The Flow of Life: Understanding Health Through Movement

<EP stands for Exterior Part and IP stands for Interior Part. 1-5 refers to the five organs.>

<nature = cold, cool, warm, hot/ taste = sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, salty>

The Flow of Life: Understanding Health Through Movement

In the natural world, nothing ever remains still. Even the slightest pause can lead to stagnation, decline, and ultimately, disappearance. Just as rivers flow, winds blow, and the Earth spins, the human body thrives on continuous movement—the circulation of vital substances, energy, and life force.

The Universe and the Body: A Reflection of Movement 🌌🌍

Einstein’s theory tells us that acceleration causes space to bend—a concept that has been confirmed by modern astronomers. The Earth moves tens of miles in the blink of an eye, and our solar system continuously expands and contracts over vast distances. In the cosmic dance of stars and galaxies, energy is constantly being created and transformed, shaping the universe as we know it.

What if the stars stopped moving? There would be no creation, no transformation—only stagnation and decay. The same principle applies to our health: when the movement of vital substances within the body is disrupted, disease arises. Restoring health is about restoring movement.

Illness as a Blockage: The Key to Treatment 🌀💡

In Oriental medicine, disease occurs when the natural flow of vital substances is obstructed—whether in dispersing (expanding outward) or gathering (concentrating inward). Treatment, therefore, focuses on restoring the normal flow:

✔️ If there is a blockage in dispersing flow, it needs to be encouraged to move outward.

✔️ If there is a blockage in gathering flow, it needs to be supported in drawing inward.

By understanding the position (where the blockage is) and the direction (whether it needs to disperse or gather), we can effectively remove obstructions and restore balance—leading to natural healing.

The Role of Food and Herbs in Healing 🌿🥑🍵

In Oriental medicine, all food and herbal ingredients are categorized based on two fundamental properties:

1️⃣ Taste: The Path to the Right Location

Taste is not just about flavor—it’s how a substance naturally finds its way to the organ that needs it most. Each taste corresponds to a specific system in the body:

• Sour → Liver

• Bitter → Heart

• Sweet → Spleen

• Spicy → Lungs

• Salty → Kidneys

This is why certain flavors are recommended for different imbalances—because they directly nourish and support the affected organ.

2️⃣ Nature: The Direction of Movement

While taste determines where a substance goes, nature determines how it moves:

• Cooling foods bring energy inward, helping to retain fluids and reduce heat.

• Warming foods push energy outward, enhancing circulation and increasing warmth.

For example:

🔥 If someone is overheated, cooling foods like bitter melon or purslane help draw heat inward and restore balance.

❄️ If someone is always cold, warming foods like chives, shrimp, or lamb help push warmth outward to restore circulation.

Healing is About Flow 🌊

When vital substances move freely, the body thrives. When movement is blocked, disease takes hold. Through the right foods, herbs, and treatments, we can restore the natural rhythm of life within the body—just as the universe itself moves in perfect balance.

💡 Want to optimize your health? Start by understanding your body’s flow and choosing the right foods to support it! 🌿✨

Dr.Ahn's Acupuncture and herbs

703-375-9057