and harmonious . The key to five elements system for human body is the interrelation among the five fu-organs .
(2).Substance of Generation among Five Elements System for Human Body The generation among five elements system for human body reflects the positive feedback regulation among organs . This regulation can be embodied from the relations among the organs assemblages which constitute the five zang-organs . Now , we discuss the principle of positive feedback regulations among the five zang-organs .
A.Wood(Liver) Generates Fire(Heart) The liver can regulate blood volume.Contraction of the hepatic
sinusoid can result in increasing of circulating blood volume and rising of
blood pressure . The liver is a main organ of synthesizing plasma protein . When
hepatoglycogen is decomposed and released into the blood , the blood sugar level
can be increased .
The liver is an organ with detoxification . When detoxification of the liver
is disordered , ammonia and pseudoneurotransmitter in the blood will be
increased , so that they will cause hepatocerobrosis . In the pathological
condition , the liver can resume partial hematopoiesis.In pathology , deficiency
of liver-blood can result in deficiency of heart-blood , that is to say ,
hypofunction of plasma protein synthesis in the liver , decreasing of
decomposition of hepatoglycogen , and dilatation of the hepatic sinusoid can
result in decreasing of circulating blood volume and insufficiency of
nutritional supply to the heart , thyroid gland , parathyroid glands and brain ,
showing the syndrome of insufficiency of heart-blood such as fluster ,
palpitation , dizziness , dim complexion and others . Thus it can be seen that
the functions of the liver show the positive feedback regulations to the
functions of the heart , brain , thyroid gland and parathyroid glands .
B.Fire(Heart) Generates Earth(Spleen) The heart is the power organ of blood circulation . When the function of the heart is normal , the blood supply of the spleen , pancreas and duodenum will be good , the function of blood volume regulation of the spleen , the functions of endocrine and exocrine of the pancreas and the functions of digestion and absorption of the duodenum all will be vigorous . Thyroxine secreted by the thyroid gland can result in increasing of ATP production in the epithelial cells of the duodenum , strenthening of activity of the sodium pump on the epithelial cell membrane , and strengthening of absorption of the duodenum . In pathology , when the function of the heart weakens and the secretion of thyroxine decreases , the bloodflow of the pancreas and duodenum will decreases , ATP production in the epithelial cells of the duodenum will weaken , showing syndrome of spleen-asthenia such as anorexia and abdominal distension . In treatment , the method of reinforcing fire to generate earth is often used . This method of treatment is used in reinforcing heart-fire to strengthen spleen-earth . That is to say , strengthening the functions of the heart and thyroid gland can promote the functions of the spleen , pancreas and duodenum . Thus it can be seen that the functions of the heart and thyroid gland show the positive feedback regulations to the functions of the spleen , pancreas and duodenum .
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