Balancing Biological Terrain

Transcription

1 Balancing Biological Terrain Biological Terrain The internal environment the lymphatic fluid in which cells live Can be likened to the soil in which a plant grows The health of the soil determines the health of the plant As long as biological terrain is balanced, cells will be healthy 1

2 Five Cellular Needs Nutrients Oxygen Water Waste Removal Temperature Regulation Homeostasis The maintenance of normal conditions in the internal environment All organs contribute to homeostasis All tissues benefit from homeostasis All disease begins with the loss of homeostasis, i.e., the alteration of the biological terrain or internal environement of the body Basic Herbalism There are three basic things you need to know to understand how any herb works 1) It s Direction (Kind) of Action 2) It s Location (Site) of Action 3) It s Degree (Range) of Action 2

3 Direction (Kind) of Action How an herb affects the balance of homeostasis, that is, how it alters the biological terrain There are six basic actions herbs have on biological terrain Think of them as six directions you can go in Six Directions of Action Affecting Metabolic Rate Stimulate (Speed up metabolism or heat ) Sedate (Slow down metabolism or cool ) Affecting Fluid and Mineral Balance Moisten (Lubricate and soften hard tissue) Dry (Remove excess fluid from tissue) Affecting Muscle Tension Constrict (Increase tone, reduce secretion) Relax (Relax spasms, increase secretion) Stimulating Herbs Herbs that stimulate or warm up tissue that is cold or under active Categories of stimulating herbs Aromatic herbs Pungent (spicy) herbs Examples: Peppermint, chamomile, lavender Capscium, garlic, ginger, horseradish 3

4 Sedating Herbs Herbs that stimulate or cool down tissue that is irritated and overactive Categories of sedating herbs Sour herbs Mucilant and some sweet herbs Examples: Hawthorn, lemon, elderberry, bilberry Marshmallow, licorice, cornsilk Moistening Herbs Herbs that hydrate tissues and soften hardness by removing excess minerals Categories of moistening herbs Sweet, Oily and Mucilant herbs Salty herbs Examples: Licorice, flax seed, marshmallow, aloe vera Red clover, mullein, nettles Drying Herbs Herbs that remove excess moisture from tissues to reduce fluid retention Categories of drying herbs Bitters Astringents Examples: Dandelion, burdock, yellow dock Uva ursi, white oak bark, bayberry 4

5 Constricting Herbs Herbs that increase muscle tone and reduce excessive fluid secretion Categories of constricting herbs Astringents Examples: Uva ursi, white oak bark, bayberry Relaxing Herbs Herbs that decrease muscle tone and promote fluid secretion Categories of constricting herbs Acrid Aromatic Examples: Lobelia, kava kava Chamomile, valerian, passion flower Location (Site) of Action What tissues or organ systems does this herb have it s strongest affinity for? What body systems does it affect? 5

6 Degree (Range) of Action How strong is the herbs effect? Does it shift biological terrain just a little bit or a whole lot? Examples of Tissue Affinity Mucus membranes (digestive tract, lungs, urinary passages) Nerves (brain and nerves) Fluid systems (lymphatics and kidneys) Circulation (heart and blood vessels) Four Degrees of Action 1st Degree - Food The herbs action is mild enough that it can be consumed in food quantities Examples: cucumbers, oranges, lettuce 2nd Degree - Medicinal Food/Spice The herb is safe for consumption long term in small quantities, but would not be consumed in food quantities Examples: psyllium, lemon, dandelion root 6

7 Four Degrees of Action 3rd Degree - Herbal Medicine The herb is non-toxic, but strong enough that it should be reserved for times of illness and is not appropriate for daily consumption as food (you wouldn t put it on your salad) Examples: Activated charcoal, lemon essential oil, lobelia 4th Degree - Toxic or Addictive The herb is toxic or addictive Examples: Belladonna, opium, lily of the valley Assessing Biological Terrain Determining what direction we our herbal program should go Three Factors in Biological Terrain Metabolic Rate ( speed of metabolic activity) Tissue Density (ratio of fluid and mineral balance) Tissue Tone (muscle tension and flow of secretions) 7

8 Metabolic Rate Energy production in the tissues Tissue Irritation Hyperactive or overactive Hot as in fever or inflammation Tissue Depression Hypoactive or underactive Cold as in chills and fatigue Tissue Density Ratio of minerals to solids Stagnation (Torpor) Too much fluid not enough mineral salts to keep in moving Damp as edema and swollen lymph nodes Atrophy Too much mineral, not enough fluid to move it Dry as in hardening of the arteries and calcium deposits Tissue Tone Tension in the tissues that either enhances or blocks flow of fluids Constriction Too much tension, flow of fluids is inhibited Spastic or tense as in muscle cramps and high blood pressure Relaxation Too little tension, fluids leak Atonic or flaccid as in bleeding, incontinence and diarrhea 8

9 Assessing and Correcting Imbalances in Metabolic Rate Metabolic Rate Think of metabolic rate as moving forwards or backwards If the body is too far forward (hot) you need to cool it down If the body is too far back (cold) you need to warm it up 9

10 Metabolic Rate Factors Complexion (red or pale) Temperature (hot or cold) Tongue (red or pale) Pulse (fast or slow) Function (hyper or hypo) Mucus (white, clear or discolored) Redox (high or low) Irritation (Heat) Increased metabolic rate, elevated temperature Classic inflammation and fever Restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity Normal Tissue State 10

11 Inflammation Classic Symptoms of Inflammation ( itis ) Heat Swelling Redness Pain Irritation Indications Complexion (red, flushed) Temperature (hot, feverish) Tongue (bright red, pointy) Pulse (rapid, floating or superficial) Function (hyperactive conditions) Mucus (clear, thin) 11

12 Health Problems Involving Irritation Acute injuries (bumps, sprains, abrasions, burns) Fevers Sore throat Earache Pain after injury, surgery, etc. Ulceration All inflammatory (itis) diseases Arthritis Bronchitis Tonsillitis Appendicitis Laryngitis Etc. General Remedies for Tissue Irritation Antioxidant Mangosteen and Berry Drink Chinese Heat Reducing Blend Anti-inflammatory Pain Relief Formula Chewable Elderberry Formula Chinese Anti-Viral Formula Depression (Cold) Lowered metabolic rate, reduced temperature Cool, pale, sluggish Reserved, quiet, hypoactive 12

13 Chronic Low Grade Inflammation Tissue is under active but appears hot due to infection and petrifaction Dark red or purplish color to tissues Heat coupled with fatigue and weakness Depression Indications Complexion (white, pale) Temperature (cool) Tongue (pale) Pulse (slow and deep) Function (hypoactive conditions) Mucus (white, thick) Low Grade Inflammation Complexion (bluish, purple) Temperature (cool but with hot spots ) Tongue (dark red, purplish) Pulse (rapid but weak) Function (hypoactive with infection) Mucus (yellow or green) 13

14 Health Problems Involving Depression Aftermath of injury (bruises, chronic swelling, etc.) General poor circulation Poor digestion Low blood pressure Chronic infections Depression All hypo conditions Hypothyroid Adrenal fatigue Sluggish bowel Sluggish liver General Remedies for Tissue Depression Capsicum and Garlic Formula Herbal Composition Powder John Christopher s Circulatory Support Formula Topical Analgesic Essential Oils Chinese Anti-Viral Formula (false heat) Chinese Fire Increasing Formula (false heat) Assessing and Correcting Imbalances in Tissue Density 14

15 Tissue Density Think of tissue density as moving to the right or left If the body is too far right (dry) you need to moisten tissues and make them softer If the body is too far left (wet) you need to dry tissues and make them firmer Tissue Density Factors Appearance (puffy or sunken, dry) Feel (spongy or hard) Tongue (swollen or withered, dry) Pulse (full, slippery or thin) Mucus (abundant, congested or absent) Resistivity (high or low) Stagnation (Wet) Excess fluids, insufficient electrolytes Swollen, spongy or puffy tissues Sluggish, slow, yielding 15

16 Congestion and Stagnation A condition of the biological terrain much like a swamp There is a lack of flow, causing fluids to stagnate Toxic waste accumulates in tissues Creates environment for infection Stagnation Indications Appearance (puffy, bloated) Feel (spongy, water logged) Tongue (swollen, damp) Pulse (full, slippery) Mucus (abundant, congested) General (edema, swollen lymph nodes, acute congestion) Health Problems Involving Stagnation Edema (water retention) Swollen lymph nodes Respiratory congestion Acid reflux Sinus congestion Fluid around the heart Pneumonia Most skin disorders General malaise Polyps, cysts 16

17 General Remedies for Stagnation Special Cellular Cleansing Formula Environmental Detoxifying Formula Chinese Wood Reducing Formula Paavo Airola s Liver Formula John Christopher s Blood Purifier Formula Atrophy (Dry) Insufficient fluids, excessive electrolytes Dry, withered, hardened tissue Hard, inflexible, rigid Atrophy Lack of fluid flow causes mineral deposits in tissues Tissues harden, losing mobility and flexibility Toxic waste accumulates inside the cells causing degeneration Final degenerative stage of tissues 17

18 Atrophy Indications Appearance (sunken, dark, wrinkled) Feel (hard, stiff, dry) Tongue (withered, dry, cracked) Pulse (thin, weak, deep) Mucus (deficient or hardened) General (degenerative disease, advanced aging) Health Problems Involving Atrophy Hardening of the arteries Calcium deposits and calcification Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Wrinkles Dry, scaly skin Alzhimer s disease Cirrhosis of the liver Wasting diseases Type II Diabetes Emphysema Tumors Kidney failure General Remedies for Atrophy Chinese Earth Enhancing Formula Chinese Water Increasing Formula Chinese Blood and Chi Tonic Cellular Energy Production Formula Essential Sugars Supplement Essential Fatty Acids 18

19 Assessing and Correcting Imbalances in Tissue Tone Tissue Tone Think of tissue tone as moving up or down If the body is too far up (tense) so that flow of fluids and movement are blocked you need to relax the tissues If the body is too far down (relaxed) so that fluids are leaking you need to tighten the tissues Tissue Tone Factors Muscle Tension (cramps, spasms or flaccid) Pulse (wiry, tense or flaccid) Flow (alternates between arrested and flooding or constantly leaking) ph (over acid or over alkaline) 19

20 Constriction Spasm, cramps, rigidity Alternating, variable conditions Jerky, sudden, unpredictable Wind Disorders Flow of fluids and movement in the body is regulated by muscles When muscles become exhausted they spasm, blocking flow and movement As they open, they can release dammed up fluids These alternating conditions are called wind disorders Constriction Indications Muscle Tension (cramps, spasms and convulsions) Pulse (wiry and tense) Flow (alternates between arrested and flooding) ph (over acid) General (migrating or shooting pains, conditions that alternate or come & go ) 20

21 Health Problems Involving Constriction Alternating fever and chills Alternating diarrhea and constipation Pains which migrate from one part of the body to another Menstrual cramps Muscle spasms Colic Sharp pains Asthma Heart attack High blood pressure General Remedies for Constriction Antispasmodic Formula Magnesium Single Herbs Lobelia Kava Kava Black Cohosh Relaxation Excess secretion, loss of fluids Loose, spongy, lacking tone Relaxed, nonresistant 21

22 Relaxation Indications Muscle Tension (flaccid muscles) Pulse (full and flaccid, slow) Flow (fluids leak ) ph (over alkaline) General (bleeding, excessive drainage or loss of fluids, tissues too porous) Health Problems Involving Relaxation Leaky gut syndrome Chronic diarrhea Urinary incontinence Night sweats Chronic sinus drainage Bleeding cuts Weeping sores Heavy menstrual bleeding Internal bleeding Hemorrhoids Varicose veins Bleeding gums General Remedies for Relaxation Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Formula Varicose Vein Formula Single Herbs White Oak bark Bayberry Rootbark Uva Ursi Horsetail 22

23 Summary How to Select Direct Aids Step One Find Weakest Body System(s) Three points triangulate your position Methods of Assessing Body Systems Body System Questionnaire Lifestyle Analysis Muscle Response Testing Case History 23

24 Step Two Determine the Imbalance in Biological Terrain Methods of Assessing Biological Terrain ABC+D Charts Direct Observation Tongue and Pulse Assessment Palpitation of Tissues Case History Biological Terrain Assessment (QFA) Step Three Determine Your Strategy 24

25 Determine Your Strategy What organs or tissues are you going to work on? What imbalance are you trying to correct? Example 1: Liver is stagnant, so I want to detoxify the liver Example 2: Adrenals are underactive (depressed) so I want to strengthen them Step Four Select Direct Aids Based on Your Strategy 25

26 Methods of Selecting Direct Aids ABC+D Charts Muscle Response Testing Product Knowledge and Experience Step Five Determine Amounts and Times Factors to Consider Ways to Determine Amounts and Times Label Information Comprehensive Guide or Other 3rd Party Sources Muscle Testing Adjust According to the Following Severity of the problem Age, weight and general health of client 26