When I was in my 30's I noticed I would get chest congestion or bronchitis every month and I have always struggled with sluggish plumbing in the southern hemisphere.....if you know what I mean. Little did I know then that the two could be connected.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) specific emotions are associated with our internal organs. There can be a physical cause, an emotional (internal) cause, or a combination of both as reasons for health occurrences.
Perhaps you have experienced a form of grief, maybe a cherished family member has passed away, and you have had a cold that just will not go away. Maybe your asthma or allergies flare-up. In TCM "grief and sadness" go deeper than the emotional level and are associated with the "Lungs".
This is very important because the Lungs control the flow of energy in our bodies. They take in air and oxygen that our blood and brain need to survive. When you do not process "grief and sadness" properly.... when you do not "let go".... this could eventually cause a lung energy deficiency which could lead to interference with lung function and oxygen circulation. This, of course, could have a debilitating affect on other parts of the body.
None of us are immune from being angry, sad, worried or afraid. Our culture or society, however, teaches us that "negative or bad" emotions need to be "toned" down or ignored.... they are not a big deal. However, when left suppressed these emotions have a damaging affect on the corresponding organ.... such as the Lung. Grief happens to be the worst emotion to transition through. It's process has many stages which requires time and a slower pace.
Causes of Grief
Grief can happen when a major disruptive change occurs.....
- Loss of a job
- Loss of property
- A move
- A break-up
- Death
- Hardships of daily life
How Grief May Be Manifested
- Hard time taking a full breath
- Heavy feeling on chest
- Asthma flare-up
- Allergy flare-up
- Catching colds easier
- Excessive Sweating (night sweats or hot flashes)
So, how is the "southern hemisphere plumbing" (aka.... colon/large intestine) connected to all this? Well, every organ has a partner. The "Colon or Large Intestine" is the partner for the Lungs. When grief is not properly addressed and goes unresolved, then it becomes chronic and there is the inability to "let go". The "plumbing" or bowels become "stuck".
Consider when a small child "catches a cold". If this cold settles in the chest, chances are he or she will also become constipated. There is an inability to "let go".
Understand, there could be a physical reason and not an emotional reason for the constipation. For the emotional side, however, being able to "release" the grief and sadness.... to "let it go".... is what will bring the beginning of healing. When left unresolved issues from the past can resurface and prevent life from being enjoyed to the fullest.
You may not be able to control every trigger or external influence. You can, however, find ways to manage how they will affect you. Check out some ideas here.
You may also appreciate learning more about the organ clock.
