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Kathleen  Maier,  RH  (AHG)  Sacred  Plant  Traditions  

info@sacredplanttraditions.com  

�  If  we  look  at  the  most  basic  patterns  utilized  in  traditional  medicine  we  will  see  that  they  represent  attempts  to  quantify  levels  of  heat  and  moisture.    

       

�  Properties  of  Vital  Energy      Vital  energy  is  clear,  bright,  active  and  warm.    Its  primary  property  is  to  be  active  and  heat  is  the  byproduct  of  that  activity.    When  a  person’s  vital  energy  is  strong  and  healthy,  they  will  feel  clear,  bright,  strong  and  energetic,  their  mind  will  be  clear  and  active  and  their  limbs  will  feel  warm,  strong  and  capable.    Vital  energy  is  by  nature  always  active,  it  takes  other  functions  to  bring  about  a  quiet  restful  state.                  

 The  primary  function  of  vital  energy  is  to  activate  things.      

�  Matter  (tissues,  fluids)  is  inert  without  vital  energy  acting  on  it.    For  example,    

�  the  heart  muscle  is  inert  without  the  vital  energy  (neuro-­‐electric  signaling)  to  contract  the  muscle,  

�   blood  is  inert  without  the  driving  force  of  the  cardiovascular  system,  

�   nerves  are  inert  without  the  nerve  signals,    

�  nutrition  is  useless  until  it  is  transformed  and  distributed  

�   tissues  don’t  have  tone  until  they  have  the  energy  needed  to  contract.  

�     

Upward    é    Normal  -­‐  blood  and  clear  energy  to  head  and  the  limbs,  uprightness  of  posture,  organs  held  up  in  place,  upbeat  but  balanced.      

� Abnormal  -­‐  certain  types  of  headaches  and  dizziness,  nausea  and  vomiting,  reflux,  hiccups,  belching,  cough,  failure  to  release  breast  milk,  certain  types  of  constipation,  mania,  not  grounded.    

� Downward            ê  

� Normal  -­‐  inhalation,  defecation,  movement  of  food  through  GI  tract,  grounded.  

�     � Abnormal  -­‐  diarrhea,  prolapse,  incontinence,  light-­‐headedness/orthostatic  hypotension,  dizziness,  brain  fog,  difficulty  concentrating,  feel  vapid,  muscle  weakness  and  lack  of  tone,  depression.  

�     

� Inward        ç  

�                 Normal  -­‐  consolidating  energy  in  core  of  body,  conserving  body  heat,  containing  blood  within  the  vessels,  centered,  calm,  quiet.  

�     �                   Abnormal  -­‐  not  sweating  when  should,  withdrawn,  poor  maintenance  of  own  boundaries,  (unhealthy)  introversion.  

�     

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�  ëOutward              ì  

� Normal  -­‐  sweating  to  release  heat  in  hot  weather  or  when  have  a  fever,  defensive  energy  to  surface  to  protect  against  environmental  challenges  (temperature,  humidity,  wind),  good  boundaries,  engaging  in  life.  

�     � Abnormal  -­‐  sweating  without  exertion  or  too  easily  for  ambient  temperature,  passive  hemorrhage,  over-­‐sensitive  boundaries,  poor  sense  of  others  boundaries,  extroversion.  

�  “Galen  acknowledged  only  the  four  qualities  of  Aristotle,  but  for  the  sake  of  completion,  and  better  clinical  work,  we  need  also  to  include  the  two  basic  conditions  described  by  his  opponents,  the  methodist  physicians:  too  much  tension  (status  strictus)  or  too  much  relaxation  (status  laxus).  The  four  qualities  represent  fixed,  oppositional  imbalances,  while  the  two  states  represent  dynamic  imbalances  due  to  change  or  exhaustion.  Putting  them  altogether  we  have  a  system  of  six  types,  which  corresponds  to  the  system  of  six  “tissue  states”  introduced  by  the  physiomedicalists,  or  botanical  physicians  (the  descendants  of  Samuel  Thomson)  in  the  early  twentieth  century.”  

�  Heat/Excitation  �  Cold/Depression  �  Dry/Atrophy  �  Damp/Torpor/Stagnation  � Wind  /Constriction/Tension  �  Damp/Relaxation  

 �  The  tissue  states  themselves  should  not  be  viewed  as  static  states,  but  as  snapshots  or  reflections  of  an  ever-­‐changing  or  evolving  process.      

�  A  good  clinician  will  actually  focus  on  his  or  her  understanding  of  the  underlying  processes  rather  than  the  tissue  states  to  come  up  with  a  good  treatment  plan.      

�  The  tissue  states  just  clue  the  clinician  in  to  what  abnormal  processes  are  going  on  in  the  client.  

�  Thermal  Spectrum:  Cold-­‐cool-­‐neutral-­‐warm-­‐hot  �  This  is  referring  to  vital  energy  and  the  activity  or  lack  thereof  of  that  substance  

�  Fluid  Spectrum:  Very  dry-­‐dry-­‐neutral-­‐damp-­‐very  damp  �  This  is  looking  at  ability  of  tissues  to  hold  onto  fluids  or  not  

 �  Structural  Spectrum:  Lax-­‐neutral-­‐tense  

�  The  term  lax  is  used  by  Jim  McDonald  to  differentiate  from  relaxation  which  has  pre-­‐conceived  notions  surrounding  that  state  

�  Consists  mainly  of  the  element  of  air.  This  energy  is  dry,  light,  cold,  mobile,  subtle,  changeable  and  clear.  

�   Lad  states,”It  is  the  most  powerful  of  the  Doshas,  being  the  life-­‐force  itself,  the  strongest  to  create  disease.  It  governs  all  movement,  and  carries  both  Pitta  and  Kapha.    

�  Vata,  in  its  natural  state,  maintains  energy  of  will,  inhalation,  exhalation,  movement,  the  discharge  of  impulses,  equilibrium  of  the  tissues,  acuity  of  the  senses.  

�   When  aggravated,  it  causes  dryness,  dark  discolorations,  desire  for  warmth,  tremors,  abdominal  distention,  constipation,  loss  of  strength,  insomnia,  loss  of  sensory  acuity,  incoherency  of  speech,  and  fatigue.”  

�  It  consists  mostly  of  the  element  of  fire  and  water.  

�   Governs  chemical  reactions  and  therefore  transformation.    

�  Its  qualities  are  hot,  light,  fluid,  sharp,  malodorous,  soft  and  clear.    

�  Pitta  in  its  normal  state  is  responsible  for  digestion,  heat,  visual  perception,  hunger,  thirst,  luster  of  skin,  intelligence,  determination,  courage  and  softness  of  the  body.  

�   When  aggravated,  it  causes  yellow  discoloration  of  urine,  feces,  eyes  and  skin,  and  may  create  hunger,  thirst,  burning  sensations  and  difficulty  in  sleeping.”  

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�  Composed  of  water  and  earth  �  It  is  cold,  wet,  heavy,  slow,  dull,  static,  smooth,  dense  and  cloudy.  

�  Kapha  in  its  normal  state  is  responsible  for  firmness  and  stability  

�  Maintenance  of  bodily  fluids,  lubrication  of  joints,  and  such  positive  emotions  as  peace,  love  and  forgiveness.  

�   When  aggravated,  it  produces  loss  of  digestive  power,  accumulation  of  phlegm  and  mucus,  exhaustion,  feeling  of  heaviness,  pallor,  cold  sensations,  looseness  of  limbs,    

 �  Acrid,  pungent  or  spicy  -­‐  disperses  and  scatters  (outward),  releases/

opens  the  surface,  moves  blood,  favors  the  lungs  and  circulation.    �  Bitter  -­‐  drains,  dries,  moves  vital  energy  –  often  prevents  digestive  

stagnation,  usually  cool  or  cold.    Can  damage  fluids  and  heat.    �  Sour  –  astringes/prevents  leakage  (inward)  and  drains.    Can  damage  

fluids.    �  Sweet  -­‐  tonifies  and  consolidates  (inward)  vital  energy  (especially  to  the  

metabolic  system),  harmonizes,  sometimes  restores  fluids  and  ascends.    Can  stagnate  vital  energy  and  eventually  scatter  it.  

 �  Salty,  mineral,  metallic  –  heavy,  softens  hardness,  purges  or  drains,  

tonifies/strengthens  and  consolidates  (inward)  vital  energy  of  the  constitution  and  descends.  

 �  Bland  –  light,  leeches  dampness,  promotes  urination  and  drains.    Can  

damage  fluids.  

�  Aromatic  –  light,  thin,  bright,  penetrates  turbidity  (damp  stagnation),  revives  the  digestive  and  metabolic  systems,  revives  consciousness,  and  clarifies,.often  warm,  tends  to  disperse  and  move  upwards.    Can  damage  fluids.  

�  Oily  –  heavy,  thick,  turbid,  penetrates  dryness,  restores  flexibility/pliability,  collects/consolidates  and  descends.  

 �  Astringent  –  tightens/tones,  prevents  abnormal  leakage  of  fluids.    

Can  damage  fluids.  

�  Light/thin  –  A  quality  of  a  flavor.    Clear,  bright,  tends  to  ascend  upward  and  disperse  easily.  

�  Heavy/thick  –  A  quality  of  a  flavor.    Dense,  turbid,  tends  to  collect  and  descend.  

   

Thurston  describes  this  state  as  “an  exaggeration  of  the  normal  function  rate”  of  the  tissues.  This  excitation  arises  from  an  increase  in  tissue  heat  and  this  leads  to  swelling,  redness,  irritation  and  increased  vulnerability  as  the  tissues  are  weakened  due  to  inflammation  and  stress.  Since  heat  rises,  many  of  the  characteristics  will  be  seen  in  the  mental  states  and  affect  mood  by  creating  more  anxiety.        

 Presentation  includes:  �  Increase  in  temperature  �  Increased  red  in  tongue,  mucosa,  facial  coloration  �  Restlessness  �  Wakefulness  �  Irritation  of  stomach  and  upper  GI  (nervous  

stomach)  �  Over  excited  children/ADD  /ADHD  �  Sensitivity  to  pain/sharp  pain  �  Capillary  fragility  �  Tendency  to  elevated  blood  pressure  �  Tongue  –  pointed,  red  body  �  Pulse  –  rapid,  bounding      

Heat              Caused  by    

1.  Excitation  –  increased  activity  of  vital  energy  produces  heat.  1.  Response  to  threat  –  vital  energy  becomes  very  active  and  aggressive  in  response  to  environmental  threat  to  

internal  balance.  2.  Psychological  agitation.  

2.  Lack  of  fluids  and  nutrition  to  cool  –  fails  to  counter-­‐balance  the  natural  warming  nature  of  vital  energy.  3.  Builds  up  when  stagnation  or  tension  blocks  the  flow  of  vital  energy  -­‐  vital  energy  is  very  active  and  does  not  sit  still  

and  tends  to  build  up  heat  when  blocked.  4.  Constitutional  imbalance.  Over-­‐stimulation  (physiological  or  psychological).  

 Response  to  threat.  Heat  and  wind.  Constitutional  imbalance.  

 

General  symptoms  -­‐        

Warmth  –  local,  systemic  (fever),  sweating.  Symptoms  worse  with  heat.    Aversion  to  heat  –  already  too  much  heat.  Symptoms  better  with  cool/cold.    Preference  for  cool/cold  –  relieves  the  heat.  Redness  –  face,  lips,  tongue,  eyes/sclera,  rashes  –  temperature  imparts  color.  Rapid  –  pulse,  mind  (irritability,  agitation,  anxiety,  insomnia,  hyper-­‐alertness).  Dryness  –  fluids  are  injured/burned  off  -­‐  thirst,  dry  skin,  hair,  eyes,  constipation,  dark  scanty  urine.  

   

� Heat  is  generally  further  divided  into  specific  types  of  heat    

 � Wind  heat  

�  Fire    � Toxic  heat  �   Damp  heat  �  Summer  heat    �   Atrophic  heat  

Cool  acrid  herbs  expel  wind  heat  by  opening  up  the  pores  (through  relaxation)  to  allow  a  sweat  –    Can  be  combined  with  herbs  that  drain  fire  and/or  herbs  that  clear  heat  and  relieve  toxicity  as  wind  heat  tends  to  progress  into  heat,  fire  or  toxic  heat  much  more  quickly  than  wind  cold.    

�  Elder  flower  �  Yarrow  tops  �  Peppermint  leaf  �  Burdock  seed  �  Catnip  leaf  �  Lemon  Balm  �  Chamomile  flower  �  Eucalyptus  leaf  �  Sage  leaf  �  Kudzu  root  �  White  Mulberry  leaf    �  Blue  Vervain  leaf    �  Bupleurum  root      

   

�  Echinacea  root  � Baptisia  root  � Marshmallow  root  � Unprepared  Rehmannia  root  �  Purslane  �  Baikal  Skullcap  root  � Coptis  root    

Herbs  that  cool  the  blood      �  Toxic  heat  –  heat,  often  intense,  producing  toxins  (pus).    Includes  sores,  abscesses  and  poisonous  bites.  

� Caused  by  –  �  Severe  heat/fire  damaging  tissues  and  producing  toxins  from  the  damaged  tissues.  

�  Heat  combining  with  stagnant,  turbid  dampness  and  building  until  toxins  are  produced.  

�  Treatment  Principle  –  Clear  heat,  relieve  toxicity.  �  Some  members  of  this  category  have  demonstrated  marked  antiviral  and  antibacterial  activity  and  others  have  little  or  no  demonstrated  antiviral  and  antibacterial  activity,  but  have  a  long  history  of  treating  such  infections.  

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�  Demulcents      

�  Oftentimes  the  heat  that  arises  is  secondary  to  a  dry/atrophic  state  where  there  is  a  lack  of  fluids  to  lubricate/calm  the  tissue.  This  is  what  is  referred  to  as  yin  deficiency  and  can  be  characterized  by  hot  menopausal  symptoms  where  there  is  not  enough  fluid  (yin)  to  calm  the  yang  (night  sweats)  and  anxiety  is  a  presentation  of  this  as  well.  

   �  Marshmallow        Althea  off.  �  Linden  Tilia  spp  �  Shatavari        Asparagus  

racemosas    �  Licorice        Glycyrrhriza  glabra  

�  Atrophic  heat  –  insufficient  fluids  and  nutrition  (dryness  and  atrophy)  to  manage  heat.      

   �  Symptoms  -­‐  

�  Tidal  fever  (afternoon  low-­‐grade  fever),  hot  flashes,  night  sweats  –  heat  symptoms  appear  later  in  the  day,  because  it  is  the  time  of  day  that  the  body  wants  to  increase  the  action  of  the  coolant  fluids  to  settle  and  calm  the  fire  to  make  the  individual  more  quiet  and  inward  to  prepare  the  body  for  sleep.  

�  Thin  red  tongue,  thin  rapid  pulse    �     

�  Treatment  Principle  –  Clear  atrophic  heat,  restore  nutrition  and  fluids.  

�     

� Rosa  Family    �  Hawthorn  lf,  flower  and  berry  Crataegus  spp  (also  great  for  capillary  fragility  due  to  high  proanthocyanidin)  

�  Rose  hip/flowers      Rosa  spp  

�  Strawberry  Fragaria  �  Peach  Prunus  persica  

�  Sumac  berry        Rhus  spp  

� Lemon  Balm  Melissa  off.  

� Summer  heat  -­‐  heat  disorder  of  the  summer  season  –  from  exposure  to  too  much  heat  and  humidity.  

�     �  Treatment  Principle  –  Clear  summer  heat,  restore  fluids.  

�     �  In  addition  to  clearing  heat,  these  herbs  also  produce  fluids  and  relieve  thirst.  

   �  Watermelon  �  Cucumber  �  Summer  squash  �  Mung  bean  �  Hibiscus  flower  �  Lemon  Balm    �  Sumac  berry  �  Sweet  Annie  leaf    

�  Damp  heat  –  Heat  combining  with  dampness,  producing  yellow,  green  or  brown  mucus  discharges  from  the  membranes.  

 �  Dampness  in  the  body  readily  produces  heat  because  being  thick  and  turbid,  it  stagnates  the  flow  of  vital  energy,  which  is  clear,  bright,  very  active  and  warm.    When  vital  energy  is  blocked  from  flowing  freely,  it  tends  to  build  up  heat  and  pressure.  

 �  Because  the  heat  is  combined  with  dampness  and  dampness  is  heavy,  the  heat  tends  to  sink  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  body  instead  of  rise  up  into  the  head.    This  tends  to  produce  infections  in  the  pelvis  and  lower  abdomen  (intestines  and  urogenital  system)  and  involve  yellow,  green  or  brown  discharge  from  the  mucus  membranes.  

 �  Damp  heat  can  also  show  up  easily  in  the  lung/respiratory  system  as  a  sinus  infection  or  bronchitis  with  thick  green  or  yellow  discharge.  

�     Fire  –  intense  heat.    The  same  as  heat,  but  much  more  intense.  

High  fever,  irritability,  thirst  and  delirium  associated  with  febrile  disease  –  full  engagement  stage  of  dealing  with  the  penetration  of  a  pathogenic  environmental  factor.  Also  in  the  regulatory  system,  respiratory  system  or  digestive  system.  

�     �  These  herbs  are  among  the  coldest  in  the  material  medica.  

�     �  Calcium  –  Calcium  lactate  is  by  far  the  best  form.  �  Violet  leaf  �  SelWeal  tops  �  Baikal  Skullcap  root  �  Coptis  root    �  Unprepared  Rehmannia  root    �  Barley  Water    �  Vitamin  C  �  Magnesium  

� Tissue  Depression/Cold      

 Cold  Remedies    

   First  Degree    -­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐  Refreshes  

   Second  Degree  -­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐  Cools    

   Third  Degree  -­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐  Sedates  

   Fourth  Degree  -­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐-­‐  Anodyne  

 

Cold  in  the  first  degree  refreshes,  like  watermelon  on  a  hot  day.  In  the  second  degree  it  cools  fever.  In  the  third,  it  lowers  or  resists  the  uprising  of  vapors,  which  cause  restlessness  of  the  mind.  Just  as  in  Chinese  medicine,  heaviness  moves  things  downwards,  the  lowering  or  thickening  action  of  Greek  medicine  restrains  immoderate  upward  movement  and  conduces  an  appropriate  downward  movement.  By  cooling  and  restraining  vapors,  cold  in  the  third  degree  is  sedative.  Cold  in  the  fourth  degree  benumbs  or  dulls  consciousness,  like  opium  or  poison  hemlock.  It  is  used  to  fight  pain  or  kill.  The  opposite  of  heat,  cold  binds  together  substances  or  organs  that  are  opposite  in  nature,  so  that  they  can  work  together  in  the  same  system  or  if  incompatible  they  destroy.    

Too  little  or  under-­‐active  vital  energy.    

�  Carminatives  (warming  bitters)    �  Parsley  family  (Apiaceae)  Angelica    �  Osha  Root  Fennel  Dill    

�  Fragrant  bitters    �  Artemisia  clan  of  the  Asteraceae  Wormwood    �  Wormseed  Sweet  Annie    

�  Anomalous  fragrant  bitters    �  Black  Walnut  Hull    �  Elecampane  Sweet  aromatics    

�  Coffee  family  (Rubiaceae)  Madder    �  Cleavers  

Sweet  Woodruff    �  Clover  family  (Fabiaceae)    

�  Yellow  Clover    �  Red  Clover  Alfalfa    

�  Composite  family  (Asteraceae)    �  Helichrysum    �  Sweet  Everlasting  (Gnaphalium  obtusifolium)    

�  Antiseptics  �  White  Pine,  Pine    �  Canada  Hemlock  Calendula  Baptisia  

Isatis  Helianthemum  Thyme    �  Lavender  Echinacea    

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� Dry  –  Atrophy  �  1.  This  tissue  state  is  caused  by  lack  of  water  AS  WELL  AS  oil  

�  2.  Dehydration  can  be  either  of  the  above  fluids  

�  3.  This  may  be  because  the  body  is  not  able  to  produce  the  fluids  or  it  cannot  hold  onto  the  fluids  

�  4.  If  left  too  long,  dryness  can  move  into  atrophy  where  the  tissues  are  not  nourished  as  fluids  transport  nutrients  

�  1.  Low  intake  of  fluids  and  oils  

�  2.Excess  heat  which  consumes  fluids  

�  3.  Lack  of  transformation/transportation  of  fluids  

�  4.  Tissue  deficiency  so  not  able  to  hold  onto  fluids  

�  5.  Too  much  wind/vata  �  6.  Aging  

�  There  are  a  variety  of  ways  to  nourish  and  moisten  tissues  (Wood)  

? Hydrate  ? Mucilaginous  herbs  ? Oily  herbs  ? Sweet  Tonics  ? Meaty/Proteinaceaous  herbs  ? Salty  Emollients  ? Mineral  herbs  ? Bitter  tonics  ? Steroidal  Saponins  

�  American  Ginseng  (Panax  quinquefolium)  �  Siberian  Ginseng  (Eleutherococcus  senticosus)  �  Codonopsis  (Codonopsis  pilosula)  �  Rehmannia  Root  (Rehmannia  glutinosa)  �  Red  Root  (  Ceanothus  spp.)  �  Red  Raspberry  (Rubus  idaeus)  �  Slippery  Elm  (Umla  fulva)  �  Astragalus  (Astragalus  membranaceus)  �  Licorice  (Glycyrrhiza  glabra)  

�  Salty  Emollients    �  Marshmallow    �  Shepherd’s  Purse  �  Fenugreek    �  Mullein    

�  Earthen  (Minerals)    �  Nettles    �  Burdock  Root    �  Dandelion  Root    �  Alfalfa  �  Red  Rasberry  

� Damp/  Stagnation  

�  One  of  the  most  difficult  states  to  grasp  

�  Seen  as  state  where  fluids  cannot  get  out  of  normal  channels  of  elimination  

�  This  backup  can  build  up  into  catarrh,  phlegm  or  mucus.  

�  Was  referred  to  as  ‘The  Humors’  

�  Later  became  ‘bad  blood’  or  ‘impure  blood’  

 �  Remedies  most  appropriate  to  this  tissue  state  usually  increase  elimination  and  encourage  greater  metabolic  function.    

 �  In  Western  herbalism  we  tend  to  think  of  these  sorts  of  herbs  as  alteratives  or  blood  cleansers  

� Drain  damp  �  Tend  to  be  cool  or  bland  so  use  with  care  so  you  do  not  extinguish  digestive  fire  

�  Cleavers  �  Gravel  Root    � Hydrangea  root    �  Plantain  leaf  �  Couchgrass    �  Corn  silk  �  Dandelion  leaf    �  Nettle  leaf  

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�  This  tissue  states  corresponds  to  those  conditions  that  occur  due  to  nervous  tightening,  tension,  and  spasm  

 �  The  nerves  are  involved  –  without  nerves  there  would  be  no  wind/tension  tissue  state.    

 �   Includes  both  psychological  and  physical  tension.    

�  Lobelia    �  Passionflower    �  Wild  Lettuce  �  Blessed  Thistle    �  Boneset    �  Blue  Vervain  �  Agrimony  �  Catnip  �  Passionflower  �  Kava  kava  �  Calendula  �  Valerian    

Wind  �  Severe  and  advanced  form  of  tension.  Tension  that  eventually  produces  shaking  and  tremors.  Mimics  the  behavior  of  wind  which  can  be  erratic  and  unpredictable.  

�  Caused  by  �  Chronic  atrophy  �  Severe  heat  

�  General  symptoms  �  Tremors,  seizures,  

convulsions,  stroke,  paralysis.  

�   Rigid/deviated  tongue.    

� Relaxation/Lax  �  tissues  lacking    

in  tone  �  collapse    �  prolapse    �  leak  fluids  �   free  secretion  of    

 mucin  �  Diarrhea,  loose  runny  stools  -­‐  may  

have  undigested  food  or  clear  mucus      

�  Clear  copious  urine;  cool,    �  Habitual  miscarriage  (slippery  fetus)  

   �  Cinquefoil    �  Agrimony  �  Rose  hip  �  Cranesbill  �  Shepherd's  Purse  �  Raspberry  Leaf    �  Blackberry  root  �  Lady’s  Mantle    �  Sumac    �  Schisandra  berry  �  Bayberry  Bark    �  White  Oak  Bark