upping astounds some Western people. When they see the big round red “hickeys” on people or when they see it being done, they wonder what is going on? The interesting technique is akin to the other traditional medical techniques in that the practitioner is attempting to manipulate the various qi, Yin and Yang, or body fluids to influence health.
Does it work? The verdict on this is yet out: Western doctors generally don’t recognize cupping as beneficial compared to Western medicine. Here’s information on cupping’s history, methods, and general acceptance in modern times.
The History of Chinese Cupping
Could It Have Originated in the West?
People practiced fire cupping in Europe, Asia and Africa for thousands of years. It isn’t clearly a Chinese invention. The Ebers Papyrus that is one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world describes that in 1550 B.C. the Egyptians used cupping. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates (~400 BC) prescribed cupping for diseases. This method in multiple forms spread throughout Asian and European societies.
In more recent times, it was even popular in the 1700s in Western Europe, and it is still done following the traditional European style in some Eastern European countries. It was also recommended by Mohamed. In Islamic countries, cupping is often associated with blood-letting to draw blood out. It is a common treatment in the Islamic world.
Western cupping is different than Chinese cupping, and it isn’t clear that it was a method adopted from abroad. Instead of putting fire inside the cup, in the West people may heat the cup with a flame or warm object held outside the cup. However, the effect is the same in that the blood and skin are pulled up. Western cupping doesn’t use the Chinese system of acupuncture points.
When Did It Appear in the East?
Archaeologists have found jars that might have been used for fire cupping about 1000 BC that is the time of the end of the Shang Dynastyera (1600? -1046? BC) and the beginning of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) era.
However, the first written text describing cupping as a medical procedure is thought to be a text that was written after the Han Dynastyera (206 BC-220 AD) by Ge Hong called A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies. The book text dates to about 300 AD, and this is much later than the earliest Western texts. Since written treatises about cupping predate Chinese records, maybe people adopted the technique from the West.
The Chinese Cupping Method
In China, cupping is used for high Yang issues such as bronchitis, coughs and colds. The Chinese think that these symptoms mean that there is too much Yang in the body. Through the fire cupping treatment or modern methods of applying suction to the skin such as by using suction pumps, they generally believe that some of the Yang factor can be removed so that the Yin and Yang balance can be restored.
However, there isn’t total agreement as to why the procedure should work. There are differing theories about qi and how it functions. A more modern idea about Chinese cupping is that it removes pathogens or toxins that tend to accumulate just under or on the skin.
Cupping isn’t meant for pregnant women, people with heart disease, and other conditions. In such cases, practitioners might perform moxibustion or acupuncture instead.
To Remove the Yang
Unlike moxibustion that increases the Yang, cupping removes the Yang. Like moxibustion, cupping can be performed along with acupuncture. Both needles and cupping tend to remove the Yang.
First, oil is applied to the skin, usually on the back, to help maintain the suction and to allow the cups to be slid around on the back snugly. The practitioner heats the air inside the cup or uses mechanical suction. He puts the cup on specific acupuncture meridians or at other spots on the body. Sometimes, incisions are made to draw out blood.
If acupuncture needles are used in conjunction with the cups, the needle may be applied at the acupuncture point, and the suction cup may be placed over it to enhance the effect.
Nowadays, modern machine suction pumps are commonly used instead of fire to create the suction effect. Generally, there is no discomfort since the suction isn’t very strong, but it does draw the blood to the surface leaving a mark like a bruise mark or hickey. The mark generally disappears within a few days.
The Acceptance of Cupping Today
Various methods of cupping are still practiced around the world as was described above. Cupping has a several thousand year old history. The Islamic world has a strong tradition of cupping since they think that Mohamed recommended the treatment. They have their own strong tradition and don’t utilize Chinese cupping techniques.
Chinese fire cupping is a traditional technique that is now not commonly used in China. The cupping technique utilizing the traditional acupuncture meridians has been introduced in the West, but Chinese cupping is still a rare procedure.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
Chinese face reading is a fascinating practice that you can apply today to discover health issues. It’s quite simple to read your face for clues about your health. Find out how it’s done!
Chinese Face Reading for Health Diagnosis
Have you ever heard about face reading? Chinese healers have done face readings for thousands of years to diagnose diseases. Due to its accuracy as well as simplicity, it is still a common practice in the modern Chinese medicine. Face reading is not complicated at all. In fact, it is something that you can easily do for yourself to detect ailments to reveal clues about your health. So what is Chinese facial reading all about?
How Chinese Face Reading Works
The Chinese art of face reading is an ancient way of detecting ailments. Face reading in Chinese Medicine is called – or Siang Mien (Siang=reading) (Mien=face). According to the Chinese facial diagnosis, the body is like a hologram and the location of a wrinkle, scar, spot, blemish etc. corresponds to an energy meridian that in turn connects to an internal organ. The Chinese healers have also discovered that the facial skin is giving signs of internal changes much faster than any other part of the body, due to the skin’s sensitivity!
Chinese Face Reading – Health Analysis
A health condition of the internal organs is very often reflected externally on the skin of the body (including the face). This means that the wrinkles and spots on your face do not appear at random. Let us give you two examples.
If you suffer from dark circles or puffiness around the eyes, then it can be a sign of problem with your kidney and/or liver energy. You see, the area around your eyes is connected with your kidney and liver meridians, according to Chinese medicine face reading. To get to the root cause with this problem, it can therefore be a good idea to check with a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctor for a balancing treatment to improve your energy of the meridians/organs. Relaxing more and go to bed early, are other important ways to nurture your energy.
Another example on how Chinese face reading can give you clues about your health, is by studying your forehead. The forehead can reveal signs of many ailments within your body. According to Chinese face diagnosis, the forehead reflects in particular the nervous system and the small intestines. So, if your forehead is clear and free from lines/spots/skin rash/color change etc., then that is an indication of a good physical and mental health. If your body on the other hand is under a lot of stress, then it is very likely that your nervous system and your small intestines will suffer, and your forehead will thus show skin problems on that area. However, stress can affect other organs in your body as well and with a Chinese face reading you will get clues on the best treatment program for you. Isn’t that great!?
If you are eager to do a Chinese face reading health analysis for yourself, then the easiest way to get started is to use a Chinese face reading chart, see below.
Chinese Facial Reading CHART
If you want to understand the root cause for your facial skin problem, then do a simple face reading. Chinese medicine healers often apply this technique to find clues about health issues. Now it’s your turn to learn about face reading for health diagnosis. The face diagnosis chart below will give you a quick overview on what’s going on inside your body.
Chinese Face Reading for Health Diagnosis
Chinese Face Reading for ACNE
Have you ever wondered why you always seem to get spots on the same are of your face? Well, there’s a reason for that. Let’s find out the root cause for your skin outbreaks with a simple face reading. Chinese medicine healers often apply this technique to find clues about health issues. It’s easy to learn, and you can start today!
If you have any spots or blemish on your face, then a Chinese acne face reading can be of assistance since it can help you finding the root cause of the problem with your pimples. Chinese face reading will lead you to the organs responsible for the breakouts. Use the Chinese facial reading chart above to see which organ/s that may need detoxing or balancing of the energies of the meridians.
Below are some suggestions that may be of assistance in helping your face to heal from spots, acne, blemish, color changes etc. Always check with your doctor before undergoing any treatment.
Chinese Face Reading
Face / Body Area
Organs Affected
Helpful Herbs
Forehead (Center)
Crease at base of Nostrils
Sides of the Chin
Lower Lip
Back
Intestines
For occasional constipation: Barley, Cascara Sagrada, Fenugreek, Flaxseed, Psyllium.
For diarrhea: Geranium Oil, Glutamine, Golden Seal, Oak Bark, Oregon Grape Root, Probiotics.
For candida overgrowth: Black Walnut, Coconut Oil, Enchinacea, Garlic, Neem, Oregano Oil, Olive Leaf Extract, Pau D’Arco, Probiotics
Upper Cheek
Upper Lip
Stomach
Chamomile, Digestive Enzymes, Ginger, Peppermint, Proactazyme, Probiotics, Slippery Elm
Temples
Area between the Eyes
Liver
Indication of: Over consumption of Alcohol, Rich Foods, or Food Allergy
Herbs for liver cleansing: Burdock, Dandelion Root, Milk Thistle, Nettle
In the picture below you will see a Chinese face map. It shows the different parts of the face and their corresponding internal organ. The Chinese believe that you can tell a lot about the health of your body simply by looking at your face.
What does your face say about the health of your body?
A similar reading can also be done with the ear, as shown in the picture below of a Chinese ear chart which also depicts the ear reflexology points.
Ear Acupuncture Chart
Readings can also be obtained with the hand, as shown in the picture below of a Chinese hand map.
Hand Reflexology Chart
And finally, with the feet, as shown in the picture below of a Chinese reflexology foot chart.
Feet Reflexology Chart
When you look at the arrangements of the organs in the charts, it’s almost like you have a mini version of your body in your ears, hands and feet. Just like how you do on the face.
Perhaps by stimulating these areas, such as through massage or with acupuncture needles, you may also be stimulating regions in the brain that correspond to a given organ.
This might be why people can often obtain therapeutic effects from massage, reflexology and acupuncture, because those practices may be stimulating organs which then produces some kind of beneficial effect.
Brain Homunculi
Even parts of the brain can be mapped like a mini body.
Interestingly, regions in the brain can also be mapped like a miniature body. As shown in the picture above, for example, both the motor and sensory homunculi have areas that correspond to specific body parts.
So if parts of the brain can be mapped like a miniature body, then perhaps the same can also apply to the ears, face, hands and feet. Just like what the ancient Chinese believed thousands of years ago.
Interpretation of the Chinese Face Map
With a Chinese face map the colors that appear on the face can be read and interpreted:
Blue
Blue on the face can indicate problems relating to the kidneys or adrenal glands.
A shade of dark blue that appears underneath the eyes, where people tend to get eye bags, relates to overwork and imbalance of the kidneys and adrenals.
This could be caused by not drinking enough water, or by constantly feeling stressed and being unable to relax or sleep properly.
Yellow
Yellow can indicate problems with the digestive or circulatory system.
A yellowish coloration to the skin can indicate a weak digestive system and poor blood circulation, possibly as a result of eating an unhealthy diet, not exercising, and/or smoking.
Red
Red means that your body doesn’t agree with what you’ve eaten.
A lined, puffy or red forehead, could mean that you’re eating too much rich, oily food such as processed meat, takeaways, fried food, cream, and butter, which affect the gallbladder.
A puffy face is what the Chinese say results from “damp”. It’s caused by allergic reactions to food which then affect the stomach and spleen leading to improper food digestion and inflammation in the body.
Lines & Wrinkles
Wrinkles aren’t always a sign of old age.
Interestingly, the Chinese believe that fine lines and wrinkles on the face are not necessarily a sign or consequence of aging, as they may be caused by an underlying problem in the body such as a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Spots
Persistent spots in the same parts of the face are often a sign of problems within.
In younger adults, spots, pimples or zits that always appear in the same region of the face, such as on the chin, could indicate an underlying problem relating to the colon or kidneys.
Spots in older adults, such as adult onset acne, are usually caused by hormonal changes due to stress, drugs, or pregnancy.
If you are experiencing problems with a particular region of your face, have a look at the table listed shortly below to see what facial region corresponds to what internal organ.
You can then read the description of that internal organ to find out what may be causing your problem.
The Chinese believe that your face can reveal what’s going on inside your body.
However, it’s important to note that problems on the skin may also be caused by external factors, rather than just solely being due to an issue with one of your organs. Touching your face with dirty hands, for example, can transfer bacteria to the face and cause breakouts of spots and pimples.
Furthermore, some people are allergic to the ingredients in their skin care products, which can result in inflammation or reddening of the skin. So it’s important to rule out all possibilities before making a firm decision about what the cause of your problem may be.
Video: Girl Talking About Chinese Face Mapping
The table below will allow you to interpret your own facial readings. On the left is the facial region, and on the right is the corresponding organ(s).
The skin is a very sensitive part of the body.
Forehead
Gallbladder / bladder
Middle lower forehead
Stomach / liver / gallbladder
Eyebrows
Kidneys / liver
Underneath eyes
Stomach / kidneys / liver
Bridge of nose / Upper cheeks
Heart
Middle cheeks
Colon
Lower cheeks
Stomach / lungs
Lips
Stomach / intestines
Jaw line
Stomach / colon
Chin
Kidney
Kidneys
The kidney can be found underneath the eyes, along the eyebrows, on the ears, and on the chin in the Chinese face map. Problems relating to the kidneys usually appear as a blue coloration to the skin and/or skin that appears puffy.
Kidney problems show up as the color blue.
Such symptoms may be caused by too much stress, not get enough sleep, drinking too much caffeine, or eating too many refined or processed foods.
A red coloration to your ears indicates overactive adrenal glands, possibly as a result of overworking yourself or being stressed too often.
Liver
On the Chinese face map the liver can be found underneath your eyes, along your eyebrows, in the center of your forehead along your T-zone, and just above each side of your upper lip.
Liver problems show up as dark patches.
Problems relating to the liver typically show up as a dark brown coloration to the skin, or breakouts of spots and pimples.
Such symptoms may indicate that your liver is becoming overly stressed, possibly as a result of built up anger or frustration that you’re keeping inside of you.
It may also be caused by the consumption of too many fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, or dairy products such as milk and cheese, which you are intolerant to.
Stomach, intestines & colon
The stomach and colon can be found underneath the lower eyelid, in the center of the forehead, and along the sides of the face. The stomach is also found on the upper lip, and the intestines along the lower lip.
Problems relating to these organs can show up as a variety of different colors and effects on the skin.
Problems relating to the digestive system can show up as white, red, green or yellow.
For example, white spots, blotchy patches, or a red chin, can indicate that you are consuming too much sugar in your diet which is causing an overgrowth of yeast in your colon.
Yeast infections, such as candida, can occur as a result of eating too much sugar. These symptoms may also be caused by eating too many mucus forming foods such as dairy products.
A yellowish color around the mouth may indicate that you’re having trouble digesting your food, possibly because the foods you are eating contain very few live enzymes which would normally help to digest that food.
On the other hand, a greenish color around the mouth may indicate that your liver is struggling with the foods you’re eating, possibly because you are eating unhealthy fats which the body finds difficult to process.
Cracked or sore looking lips may indicate excess stomach acidity as a result of drinking acidic beverages like Coca-Cola.
Lungs
The lungs can be found to the sides of the nostrils above the lips and extending out onto the cheeks in the Chinese face map.
The color red can signal lung problems.
Problems relating to the lungs appear as a red coloration to the skin, puffiness, and breakouts of spots or pimples around the nostrils and cheek area.
This may be caused by smoking, consuming too many mucus forming dairy products, living in a polluted environment, or a respiratory infection which is causing congestion of the lungs.
Gallbladder
On the Chinese face map the gallbladder can be found in the corners of the forehead and just above the middle of your eyebrows.
Spots are often a sign of gallbladder problems.
Problems relating to the gallbladder can show up as spots on the skin, or as a red discoloration of the skin.
This is usually caused by eating too many fatty meals that contain bad fats along with too much alcohol. If you have problems with your gall bladder, you will probably also have problems with your liver.
Heart
The heart can be found along the bridge of the nose and extending out from the nose running parallel underneath the eyes.
Persistent redness on the nose or cheeks can signal heart or circulation problems.
Problems relating to the heart or circulatory system can show up as persistent redness, similar to rosacea, on the upper bridge of the nose and on the cheeks.
This may be caused by a lack of exercise, smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, allergies to skin care products, or eating foods which are causing an allergic response within the body.
Teeth
White spots on the teeth can indicate toxic levels of fluoride in the body. This can occur as a result of the teeth being treated with fluoride by a dentist, or as a result of drinking fluoridated water.
Dental fluorosis caused by too much fluoride exposure.
Fluoride is an extremely toxic substance. It’s more toxic than lead, and just a little less toxic than arsenic. High levels of fluoride exposure have been linked to a reduction in intelligence, typically lowering one’s IQ score by around 6-7 points.
Fluoride accumulates within the body with each subsequent exposure due to its half-life of 20 years. This means that the symptoms caused by the toxic effects of fluoride will gradually get worse and more noticeable with age.
Note: High doses of iodine may be helpful in detoxing fluoride from the body.
Pictures
Circulatory problem. Liver problem. Too much sugar in diet (yeast infection). Overactive adrenal glands.
Further Reading
Original article and pictures take www.eruptingmind.com site
Chinese Body Clock Shows When Each Organ Is At Its Peak Energy
Ever wonder why you keep waking up at 3am, or feel like taking a nap in the afternoon?
Perhaps this Chinese Body Clock can give you some answers. It is based on Chinese medicine and the body organ Qi (energy) cycle.
It is based on the idea that there is a cyclical flow of energy through the human body and our Qi moves in two hour intervals through the various organ systems.
Original article and pictures take www.corespirit.com site
