Lecture 8: Water Element Flashcards
What season is associated with the water element? What principles are associated with this season?
Winter
Winter is the end of all the seasons. Cold and darkness drive one to seek inner warmth. It is a time to rest, to meditate deeply, refine the spiritual essence, and store physical energy – in the form of a little added weight – for the cold season. Even though the slow yin processes predominate, one must stay active enough to keep the spine and joints flexible.
How does one unify with winter?
To unify with winter, one emphasizes the yin principle to become more receptive, introspective, and storage-oriented; one cools the surface of the body and warms the body’s core.
During the winter what types of temperaturea nd flavours are important?
During the colder months, a warm, supplementing diet with acrid and sweet flavours that build up and move qi and protect it against cold stagnations is important.
What is the best time to build up qi and blood with a sweet, supplementing diet?
At the end of winter
What are general rules for food on cold days?
Include warm hearty soups, whole grains, and roasted nuts
What are some food examples to fortify the kidneys?
Use dried foods, small dark beans, seaweeds, and steamed winter greens
What type of general food preparation should be used in Winter?
As with autumn food preparation: cook foods longer, at lower temperatures and with less water
What flavours are appropriate for winter? Why?
Both the salty and bitter foods are appropriate for winter, since they promote a sinking, centering quality which heightens the capacity for storage. Such foods also cool the exterior of the body and bring body heat deeper and lower; with a cooler surface, one notices the cold less.
What flavour is overused in the typical diet? What is under-represented?
Salt is overused in the typical diet, while the bitter flavour is under-represented.
How should one incorporate the bitter flavour? What is useful about this flavour?
Strong doses of bitter food are not needed but small, regular amounts in the winter nurture deep inner experiences and preserve joy in the heart.
What are examples of bitter foods?
Most common bitter foods are not wholly bitter, but combinations of bitter and other flavours.
Alfalfa, Amaranth, Asparagus, Celery, Chicory (roasted and ground substitue for coffee), Coffee, Cucumber, Dandelion, Fenugreek, Kale, Lettuce, Oats, Parsnip Quinoa, Rye, Turnip, Walnut, Watercress, Wild Rice
What are some examples of salty foods?
miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, salt, millet, barley, plus any food made salty by the addition of salt
In what way does salt balance out other foods?
Salt has an alkalizing effect to balance acidic foods like meat, peas, beans, grains.
What are the benefits of eating foods with jing nourishing properties?
- promote the growth and development of the body and mind
- provide renewal, longevity, reproductive capacity
- protection from premature aging.
What are the foods that are known to nourish jing?
- Micro-algae (chlorella, spirulina, blue-green algae), cereal grasses
- Fish, liver, kidney, brain, bone and marrow, human placenta
- Almonds, milk and clarified butter
- Nettles
- Royal jelly and bee pollen
- Dodder seeds, rehmannia root, deer antler, tortoise shell, chicken, mussel
- Black or dark colours in clothing or food
What are the properties of micro-algae (chlorella, spirulina, wild blue-green), fish, liver, kidney, brain, bone and its marrow, human placenta, and cereal grass in terms of jing?
- Rich in nucleic acids that protect the body from degeneration
- High in Vitamin A that strengthens sexual development and reproduction; protects against congenital birth defects
- High in Omega-3 fatty acids that develop and maintain the nervous system, keep arteries clear, cellular integrity
- Cereal grasses have the P4D1 fraction that helps to repair nucleic acids
Why are almonds, clarified butter and milk considered to be jing nourishing?
- According to Ayurvedice medicine these foods build “essence”
How do nettles enrich jing?
Thicken head hair and build blood
How do royal jelly and bee pollen nourish jing?
- Most complete range of nutrients of any foods
- Energy tonics and specifically good in cases of general deficiency
How do dodder seeds, rehmannia, deer antlers, tortoise shell, mussel and chicken nourish jing?
They are all strong kidney tonifiers, esp. deer antler
Why are black or dark colours in clothing and food recommended to nourish jing? Examples?
- Nourish kidney and conserve jing in correlation with five elements and doctrine of signatures
- Black beans, black sesame, seaweed, chestnut, mullberries, raspberries, walnut
What is the role of spiritual practice?
- Nourish essence
- Infuse energy and transform it into Qi and Shen
What are some noteworthy folk remedy foods for Water/Kidney?
- Asparagus water
- Corn
- Cranberry
- Cucumber juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Rice
What is asparagus water useful for?
Drink asparagus water (water remaining after steaming asparagus) for urinary complaints, arthritis and rheumatism
How is corn useful for Kidney issues?
- Bedwetting in children
- Disorders of prostate
- Cystitis
- Inflammation of urethra
Cranberry uses
- Fresh and juice: prostate problems and UTI’s
Cucumber juice uses
Kidney tonic
Grapefruit juice
Cleanses kidneys and helps eliminate toxins from the body
Rice uses
- Natural diuretic
- Eases bloating and PMS
- Prevent edema
Devil’s Claw Uses
Decoction or tincture; all types of arthritis, especially for inflamed joints and arthritis affecting a number of joints
Gingko Leaves Uses
- Memory
- Early Senile Dementia
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Hearing difficulties
Ginseng (Ren Shen) Uses
- Replenishes vital energy
- Loss of sex drive in men
Lady’s Mantle Uses
- Menstrual cramps
- PMS
- Irregular menstruation
- Menorrhagia
- Infertility with no cause
Goji Berry, Wolfberry, Lycium fruit (gou gi zi)
Tonic for old age and associated weakness
Raspberry leaves
- Tonify uterus to help with delivery
Sage leaves
- General debility
- Excessive sweating
- Night sweats
Saw palmetto berries
- Prostate enlargement
- Cystitis
Uva ursi (Bearberry, Kinnikinnick)
- Urinary antiseptic
Wild yams
- Menstrual cramps
- Pain on ovulation
- Menopausal symptoms
- Vaginal dryness
Yarrow
- Irregular menstruation
- Cramps
- Vaginal discharge
What are lifestyle habits that may drain and negatively impact fertility?
- Stimulants like caffeine, drugs, alcohol
- Lack of relaxation
- Irregular, hurried eating
- Mental stress/anxiety
- Work stress
- Hormonal stimulation
- Excessive cerebral activity w/o physical release
- Excessive sexual activity
- Long work hours
- Sleep deprivation
What is the average length of time that it takes a couple to conceive? What are the stats on couples that suffer from infertility?
- The average is 6 months
- 1 in 4 couples suffer from infertility therefore in these cases it takes far longer, 18 months is not unusual
When couples are experiencing difficulty in conceiving, women are responsible in ______ of the cases and men in ______
women: two-thirds
men: one-third
What percentage of birth defects are caused by defective sperm?
80%
What nutrients are most important for male fertility?
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Arginine and Lysine
Vitamin C for male fertility
- Increase sperm count
- Increase sperm motility
- Decrease risk of sperm damage
Vitamin E for male fertility
- Deficiency can cause damage to reproductive tissue
- Hard to get proper amount from diet sometimes
- Note that supplementation alone will not reverse damage. Important to be proactive
Zinc male fertility
- Essential for healthy sperm as it is highly concentrated in the outer layer and tail of sperm
- Zinc is lost with each ejaculation
Manganese male fertility
- Important for high sperm count
Potassium male fertility
- Increase sperm motility
What are the most common nutritional imbalances affecting female infertility?
Copper – a high level of copper in the body is often the result of using the contraceptive pill or the copper coil (IUD)
Zinc – deficiency of this is often found where copper levels are high, creating susceptibility to all sorts of infections
Magnesium – and / or manganese – deficiency of these is also linked to high copper levels
Selenium deficiency is also a factor
Match the menstrual phases with the four phases of the moon
- Waxing - Follicular
- Full - Ovulatory
- Waning - Luteal
- Dark or new moon - Menses
Important aspects of the follicular phase
- Body nourishes follicles that house eggs
- More estrogen produced, a Yin fluid that “generates a plush uterine lining, causes cervical changes and produces fertile cervical mucus during ovulation.
- Body prepares the uterus to accept the fertilized egg and nurture the evolving embryo
- Time to nourish blood, which feeds the growing egg, and nourishes the endometrial lining.
Follicular phase is a time to build up blood and yin. What are some yin nourishing foods?
Need cooling foods to nourish yin
Apples, asparagus, bean sprouts, beans, blackberries, chlorella, pears, peas
What are some foods to nourish blood?
Aduki beans, dark leafy greens, goji berries, kidney beans, micro-algae, raspberries
What are important aspects of the ovulatory phase?
- The ovulatory phase, like the full moon, is a dynamic time where the results of the follicular phase are realized.
- If yin and blood have adequately reached their peak, the process of ovulation will be smooth.
- Time to harmonize, regulate qi and tonify
What happens during ovulatory phase if energy stagnates?
Ovulatory phase can be weak, insufficient and sluggish — ovulatory breast tenderness, dull ache in lower abdomen, general irritablity during ovulation.
What are some foods to harmonize during the ovulatory phase?
Chestnut, Fennel, Hazelnut, Honey, Molasses, Saffron
What are important aspects of the luteal phase?
- During the luteal phase the body produces progesterone.
- Progesterone is a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation.
- Progesterone is responsible for transforming the endometrial tissue so it can hold a fertilized ovum
What happens during the luteal phase if yang is deficient?
- Low back pain
- Night time urination
- General coldness
- Low libido
What foods could be chosen for deficient yang?
Warming spices, meat, legumes, brown rice
What happens when the cycle wanes at the end of the luteal phase?
- Body prepares for “dark of moon” which is menses
- Return of energies to the centre of body to begin a new cycle
What are the important aspects of menses?
- If implantation of an embryo does not occur, the corpus luteum will involute, causing sharp drops in levels both in progesterone and estrogen.
- These hormone drops cause the uterus to shed its lining inducing menstruation.
From a Chinese perspective the menstruation phase is under control of what organ and extraordinary vessel?
Liver because of Liver-Blood connection ot menses.
Chong Mai - Penetrating Vessel
What are some foods to move blood and nourish Liver?
Blood tonic: Beef liver, Beet, Cherry, Grape, Mullberry, Pomegranate, Spelt, Venison
Move blood: Chive, Eggplant, Kohlrabi, Onion, Turmeric, Vinegar
What Zang-Fu patterns may correspond with conception difficulties?
- Liver Qi Stagnation
- Liver Blood Deficiency
- Kidney Yin/Yang Deficiency
What are the most important organs (6) in terms of preconceptual care and why?
Kidneys – store essence and influence reproduction, ministerial fire
Liver – closely linked to blood, nourishing
Spleen – Gu Qi and builds blood
Stomach – connected to uterus via Chong Mai
Heart – governs blood, heart blood goes down to uterus to make menstrual blood
Lung – Qing qi, contributes to making blood, governs qi
What is the usual basal body temperature during menses and through to ovulation?
97- 97.6 degrees F
36.1 - 36.4 degrees C
What hapens to the BBT around ovulation if implantation occurs?
Day after ovulation the BBT rises to 97.7 - 98.3 F
(36.5 - 36.8 C)
If there is no conception what will happen to the BBT?
If no conception BBT will drop and that will signal menstruation.
What happens to the embryo during first 4 weeks of pregnancy?
In the first 4 weeks the cells rapidly divide and grow; the heart starts beating, the central nervous system starts to develop; and the limb buds appear.
Weeks 4-8 of pregnancy?
Weeks 8-12 of pregnancy?
During weeks 4-8 all the major organs appear in primitive form, and movements begin.
During weeks 8 to 12 the sex of baby becomes apparent, and the kidneys start to function and urine is passed from 10 weeks.
When is the fetus viable?
Continuous growth and development occurs until the 40th week; but the fetus is viable during weeks 24 to 28 if born during this time.
According to Chinese texts written by a gynaecologist from the Qing dynasty known as Chen Jia Yuan, each developing organ in the fetus corresponds with a particular month. Match up the months and organs!
1st Month – the Liver is formed
2nd Month – the Gall Bladder
3rd Month – the Pericardium
4th Month – the Triple Burner
5th Month – the Spleen
6th Month – the Stomach
7th Month – the Lungs
8th Month – the Large Intestine
9th Month – the Kidneys
10th Month (Weeks 36 - 40) – the Bladder
What is the rule for needling according to Chen Jia Yuan?
Avoid points on the channel corresponding with the current month
What acupuncture points are contraindicated during pregnancy?
- LI4
- SP6
- GB21
- ST12
- Careful with sacrum and lower abdominal points
What are the essential vitamins for pregnancy?
A, B, C, D, E, EFA’s, Folic Acid, K
Vitamin A importance for mother?
Lactation, placental membranes, hormones
Vitamin A importance for baby?
- RBC’s
- Fetal growth
- Visual development
- Hair
- Skin
- Mucous membranes
Vitamin A food sources
Butter, Dark green fruits and veggies, Eggs, Fatty fish, Milk, Liver, Yellow fruits and veggies
B Complex importance for mother?
- Lactation
- Metabolism of fats and sugars
Vitamin B Complex importance for baby?
- Nerve function
- Heart development
- Cleft palate development
B Complex food sources
Whole grains
Nuts
Seeds
Leafy vegetables
Vitamin C importance mother?
- Connective tissue
- Helps protect against viruses for mom and baby
- Absorption of iron
- Promotes healing after delivery
Vitamin C importance baby
- Carries oxygen to every cell
- Strong immune system for baby
- Teeth
- Blood vessels
Vitamin C good food sources
Melon, citrus fruits, black currents, strawberries, carrots, peas, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, green peppers
Vitamin D importance for mother
- Teeth
- Absorption of calcium and phosphorus
Vitamin D importance for baby
- Helps bones to harden
- Skull development
Vitamin D sources
Sunlight on skin
Fatty fish, free range eggs, organic meats
Vitamin E importance for mother
- Wound healing after birth
- Protects against anemia
- Protects against stretch marks
- Helps with varicose veins
Vitamin E baby
- Protects against jaundice
- Formation of blood cells
- Heart development
Vitamin E food sources
Wheat germ, avocado, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs
EFA’s importance for mother
- Absorption of vitamins
- Healthy skin
EFA’s importance for baby
- Required for growth
- Kidney and brain development
- Sex and adrenal hormones
EFA food sources
Fatty fish, nuts, green leafy vegetables, avocados, hemp seed oil, flax seed oil
Folic Acid importance for mother?
- RBC’s
- Bone marrow
- Making anti-bodies
Folic acid importance baby?
- Healthy bone marrow
- Helps with spinal development
- Division of cells
Folic acid food sources
Wheat germ, nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, milk
Vitamin K importance mother?
- Blood clotting
Vitamin K importance baby
- Protects against hemorrhage
Vitamin K food sources
Cauliflower, green leafy vegetables, eggs
Essential Minerals for Pregnancy
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Calcium importance for mother
- Healthy bones and teeth
- Clotting mechanism
- Nerves and muscles
Calcium importance baby
- Formation of healthy bones and teeth
Calcium food sources
Carob, Brazil nuts, green vegetables, cheese, milk, shellfish
Chromium importance for mother
- Regulation of blood sugar
Chromium importance for baby
Regulation of blood sugar
Chromium food sources
Wheat germ
Honey
Grapes
Raisins
Copper importance for mother
- Strong bones
- Nervous system
- Iron absorption
Copper importance for baby
- Aids development of brain
- Connective tissue
- Nerves
Copper food sources
Meats
Legumes
Dates, nuts, raisins
Seafood
Iron importance for mother
- RBC’s
- Respiratory function
- Protects against fatigue
Iron importance for baby
- Blood cells
- Bone growth
Iron food sources
Almonds
Apricots
Eggs
Green leafy veggies
Meat
Parsley
Magnesium importance for mother
- Energy
- Muscles
- Labour contractions
Magnesium importance for baby
- Nervous system development
- Skeletal development
- Heart development
Magnesium food sources
Brazil nuts
Cashews
Chocolate
Green leafy vegetables
Whole grains
Seafood
Potassium importance for mother
- Fluid balance in body
- Regulation of acidity
Potassium importance for baby
- Fluid balance in the body
- Regulation of acidity
Potassium food sources
Banana
Coconut water
Dried fruits
Lean meats
Sunflower seeds
Vegetables
