![]() This leads to a science that is very precise and relies on accurate readings being taken and everything being justified and not assumed. ![]() The body is seen very much as something composed of proteins transcribed from DNA, something that can be controlled and understood down to the tiniest detail. The treatment of these things is reliant on understanding the mechanism by which they work on a molecular level and trying to rectify it there. In contrast to this idea of balancing forces to maintain health, the Western method of looking at the body takes it as something that is made ill by viruses, bacteria and other external influences. Although this is true, the understanding of the body and the way it functions is phenomenal considering their knowledge comes from writings dating from as long as 2000 years ago. Ĭhinese Medicine has developed over the centuries by a sort of trial and error where the Chinese people used themselves as guinea pigs to see which remedies work and which did not. For example it is said that the kidney network is responsible for fluid metabolism, as well as storing the “Essence” which is responsible for reproduction, growth and regeneration. These systems govern particular tissues, activities and mental abilities. Traditional Chinese Medicine also states that the body is organized into five functional systems, the kidney, heart, spleen, liver and lung systems. Yin and Yang exist in the body as a fluctuating balance that has to be maintained in order to remain healthy. The kidney, for example, is said to be more Yin, whilst the liver is more Yang. Each of the organs of the body has an element of Yin and of Yang. The Yin is present as the organ’s substance, the histological structures and nutrients, whereas Yang is present as its functional abilities. These forces are present in the organs of the body, but not necessarily in equal amounts. These two forces are not stationary but are continuously fading into one another, just as night becomes day. The two are opposite forces and thus if you have one, you necessarily must have the other. Yin represents quiet, substance, night and water, whereas Yang represents noise, function, day and fire. An imbalance in these two forces is thought to lead to disease, whereas a balance leads to good health and good fortune. Whatever potential Auricularia may hold, its continued study seems unlikely when contemplating the combination of its diminished use and the progression towards Westernisation throughout China.Ĭhinese medicine is based on treating the body and mind as a miniature universe, in which every individual is unique and where health depends upon the balance of yin and yang. However the distinct decline in its prominence in the market place could easily be attributed to its perception as a fashionable treatment waning, and thus lead directly to its subsequent replacement by more popular remedies. There appears to be a great disparity between the bold claims made in the literature and any evidence of its use. The distinct absence of any scientific experimentation is considered in relation to both its reported healing properties and the recent competition or even possible replacement by more Western remedies. This enables an exploration as to their reliability. Then the claims made of Auricularia are considered in conjunction with the evidence from scientific reports. The reports available on Auricularia are studied and the scientific evidence separated, dissected and investigated. ![]() Fungi and their innate properties are briefly examined and their structure summarised. The concepts and beliefs of Chinese Medicine are collated, discussed and compared to the Western approach to treatment. 4.7 Potential of Fungi Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Auricularia (contributed by Anna Bonell, 2001) Abstract
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