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The Missing Piece

I have realized for awhile now, that although my shelves are filled with what are commonly called neutraceuticals ie. natural herbs/supplements that are used in place of (but similarly to) pharmaceuticals to rid the body of something bad, I was sadly lacking in herbs/supplements which are specific to energy balancing, harmonizing and tonifying.

But, before I get into all this, a big fat disclaimer: I am not a doctor of oriental medicine and what I am about to share with you is not from the depth and knowledge of an OMD degree but from a perspective of an interested person of a similar profession studying something exciting and new. So, don't write me cranky emails telling me I have no business talking about this.

I pestered an OMD/ acupuncturist who worked there and she turned out to be very generous with her information. Among many other things, I learned how the Dragon Herbs are manufactured and how the raw products are located and processed. Therefore, I believe the herbs to be pure and I know that this company is well-respected by OMD's and acupuncturists. Since the Dragon Herb line seemed to be the missing piece to my practice, I decided to buy a few to muscle test. And in the almost four weeks that I have had them, they are testing very, very well. So I have decided to carry a moderate line of Dragon Herbs.

Let me tell you a bit about what I know about this particular school of Chinese medicine: This particular school of medicine believes in the Three Treasures, or the concept of Jing, Qi and Shen. All three treasures must be up to snuff, balanced and tonified in order to have radiant health.

First, the concept of Jing which is the first treasure: This is the deepest source of energy in the body and is often genetic and inherited. As we age, we are depleted of Jing. For example, we are born with tons of Jing and on the day of our death, we are totally out of Jing. So, it behooves us to keep up with the jing thing, don't you think? Anyone who is deficient in Yin Jing (most of us oldsters) tend to be chronically exhausted - the deep kind of exhaustion that goes on day after day - have dark rings under their eyes, low immunity, weak digestion and show signs of rapid aging. Anyone over 40 probably needs some help with their Jing.

However, younger people under stress, baby boomers, insomniacs and new mothers have leaky Jing, too. I learned that it is very important to start with the rehab of Jing first since Jing herbs are considered to be the cornerstone of rejuvenation and the foundation of longevity. With my muscle testing I am finding that most of my patients want the Jing herbs, rather than the Qi or Shen herbs, but I imagine once the Jing is taken care of, then the body will want to start tonifying the Qi and Shen.

The second treasure is Qi, ("chee") which I am sure you have heard of. This is our immediate, more surface energy, that which keeps us running on a daily basis and manifests as our every day vitality. I learned that you can be depleted of Jing and have a deep exhaustion, yet have enough Qi to feel vital day by day.

Stop for a moment now and tune into yourself. Assess your TRUE ENERGY, not that which keeps you running day after day but your deep, deep reserves. I tuned in and found that although I seem to have plenty of energy to do my day, there is a deep kind of exhaustion in my body that I certainly didn't have when I was in my twenties. Must be Jing depletion.

The third treasure is Shen which is the energy of consciousness and awareness and is often translated as Spirit. For example, a person who is kind, generous and giving and who has a big heart is said to have a lot of Shen.

Here is a wonderful analogy: Think of a lighted candle. The wax, wick, the candle itself could be considered to be Jing. The flame is Qi and the light that the flame gives off is Shen.

Ron Teeguarden, the owner of Dragon Herbs says, "The purpose of taking Chinese tonic herbs is to replenish the Jing, and Qi and to stabilize our emotional body so that Shen may fully develop."

I have been on the herbs for about a month now, and really notice the difference esp. in my sleep pattern. I have had sleep maintenence problems for awhile now, so I thought I would address that along with my depleted Jing. The OMD/acupuncturist suggested three products: Return to Youth for the depleted Jing; Ginseng and Zizyphus and Lights Out for the sleep problems. The sleep herbs started working within days and I am sleeping better ie. not waking up in the middle of the night a few times, than I have in years. I also put myself on Diamond Mind (for my brain) and Shizandra and Lycium for more "juiciness" and even more Jing.

As far as the Jing thing? Am I feeling a difference? I really don't know yet, but I think I feel more "deeply energetic", if that makes sense to you.

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