Yin and Yang Nature Based on Huangdi Neijing, Su Wen and Ling Shu

Everyday, people are living in a complicated environment. They can be influenced by so many factors such as emotions, climates, nutrition, and lifestyles. Yin and Yang, by nature, are considered a key factor that can affect a human's healthy life. Huangdi Neijing had discussions concerning an imbalance between Yin and Yang, which causes illnesses in people. 

Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) is an Ancient Chinese medical text as well as a major book of Daoist theory and lifestyle that had a doctrinal source for Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. There are two texts that include Su Wen (Basic Question) and Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot). 

In Huangdi Neijing Chapter 3 and 5 explain Yin and Yang are the natures of the universe, the foundations of all things, and the roots of life and death that control pathogenic factor in human body. Yin and Yang unbalance those weakened pathogenic factors and are subject to disease and degeneration. Qi Bo explains when Yin and Yang are balanced, the Qi and Blood flow smoothly, internal and external correspond correctly, and pathogens cannot invade into the body. 

Huang Di mentions in Chapter 6 that Heaven and the Sun are considered Yang, and Earth and the Moon are considered Yin. Because the energy flows from within, the human body follows the cycles of the sun go through 365 days, and the moon follows the Sun, which form one year on the calendar. According to Qi Bo, Yin and Yang are not absolute, but their principles never change. 

In Daoist philosophy, dark and light, yin and yang, arrive in the Tao Te Ching in Chapter 42. Yin and Yang transform each other and are always opposite and equal qualities. Whenever one quality reaches its peak, it will naturally begin to transform into the opposite quality, e.g. after 12 am sun rise until 12 pm at peak (fully yang) and after 12 pm sun set until 12 am (fully Yin) in an endless cycle. The relationship between Yin and Yang are often described in terms of sunlight playing over a mountain and a valley. Yin is the dark area, shady place, while Yang is the bright and sunny place.

In I Ching, Yin and Yang are described by broken lines (yin: ⚋ ) and solid lines (Yang: ⚊ ) (Western Zhou period (c. 1000 – 750 BC)). Yin and Yang lines determine the meaning of a trigrams and hexagrams; upper is Yang and lower is Yin. 

Yin and Yang are very important in our human bodies. The Qi of Yin and Yang move the entire the whole body, interior and exterior. When disease occurs, that means the Yin and Yang are unbalanced. In my personal opinion, to apply into practice, the concept of Yin within Yin and Yang within Yang should be understood carefully when and where disease occurs. I emphasize the need to eat with balance with the patient. Yin and Yang also apply to foods such as meats, fruit, diary, vegetables, grains, spices and herbs. Meat is Yang; vegetables is Yin. A very general nutrition guide is to eat with balance. Yang (meaty) foods during winter (Yin time of year), Yin (vegan) foods during summer (yang time of year). The patient needs to understand the principle of the energies of the universe and to exercise, which promotes energy flow to harmonize themselves with the universe. They should eat a balanced diet at regular times, take a nap at regular hours, avoid overstressing their bodies and minds, refrain from overwork, and maintain well-being of body and mind. 

References: 

Huangdi Neijing. (2017, April 11). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huangdi_Neijing