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TAO
OF If you want to
live, you must eat wisely. But eating wisely in the manner described in the
previous pages may not prevent you from becoming sick. Something is missing
from the grocery-bought or common, regular foods. Yet if these inadequate or
“weak” foods can support life, then “strong” foods must be able to strengthen
and protect life. This kind of reasoning has driven Taoists to investigate the
jungles, mountains, flatlands, and bodies of water in search of these strong
foods and to test every plant, animal, and mineral for properties that will
benefit mankind. Their discoveries and findings produced other dietary wisdom
teachings which became the right arm of Taoists. Taoism exists because of these
strong foods (called herbs in the West). (Because the term herb is
limited in meaning to plants and inadequately depict the scope and meaning of
this Taoist science, the original Taoist term will be used). All Taoists depend
on strong foods, just as we depend on food. I: FORGOTTEN FOODS Strong foods
include plants, animals, and minerals that are ingested or applied externally
to the human body to prevent and heal physical illnesses by adjusting the flow
of vital energy and supplying better materials for regeneration of body cells
or tissues. Strong foods or
herbs are really our forgotten foods. Because of their often disagreeable taste
or smell and our lack of knowledge concerning their utilization, our
forefathers eliminated them as food and later generations ignored them. Our
forefathers in their search for food, tasted many
plants such as carrots and ginseng. They took the better-tasting carrots back
to their farms and then passed the knowledge of farming, eating, and selling
carrots on to their progeny. All regular foods sold in markets are chosen
according to these criteria: (1) acceptable taste or smell, (2) easily farmed
or produced, and (3) easily processed or cooked. As a result regular or
familiar foods, such as beef, corn, apples, etc., have in time become a very
small part of our total food territory. The plant called ginseng and most other
plants, animals, and minerals have been tossed aside and forgotten. Lately,
however, the world has taken a greater interest in these forgotten foods. Examination of
the present dietary situation has revealed three problems: 1. Since regular
food represents only a small part of our food territory, it is possible for a
human being to be deficient in some vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other
substances that nourish particular parts of the body and regenerate special
cells or tissues even though they eat the best of regular foods. 2. There is
evidence that proves that human beings cannot assimilate capsules of
concentrated vitamins or synthetic nutrients that were invented to replace or
supplement the inadequate regular diet. Nutrients can only be assimilated in
natural food form, because every nutrient is balanced with other nutrients and
is accompanied by naturally complimentary substances which increase its
assimilation and its effectiveness. 3. Scientists
thus far have not had the opportunity to test all of the forgotten foods. In
other words, the properties in herbs are in some ways still a mystery and are
not as familiar to us as proteins, vitamins, etc. Also, the chemical terms used
to describe nutrients are inadequate for describing herbal properties. Many
herbs contain properties that are unique to that herb and new terms must be
invented for them. For example, Ginsenin is a
property unique to ginseng. By studying the
forgotten foods, or the Tao of Forgotten Food Diet, we can promote health and
prevent illness because we will know how to use them to improve the function of
our internal organs and our entire body. The study of forgotten foods is
divided into three sections: Taoist Herbology, Taoist Etiology, and Health
Condition Determination. II: TAOIST HERBOLOGY Taoist Herbology
is a two-part study of herbs. The first part is analysis of all plants,
animals, and minerals to determine their nutritional values (proteins,
vitamins, minerals, etc.), energy levels, and other chemical compositions. The
second part is determining which parts of the human body each particular herb
affects most and how those parts are affected. This also involves preparation of
the part of the herb most suited for utilization. For example, the magnolia
tree’s leaves and flowers are not of importance, whereas the outermost layer of
the bark is of importance. The latter substance contains properties called Tetrahydromanodolol, Isomagolol,
and Ho-Curare, which are very helpful in regenerating the stomach and uterus
tissues. Another property called Magnolol is a gentle
kind of antibiotic and antitoxin. Emperor Shen Nung, the founder of the Shen Nung Dynasty (3494 B.C.),
and his administration researched the properties of herbs and their relation to
mankind. Since the Shen Nung
Dynasty thousands of different herbs have been researched and hundreds of
herbal formulas have been developed, due to the efforts of Taoists who regard
herbal knowledge as most essential in the attainment of immortality. For more than
6,000 years Taoists have kept written records of the herbs they used and their
experiments with them; these written records are the basis upon which the
theories and principles of Taoist Herbology were developed to make possible the
formulation of herbal combinations with very little chance for error. These
writings also explain how the herbal raw ingredients must be processed and
prepared to obtain maximum healing results with minimum waste. HERBAL SUPERNUTRITION Herbs contain
many nutrients―ginseng for example contains
Vitamins B1, B2, C, Calcium, minerals, amino acids, etc.―but
they also provide nutrients that are not found in regular food. These unique
properties are called Effective Properties or Effective Composition. For
example the Effective Properties of ginseng are Panaquilon
(C32H56014), Panax Sapogenol
(C27H4802), Panaxin (C38H66012), Panacin
(C15H24), Ginsenin, and Amylase. We may call them “supernutrition.” Herbs are strong
foods; their nutrients are highly concentrated in natural, easily assimilable form. For example the herb called Atractylodes has high levels of nutrients such as Vitamins
A and D (more than 20 times the amount in cod liver oil); Essential Oil, which
can calm overactive organ functions; Atractylodes or Atractylons, which can lower blood sugar and relax heart
muscles; Vitamins P, B1, and B12; several amino acids; and minerals. The intake
of 1/4 ounce of Atractylodes equals 3 complete
regular food meals―without extra fat,
cholesterol, sugar, etc. It also costs less than a regular meal. When herbs are
made following classic Taoist methods into Taoist herbal combinative remedies
(explained in detail later), all of an herb’s properties are retained. Not one
of these properties like Vitamin B1, Ginsenin, or Magnolol are isolated or extracted from the rest and
refined into singular properties with petrochemicals. Taoist remedies are
minimally processed the natural way to retain as much as possible these
original herbal properties. In laboratory
studies, adrenalin was shot into the human body, resulting in raised blood
sugar levels. After ginseng was administered, the blood sugar level returned to
normal. This is an example of super-nutritional healing, a very important
property found only in herbs. It is almost impossible to obtain such effective
compositions in any daily, regular food diet, (which provides only simple
nutrients). Modern
laboratory technology presently cannot identify all of the properties in all
herbs because some unknown elements are lost in the analytical process. Nevertheless,
these unknown elements still play important roles in helping and preventing
illnesses. HOW DO HERBS WORK? Herbs, like
regular foods, work by adjusting the flow of vital energy in the entire body of
the human being. This is accomplished by increasing the energy where it is too
low and decreasing the energy where it is too high. When human beings absorb
the properties of the herbs, they also absorb the vitality of the herbs. The
herbs’ vitality passes through the pathways of energy (meridians) to reach the
internal organs, to support and adjust them to their optimal efficiency. For
example, ginseng’s electromagnetic field particularly circulates around the
lung and spleen-pancreas meridians. Herbs have been
found to have tremendous energy levels. These energy levels were defined by two
characteristics: Yin, which is negative, weak, sedative, and reducing; and
Yang, which is positive, strong, tonifying, and
increasing. Eventually the use of only these two characteristics was found to
be unsatisfactory. In order to be more precise the two characteristics were
expanded to a scale of five, which are:
All herbs and
regular foods belong to one of these five categories. As an example, dog meat
is very energizing and is called Hot. Beef is Warm. Seafood such as clams is Cold. Pork is Cool. The whole egg
is Neutral. If we are to effectively use our foods for better health, we must
determine their energy levels; because our foods, if not properly balanced, can
either over-energize or deplete us. Too much shellfish will deplete our energy,
and too much dog meat will excessively energize us, encouraging hypertension,
congestion, nervousness, etc. We can see, then, that it is very important to
balance the energy by correctly combining the foods we eat. For thousands of
years it was known that every type of food affects our meridians in some way.
Knowing this, Taoists spent an enormous amount of time determining which foods
and herbs affected which meridians. They found that ginseng, for example,
affected the lung and spleen-pancreas meridians. Its warm characteristics tonify and stimulate its related meridians (the lung and
spleen-pancreas meridians). Besides the meridians, herbs directly affect the
internal organs and supply the necessary materials to regenerate their
particular cells or tissues. Taoists
determined the relationship of herbs and internal organs by matching their
similar characteristics. Since there are five main internal organs, Taoists
used five tastes to represent each organ.
Then Taoists
categorized every herb under these five tastes, after the taste of every herb
was determined. For example, ginseng is sweet so it affects the spleen-pancreas.
The herbs work like the Five Animal Exercises (see Tao of
Revitalization, Table of Contents), that is, they support or
degenerate the organs according to the Five-Element Theory and
the Mother and Child Law. An interesting
fact about herbs is that they also purify the human body. We all know that the
better we eat, the stronger our body becomes. But we neglect to take into
account the fact that our bodies also contain parasites, such as germs and
worms. As our foods make us stronger, it also makes these parasites stronger.
If we like our foods, then the parasites must also like them. An example of
this can be the corruption of an orange. If we place an orange on a table for a
few weeks at room temperature, the orange will become covered with green-gray
microorganisms. If we place a true ginseng root in the same environmental
conditions for many years, the root will remain unchanged, because the
microorganisms hate its taste and will never consume it. Nutrients from regular
foods nourish us as well as the parasites (which take away what is supposed to
be ours). In contrast, nutrients from herbs nourish us only. In this way the
parasites are naturally eliminated and we are allowed to enjoy the full value
of our nutritional intake. Every day we are
poisoning our bodies with polluted air and water; genetically-modified,
preserved and chemicalized foods; drugs and alcohol.
Some herbs are very effective in removing or neutralizing these toxins, because
they improve the function of our internal organs. To be most
effective herbs must be used in their natural, unrefined and unchemicalized state. Most modern drugs have a common
problem: negative side-effects. The side-effects occur because of the high
concentrations of chemicals in them. If herbs were purified, chemicalized, and refined like many of the foods we have
today, they too would lose much of their potential and natural balance. Thus,
the most effective way to use herbs is to use the most potent portion of the
plant in its natural state. One very
important principle of Taoist Herbology is that herbs must always be used in a
combination or recipe. In the texts of Herbology it is stated that “There is
not one thing in the world that is absolute.” Everything, including herbs, has
a positive side and a negative side. For example, ginseng energizes the body,
especially the lungs and spleen-pancreas, slowly; but it also produces a strong
side-effect if used alone. One of the properties of ginseng called Ginsenin tightens the arteries. If the utilizer
has a weakness in the vascular system, constant use of ginseng could lead to a
stroke or heart attack. In order to offset or neutralize this possibly
unpleasant side-effect, one must combine ginseng with another herbal
ingredient, such as Astragalus. This herb is very
effective in relaxing the blood vessels. Another
principle used in developing herbal formulas is to use at least four
ingredients. Taoists use governmental terms when dealing with herbs: Emperor,
Prime Minister, and at least two Ministers. In order to
produce an effective formula, it is necessary to correctly combine the herb’s
energy level (characteristics) and the specific organs (taste) they affect. For
example, there is a very popular herb formula comprised of ginseng, atractylis, poria (a type of
mushroom) and licorice. These four herbs in combination energize the lungs,
spleen-pancreas, and stomach without side-effects. For thousands of
years, Taoists have processed and prepared five types of herbal combinations:
Tan, Kao, Wan, Shan and Jiu. The preparation of Tan
involves highly technical alchemy. Considerable amounts of time―even
entire lifetimes―were spent in preparing the
Tan, because herbs for these must be collected when their potency peaks and
must be processed by complicated alchemical processes. Every herb has a “peak
profile,” i.e. their potency peaks only during specific seasons, dates and
times. The alchemical processing of herbs involves specific months, dates and
times and the appropriate orientation of the sun, moon, North Star, planets and
stars. This kind of work is most delicate and highly complex, requiring a
tremendous amount of knowledge and wisdom. The resulting Tan is the most
effective of all forms of herbal combinations because it helps human beings
immortalize their physical bodies. The preparation
of Kao involves only a simple extraction of the herbal combination. The
resulting Kao is a liquid with honey-like consistency. Certain herbal
combinations can be made into a Wan, or tablet. Certain other herbal combinations
may be made into powders, or Shan. Jiu is a
preparation of certain herbal combinations in wine. The latter four forms are
easier to prepare than Tan and are therefore less effective. Sometimes all
five forms of herbal combinations are substituted by another form: tea. Tea is
used by most people because it is the easiest way to prepare herbs. Also the
preparation of tea does not require a great deal of work or knowledge. That is
why tea is rather ineffective in correcting abnormal conditions. In the last
twenty years, modern techniques have been implemented for the preparation of
herbs. When the herbal combinations are simply freeze-dried, powders and
granules are produced with the combinative remedies’ natural state and
effective properties fully preserved. Powders and granules are convenient to
take and are much more effective than herbal tea preparations. THE LAWS OF TAOIST CLASSIC REMEDY PREPARATION The most exceedingly important fact is
that herbs must never be used singularly, as a sole ingredient, even with
fillers. One must never use one single herb alone. To reiterate many herbs must
be combined in complimentary ways that emphasize their healing properties while
neutralizing their negative effects. The importance of the right kind of
combination can never be over-emphasized. A person simply cannot formulate a
combination according to his or her own preference or at worst whim. It must be
combined according to: 1) The Five-Element Theory and Mother
and Child Law 2) The Energy Theory 3) The pH balance 4) The Emperor and Ministers Theory
(explained above) 5) In unchemicalized
(not isolated or refined by petrochemicals) state, and 6) With a long period of time for
experimentation including single blind and double blind tests (in the case of
Taoist Classic Remedies, the period of experimentation exceeds 3,000 years). III: TAOIST ETIOLOGY Taoist Etiology is the study of Bing
and their causes. Bing means that one’s “health is not as it should be.” The
western equivalent of this term may be disease, although the word disease is
not an appropriate translation of Bing because it connotes diagnostic
procedures that result in the amassment of symptoms under a name, such as
leprosy, bubonic plague, etc. Taoists do not invest time in following the
progress of a disease or in naming a disease; instead they prefer to pinpoint
the cause of a disease and find ways to eliminate the cause. Taoists realize
that it is fruitless to combat all the diseases on earth on a one-by-one basis.
They therefore sought ways to fortify the human body against the onslaught of
all diseases. Taoists gave all the dis-eases (a more
appropriate translation of Bing) of the world only three names: Air Dis-ease, Water Dis-ease and
Blood Disease. This serves to indicate the chief sources of myriad problems.
Taoists also categorized all casual agents of dis-ease
under seven titles: External Causes, Internal Causes, Non-External Causes, NonInternal Causes, Blood poisoning, Water poisoning, and
Food poisoning. An understanding of the logic behind these subjects is
necessary for proper herb utilization. AIR DIS-EASE The accumulation of air in humans,
according to Taoist sages, can cause many kinds of diseases. When they spoke of
the air within the body, they were referring to the amount of pressure therein.
The internal pressure of the body must be balanced with the external pressure
of the environment. If the internal pressure is low or weak, we have a
condition much like that of a vacuumized can. A
hissing sound is produced upon opening such a can, due to the external air
rushing into the can because the can has no air inside. When the internal
pressure of the body is weak, the external air (called “wind”) will press into
the body through the millions of tiny pores in the skin. The air naturally
presses into the weakest and often the most exposed part of the body. When this
“wind” gets into the tissues of the body, the tissues expand, causing the pores
of the skin to be squeezed shut and the air to be trapped inside. Because the
trapped air is unable to escape through the closed pores, the local tissues are
under pressure. This strain on the tissues causes pain, the first symptom of
Air Dis-ease. Pain is usually felt in the areas of
the upper back, shoulders, neck, and chest skin, because
these are the main nerve areas and they are often exposed. The skin is often
referred to as the “third lung” because Taoists believe the skin is closely
related to all the organs of the respiratory tract. A series of second
symptoms, occurring along the respiratory tract, immediately follow the first
symptom of pain, because of this skin-respiratory tract relationship. The
sinuses are affected, the nose becomes runny or stuffy, the throat becomes
itchy and sore, the function of the lungs is impaired, and the energy of the
lung meridian becomes depleted. Moreover, the microscopic germs and viruses and
mold and mildew spores brought in by the air penetrate deeply into the tissues
and cause many problems. A third series of symptoms arising from this activity
is usually a bowel or digestive dysfunction (upset stomach or diarrhea). These
symptoms indicate that the body is working diligently to repel the attack of
Air. Whether the Air Dis-ease will be the common
cold, the flu, or other illnesses will be determined by the germs and viruses. Moreover, accumulation of air in the
body can be the cause of mental disorders, quick-temperedness, vertigo, or
headaches. One knows that these problems are caused by accumulation of air when
the problems are accompanied by these problems: 1. Shortness of breath―difficulty
in doing deep breathing―and the sensation of an
object fixed in the chest. 2. Inability to inhale―no
matter how much air one breathes in, the lungs never feel full. 3. Inability to exhale―blockage
of outcoming air. This is not to be confused with
emphysema, which is the lack of lung flexibility. 4. Gastritis either in the stomach
(belching) or in the intestines (flatulence). This occurs because air is being
released to relieve the high internal pressure. 5. Unnecessary sighing. This is an
indication of excess pressure on the organs. This symptom is most accurately
interpreted in younger individuals, because they should not feel the need to
sigh from depression, as adults do. Sighing indicates an abnormality of the
respiratory system. The modern pathological terms used
above are given to help the reader gain a greater understanding of Air Disease.
These terms were used by Kesetsu Otsuka,
M.D., a famous and respected professor and physician, to interpret Air Dis-ease. The transference of Air Dis-ease is not thought to occur through physical contact
with an infected individual’s body parts, but it is thought to occur through
exposure to the same germ-ridden air. It is not possible to contract a virus by
touching unless the body is already weak and its internal pressure low. It is
possible to receive germs through the air from an infected person, especially
if they are using mentholated substances, such as cough drops, lozenges, syrups
or ointments. The menthol has the effect of carrying germs out of the body and
into the air through diffusion of its odor. Mold and mildew spores have equally
lethal effects on health, although they are not thought of in this way. The
mold and mildew growing in basements, attics, or other places in the home are
usually though of as benign, but the spores they release enter the body through
breathing and cause various problems ranging from respiratory problems to even
cancer. Dr. Chang was the first and only person to lecture on the subject,
triggering national news reports beginning in 2004. These germs, viruses, mold and mildew
can be expelled from the body through the usage of herbs and the encouragement
of the natural eliminative processes of sweating, vomiting, and bowel movement.
Herbs are used to induce these eliminative processes, kill the germs and
viruses, nourish and strengthen the weakened body, and help the body build up
its weakened internal pressure. We must never try to suppress fevering,
sweating, coughing, etc. because the germs and viruses will go deeper into the
tissues. Then serious problems will develop from latent germ or virus growth,
causing permanent damage to the functions of the body. BLOOD DIS-EASE There are five causes of Blood Dis-ease. Blood Dis-ease can
occur when the bone marrow and spleen-pancreas become dysfunctional and produce
inadequate amounts of blood cells. Blood Dis-ease is
also caused by blood corruption, blood clotting, and blood extravasation. Corruption of blood could be caused by
bad air, foods, or physical contact with poisons. These poisons move through
the body and damage enzymes, nutritional elements, and internal organs. If the
quality of the blood is bad, such as unbalanced levels of iron or sugar, or if
the quantity is insufficient, many problems such as low energy, migraine
headaches, blood clots, and anemia will result. Blood clotting is caused by
sedimentation, poor circulation, low energy levels, high body temperature,
pressure exerted on blood vessels by excess water in the tissues, accidents,
heavy exercise, heavy labor or surgery. These result
in three types of “dead blood” blood clots: those that form from heavy
sedimentation; those that accumulate on the sides of the arteries; and those
that settle to the bottom of the blood vessels. Iron supplements often recommended for
women and older individuals can be very dangerous, because the excess iron,
being heavy, settles to the bottom of the vessels and attracts other sediments.
If consumption of extra iron is continued over a long period of time, outpocketings in the blood vessels may be created. These
pockets containing sediments may break and disperse the blood into the
surrounding membranes, causing internal bleeding. This is sometimes indicated
by blood in the stools. Blood clots occur in the areas of the lower stomach,
the intestines and the sexual organs because of the gravitational pull of heavy
sediment to the lower parts of the body. Many autopsies reveal black-colored
blood clots in these areas. Another common cause of blood clotting
is poor circulation caused by sitting and driving for long periods of time.
Watching moving objects while being inactive depletes our energy, which is
another cause of blood clotting. When blood circulates slowly, it is more
likely to be “cooked” by body heat, especially when the temperature of the body
is high. Heated blood then coagulates and settles usually in the stomach area.
Excessive pressure upon blood also causes it to coagulate and settle. Last but
not least, bruises are another form of blood clotting. Bruises result from
accidents, heavy activity, and surgery. Extravasated blood resulting from broken blood
vessels can cause serious problems. Germs and viruses tend to settle in extravasated blood, and when the blood is absorbed, the
germs and viruses are also absorbed into the bloodstream. Extravasated
blood will settle in the abdominal area. The major symptoms which indicate Blood
Dis-ease are: 1. Dry and dark skin and nails. The
skin appears very sooty, perhaps ashen, and the nails may be purple. The area
around the eyes and lips becomes dark. 2. Bruising easily or feeling cold
because the circulation is blocked. 3. Abnormal menstruation. The timing, amount,
color, cramps, headaches, etc. give a very good indication of the condition of
the blood. 4. Frequent and/or sudden changes in
body temperature. 5. Sudden loss of appetite, swollen
stomach, or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. 6. Heavy-headedness, headaches, pain in
the shoulder blade area, insomnia, somnolence, forgetfulness, light-headedness,
blackouts, heart palpitation, or a feeling of fear which is unfounded. 7. Chronic digestive disorders such as
hyper-acidity or heartburn. A further breakdown of the results of
Blood Dis-ease includes: 1. Ulcers of the stomach or duodenum. 2. Stomach cancer. 3. Appendicitis. 4. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, and
hemorrhoids. 5. Hardening of the arteries. 7. High or low blood pressure. 8. Female organ disorder. 9. Herpes. 13. Mental illness. 14. Urinary problems―kidney
or bladder infections or stones. 15. Tuberculosis. 16. Pneumonia or bronchitis.st1:City>, Another Japanese physician, Dr. Nangahama, did extensive studies into the causes of Blood Dis-ease. These concerned inheritance from parents,
abnormal menstruation, high temperature (inflammation), weak blood vessels,
liver weakness, hormone imbalance, and unbalanced blood systems. WATER DIS-EASE The human body is essentially composed
of water―it is 70% water―so
water is essential to our well-being. But water is also a source of many
problems. The greatest percentage of water is in our blood. Water cools the
blood temperature, thins the blood, and facilitates circulation of blood cells.
Water cleans the blood of poisons or deposits and carries these to the kidneys
to be eliminated in the urine. When the kidneys cannot filter all the water
either because they are weak or because there is just too much water, the water
goes back to the blood to circulate through the body. Usually by this time more
water has accumulated in the blood. The blood vessels become enlarged, then they begin to contract spasmodically, squeezing the
water into the tissues where it becomes trapped. Ballooning of the tissues and
occasional pain are the results. Taoists call this water “dead water,” and it
gives rise to mucous, or phlegm. One of the causes of water retention
and mucous buildup is the chemicals in the water we drink. If we take an
ordinary drinking glass full of water and leave it undisturbed, we may see for
ourselves what happens to the stagnant water in our body. Please refer to Tao of Balanced
Diet, Water Retention as one of the Eight Causes of Weight Problems,
for complete details on the formation of mucous in the body, a gel-like
substance which accumulates and harbors harmful microorganisms. In Besides kidney weakness or dysfunction,
another cause of water retention is simply over-consumption of liquids. Again
please refer to Tao of Balanced
Diet to learn why eight glasses of water per day can be extremely
harmful. Water accumulates in six areas and
causes many problems. They are: 1. In all the
major organs. Microorganisms contained in the water cause inflammation of these
organs. 2. In the
tissues and under the skin―cellulite. 3. Between the membranes in the chest
cavity surrounding the organs, muscles, and bones. We need a certain amount of
water here to serve as lubrication; but when it is germ-infested, it causes
inflammation. 4. Underneath the heart area, causing a
“floating” condition of the heart and fibrillation of the heart. 5. In the area
of the diaphragm. Water can affect the liver and cause cancer. 6. ln the brain. The accumulation of mucous causes many
kinds of Water Diseases, which are indicated by five groups of symptoms: Group One: 1. Heart palpitation. 2. Fibrillation. 3. Shortness of breath. 4. Coughing. 5. Fatigue. 6. Constipation or diarrhea. 7. Vomiting (especially vomiting of
water). 8. Cold or chilly sensations. 9. Phlegm. Group Two (excesses or deficiencies in
internal secretions): 1. Hormones. 2. Saliva. 3. Semen. 4. Vaginal secretion. 5. Tears. 6. Perspiration. Group Three: 1. Dizziness. 2. Tinnitus (ringing ears). 3. Heavy headedness. 4. Chest pain. 5. Stomach pain. 6. Shaking or trembling. 7. Excessive thirst. Group Four: 1. Gurgling, sloshing sounds from the
stomach or abdomen. 2. Neuritis. 3. Swelling of the body, especially the
ankles and legs. 4. Female organ disturbances. 5. Pleurisy. Group Five: 1. Headaches. 2. Interference with a locomotive
function. The diseases resulting from water
accumulation are: 1. Dropsy of the stomach or stomach
ulcers. 2. Bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and
pleurisy. 3. Cardiac problems and heart disease. 4. Glaucoma, cataracts, myopia, and
hyperopia. 5. Nervousness, neuritis, epilepsy, and
madness. 6. Urinary problems―kidney
or bladder infections, nephritis, and kidney atrophy. 7. Arthritis and diabetes. The above modern pathological terms
were supplied by Kesetsu Otsuka,
M.D. The body has three natural outlets for
mucous: 1. Respiratory tract. The mucous is
expelled naturally by coughing. 2. Skin. Water is eliminated either
naturally through perspiration, or mechanically through the use of saunas,
steam baths, hot baths, and herbs. 3. Bladder. Water is passed out in the
urine. In the expulsion of mucous, herbs are
used to divert mucous from the respiratory and epidermal outlets to the bladder
and to stimulate the natural diuretic function of the body to expel the mucous.
The herbs are also capable of building the energy of the body, especially the
kidneys. Bringing the kidneys back to a healthy
state is a difficult task. The practice of flushing the kidneys and taking
diuretic pills extracts more work from the kidneys, but they also increase
one’s thirst. Drinking more water, although it defeats the purpose by making
the kidneys work harder, is always recommended for alleviating thirst. The only
effective way to treat the weakened, tired kidneys is to energize and nourish
them to make them stronger. When a horse is tired, we must feed him and let him
rest. Beating a horse to make him work will kill him. Diuretics have the effect
of beating the kidneys, whereas herbs feed the kidneys with nutrients and
energy. Along with herbs, mechanical methods for water expulsion, such as saunas,
steam or hot baths and massage, may be used to dislodge mucous and eliminate
it. EXTERNAL CAUSES There are five types of climates which,
after prolonged exposure, adversely affect the body. These are as follows:
wind, which affects the liver, gallbladder, and nervous system; cold, which
affects the kidneys, bladder, bones, and sexual organs; heat, which affects the
heart, small intestine and circulatory system; dampness, dew, mist, or fog,
which affects the spleen-pancreas, digestive system, and muscles; and dryness,
which affects the lungs, large intestine, skin, and breathing or respiratory
system. INTERNAL CAUSES The internal emotional causes of dis-ease are excessive anger, which affects the liver;
excessive worry and thinking which affect the spleen-pancreas and stomach;
excessive fear and fright (shock) which affect the kidneys; excessive joy which
affects the heart; and excessive sadness, which affects the lungs. NON-EXTERNAL AND NON-INTERNAL CAUSES Acute or chronic infirmities can be
caused by aberrant lifestyles: overeating, overwork, excessive drinking,
excessive sexual activity, excessive fatigue, prolonged hunger, excessive
talking, and excessive activity. BLOOD POISONING Blood poisoning occurs within the
blood. The blood poisons are the syphilis, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea
bacteria. In this modern age, herpes and AIDS are also added to the list. These
are passed from one generation to the next in either the semen of the father or
the blood of the mother. Once they are introduced into the human body, they are
difficult to remove―even antibiotics are
useless against them. Their interference with the genetic processes of the body
cause unseen malfunctions of the internal organs and visible malformations of
body parts. None of these abnormalities can be corrected entirely by surgery. According to Taoism, interference by
blood poisons with the genetic processes vital to prenatal development cause
many problems. Sometimes they interfere with brain development and cause mental
problems. Some individuals are born with weak hearts because a heart valve was
malformed. Nerves are affected, livers are affected, all
parts of the body are affected. For millennia, the misery and suffering
caused by these blood poisons have conditioned mankind to think that life must
be terrible. Actually, the miseries are caused by the ignorance of man’s
ancestors. Through practicing eugenics, an
important part of Taoist Sexology, and utilization of herbs, the blood can be
cleaned and we may be assured of having clean, healthy, intelligent, and
complete children. According to Taoist teachings, when the blood is kept free
from blood poisons for three generations, a genius may be born to that family. WATER POISONING Water poisoning is caused by the
buildup of mucous, which arises from germ-infested water being retained in the
body. This buildup of mucous first affects the nervous system, causing
nervousness, spasms, or numbness. Nervousness is the first indication that
poisoning from water has taken place. A second indication of water poisoning is
sluggish or bizarre thinking processes, loss of locomotive functions, or headaches―all symptoms of brain damage. Other
indications of water poisoning include water retention, heart problems, and
kidney problems. Parkinson’s disease is an example of water poisoning at its
worst. Some herbal formulas have been created specifically to prevent or
correct these undesirable situations. FOOD POISONING Food poisoning is caused by eating
incorrect combinations of foods, by the corruption of food in the body, and by
food allergies. Our foods must be acid-alkaline
balanced in order to avoid corruption in our digestive system. Food improperly
balanced, when mixed with saliva and other digestive juices,
will go through a chemical change and will corrupt before completion of the
digestive cycle. A very good indication of acid-alkaline imbalance is
foul-smelling breath, an indication of the presence of corrupted food in the
stomach. But sometimes bad breath is caused by a disorder in the mouth itself.
A sure sign of corruption in the intestines is foul-smelling gas. Corrupted
food is poisonous and it can cause decay. We all know that tooth decay results
from inadequate removal of food particles from the spaces between and around
the teeth. The same type of decay occurs in the digestive system when food is
not eliminated regularly and completely. For a list of the combinations of foods
which become poisonous in the digestive system, such as beef and onions, please
consult The Tao of
Balanced Diet: Secrets of a Thin and Healthy Body. Some types of foods are poisons within
themselves and overuse of these foods causes dis-ease.
Please consult The Great Tao for a complete list. No matter how well we think we eat, it
is nearly impossible to avoid poisoning from food ingestion. Our regular food
diet is classified as “weak” because of its short life span after harvesting.
These “weak” foods cannot support life for long―they
must corrupt. This is why we so urgently need herbs, the “strong” foods, to
neutralize and combat the effects of food corruption and poisoning. Of course,
the herbs we use must also be carefully balanced, because improper combinations
of herbs can also become poisonous. IV: DETERMINATION OF Many techniques were developed to
determine the cause of a dis-ease, the organ(s) or
bowel(s) that are most affected, the state of energy flow in the meridians―in other words, the health condition of an
individual. The techniques include observation, interrogation, careful
listening, face reading, abdomen reading, tongue reading, and pulse reading. (This extensive body of knowledge is beyond the capacity of this
site and are available in complete detail in The Great Tao.) The world’s main religions also seek
total healing like Taoism. But their scriptures are not so complete in
describing the practical methods for achieving that. The purpose of all the
chapters of The Great Tao and other books is to reveal these practical
Taoist methods. One should read carefully the examples
following this table to appreciate these very valuable revelations. HERBAL COMBINATION EXAMPLE In the following example of a herbal combination the reader must realize that when a few
western pathological terms are listed under Commentaries, it does not mean that
herbal medicine is being prescribed for diseases, but that clear references are
being provided to further the comprehension of the reader. This information
under Commentaries was collected from the works of the famous and respected
professor and physician, Kesitsu Otsuka,
M.D., and other workers. For example:
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1. Diabetes―builds
up the pancreas over a long period of time. 2. Sexual disorder, including
impotence, testicle infection and premature ejaculation; builds up and cleans
prostate gland. 3. Kidney and bladder infections;
kidney stones. 4. Cataract, glaucoma. 5. Ringing ears or tinnitus. 6. Gout. 7. High blood pressure. 8. Water retention. 9. Stomach infections; helps digestion. 10. Can rebuild weak kidneys (Dialysis
Case: GT-701 in conjunction). 11. Good against infections, including
TB in the kidneys. 12. Pains in legs; swollen legs. 13. Helps regulate blood sugar. 14. Stops internal or external hemorrage. Note: Can be used as a general tonic
because it is rich in nutritive value. Stops bleeding in an
emergency. Especially good for prostate problems. Main Meridians: Rather balanced, but
sedates the heart mainly and energizes the stomach, lung and kidneys. Nutritional Value and Effective
Properties: Iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, natrium,
cerium, phosphorus, sugar, cellulose, glucose, ash, fructose, protein, starch,
egg lipids, Mannite, Rehmanin,
Tannic Acid, Resina, Tartaric Acid, Kuun, Bilinenrine, Argininin, Pachymos, Peonol, Benzoic Acid, Cinnamicaldehyde,
Camphene, Cineol, Linalool, Enjenol, Aconite, Mesaconitine, Hypaconitine, and Jesconitine. This herbal combination, used in the
East today for the treatment of diabetes, was created more than 2,200 years ago
when it was produced for Emperor Han Wu-Ti who contracted the disease, which
was already known and treated more than 2,200 years ago. Diabetes and its test was officially recorded in Chinese medical history more than
1,300 years ago in the seventh century A.D., more than 1,000 years before its
official discovery in the West. Japanese doctors obtained magnificent
results by using this formula to treat the disease of senile cataract. For
example in 1957 Sigenari Ogura, M.D., started to
treat patients for senile cataracts with this formula. He compiled a report on
41 cases. Among the 41 pairs or 82 individual eyes treated, the visual power of
68 (83%) improved. Eight (10%) remained unchanged and 6 (7%) decreased. Ken Fujihira, M.D., reported the complete data of 285 senile
cataract cases treated with this formula at his clinic between January 1 and Note: A non-Taoist who wishes to use
herbal combinations should consult his physician first for his/her own
protection. UNDERSTANDING HERBAL COMBINATIONS The following instructions are to help
you read the following herbal combinations easily and correctly: 1. Energy Level of the Combinations.
Most combinations fall within the cool to warm range, as they are rather
balanced energy-wise. These are the grades in energy levels: 2. Taste Reminder: Sweet affects SP 3. Abbreviations of Meridians:
4. Correlation to Dis-eases
and Code Names: AD = Air Dis-ease An herbal combination may be called
AD-101, BD-204, etc. 5. Commentaries: These are references to Western
pathological terms derived from experiments with these herbal combinations
performed by many contemporary specialists. As the reader will see, each herbal
combination has been associated with benefits for a series of symptoms which
may be totally unrelated to each other by medical science. This illustrates the
Taoist emphasis on promoting the body’s ability to repair itself and prevent or
correct an abnormal state rather than focusing on symptoms and diseases. Each combination has its own “profile”:
taste, distribution, energy level, meridians, combined attitudes, etc., and
should be matched to one’s nutritional needs as determined by pulse reading and
the other Taoist techniques discussed before. This is the way for the Taoist
Cultivator to strengthen his physical, mental and spiritual bodies. However,
the reader may be more familiar with the medical pathology, so the provided
commentaries are intended to further his or her comprehension of the scope of
each combination. As a matter of fact, the listed commentaries represent
symptoms or diseases eventually associated with a certain abnormal state of the
body’s function.
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