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immune system
hayfever syndrome
psychospiritual approaches

metaphors and correlations

• Allergy is aggression that has precipitated itself out of the psyche and into the body, giving itself vent on a new level where the patients concerned can defend and attack, thus harmless things are turned into enemies. This is bound up closely with fear, and by looking at the preferred allergens there is an indicator of which areas in life are striking so much fear in the allergy sufferer. (Dethlefsen, p. 111)
• Individual in whom certain tissues are overstimulated because of his emotional state (nose congestion from chronic tendency to cry for mother) may be more sensitive to allergens. (Alexander and French, p. 553)
• Emotional congestion; fear of the calendar; a belief in persecution; guilt. (Hay, 1984, p. 167)
• Results from early childhood message "Don't cry"; failure to cry may result in sinusitis in later years. (Harrison, p. 24)
• A study of 128 patients with allergic rhinitis were divided into two groups: those with hay fever (91 patients) and those with perennial allergic rhinitis (37 patients). Conclusion was that psychogenic factors are practically of no importance in hay fever but play a great involvement in perennial allergic rhinitis. (Locke, 1983, p. 89)

Chinese psychophysiology:
Lung ~ Fei is the home of the Po (Corporeal Soul); governs the Qi; facilitates the immune function by assisting the dispersal of the Wei (Protective) Qi; regulates the rhythm of respiration, the pulse, and all bodily processes; relates to strength and sustainability; moves and adjusts fluid metabolism; includes the throat; opens at the nose; extends through the skin, controls the pores, and manifests through the body hair.
» Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage.
»
Weakness, dysfunction, and illness are associated with excessive grief, sadness, worry, and depression. Worry depletes the Lung Qi.
» Lung Shi (Excess)
signs include panting; yawning; sneezing (Seem, p. 28); pain in the upper back, shoulder, and chest; colds with stuffed nose; hoarseness; wheezing respiration; frequent urination with small amounts; heavy chest; reduced lung capacity; coughing; and nasal discharge.

Kidney ~ Shen stores Jing (Essence) and governs birth, growth, reproduction, development, and aging; houses the Zhi (Will); expresses ambition and focus; facilitates inspiration by grasping and pulling down the Qi of the breath; carries the constitutional endowment from the parents; and displays the effects of overwork, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
» Healthy expressions are gentleness, groundedness, and endurance.
» Kidney Xu (Deficiency) signs include indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); hearing loss; fearfulness; apathy; chronic fatigue; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; difficult inhalation; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, especially when worse from touch. As always, chronic deficiency predisposes to acute inflammation.
» Intense or prolonged fear depletes the Kidney. Often chronic anxiety may induce Xu (Deficiency) and then Fire within the Kidney. (Maciocia, p. 250) Overwork, parenting, simple aging, and a sedentary or excessively indulgent lifestyle all contribute significantly to Kidney Xu (Deficiency).

Liver ~ Gan is the residence 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); reflects emotional harmony and movement; and opens into the eyes.
»
Healthy expressions are kindness, spontaneity, and ease of movement.
» 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.

Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); governs the Xue (Blood) and holds it in the vessels; resolves Dampness and Phlegm; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel centered and balanced.
» Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence.
» Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity.
» The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise and excess consumption of sweet and Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen. Environmentally, the Spleen is highly susceptible to attack from external Dampness and Cold.


therapies

imagery:
• open flow (Chavez)
• anti-allergen (Fanning, p. 270)
• vibrating drain light (Chavez)
• virus ticket (Chavez)

affirmation:
• I am one with all of life. I am safe at all times. (Hay, 1984, p. 167)
• (Inflammation) My thinking is peaceful, calm, and centered. I am willing to change all patterns of criticism. I love and approve of myself. (Hay, 1984, p. 170-1)

psychotherapy:
• The theory of 'desensitization' by itself will be ineffective if underlying psychological issues are not addressed. Allergic individuals, in order to heal, must must consciously face those areas they have been avoiding and devaluing. One renders them no service by supporting them in their defense strategies. (Dethlefsen, p. 112)
• Allergies are a form of auto-aggression and isolation. Allergy sufferers may find it useful to explore the following questions:
» What are the areas of my life that I am so afraid of as to be avoiding them?
» To what extent am I using my allergy to manipulate those around me?
» What has become of my love and my capacity for letting in what is 'out there'?
» What aggression is trying to work itself out in my body? (Dethlefsen, p. 113)

process paradigm: (experientially oriented)
• What is the symptom preventing me from doing? What is the symptom making me do? (see process interview: eyes/ears/nose/throat system)

related materia medica listings:
the shadow and physical symptoms
converting a symptom to a signal
imagery: precautions
imagery: techniques
affirmations: guidelines and precautions
hypnotherapy
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.