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The “Seven Emotions” refer to the human mental responses to external stimuli. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), appropriately expressing emotions is beneficial for health, but repression or excessive expression can harm the body. To address emotional issues, we must cultivate our hearts and minds, gradually becoming aware and managing our emotions, and nurturing our character.
TCM categorizes emotions into joy, anger, worry, contemplation, sadness, fear, and shock, with corresponding relationships to the five organs: excessive joy harms the heart, excessive anger harms the liver, excessive contemplation harms the spleen, excessive sadness harms the lungs, and excessive fear harms the kidneys.
A normal person experiences slight happiness, anger, sadness, and fear in daily life without harming their body. Only when these emotions become excessive do they affect health.
Emotional fluctuations can impact the flow of Yang Qi within the body, with different emotional states affecting its trajectory. The “Huangdi Neijing” summarizes this: anger causes Qi to rise, joy causes Qi to relax, fear causes Qi to descend, shock causes Qi to become chaotic, sadness causes Qi to dissipate, worry causes Qi to accumulate, and contemplation causes Qi to stagnate.
When one is angry, Yang Qi rises, which is why some people turn red in the face during intense arguments; the Yang Qi pushes blood upward, causing a sudden rush of blood to the face.
There is an interesting ancient Chinese term: “Anger causes hair to stand on end.” Hair is considered a surplus of blood; when a person is angry, the blood rushes to the head, causing the hair to stand up, which can even lift a hat. This exaggerated expression reflects the common understanding of TCM in ancient society.
Severe anger can lead to acute illnesses such as stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. When blood rushes to the head, pre-existing weak blood vessels in the brain may rupture, causing bleeding. Additionally, if Yang Qi suddenly rushes upward, a person who is already weak may faint, allowing cold pathogens to enter the body, resulting in paralysis.
Many elderly individuals on television have died from anger caused by family disputes, which has some truth. During severe illness, the body is very weak, and the last bit of Yang Qi resides in the kidneys. If a family member provokes anger, that last bit of Yang Qi may rise, leading to a phenomenon known as “returning light” where the face flushes before death.
Therefore, when patients are very weak or after surgery, to ensure normal recovery, one should avoid saying anything that might provoke strong emotions.
In daily life, anger can harm the liver and gallbladder, especially for those who suppress their anger, leading to liver Qi stagnation. Anger consists of two phases: the first phase is the stagnation of liver Qi when one becomes angry, and the second phase is the release of that anger. When the liver detects stagnation in its meridians, it attempts to push the Qi upward, which is expressed through language and actions.
People who suppress their anger often remain stuck in the first phase, unable to release the Qi. If liver Qi stagnation occurs occasionally, it is not a major issue, as the body can self-regulate. During sleep, the body can clear some negative emotions, and the stagnant Qi may be released through bodily functions, such as passing gas, leading to a feeling of relief.
Although the body has a self-clearing ability, frequent suppression of anger may overwhelm this ability, leading to severe liver Qi stagnation, resulting in symptoms like chest fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, and bitter dry mouth due to reversed gallbladder Qi.
Moreover, liver and gallbladder issues often manifest with gastrointestinal symptoms because the liver and gallbladder are associated with wood, while the gastrointestinal tract is associated with earth. Wood overcomes earth, so individuals who experience bloating and diarrhea when angry likely have liver and gallbladder issues. By relieving liver Qi, these symptoms can improve. Many chronic stomach issues are also related to liver and gallbladder problems, which is why TCM often combines liver-relieving herbs with those that strengthen the spleen during treatment.
A mild sense of joy is very beneficial for the body. The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “Joy harmonizes Qi and allows the spirit to flourish, thus Qi flows smoothly.” When one feels joy, the Yang Qi flows freely throughout the body, clearing any previously stagnant areas, allowing for smooth circulation. This state of relaxation is not slow but rather a gentle and unhurried flow.
Once Yang Qi flows smoothly, it can better nourish the skin, which is why there is a saying, “A smile can take ten years off your age.” Those who maintain a joyful disposition not only stay healthy but also appear younger. Some may argue that frequent laughter leads to wrinkles, but this is not true; wrinkles form when muscles relax and Yang Qi fails to reach the face, preventing the transport of blood and moisture. Over time, without the nourishment of blood and moisture, the skin becomes dry and wrinkled. For example, children who laugh often do not develop wrinkles because they have abundant Yang Qi.
However, excessive joy can harm the heart. For instance, some people faint from overwhelming happiness upon winning the lottery. Any extreme emotion can harm the body. Excessive joy can slow the flow of Qi, leading to a state of lethargy where one feels less motivated to act.
Some individuals may turn pale after being frightened because the blood and Qi have descended. Others may experience incontinence due to fear, as Yang Qi descends, and if the lower Yang Qi is weak, it cannot hold the urinary and anal sphincters, leading to involuntary release. This is more common in the elderly, who often have weak Yang Qi.
The kidneys are responsible for storing essence and Qi for bodily development, bone marrow formation, and reproductive functions. However, excessive fear can cause Yang Qi to descend, leading to incontinence, which can also deplete the essence stored in the kidneys. In extreme cases, individuals may die from fear due to the complete loss of kidney essence.
It is a misconception that only sudden fright can harm the kidneys; prolonged exposure to fear can gradually deplete kidney essence, leading to a pale complexion and lack of vitality. This is due to the descent of Qi and blood not reaching the face, combined with the gradual loss of essence from prolonged fear, resulting in a lack of energy and vitality.
Prolonged sadness, such as from a breakup or the death of a loved one, can also lead to significant health issues. As mentioned earlier, sadness causes Qi to dissipate, and prolonged sadness can lead to Yang deficiency, weakening the body’s resistance. Some individuals who are already weak may faint from crying. Patients in a prolonged state of sadness often find it difficult to recover, as their Yang Qi is continuously depleted by their emotional state.
Sadness can also harm the lungs, as the Qi of the lungs tightens during sadness, preventing the expulsion of phlegm and waste. Over time, this leads to an accumulation of waste gases and can result in lung disease.
Many ancient stories recount individuals who died from excessive grief after losing a spouse or parent. This is due to the excessive depletion of Yang Qi and the inability to expel pathogenic factors, leading to severe illness.
Excessive contemplation can lead to Qi stagnation, as all attention is focused on the thoughts at hand, causing Yang Qi to concentrate in the brain. Over time, this can lead to insomnia, as the mind races with thoughts, preventing restful sleep.
When one is preoccupied with thoughts, the digestive function of the spleen and stomach diminishes, as Yang Qi is diverted to the brain. This prolonged lack of energy can deplete the spleen and stomach’s essence, leading to weakness and illness.
The spleen and stomach are the source of postnatal Qi, which supports mental and physical activities. A significant portion of Yang Qi is derived from the transformation of food by the spleen and stomach. They also categorize the essence of food according to the needs of various organs.
Therefore, individuals with poor spleen and stomach function often appear pale and thin, feel fatigued, and frequently fall ill, not only due to Yang deficiency but also because the five organs are not nourished. It is essential to balance work and rest, limiting prolonged periods of contemplation and allowing for relaxation to avoid harm to the body.
Shock and fear are often linked, but shock primarily disrupts the spirit, while fear is more about dread. Sudden fright can cause disorientation and chaos in the Qi flow, leading to erratic pulse and a disordered state of mind.
Frequent Qi disturbances can lead to blood stasis and prevent Yang Qi from protecting the body. It is worth noting that children are particularly susceptible to fright, which can lead to nighttime crying and anxiety. A small amount of Fu Shen powder can be given to help calm them.
The last emotion is worry, which arises when the mind cannot balance reality with expectations. Worry is the fear of bad outcomes, while contemplation is the hope for good outcomes, both of which create a conflict in the mind. Our hearts can only deal with the present; if we focus on the future, we become overwhelmed, leading to worry.
During worry, Qi accumulates, which can lead to Yang deficiency and increased susceptibility to illness. Prolonged worry can also cause liver Qi stagnation, negatively impacting the liver and spleen.
This discussion on emotional illness aims to remind everyone to avoid extreme emotions such as excessive joy, anger, fear, and sadness, as these are detrimental to health. While external treatments and medications can address emotional-related illnesses, true healing begins with cultivating the heart and mind, gradually becoming aware and managing emotions, and nurturing one’s character!
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