Yin-yang and Aromatherapy Massage

The physical and mental disorders of the individual too often reflect imbalances in the world at large. In Chinese medicine it was deemed important to bring the energy of the body into balance with the natural environment. Disease was attributable to changes brought about by the weather, the seasons or personal infringement of the natural law.

The health and sense of well-being of the individual is in direct relationship with his or her social and environmental matrix. This includes such factors as the quality of our food and water, the air we breathe, weather conditions, relaxation, sleep, work, exercise and relationships of all kinds.

In our current attempt to control, manipulate and exploit both natural and human 'resources', often solely in the search of short-term profit, we are violating laws that will only lead to a rising incidence of physical and mental ill-health. Many of our illnesses today are related to stresses, such as increased pressure in working and family life and the increasing toxicity in our food, air and water in the form of complex cocktails of chemicals and radiations.

As individuals, we have certain immediate choices we can make in regard to our health, such as how much we choose to smoke or drink or how much exercise we take. Ultimately, however, we may have to look further at the wider political and economic structures, if we are to achieve a society, which is more in tune with natural forces and more caring of our health and well­being.

If we look at the principles of Chinese medicine we see that, like everything else in the universe, our bodies can be classified according to the two distinct forces of Yin and Yang. These forces are in constant interplay. The Yin force is more substantial and is associated with the interior front and lower parts of the body. It moistens and cools. It is associated with night and darkness and promotes relaxation and sleep. Yin is more heavy and material and will condense and contract It is associated with the earth, the moon, autumn, winter, decrease and inwardness.

A person, who is deficient in Yin may suffer slight fever or feelings of heat in the late afternoon, night sweating and a dry throat at night, difficulty in sleeping, anxiety and restlessness. The tongue will be red, peeled and cracked. This is because the cooling, moistening and grounding aspects of Yin are not apparent.

Aromatherapy can be combined wonderfully, to work with the yin and yang theory. The use of oils of rose and geranium help to support the function of Yin. These oils are often used during the menopause, when the Yin energy of the woman is depleted.

Yang is associated with the back, exterior and upper parts of the body. It is energising, moving and less substantial. It is hot and dry and associated with day, the sun, spring, summer, increase and expansion. If Yang in the body is deficient, the person may be cold, pale, depressed and lethargic. The tongue will be pale with a white coating and the pulse weak.

Essential oils, which promote Yang in the body, are warm, tonifying oils such as ginger, rosemary, thyme and cinnamon. These are herbs and spices we instinctively used in winter to counteract the cold Yin time of year along with warming, cooked food.

If Yang is in excess, there will be too much heat and activity in the body resulting in fever, burning pains, inflammation, dryness, red tongue and rapid pulse. The differences between excess Yang and deficient Yin is that one is a 'full' overactive condition and the other an 'empty' depleted condition.

Essential oils to counteract excess Yang are cooling, moistening oils such as lavender, lemon, camomile and melissa. Our diet should have a preponderance of raw, cooling foods such as salads and fruit.

Yin and Yang are relative terms and the aim of the practitioner is always to achieve a greater sense of equilibrium. There is however, never a point of stasis. The universe is seen to be in constant flux between these two forces, as night follows day and autumn and winter follow spring and summer. Autumn and winter were seen as times of rest, when we should sleep longer and conserve our energy. Spring and summer were times of increased work and activity.

In our hectic modem world we no longer allow for such observances. Electric light enables us to work both day and night indiscriminately and the grind of work and time schedules goes on with a relentlessness, which holds no regard for the seasons. Few bosses would be impressed if we demanded a shorter working day in the winter because it was cold and dark and our bodies needed more rest!