Learning The Vis from Coco
The Vis Medicatrix Naturae, or the healing power of nature, is at the core of naturopathic philosophy. This power, present in all living things, is the blueprint for optimal health and well-being.
Sex and the Kidney
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sexual health is largely managed by the Kidney organ system.
Keep in mind, of course, that as with all organ systems of TCM, when we speak of the “Kidney” we are not talking about the actual, Western kidneys. TCM must be understood as its own paradigm, and students must try to refrain from drawing too many parallels with Western medicine, as it only serves to confuse and frustrate, rather than educate and enlighten.
That being said, In TCM the Kidneys are in charge of essence, an important yin energy. We are born with a set amount of essence, which, unlike Qi, can never be replenished. When we age, our essence is slowly depleted, causing our hair to turn grey and fall out, our face to show signs of aging and our teeth to loosen and fall. If that didn’t sound like fun already, there is also an increase in sexual dysfunction as energy levels and libido lower. Therefore, sexual dysfunction, which is everything from low libido to impotence, usually indicates a problem with Kidney energy.
Unfortunately, while Kidney essence garners sexual and reproductive health, it is also depleted by engaging in sexual intercourse. According to the book Behind the Jade Screen by Dr. Hong Zen Zhu, we can never replenish essence but there are ways in which we can conserve it, especially when it comes to sexually practices:
An exercise call Qi Gong can be used before sex to help regulate Qi. This exercise works by guiding Kidney Qi (or Kidney energy) to the sex organs to make them strong and therefore, preventing impotence from excessive loss of essence. This Qi Gong exercise involves mental concentration. It should be learned under the training of a professional Qi Gong instructor. Keep in mind that Qi Gong’s benefits extend greatly beyond sexual health and is an excellent way of preserving essence and encouraging the flow of Qi.
To prevent a loss of fluid and bodily dryness, and to prepare for intercourse, both males and females can guide their fluids by sending yin energy down to the organs. This can be done by swallowing saliva and contracting the anus. This benefit has to do with sending moisture in the right direction, which prevents the loss of moisture and important yin energy.
It is important for partners to stay mindfully in tune with their own bodies and gauge when each of their spiritual and physical energies is ready for sexual intercourse. Practicing proper timing not only keeps one aware of their body, it also helps to value the act of sexual intercourse and it’s potential to tax the body through essence depletion. It also helps and strengthens the sexual relationship with his or her partner. (In other words, according to the Chinese, if you’re not feelin’ it, don’t just do it because there’s nothing good on TV!)
According to TCM it is important not to rush sex (sorry to all you “quickie” fans out there!). In order to store or save Qi, people should try to release energy slowly by moving slowly and guiding Qi down to the lower part of the body during sex. It’s also important to practice peaceful movement during the act. Overly aggressive sexual activity (as well as excess anger) can result in energy stagnation.
There is another Qi Gong technique for men who are experiencing a loss of Qi and have a partner with adequate Qi. The exercise is called “Taking out the Qi“. In this exercise the man withdraws before ejaculation in order to try to “steal” some Qi from his partner. Again, it is important to consult a Qi Gong instructor before attempting these techniques.
After sex it is important to recover. Both partners need peaceful relaxation to give the physical Qi and life essence a chance to recuperate. Resting and relaxing after intercourse also gives the spiritual energy a chance to gather its forces.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are various ideas about how often an individual can “safely” engage in sex without damaging his or her essence and thereby contributing to premature aging and sexual dysfunction. Dr. Sun Si Miao, a physician and Taoist of the Tang Dynasty who lived from 580 to 682 (101 years), gives the following guidelines for a healthy amount of sexual activity. It is important to contrast these guidelines with what we are taught to expect is “normal” from our own North American culture. I think you will find that a healthy balance lies in the middle of your own experience and the TCM recommendations given over 2500 years ago.
Teens: Contrary to what the media pressures us to believe in today’s society, in Ancient China it was thought that teenagers didn’t have enough strong, mature energy to engage in sexual activity yet.
20’s: It is healthy to have sexual intercourse once every 4 days. Engaging in sex more frequently at this age runs the risk of prematurely depleting Kidney essence.
30’s: Once every 8 days
40’s: Once every 16 days
50’s: Once every 20 days
60’s: Once a month, if the individual is fairly healthy. If the individual had a history of health disorders or generalized weakness, then only occasional sexual activities was recommended.
70’s: Whether healthy or not, sex would use up too much energy therefore sex is not recommended at all.
For those who (and I imagine there are many of you!) feel that these guidelines are extremely conservative, don’t fear! One can improve sexual function by following some of the above tips and receiving regular acupuncture treatments, which treat the Kidney meridian. There are also some simple, at-home exercises that can be done to maintain Kidney essence, good sexual energy and general health. Here is one:
The Gushing spring K-1 massage:
This is a massage of the first point on the Kidney acupuncture channel, which can be found on the sole of the foot, one third of the way from the toes to the heel.
In order to perform this massage, sit on a cushion and use left hand to hold the toes of the left foot. Then use the heel of the right hand to massage the point briskly, in a circular motion 100 times. You should feel a pleasant warmth at this point.
The purpose of this exercise is to push the Kidney energy along this meridian to help improve the connection between the Heart and the Kidney. It helps in the treatment of Kidney problems such as low sexual energy, frequent urination and impotence, and Heart problems like spiritual disorders, insomnia and anxiety. It is beneficial to soak your feet in warm water for 5-7 minutes before the exercise, then perform the massage and go directly to bed.
Hey, it’s cheaper and less painful than a Botox injection!
Yoga and Mental Health
In North America, 10% of adults are currently taking an anti-depressant. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada estimates that 1 in 5 adults fall under the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate depression.
While the number of people with severe depression has remained the same, the amount of people diagnosed with moderate depression has increased significantly.
The diagnostic criteria for depression is broad, containing symptoms such as decreased or increased appetite, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, fatigue and low self-esteem. Considering our often stressful, inactive lifestyle, it’s no wonder that 20% of North American adults have the potential to be diagnosed with depression!
The most common conventional medical treatment for depression are anti-depressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac, Cipramil or Seropram. According to one of my professors, these are “life-changing drugs” that bring with them a plethora of negative side effects. These side effects include sleeping problems, nausea, reduced sexual desire, weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Fortunately for patients experiencing depression, there are more options than simply going on anti-depressant medication. Naturopathic doctors offer a large selection of therapies in the form of supplements, botanical tinctures, acupuncture and diet and lifestyle modifications to help improve mood, most of them offering little to no negative side effects.
Although “yoga therapy” is not necessarily a naturopathic healing modality, it does fit into the category of lifestyle counseling, which involves psycho-education and lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise.
In a Meta Analysis – a large study that compiles a number of well-conducted studies and is termed The “Gold Standard” of Evidenced Based Medicine – performed by the California State University Department of Psychiatry, researchers examined 10 studies looking at the effects of regular yoga practice on major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study found that yoga is not only a wonderful form of exercise, but an effective therapy to be used alongside other treatments for patients with major psychiatric illness.
Here is the abstract from the study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22132353
In addition to its therapeutic benefits for psychiatric disorders, yoga also offers profound insights into spirituality, which can further enhance its holistic approach to healing. The practice of yoga encompasses not only physical postures but also breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness techniques, all of which contribute to a deeper connection with oneself and the world around them. Through regular practice, individuals often report experiencing a heightened sense of awareness, inner peace, and spiritual awakening.
Furthermore, yoga philosophy teaches principles that align with spiritual wisdom from various traditions, emphasizing concepts such as interconnectedness, compassion, and self-realization. Websites like https://www.yogavandaag.com/spiritualiteit/ offer valuable resources on spirituality within yoga, guiding practitioners on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. By integrating these spiritual insights into their practice, individuals can cultivate a sense of purpose and fulfillment, transcending the limitations of the mind and connecting with their higher selves. Ultimately, yoga serves not only as a therapeutic tool for mental health but also as a pathway to spiritual growth and profound transformation.
Yoga professionals recommend practicing for one hour, three times a week, in order to reap all the physical, mental and emotional benefits. While attending regular yoga classes at a studio can be costly, you can now follow yoga classes from the comfort of your own home (in your pajamas!) with this excellent website:
I’ve seen my yogi skills and fitness levels greatly improve after becoming a member of My Yoga Online in 2009. The site is based out of a Vancouver yoga studio and features local teachers, filmed live classes and commerical yoga videos. By signing up, you are granted unlimited access to these videos. One of my favourite teachers on the site is Clara Roberts-Oss. I recommend signing up for a month (it costs $12!) and trying a few of her flows. If you’re new to yoga, you can start by clicking on the beginner button.
If you prefer in-studio classes, a colleague of mine started this website, which features weekly deals on yoga classes in Toronto, Montreal and New York:
I highly recommend trying each of these websites and experiencing the mental benefits of yoga for yourself!
Living “I Am” Moments
Last semester I took the Ayurvedic Lifestyle course at CCNM, taught by Matthew Remski. In this course, one of the ideas that most resonated with me was the concept of “I Am” Moments. These are moments where the past and future fall away and we become ingrained in the present moment. Some of you might refer to them as moments of pure passion or exhilaration.
The best examples of I Am Moments are seen in animals. When I take my dog to High Park, the moment I reach down to unclasp his leash and set him free, he enters his state of “I Am.” Ears flying back, fur plastered against his face as he tears through the inner city forest, he loses all sense of past, present and future and becomes the being he was born to be. You can almost hear him exclaiming “I am I am I Am a DOG!”
He’s not self-conscious about the fact that his legs are flopping awkwardly behind him, that his body is too long or too low to the ground or that his fur is too shaggy. As he pauses for a second to turn to me with his mouth open in what can only be described as a “doggy smile”, I can almost hear him say, “thank you thank you thank you for not stuffing me into a purse and taking me to the mall. Thank you for letting me race, chase and roll in poop! Thank you for letting me be the way that nature designed me, thank you for letting me be a DOG!”
So, there you have it, an example of an “I Am” Moment.
I can perfectly identify my own I Am Moments, which I’ve experienced since childhood. I’m in a large, open space, full of art materials, where I am free to make a mess, get dirty and move freely, I have paints, canvasses, paper, pictures and glue. Whether I decide to paint a landscape or construct a giant papier maché bird mask, I am free to sculpt, to paint and to CREATE.
When I enter this state, time no longer seems to matter and I just melt into the moment. I feel that I am doing something perfectly natural for me and, in honouring nature, it is as if I enter into a state of Wholeness; I become a part of everything and everything becomes a part of me.
Your own I Am Moments may be stimulated by different things. You may have them when you run, dance, horseback ride or mountain climb. Perhaps you enter your I Am Moment when you take a patient history, solve a mathematical equation, buy and sell stocks, prepare a nutritious meal, teach a class, drive your car or relax with an inspiring book and a cup of steaming tea.
During these moments you lose a sense of the details of your life and of your problems, which no longer seem important or relevant. You cease to care about how your butt looks in your jeans, if you’re wearing the right shoes, if your hair is too frizzy or the fight you had with your mother. Your mind is absolutely clear of thoughts and you feel a sense of connection with the (excuse me) Divine. You feel as if you’re flowing with everything, as if you are part of the whole.
The point of this post is to get you to think about and honour these I Am Moments in your life. If you can’t put your finger on a specific time that you had a sense of I Am, I encourage you to think back to your childhood. Children continually operate out of “I Am” because they are naturally unself-conscious. That is, until they become corrupted with our adult insecurities and “lessons” about the importance of what others think. As a kid you operated from an uninhibited place, where you were stimulated by an awe of life and lived in the novelty of the present.
When you discover what triggers these moments in your life, make an effort to create time for them and use them as inspiration for the rest of your life. I Am Moments are the key to getting us back to our natural state; a state that is free of disease, in which the energy of our own vitality can flow freely.
Why Should I See a Naturopath?
- There are some people that buy into that old phrase “a jack of all trades is a master of none”, which is why my classmates and I were disheartened one day when we realized, in a Naturopathic Principles class, that naturopathic doctors really don’t shine in any one modality.
For example, we are trained to give massages but not like Registered Massage Therapists who study massage exclusively for 2 years. We don’t receive 4 straight years of acupuncture training as a doctor of Chinese Medicine does. We don’t have as many in-class live homeopathy cases as Homeopaths do, we don’t know as much about nutrition as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Holistic Nutritionist, we don’t have as much training in botanical therapies as an Herbalist, aren’t as seasoned in lifestyle counselling as a trained psychotherapist and we only really get a taste of manipulation, which is nothing compared to how extensively a chiropractor is trained.
So, while I should probably be shutting my big mouth about all this, considering the fact I am training to become a naturopathic doctor and should really be blogging about how great NDs are, I have to admit that my classmates and I asked ourselves, “why see an ND?” Surely if what you are seeking is acupuncture, homeopathy, advice on botanical tinctures and supplements, counselling, nutritional advice or massage you can open up your Yellow Pages and find a practitioner that specializes in any one of those modalities. You shouldn’t have to bother with seeing an ND at all, right?
Great God, why am I shelling out $20,000 a year in tuition??!
After careful thought we came up with this: a naturopathic doctor works as a Primary Care provider. We are the “GP”s of natural, alternative medicine and serve as the gateway to a patient’s health. If you are experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue, what do you do? Do you visit a cardiologist? Maybe you have anemia. Or maybe it’s a fungus? Sweet Buddha, maybe it’s LUNG CANCER, better head straight to an oncologist! (You also wonder if you’re simply out of shape. Maybe deciding to train for a marathon in under a month was a little too ambitious of you). How do you decide where to go when experiencing a symptom that could indicate a problem with any number of bodily systems?
Easy, you go to your GP, or your primary care provider, to be evaluated.
He or she is trained to do the following:
- Provide you with preventive care and teach you healthy lifestyle choices
- Identify and treat your condition
- Assess the urgency of your medical problem and direct you to the best place for that care, if necessary
- Make referrals to specialists when necessary
As naturopaths, we are trained to identify the cause of the symptoms our patient experiences (through history taking, physical exam, diagnostic testing, and generating a list of differential diagnoses) and, because we are trained in the medical sciences, we are also able to understand the process of the disease a patient presents with. We know what is going on in the body and where we need to intervene. We create an individualized treatment plan by following a hierarchy of treatment options that interfere as little as possible with the body’s natural healing abilities.
Because we are extensively trained in our modalities we are able to administer treatment to our patients ourselves as well as take part in every step of the patient’s healing process. However, if necessary, we are also trained to recognize when the patient will fare better under the care of a more specialized practitioner (or even medical doctor) and are able to recommend a referral.
There is another saying: “everything looks like a nail to a hammer”, which means that every healthcare practitioner is under the bias that your condition can only be treated using their own treatment methods. For example, to an acupuncturist, your condition can only be treated by acupuncture, to a chiropractor, you are in need of spinal adjustment and a nutritionist will most likely see your problems as dietary. NDs can diagnose your condition taking into account your unique combination of symptoms, treating your whole person, and focussing on eliminating the cause of disease, using the least invasive therapies available.
Go NDs!
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is probably one of naturopathic medicine’s most controversial modalities.
Although it goes against virtually everything we are taught about medicine in our Western society, it can be a powerful healing tool. Our wonderful second year professor, Dr. Nadia Bakir, regales our homeopathy class with amazing stories about miraculous cures she achieved using homeopathy. Here are some of the key characteristics about this healing modality.
Homeopathy is an Energetic medicine. It follows the premise that, as living beings on this earth, we’re all connected to a larger energy field. This field dictates how we feel and how our bodies respond to outside stressors. The energy of the homeopathic remedy sends a message to the cells of our body and stimulates them to respond to the disease that is present. Mental symptoms are always given priority when choosing the correct remedy; the patient’s attitude and outlook towards their condition are more important in choosing a remedy than the actual condition itself, making homeopathy a highly individualized therapy.
During a homeopathic intake, the homeopathic or naturopathic doctor gathers detailed information about the energetic state of the patient and then matches that information with a remedy based on the Law of Similars: “like cures like”. For example, a patient with hay fever, characterized by watery eyes and a runny nose, may be given a remedy made from onion. When you cut into an onion your eyes water and your nose begins to run. The Law of Similars indicates that the remedy be given based on the symptoms it creates in a healthy individual. In a diseased individual, the remedy mimics the disease symptoms, providing the body with information about the patient’s disease state. This alerts the body to the presence of the disease and stimulates vitality, making the organism stronger and enabling it to fight the pathology.
Remedies are safe and gentle. Any noted side effects are healing responses as the body begins to respond to the disease that is affecting it. The symptoms are not toxic or dangerous (many manifest on the skin as the disease begins to clear, for example, a skin rash) and are only temporary. A homeopathic remedy can be given in the same dose to an infant as to an adult. Pregnant women can also safely take a homeopathic remedy.
Remedies can be made from anything; plant parts, animal parts, such as snake venom, minerals and “imponderables” (such as a remedy made from the energy of the North Star). The substances used to make a remedy are highly diluted to create a solution that some argue doesn’t actually contain any molecules of the original substance at all. This is probably the most controversial aspect of homeopathy because it goes against our medical notions about how pharmacology works. We are used to the understanding that a certain concentration of a medicine enters the body and activates cell receptors, creating a physiological response. In homeopathy, however, the diluted remedy carries the “information” from the substance used to create it and imparts that information to our body on an energetic level. Therefore, in homeopathy, the amount of substance present in the remedy is not pharmacologically relevant.
In homeopathy, a cure means that the body is removed from all susceptibility of recurrence of disease. To better understand this, let’s look at a common problem in our society: obesity.
Typically, when a patient is overweight, a naturopathic doctor (or any other doctor for that matter) will prescribe a change in diet and an exercise program. This all makes sense if we consider the cause of obesity to be an excess of calories. Based on this assumption, reducing caloric intake, improving nutrition and increasing caloric expenditure (through exercise) are all sensible recommendations and should be followed.
However, in homeopathy, even if the patient loses weight, we would not consider this to be “curing” them of their disease state (consider a yo-yo dieter who puts the weight back on right after losing it).
In order to fully cure the person, a detailed homeopathic interview or intake, which includes very personal, in-depth questions about physical symptoms, dreams, emotions and the mental state of the patient, as well as what their condition/symptoms means to them (do they feel protected by their weight? Does it make them feel heavy or lethargic? Do they feel the need to take up more space in the world? Etc.) is essential.
According to homeopathy, obesity is only a symptom of the person’s diseased state, which is an outer expression of an inner energetic state. In order to fully remove the disease, not just address the symptoms, the patient must be given a remedy that matches the specific manifestations of all aspects of their energetic state, especially their mental and emotional condition.
Having a homeopathic intake done at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic (RSNC, the teaching clinic at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine) was a very interesting experience for me. My intern asked me probing questions concerning aspects of my life and personality that I hadn’t even considered before. I realized where my thought processes stopped regarding certain areas of my life. When I began to answer my intern’s questions, things came out of my mouth that sounded foreign to me at first. However, I knew that, because they had come out of my mouth, they must be true on some level.
It’s not possible for patients to simply Google the symptoms that they want to address and take a remedy based on only treating those symptoms. In order for homeopathy to properly “cure” the individual, one must go to a practiced homeopathic or naturopathic doctor, receive a full intake and take the remedy prescribed, based on the overall energetic state that they present with.
*This article is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Please consult a naturopathic or homeopathic doctor for a complete assessment and treatment plan.
Physician Heal Thyself
In my second year of naturopathic medical school it has become apparent that the primary reason most of my classmates and I gravitated towards the pursuit of a career in health is to heal ourselves.
“Physician heal thyself” is a Biblical verse that is meant to remind us of the importance of examining our biases, judgments and motivations before we impose and project them onto other people or things in our lives.
Struggling through four years of naturopathic education can be a rigorous, character-testing process, in which we are forced to reflect on our own perceptions and confront our deepest fears and insecurities.
In learning to care for other people (our patients) I believe that we must first learn to care for and heal ourselves. It is only through self-healing that we can serve as a true inspiration for the people who come under our care and help nudge them on their own healing paths.
Join me as I embark on my own healing journey, in which I reflect on and share the lessons I learn both inside and outside of my classes, concerning art, health, healing and life in general.