Planet Earth is clearly in crisis. This is evidenced by issues of global warming and its effects on the weather; as well as current farming practices and their effects on the environment and our food supply.
Some folks believe global warming is part of the natural evolution of the earth. Others belief it is a direct result of human influence on our planet. Whatever side of the debate you are falling on, there is no arguing that global warming is a reality. We are seeing thunder snow, thunder sleet and extreme record-setting temperatures, both hot and cold, around the globe.
Climate change is creating hot spots where "pyrocumulonimbus clouds" are forming. These clouds are the source of lightning-intense storms which spark fires. This is a global phenomenon affecting areas including, but not limited to, Australia, the Amazon in Brazil, the Congo Basin, Siberia, Indonesia and the United States.1
The use of herbicides, especially glyphosate, has created a cascade of practices that are creating havoc on the earth and subsequently on Earth's inhabitants. Glyphosate has been shown to be toxic to plants, which accomplishes the goal of weed control. However, the company selling the herbicide containing glyphosate began to hybridize plants to be tolerant to the herbicide.
This process is known as genetic modification and food products are labeled as genetically modified organisms (GMO). In theory, this seemed like a good idea since it could result in increased yield of the desired crops while eliminating the weeds that compete. However, the use of this herbicide has shown over time to be toxic to bees and butterflies, both important in pollination of all plants. I believe it has also affected humans in increased incidences of cancer and major gastrointestinal problems.
It is my opinion that the human body has not evolved into this new hybrid food source (nor should we). Our bodies do not recognize these GMO foods and an inflammatory response is created.
Threatening Earth's Yin
While it is difficult to determine the root from the branches of this crisis, I am suggesting that the root of our crisis is deforestation. Trees are our life source. Trees root us to the Earth. They anchor Planet Earth's yin. They are Mother Earth's lungs. They provide the oxygen we need while using the carbon dioxide we exhale. I can't think of a more symbiotic or important relationship.
Forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate. "The battle against deforestation remains an uphill one – the world lost more than one soccer field of forest every second in 2017."2 Trees absorb the carbon emissions that are known to contribute to warming across the globe. Felling trees significantly influences regional warming. Deforestation results in loss of habitat by stripping important ecological systems.
We know the increasing temperature of Earth is resulting in massive glacial melting, which directly challenges the wildlife that live in those regions. Without our trees' influence in anchoring Planet Earth's yin, lung becomes yin deficient. This condition is exacerbated by excessive use of voice as the Earth screams for our conscious attention.3
Through A TCM Lens
Let's look at this from a Chinese medicine perspective. We know that based on the sheng and ko cycles, all elements within the cycle are interdependent. Of paramount importance is the ke cycle relationship between metal and fire, and metal and wood.
In addition, the sheng cycle provides explanation of why this LU yin deficiency demands too much from earth and water, and they become overworked and weak. At the same time, wood and fire experience stagnation and begin to insult metal and water, respectively, creating not only yin deficiency within metal, but also kidney yin deficiency.3-4
After extended periods of time and as a result of poor nurturing of earth and repeated overworking, Planet Earth lung yin deficiency shows up as dryness and empty heat.
"The Ancient Chinese perceived human beings as a microcosm of the universe that surrounded them, suffused with the same primeval forces that motivated the macrocosm. They imagined themselves as part of one unbroken wholeness, called Tao, a singular relational continuum within and without. This thinking predates the dissection of mind from body and man from nature that Western culture performed in the seventeenth century."5
It only makes sense that human being's behavior and health directly reflect Planet Earth's imbalances. Imbalances in the metal element result in emotional and spiritual symptoms which "include the inability to discriminate between what is right and wrong, a lack of originality or creativity, and a growing sensation of rigidity and inflexibility."5 A deficiency "results in a general state of confusion and disarray."5 Deficiency creates the inability to "let go" of things, therefore creating a situation whereby everyone is dug in.
People are often opinionated and unable to entertain diversity. This is demonstrated by the political unrest around the world. In 2020, "Over 230 significant anti -government protests have erupted worldwide. More than 110 countries have experienced significant protests."6 These countries include Myanmar, Hong Kong, India and the United States, just to name a few. Deficiency within the water element creates "erratic" responses in fire (heart) and earth (spleen). This imbalance further aggravates the global unrest.
The Pandemic: Part of the Problem ... or a Direct Result of the Problem?
In addition, the human inhabitants of Planet Earth have been inflicted with a direct assault to the already weakened metal element. A respiratory virus that has created a global pandemic is not only part of the problem, but also a direct result of the problem.
Especially in the U.S. the population as a whole is unwell. The U.S. has an epidemic of obesity in our adults and our children. I am suggesting that it is primarily a result of poor lifestyle choices. Some suggest the situation has been worsened by the overuse of antibiotics, which has affected our microbiome in our large intestines7 (another direct assault to metal).
Obesity has led to increase incidences of cancer, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes (which contributes to kidney disease and other circulatory problems), polycystic ovarian syndrome (which affects fertility), heart disease, high blood pressure, and more. It is widely acknowledged that the COVID-19 virus has a more damaging effect on people with these underlying conditions, all of which are further exacerbated by what I suggest is a low -grade pervasive malnutrition from eating foods our bodies cannot process efficiently.
Let's Bring Our Planet Back Into Balance
The solution to bringing Planet Earth back into balance is complex and requires deep introspection. I suggest we must begin by living consciously. We must begin within ourselves and rediscover the love from which we all vibrate. Only by loving ourselves can we love others.
Living in love will create the resonance necessary to respect all life on Planet Earth, including humans, animals, plants, and the rocks and minerals on which we plant our feet.
References
Did any of you ever get the feeling in school that it simply was not OK to speak about wanting to be successful? To get into the nitty gritty details of how to make money in practice? Maybe you were even someone like me who was directly told by someone in a position of power that I needed to take what I could get because in private practice, I wouldn’t make money.
This summer, a somewhat new clinical presentation was commonplace in my clinic and I received many questions from patients concerning this “new” disorder: summer SAD. Summer seasonal affective disorder was in the daily news this past summer, as numerous areas of the country experienced oppressive heatwaves.
Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are the first-line therapy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients. However, these medications can cause adverse effects such as nausea, headaches, and hypertension. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated efficacy in managing these side effects and improving the quality of life of affected patients.
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