The 7 Emotions
In traditional Chinese medicine, imbalances in the body are believed to stem from emotional irregularities. While emotions are considered a natural aspect of the human experience, their suppression or prolonged presence is viewed as a potential source of pathology. When emotions become compromised, they can disrupt the flow of qi within the body, adversely affecting the vitality of internal organs.
The system identifies seven emotions, collectively known as "qi qing," each associated with a specific organ:
Joy: In Chinese medicine, joy is linked to the heart, serving as the emotional center housing the spiritual and emotional aspect known as "shen." Balanced joy nourishes the heart, while imbalances may manifest as excess (overexcitement or restlessness) or deficiency (flatness or depression), often leading to sleep disturbances.
Anger: Anger is paired with the Liver in traditional Chinese medicine. Excessive or repressed anger can hinder liver function, resulting in frustration, aggression, and resentment. Ascending Liver qi may lead to symptoms like headaches, irritability, red eyes, and dizziness.
Sadness: From a Chinese medicine standpoint, sadness influences lung function. Prolonged or unresolved melancholy impairs lung function, causing chest oppression and depression. The lungs' primary role in dispersing and descending qi is disrupted.
Grief: Grief is also associated with the lungs in TCM. It depletes qi, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, lethargy, depression, and exhaustion.
Worry: Pensiveness or excessive worry affects the spleen in TCM. As the spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting nutrients, excessive worry can strain its digestive functions, resulting in issues like constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal distension.
Fear: Fear is linked to kidney health. Normal kidney qi flows upward, but fear can cause it to descend, leading to weakness in the legs, incontinence, and increased urination.
Shock: Shock primarily impacts the heart and kidneys. It scatters qi, potentially causing heart palpitations, confusion, and poor memory.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine are wonderful at balancing our emotional body. Often times I see people with physical ailments that they don’t associate with a particular emotion because it is buried so deep. By using Traditional Chinese Medicine we uncover the depths so that you can process these things better and let them flow through instead of get stuck and repressed. Book your free 15 minute consult to learn how this medicine can best support you and your health.
