Read These And Then Answer The Questions: An Overview Of The

Read These And Then Answer The Questionsan Overview Of The Worlds He

Read these and then answer the questions. An overview of the world's healing systems to understand the concept of Planetary Herbology, let's first examine each school and its herbal system. We will then discuss their similarities and differences, using specific herbs as examples. In Western herbology, herbs are classified according to their therapeutic properties. For example, categories such as alteratives, diuretics, diaphoretics and tonics allow the Western herbalist to group herbs with similar qualities and then use them accordingly. Herbs in this system are recognized primarily by their chemical constituents. In fact, many drugs used in Western allopathic medicine result from extracting an herb's active constituent and synthesizing it, as in the case of aspirin derived from willow trees, digitalis from foxglove, or reserpine from Rauwolfia.

In Chinese herbology, herbs are categorized by their energies, tastes, directions, and actions on the body (moving the blood, eliminating dampness or heat, breaking up stagnation, building substance or energy, etc.). The Chinese traditionally include animals and minerals, such as deer antler and gypsum, as healing substances. This system considers each herb's constitution and that of the patient, resulting in a more holistic approach to healing.

Japanese herbology is similar to traditional Chinese medicine, using the same herbs but emphasizing stricter conformity to classical Chinese Han Dynasty formulations, mostly derived from Chang Chung-Ching in his clinical manual, Shang Han Lun. Japanese macrobiotics, developed in the West by George Ohsawa and Michio Kushi, is based on Yin and Yang concepts; however, differences in these definitions can cause confusion. Ohsawa reversed certain aspects to make the concepts more accessible to Western audiences.

These differences are as follows:

• Chinese: Yin (cooling), Yang (warming); internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, gallbladder, lungs); cold, wet, empty, solid organs (hollow organs like small intestine, colon, etc.)
• Japanese: Yin (internal), Yang (external); hot, dry, full; organs (small intestine, spleen, kidneys, stomach, gallbladder, lungs); hollow organs; cold, wet, empty; solid organs

Ayurveda from India is the oldest system of natural healing, often called the "Mother of Natural Healing," with principles influencing Chinese, Greek, Mediterranean, and Tibetan medicine. In ancient times, scholars from around the world traveled to northern India, especially Nalandar University, to learn from Ayurveda masters. It spread globally over centuries. Ayurveda classifies herbs and foods based on three doshas or humors—Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Water)—which correspond to nervous energy, digestion, and tissue formation, respectively. Disease results from an imbalance of these doshas, and health is achieved by restoring balance.

The Native American herbal tradition used plants according to their energies and properties. Some tribes divided herbs into sun and moon aspects, akin to Chinese Yang and Yin, reflecting thermal qualities. Indigenous Americans discovered many herbal uses, including Echinacea, Black Cohosh, and Slippery Elm.

Acupuncture, over 5,000 years old, involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body's surface to influence physiological functions. It has been used for pain relief, treatment of ailments like hay fever, headaches, ulcers, arthritis, and hypertension. It is also employed as a general anesthetic during childbirth and surgery, providing a conscious, drug-free option without depressant effects. Needles are inserted along 14 meridians, which are lined with about 800 acupuncture points. The Taoist philosophy explains its effectiveness through the flow of chi (qi), the life-force energy, with health depending on its free circulation balanced between yin and yang energies. When flow is impeded, illness may result, and acupuncture aims to correct these imbalances.

Western researchers found that acupuncture points correspond to skin areas with lower electrical resistance. Possible mechanisms include stimulating the autonomic nervous system, releasing natural painkillers like endorphins, or stimulating the pituitary and adrenal glands to release anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Since the 1970s, acupuncture has gained acceptance in the United States, used primarily for pain control and addiction treatment. Licensing and education programs now exist for acupuncturists. Acupressure is a related practice, applying pressure instead of needles to stimulate energy points to promote healing.

Acupressure is based on the theory that the human body contains fourteen "imaginary meridians" that carry energy—qi or chi—throughout the body. Pressure applied at specific points on these meridians can remove blockages, similar to clearing a clogged water pipe, restoring normal energy flow and organ function. It is often used to address the root cause of issues rather than just symptoms; for example, treating underlying problems like poor digestion or hormonal imbalances that manifest as asthma.

Meridians serve as pathways for energy flow, regulating organ health and overall balance. When blocked, they can cause dysfunction or disease; unblocking them restores health.

Chiropractic treatment is based on the theory that misalignments of the spine, called subluxations, affect nerve signals and, consequently, overall health. Chiropractors manually adjust the spine to correct these misalignments, aiming to restore proper nerve function and promote healing without drugs or surgery.

Chiropractors can treat conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, and certain neurological issues. Their approach emphasizes the body's ability to heal itself when the nervous system functions optimally.

Biofeedback is a technique that involves using electronic monitoring devices to provide real-time feedback on physiological functions such as heart rate, muscle tension, or skin temperature. Patients learn to control these functions consciously, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

Biofeedback is used to treat conditions including tension headaches, hypertension, anxiety, chronic pain, asthma, and urinary incontinence, among others. It helps manage stress responses by training individuals to modify their physiological activity, thereby improving health outcomes.

Stress and biofeedback are interconnected; stress triggers physiological responses such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. Biofeedback teaches individuals to recognize these responses and gain control over them, reducing stress and preventing stress-related health issues. Through practice, patients develop self-regulation skills that enhance resilience to stressors, leading to overall better health and well-being.

References

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• Lundeberg, T., & Lund, I. (2011). Acupuncture—A Review of Its Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Acupuncture in Medicine, 29(3), 97–102.
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• Yucha, C., & Montgomery, D. (2008). Biofeedback: A Practitioner’s Guide. Springer Publishing Company.