Linnie O'Flanagan, L.Ac.
Clinic Location: 16897 Placer Hills Rd. Meadow Vista, CA 95722 (530) 878-4828 |
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Yin - Yang Theory
Chinese Medicine is based on natural
balance, with the balance of qi
(pronounced chee) in the body being key
to good health. The term balance does
not refer to a static state, but rather a
harmonious rhythm between two states
of being, like a cool breeze in harmony
with a warm day. The most basic way
that Chinese Medicine looks at balance
is through the yin-yang theory. Over 5000
years old, it could be called the original
‘relativity theory’.
Yin and yang are opposite qualities
that exist in relationship to each other.
Yin qualities include: cold, dark, damp,
quiet, slow, still, downward, inward,
heavy, retraction, degeneration,
regression, and introversion. Yang
qualities include: hot, bright, dry, loud,
fast, movement, upward, outward,
lightweight, expansion, growth,
progression, and extroversion.
Yin and yang are interdependent,
never exist in isolation, and are always
relative. This means that something can
only be described in relationship to
something else. For instance, how do
you identify or describe a particular
tangerine? You might describe it as
large or small, juicy or dry, or dark or light
Chinese Medicine is based on natural
balance, with the balance of qi
(pronounced chee) in the body being key
to good health. The term balance does
not refer to a static state, but rather a
harmonious rhythm between two states
of being, like a cool breeze in harmony
with a warm day. The most basic way
that Chinese Medicine looks at balance
is through the yin-yang theory. Over 5000
years old, it could be called the original
‘relativity theory’.
Yin and yang are opposite qualities
that exist in relationship to each other.
Yin qualities include: cold, dark, damp,
quiet, slow, still, downward, inward,
heavy, retraction, degeneration,
regression, and introversion. Yang
qualities include: hot, bright, dry, loud,
fast, movement, upward, outward,
lightweight, expansion, growth,
progression, and extroversion.
Yin and yang are interdependent,
never exist in isolation, and are always
relative. This means that something can
only be described in relationship to
something else. For instance, how do
you identify or describe a particular
tangerine? You might describe it as
large or small, juicy or dry, or dark or light
is rising yang. Summers here in
California are relatively hot and dry,
representing greater yang. After the Fall
equinox, nights are longer than days,
weather starts cooling, and leaves start
dying, representing rising yin. The
progressively cooler, wetter weather and
longer nights brings us back to the
greater yin season of Winter.
A licensed acupuncturist uses yin-yang
theory as the basic premise for
diagnosing and treating patients.
Acupuncture points and needling
techniques are chosen to restore yin-
yang balance, and herbal combinations
are designed keeping in mind the
individual’s present state of yin and yang.
For instance, a person with acute
sinusitis accompanied by a fever would
need herbs to clear the sinuses and
resolve phlegm. Herbs with these
actions tends to be yang in nature. Since
the patient already shows the yang state
of a fever, the sinus clearing herbs
should be balanced with cold (yin) herbs
appropriate for the illness. This attention
to natural balance is one of the major
differences between Western and
Eastern approaches to medicine.
California are relatively hot and dry,
representing greater yang. After the Fall
equinox, nights are longer than days,
weather starts cooling, and leaves start
dying, representing rising yin. The
progressively cooler, wetter weather and
longer nights brings us back to the
greater yin season of Winter.
A licensed acupuncturist uses yin-yang
theory as the basic premise for
diagnosing and treating patients.
Acupuncture points and needling
techniques are chosen to restore yin-
yang balance, and herbal combinations
are designed keeping in mind the
individual’s present state of yin and yang.
For instance, a person with acute
sinusitis accompanied by a fever would
need herbs to clear the sinuses and
resolve phlegm. Herbs with these
actions tends to be yang in nature. Since
the patient already shows the yang state
of a fever, the sinus clearing herbs
should be balanced with cold (yin) herbs
appropriate for the illness. This attention
to natural balance is one of the major
differences between Western and
Eastern approaches to medicine.
other tangerines, you would be closer to
providing an adequate description. Even
the largest tangerine is described in
relationship to others, in this case, all
others.
Because the concept is so basic, the
terms yin and yang can be used to
describe every phenomenon, from the
cosmos to nano-particles. And
everything contains both yin and yang
aspects. Even the largest tangerine
contains some amount of smallness,
which keeps it contained, otherwise it
would be infinitely large and no longer a
tangerine.
Yin and yang are in a constant state of
change. The lessening of yin leads to an
increase in yang, and vise-versa. This
concept describes the rhythms of nature,
such as day and night, birth and death,
and the changing seasons. For instance,
as we say goodbye to the dark, cold,
(usually) wet, greater yin season of
Winter, and move into Spring, there is
fresh yang energy from longer, warmer
days, and bursting forth of new growth
upward and outward. You can feel the
providing an adequate description. Even
the largest tangerine is described in
relationship to others, in this case, all
others.
Because the concept is so basic, the
terms yin and yang can be used to
describe every phenomenon, from the
cosmos to nano-particles. And
everything contains both yin and yang
aspects. Even the largest tangerine
contains some amount of smallness,
which keeps it contained, otherwise it
would be infinitely large and no longer a
tangerine.
Yin and yang are in a constant state of
change. The lessening of yin leads to an
increase in yang, and vise-versa. This
concept describes the rhythms of nature,
such as day and night, birth and death,
and the changing seasons. For instance,
as we say goodbye to the dark, cold,
(usually) wet, greater yin season of
Winter, and move into Spring, there is
fresh yang energy from longer, warmer
days, and bursting forth of new growth
upward and outward. You can feel the