-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
cutaneous system
herpes simplex
psychospiritual approaches

metaphors and correlations

• The origin of the word "herpes" can be traced to the word "snake."
• Outbreaks associated with stress. The frequency of the population having antibodies for HSV is about one-third. (Locke, 1986, p. 137)
• Incidence and antibody titers to HSV were found significantly higher in patients with psychotic depression compared to normal controls. Furthermore the cell-mediated immunity to HSV in psychotic depression was similar to that observed after an acute HSV infection or recurrence. (Locke, 1983, p. 163)
• A number of factors are known to play a part in activating the virus including colds, menstruation, sunburn, fevers (stress of metabolism elevation), scratch on the lip, and the psychological factors globally referred to as 'stress.' Negative effects, such as unhappiness or depression, are often concomitants of stress. (Locke, 1983, p. 144)
• May be associated with issues of shame or guilt around sex. (Locke, 1986, p. 137)
• Associated with a a need to be miserable or appear a victim of fate. (Harrison, p. 156)
• Mass belief in sexual guilt and the need for punishment. Public shame. Belief in a punishing God. Rejection of the genitals. (Hay, 1988, p. 40)
• No emotional satisfaction from one's sexual activities; sex with partner one is not drawn to. (Shealy, p. 206)

Chinese psychophysiology:
Liver ~ Gan is the home of the Hun (Ethereal Soul); it relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; cleanses the Xue (Blood); maintains smooth flow of Qi and Xue (Blood); and reflects emotional harmony and movement.
» Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» Liver Qi Stagnation reflects and accentuates emotional constraint as the Liver's function of facilitating smooth flow in the body is constricted. Stagnation is associated with frustration, irritability, tension, and feeling stuck. With time this pattern tends to produce a gloomy emotional state of constant resentment, repressed anger or depression, along with tightness in the chest, frequent sighing, abdominal tension or distension, and/or a feeling of a lump in the throat with difficulty in swallowing. (Maciocia, p. 216)
» Liver Shi (Excess)
signs include discontent; anger; pain in lumbar region and genitals (Seem, p. 28); muscular tension; excessive sex drive; insomnia; moodiness; excitability; genital diseases; red, tearing eyes; compulsive energy; and bitter taste in the mouth. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder with symptoms of irritability, bitter taste, headaches, etc.
» Liver Wind derives from Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency) and/or Liver Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency) and their subsequent inability to embrace the Yang, and can manifest as joint stiffness, dizziness, tremor, paralysis, convulsions, rashes, itching, and neurological problems.

Gall Bladder ~ Dan is the source of courage and initiative, and is responsible for decision-making as the bodily Minister of Justice; and controls circulation of the nourishing and protecting energies [Ying Qi and Wei (Protective) Qi]. Its channel purifies Yang energy in the body.
»
Healthy expressions are kindness, decisiveness, control, and spirit of initiative.
» Gall Bladder Shi (Excess) signs include tiredness; sighing; irritability; bitter taste in the mouth in the morning; pain in all joints; edematous knees and legs (Seem, p. 29); tinnitus; lateral headache; heaviness in head and stomach; muscular spasms; and limbs slightly cold. Chronically suppressed anger can implode and give rise to Fire in the Liver and Gall Bladder.
»
Anger, frustration, and resentment can cause Liver Qi Stagnation which, in turn, can produce Heat which affects the Gall Bladder.


therapies

imagery:
• green lawn (Chavez)

affirmation:
• My concept of God supports me. I am normal and natural. I rejoice in my own sexuality and in my own body. I am wonderful. (Hay, 1988, p. 40)

theotherapy:
Heracles, Typhon (Lemesurier, p. 99)

psychotherapy:
• Whatever happens to the skin corresponds to an inner process. The diverse functions of the skin (protection, contact, expression, excretion, respiration, temperature regulation, sexuality, etc.) are associated with a common theme that alternates between the two poles of separation and contact. Something is bursting through our limits, or trying to armor an inner sensitivity. Questions to ask in the event of skin problems:
» What is it that is getting under my skin? What is trying to burst through barriers?
» How easy/difficult is it to make contact with other people? Do I desire intimacy?
» Have I condemned myself to solitary confinement? What is useful about this?
(Dethlefsen, p. 162, 170)

process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
• What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: cutaneous system)

related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
skin metaphors and correlations
converting a signal to a symptom
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
theotherapy
process paradigm


footnotes

Reprinted from The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, Maciocia, Giovanni, 1989, by permission of the publisher Churchill Livingstone, a division of Elsevier Limited.