The Importance of Hydration in enabling the Body to respond to the Seasons…

This Article, written by Lela, was first published in Biophile magazine, please go to www.biophile.co.za for more information.

A well hydrated body is able to respond to internal and external signals of change in its health picture with ease and to the best of its abilities, thus furthering the beings development and creating optimum health. On the other hand, a dehydrated or underhydrated body is not able to respond as efficiently or speedily to these signals. De-hydration causes cells to coat themselves with cholesterol in order to preserve their internal environment, thereby making cellular communication more difficult. The cells are not able to function to full capacity as the more de-hydrated a body becomes, the more ’cut-off’ the cells become and the increased mucus load leads to a stagnation in the movement of fluids. The body only functions with what is available to it and thus dehydration causes more and more cells to become ‘cut-off’ so the body will be functioning more and more below par. The seasons play an important role in our health picture…

During Winter the energies of the body are more restful, less movement takes place naturally and body fluids thicken. The body’s ability to respond to natural energies (eg moon phases) is lessened. As the body’s fluid picture is quite stagnant at this time it does not detoxify as much as during the rest of the year and thus it is particularly important to avoid challenging foods and to keep the body well-hydrated so as to not compromise further its already reduced ability to rid itself of toxic build-up. If well hydrated at this time the body is less likely to need an acute episode(where body temperature is increased and mucus discharged) in order to rid itself of some of the toxic load. In traditional Chinese medicine the season of Winter is governed by the Water Element and this governs the kidneys and bladder, thus proper hydration is particularly important in order to avoid undue stress on these organs. Stress on the kidneys and bladder(caused by dehydration) can increase the emotion of fear, proper hydration can help the being to cope with or prevent excess of this emotion.

Spring is born from Winter, it is a time of movement and new beginnings. This season is related to the Wood Element and this governs the liver and gall-bladder. During Spring the mucus deposits start thinning and more movement is created. A well hydrated body will be more able to create this necessary movement. However, resistance can be encountered in the movement of energy and mucus deposits and this may manifest in skin eruptions(eg boils and pimples) and blocked sinuses(Spring cold anyone?). Proper hydration helps to combat or prevent this resistance and also helps to prevent and combat any acidity caused by the movement of mucus(which can cause eg. gall-stones and stiff and aching joints). Anger may manifest excessively at this time, this too can be made less by proper hydration. The liver and gall-bladder can be placed under stress particularly in Spring if hydration is insufficient. Spring is the season of flexibility/inflexibility and a well-hydrated body is much more able to create a flexible health picture.

Early Summer 

Leaving Spring behind one moves into Early Summer which is associated with the Fire Element and the Heart and Small Intestine. Good hydration will help prevent undue stress on these organs. During this season of rapid growth and expansion in nature one also finds a lot of movement in the body, especially of the blood and lymph. In order to facilitate this movement with ease proper hydration is essential as without it the body is not able to maintain the mobile state which is its natural tendency at this time of year. Impaired cleansing and clearing(insufficient hydration) can show in eg. skin problems. When the body is well-hydrated its ability to create movement on all levels and thus cope better with the growth and change this Season brings about, is greatly enhanced, cells are allowed to communicate more fully and fluids to flow more freely. In the Chinese system of healing there are 5 seasons as opposed to the Western four and thus Late Summer follows Early Summer..

Late Summer is related to the Earth Element and is the time of the year when the growth cycle is coming to an end and the bodies energies are slowly closing down as the Autumn Equinox approaches. During this time the body seeks to rid itself of any toxicity which has been expelled from the cells and in order to do so successfully proper hydration is essential. The mineral status in the body is also important at this time as the body needs to be in harmony with the mineral status of the Earth in order to be properly earthed or grounded and centered itself. This opens the way for toxicity to leave the body. In a dehydrated body, mineral absorption would be below par and calcium displacement would be more severe causing undue stresses. The spleen and stomach are the organs governed by the Earth Element and providing the body with a proper hydration message will help ensure that these organs play their roles efficiently especially as they are very much involved with digestion(stomach), distribution and purification(spleen-blood).

Autumn 

After Late Summer comes Autumn, the final build-up and preparation for the quiet period of Winter. At the Autumn Equinox the body might have acute episodes( eg. colds, infections etc.) in order to help shift the toxic load and improve the overall health picture. Good hydration greatly helps this process. During Autumn the fluid picture is contracting and there are toxins in the system after the Autumn Equinox and in order for these to be eliminated efficiently good hydration is essential otherwise more acute clearings may become necessary. These will only be achieved with ease if there is a good hydration picture. The Metal Element governs Autumn which means there is particular emphasis on mental energies as this Element is associated with the mind, lungs, colon and skin. The change in mental energies will coincide with the thickening of body fluids and the cells becoming more ‘cut-off’. Lack of proper hydration at this stage can cause there to be even more stagnation than is natural during this time. Without proper hydration the emotion of grief may also become apparent excessively at this time.

How can Diet help? 

In order for the body to receive a good hydration message there are some steps that can be taken related to diet. Eating plenty of hydrating foods such as short grain brown rice and drinking enough clean water(at least 8-10 glasses a day) can help give the colon the message that the body is being adequately hydrated and that it is not necessary for the body to produce excess cholesterol and mucus to coat the cell membranes and so preserve the cells internal environment. The colon receiving a proper hydration message(with the help of bulkers like seeds and phsyllium husks) will also enable the body to let go much more easily and allow the elimination of toxins to take place more efficiently. Cutting down on de-hydrating foods such as pork and wheat will also help give a good hydration message. Plenty of good essential fatty acids can be obtained from oily fish (and linseeds daily for vegetarians) a few times a week. A well hydrated body will be able to respond to the natural energies which bring about cleansing in a progressive way throughout the year thus preventing acute episodes from becoming chronic and moving deeper till possibly even manifesting on a mental and emotional level.

When approached with a loving mindset and recognition of our environment our bodies are bound to try their best to respond with vibrant health throughout the year!

Lavender..

Article written by Joy.

Well known and a herbal delight, lavender plants find a space in almost every garden. Lavender was used extensively by the Romans and others as a perfume for their baths, explaining the meaning of the latin, ‘lavare’ – to wash. During festivals lavender was strewn on floors, it was also an ingredient of ‘Four Thieves’ vinegar in the Middle Ages and country folk used the herb for dressing wounds, pains in the head as perfume for clothes and linen.
Cultivation of lavender in England is mentioned as far back as 1568 and the Pilgrim Fathers took lavender plants to America.
Popular uses of lavender today include Essential oil, fresh flowers, potpourri and a variety of uses in the perfume and beauty industry.

Kinds of Lavender:

Originally from the Mediterannean countries, lavender is cultivated worldwide today. The Lavendula species are evergreen perennials and shrubs which need dry and well-drained soil in full sun. It is easily propagated through cuttings and the modern gardner has a wide choice in foliage and flower colour. The following are a few of the more distinctive Lavendula species:

Lavendula angustifolia: Also called English Lavender and is the crop most predominantly grown for the production of Essential oil. Flowers appear on long spikes in the Summer season.

Lavendula dentata: Also called French Lavender, the plants have a distinctive toothed leaf and short thick flower heads, which flower continously. French Lavender makes excellent cut flowers and is used extensively in potpourris and various fragrant bath and beauty products. The plant lends itself to be pruned into sphere shapes.

Lavendula stoechas: Also called Spanish Lavender, its distinctive dark purple flower head is topped by ‘rabbits ears’. The shrub is bushy and can grow between 30 and 90 cms high. The stoechas also have varieties with yellow, brown or white flowers.

Lavendula allardi: Also called Dutch or Hedge Lavender, the plant hardly ever flowers and has large fragrant leaves which may be smooth or toothed, used as greenery. It can grow to 1,5 metres high and is easily clipped into a hedge or topiary.

Lavender Essential oil:

Lavender Essential oil is extracted from the flowertops and leaves of Lavendula augustifolia, Lavendula lactifolia and Lavendula hybrida through the process of steam distillation. Essential oils are highly concentrated, chemically very complex and should be used with care. Essential oils dissolve easily in plant oils and in alcohol. The therapeutic properties of Lavender Essential oil(the main chemical constituents being esters and alcohols) has been extensively researched, starting with Gattefosse’s observation of the dramatic healing effect of the essential oil on burns and Dr Valnet’s use of Lavender oil for serious war injuries.
Lavender Essential oil has properties ranging from analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-septic, bacteriacidal and hypotensive to a sedative for the heart. It is also a cell regenerator and good for help against fungal infections. Lavender Essential oil has a calming effect on the nervous system, thus relieving anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Lavender Essential oil is typically used in the proportion of 2 drops per 5ml(1tsp) base oil, water or alcohol. Used in proper dilution, the oil is safe for babies, children and pets.
This versatile Essential oil is available from most Health shops and pharmacies in 10ml or 22ml bottles and is a valuable addition to any home First Aid box.

Stress, a six-letter word..

Article written by Joy.

Stress is something we are all much too familiar with in modern society and it can have longterm effects on our overall health..

Physiological effects of stress:
- increased heart rate, blood pressure.
- glycogen conversion to glucose, increased blood sugar levels.
- dilation of bronchioles.
- decreased digestive system activities.
- decreased urinary output.
- changes in blood flow patterns(more to brain, heart, skeletal muscles)
Prolonged stress leads to various ’stress related’ illnesses: high blood pressure, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, depression and some immune system diseases. Tiredness and no energy are the results when we can’t meet the body’s increased need for vitamins and minerals during stress.

Good stress?

Most of us need at least a certain amount of stress to keep us ‘feeling alive’, moving and ‘on-the-go’. When stressors keep us constantly in the ‘fight or flight’ response, disease is the result.

Stressors:

Identifying stressors allows us to put coping mechanisms in place. Take a few moments to consider the amount of stress in your life and the impact it has on your quality of life. Make a note of external stressors (sudden death of a friend, money problems, work or relationship problems, deadlines, accidents etc.) and internal stressors, mostly caused by the way you deal with situations eg. not planning or not leaving ample time, trying to do too much, not delegating, wanting to control everything etc.

Often we cannot change the external stressors, but self-empowerment and realistic perceptions are within everyone’s reach and enable us to cope with stress in a positive and life enhancing way.

The following are a few exercises which can aid in coping with stress:

Breathing:
Inner and outer connections:
Breathe deeply and slowly, imagine your breath coming through your heart, as you exhale direct your breath through your feet and into the ground. Inhale again, imagining your breath coming through your feet and exhale, sending the breath out through your heart and out into the world in all directions. Inhale through the heart and exhale, sending the breath out through the top of your head. Inhale through the head and out through the heart.
Repeat this sequence for as long as it takes you to become calm, centred and to feel connected and grounded.

Counting breath:
In a comfortable position, breathe deeply and slowly until you are ready to start counting. Inhale to the count of 4, hold the breath for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 6, hold for a count of 2 without breathing in. Repeat the combination of 4 in, hold for 4, out for 6, hold for 2 breaths until you feel calm and collected.

Massage:
Hand massage:
Start by making a fist and then opening the hand, really putting stretch into it. Bend back and stretch the four fingers on one hand. Repeat on the other hand. Massage the back of both hands with a pressure glide, as well as circular movements. Pinch firmly around the edge of the hands, including the fingers. Massage the palm of the hands with a circular motion as well as pressure glides from side to side. If you bend the fingers onto the palm, the ring finger will touch an acupressure point, which you should press firmly a few times. You can massage the wrists before ending off by washing your hands together and then shaking ‘dry’.

Visualization:
Using the brains creative ability to relax:
Find a quiet spot to sit comfortably. If possible close your eyes, imagine a relaxing landscape or cool environment eg. a garden or a cave, note the colours, scents and sounds that come to mind, spend as long as you like there and return to ‘daylight’ by taking a few deep breaths and slowly opening your eyes.
Visualizations using water are particularly relaxing, think about swimming in a secluded pool in a mountain, standing underneath a waterfall, swimming with dolphins, drinking from a clear mountain stream..

There are many ways to combat stress, taking regular physical exercise and following a healthy diet are effective tools for having less stress in ones life and practising yoga, tai-chi and/or meditation can also assist in making one more relaxed and focussed, thus less stressed and much more productive.

The Chinese Five Elements.

The Five Elements are as follows: Water, Wood, Earth, Metal and Fire. These are used in traditional Chinese medicine in order to help with diagnoses and plot the course of dis-ease. The following is a brief overview of the Elements, more detailed information can be found in various books, most of the information for this post was taken from, ‘ Traditional Acupuncture – The Law of the Five Elements” by Dianne M. Connelly. Ph. D.

Each Element relates to an emotion, colour, taste, smell, body organ etc. and knowing a bit about each of the Elements can help us to broaden our view of the dis-ease we are experiencing and perhaps through this finding a route to cure.

Fire Element:

Season – Summer

Organs – Heart (Protector 11:00 – 1:00), Small Intestine (Sorter 13:00 – 15:00), Circulation/Sex (19:00 -21:00), Triple Heater (21:00 – 23:00).

Emotion – Joy, Happiness

Sound – Laughing

Taste – Bitter

Smell – Scorched

Power – Capacity for Sadness and Grief

Parts of Body – Blood Vessels (Fluid secretion: perspiration)

Orifice -  Ears

Life Aspect – Spirit

External Manifestation – Complexion

Sense Organ – Tongue

Climate – Heat

Colour – Red

Grain – Glutinous Millet

Vegetable – Coarse Greens

Fruit – Plum

Meat – Mutton/ Lamb

Number – seven

Direction – South.

 

Earth Element:

 

Season – Late/High Summer

Organs – Stomach (7:00- 9:00 , storage of tastes ), Spleen (Distributor 9:00 – 11:00)

Emotion – Sympathy (Compassion, also relationship to Mother and Mother Earth)

Sound – Sing-song

Taste – Sweet

Smell – Fragrant (sickly sweet)

Power – Capacity for Belching (obstinancy)

Parts of Body – Mouth

Orifice -  Mouth

Life Aspect – Ideas and Opinions

External Manifestation – Flesh

Sense Organ – Fluid

Climate – Dampness and Humidity

Colour – Yellow

Grain – Millet

Vegetable – Scallions

Fruit – Apricot

Meat – Beef

Number - five

Direction – Center.

 

Metal Element:

 

Season – Autumn

Organs – Lungs (Jury, Recievers of Chi 3:00 – 5:00), Large Intestine (Garbage collector 5:00 – 7:00)

Emotion – Grief also Relationship with Father

Sound – Weeping

Taste – Pungent, Spicy

Smell – Rotten

Power – Capacity to Cough (expel unwanted things)

Parts of Body – Skin and Body hair

Orifice -  Nose

Life Aspect – Spiritual Resource, is Inferior, Animal Spirit

External Manifestation – Skin and Body hair

Secretion – Mucous

Climate – Dry

Colour – White

Grain – Rice

Vegetable – Onions

Fruit – Chestnut

Meat – Horse

Number - Nine

Direction – West

 

Water Element:

 

Season – Winter

Organs – Kidneys (stores Vital Essence 17:00 – 19:00), Bladder (Eliminates fluid waste 15:00 – 17:00)

Emotion – Fear

Sound – Groaning/humming

Taste – Salt

Smell – Putrid

Power – Capacity to create trembling (movement)

Parts of Body – Bones and Bone Marrow

Orifice -  Genitals, urethra, anus

Life Aspect – Will Power and Ambition

External Manifestation – Head Hair

Sense Organ – ears

Secretion – Spittle/ saliva

Climate – Cold

Colour – Blue/ Black

Grain – Beans and Peas

Vegetable – Leeks

Fruit – Dates

Meat – Pig

Number - six

Direction – North

 

Wood Element:

 

Season – Spring

Organs – Liver (Planner 1:00 – 3:00), Gallbladder (Decision maker 23:00 – 1:00)

Emotion – Anger

Sound – Shouting

Taste – Sour

Smell – Rancid

Power – Capacity for Control

Parts of Body – Muscles and Sinews

Life Aspect – Spiritual Faculties

External Manifestation – Hands, nails and feet

Sense Organ – Eyes

Climate – Wind

Colour – Green

Grain – Wheat

Vegetable – Mallow

Fruit – Peach

Meat – Chicken/ Fowl

Number - eight

Direction – East

 

Conclusion:

The Five Elements can be a very useful tool in diagnoses of an imbalance in the system or environment and this post serves merely as an intoduction to a very complex and detailed subject. An imbalance (whether too much or too little) of any Element will influence the balance of another Element and if any Element has been out of balance for more than 2 years, one will find that the Water Element is imbalanced also.