Phlegm & Qi Stagnation

[Guest guest]

>Here's a little something on headaches:

>http://Acupuncture.com/Clinical/Head.htm

>--

>Al Stone L.Ac.

><AlStone

>http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

I want to elaborate on a couple of sentences in this article.

 

" ... Phlegm can prevent Qi from descedning and pure Yang from ascending

freely to the head. "

 

On the reason for using acupoint Ren 6, aka Sea of Qi, aka Conception Vessel

6, for treating headaches due to Phlegm: " If yu want to eliminate Phlegm,

you must regulate Qi. "

 

Phlegm is Dampness that has stayed around too long and congeled.

 

There is a relation between Qi Stagnation and Phlegm. Qi Stagnation can

cause Phlegm, and Phlegm can block the flow of Qi. This is a snowballing

relationship.

 

There are several things which can trigger the formation of Phlegm. If the

Spleen is weak, Dampness can accumulate. If Evil Heat and/or Dryness are

present, these can cause Dampness (even normal Dampness) to congel into

Phlegm. Cold can turn Dampness into Phlegm - just as cold can freeze water.

Wind can trigger the formation of Phlegm. Etc.

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strateges, compiled and translated by Dan

Bensky & Randall Barolet, has the following to say about Phlegm in the

chapter on " Formulas that Treat Phlegm " :

 

" Although there may be other contributing factor, the basis of all phlegm is

the disruption of the transformative and transportive function of the

Spleen, and of the Kidney yang which supports them. For this reason, herbs

that strengthen the Spleen are included in almost all tof these formulas.

Similarly, impediment to the flow of qi is both a cause and an effect of

phlegm; the smooth flow of qi dissipates phlegm. These principles were

concisely summarized by the Ming-dynasty author, Wang Ken-Tang, in Standards

of Patterns and Treatments: 'Those who are best at treating phlegm treat the

qi instead of (directly treating) phlegm. When the qi flows smoothly, all

the body's fluids will then flow smoothly.' Accordingly, herbs that

regulate the qi are also included in these formulas. " (pp. 431-432)

 

Remember that one of the functions of Qi is to " transform and transport " .

This includes fluids as well as food. If the Qi and/or the Spleen (which is

the main Organ connected with the production of Qi) are weak, fluids don't

get properly transformed and transported, and Dampness accumulates. The

Dampness congels into Phlegm when it sticks around too long.

 

Spleen Deficiency is the number one Root of Phlegm. However, Lung and Kidney

Deficiency also can trigger Phlegm. " If the Lungs fail to disperse and

lower fluids and if the Kidneys fail to transform and excrete fluids, these

may accumulate into Phlegm. However, the Spleen is always the primary

factor in the formation of Spleen. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Foundations of

, p. 195.)

 

According to C.S. Cheung, MD. L.Ac., in Comprehensive Management Phlegm

Fluid (Tan Yin), the Liver, Heart, and Triple Heater also can participate in

the production of Phlegm. (p. 3) " Triple Warmer is responsible for

maintaining the patency of Water Channels. " " Abnormal Qi activation (Qi

Hua) of Triple Warmer or blaockage of Qi vessels may interfere with normal

circulation and transformation of Fluid: producing Phlegm. " (p. 7)

 

Some authorities believe that any Organ can produce Phlegm, but the Spleen

is the main culprit.

 

The Organ which Phlegm has the most affinity for are the Lungs. However,

Phlegm can collect anywhere in the body. It can cause problems in any Organ

- like stones in the Gall Bladder or Kidneys. It can block the Heart

orifices, and in doing so, " mist the mind " , giving rise to some mental

illnesses . It can appear in and under the skin in the form of lumps. (Not

all lumps and tumors are due to Phlegm.) It can be the cause of swelling of

the thyroid as well as some fibroids and lipomas. It can block channels,

causing numbness. (Not the only possible cause of numbness.) It can deform

joints (like in chronic rheumatoid arthitis. (Maciocia, Foundations, p. 196)

Phelgm can show up about anywhere in the body, but it's especially prone

to show up in the Lungs. " Phlegm can the the cause of hundred diseases.

Evil Spirit of hundred ailments is the Phlegm. " (Cheung, Phlegm Fluid Evil,

p. 1.) In other words, Phlegm is very versatile in the problems it can

cause.

 

Suspect Phlegm in conditions which are " bizarre " and hard to treat. Phlegm

can figure into some very complex clinical pictures. It can take a long

time to resolve Phlegm problems once they get established, and especially

after they've been around for a while.

 

The main points to remember is that Qi Stagnation is one of the things which

can produce Phlegm, and Phlegm can cause Qi Stagnation. The Spleen is the

main culprit involved in the production of Phlegm, but the Lungs and Kidneys

also frequently are culprits. Phlegm has a particular affinity for

collecting in the Lungs, but it can show up anywhere in the body, including

channels. Phlegm can create a lot of different problems throughout the

body. Suspect Phlegm if the condition is bizarre, unusually complex, and/or

doesn't respond very well to treatment.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

 

 

 

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