Natural Healing Through Macrobiotic
Natural Healing Through Macrobiotic
Natural Healing Through Macrobiotic
Natural Healing
through
Macrobiotics
by Michio Kushi
This book was originally published under the title of The Macrobiotic Way
of Natural Healing by East West Foundation. 240 Washington Street,
Brookline. Massachusetts 02146.
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Foreword
[151
6 / FOREWORD
and severe pneumonia, becomes counter-productive when prescribed for the common
cold. Cortisone, originally used for Addison's disease, becomes nightmarish when
prescribed for sunburn, and I see as much hope of reversing this trend as of any
other historical efforts to put the genii back in the bottle.
While the 5% exceptions must be noted, it remains crucial to generalize (although
doctors are taught, with good reason for their own protection, not to make general-
izations) since only by generalizing can learning and wisdom be attained.
And the generalization is that the golden age of American medicine is over.
Indeed, the only way in which modern medicine can be understood is by regarding it
as a religion—the religion of a secular society that has rejected its traditional value
systems.
Modern medicine has at least ten of the essential components of a religion:
1. A belief system, modern medical science, which can no more be validated than
the proofs of other churches of the existence of God.
2. A priestly class—the M.D.'s.
3. Temples—the hospitals
4. Acolytes and vestal maidens—nurses, social workers and para-professionals.
5. Vestments reflecting hierarchical status—the color and length of M.D.'s
gowns signify their rank.
6. A rich princely class supporting the church—drug companies, insurance com-
panies and formula houses.
7. A confessional—the history must be given truthfully to the physician.
8. An absolution—the reassuring pat on the back—"you're fine, come back
next year."
9. Selling of indulgences—the outrageous fees, likely to bring down this modern
church just as it did the medieval church.
10. Similarity of language—I have confidence in my plumber, but "1 have faith in
my doctor; the doctor-patient relationship is "sacred."
Once medicine is regarded as no more than—and no less than—a religious system,
it can then be treated as such, and compared with other religious healing systems.
Unfortunately, the religion of modern medicine proves to be worship of a god who
fails to answer, who is powerless and who, in fact, deceives. This, of course, is the
definition of idolatry, and in this context all of modern medicine becomes under-
standable.
The false god of modern medicine even goes so far as to require, like his pre-
decessor gods of heathen religions thousands of years ago, child sacrifices. The
ancient Moloch of those idolatries demanded that parents, in order to insure success-
ful crops, pass their children through physical fire. The modern Moloch similarly
demands that parents pass chemical fire (heat-sterilized formula) through their
children. The purpose is similar—infant formula insures that mothers and fathers
can both go to work to achieve sustenance and success. Scientific studies as well as
historical evidence clearly prove the sacrifice of life and health resulting from infant
formula compared to breast milk, and only the approval of the physician-priest
enables mothers and fathers to equate cows' milk to human milk. Indeed, were
physicians to behave according to the standards of science and honesty, formula
feeding a baby would doubtless be considered child abuse.
A large part of the reason for the failure of the religion of modern medicine lies
Foreword / 9
8 and 10 hours for the first child and 4 and 8 hours for the following children,"
about half as long as in others.
11. I am happy to read Kushi's opposition to silver nitrate in newborns' eyes,
which causes a chemical inflammation possibly responsible for myopia, astig-
matism and other refraction problems later.
12. He is also opposed to artificial formula and glucose solutions given to new-
borns.
13. "Among cancers, breast cancer is one of the easiest to relieve through macro-
biotics as are uterine and skin cancer . . . . Operations or radiation treatments
are unnecessary for these conditions and should be avoided."
14. If a mother develops a breast cyst or tumor, "she should continue nursing with
the affected breast. This will further speed the relief of her condition."
15. Regarding appendectomies,-"it is also a contributing factor in the develop-
ment of multiple sclerosis," The same is true of hysterectomy.
16. "Parkinson's disease can be relieved in anywhere from one to six months."
Western physicians can be expected to react to macrobiotic medicine with the usual
name-calling, and Kushi advocates by now are used to epithets such as "quacks,
nuts, extremists, faddists, fakes and enthusiasts." But this automatic response doesn't
work any more, since the medical advocates of "better living through chemistry"
have lost their magical power over the people.
In these twilight years of death-oriented, run-away medical technology, the macro-
biotic approach to disease and healing comes like a breath of fresh air. Of the
hundreds of publications on health and disease that have passed over my desk for
review in the past few decades, this book provides the most important alternative
to our rapidly failing system of western medicine.
Kushi's latest volume is must reading for every physician, and I will know that
America's medical schools have reached maturity when Natural Healing Through
Macrobiotics becomes part of the standard curriculum.
Meanwhile, patients can't afford to wait for their busy doctors to learn about this
apparently new, but in reality centuries-old system. People need practical and real-
istic help now and this highly readable volume, filled with fascinating hypotheses,
good knowledge of modern medicine, profound wisdom, enjoyable humor and a
large dose of justifiable optimism is, in my judgment, a vital key to good health and
life.
This book on Macrobiotic Medicine, destined to have a profound effect on our
nation's future, merits top priority by every citizen.
ROBERT S . MENDELSOHN, M . D .
Every spring the young shoots of green leaves give me great joy and surprise. This
spring my husband's book, Natural Healing through Macrobiotics, blossomed out,
and I am very grateful for the efforts of our many friends who worked together to
complete this book. There was much work behind the scenes—making tapes, tran-
scribing them, and editing them to produce the study reports and the Order of the
Universe magazine. Then, the students compiled all that material, edited it again,
and put it into finished form as a book. I can't count the number of friends whose
activities and warm, sincere energies went into this one book on macrobiotic healing.
George Ohsawa first introduced to the modern world the traditional, natural ways
of macrobiotic healing and oriental medicine, beginning in Japan almost 40 years
ago and also teaching in Western countries, especially in France. He was our teacher,
and because of him we have a happy life. When I was staying at George Ohsawa's
World Government Study House in 1950, one of his strongest wishes was to send
a number of his students, at least 12, from Japan to foreign countries. This was right
after World War II, and Japan was in great confusion. The Japanese currency was
practically worthless abroad. It was almost impossible for ordinary people to go out
from Japan; only a few governmental people could travel. Nevertheless Mr. Ohsawa
encouraged his students to this adventure. He called it the "Great Escape"—literally,
from Japan—but the real meaning was an escape to freedomland for the real life of
challenging adventures.
On February 3, 1950, when I first came to George Ohsawa's study house, my
future husband was already in the United States. He was the first "escapee" among
the students. Mr. Ohsawa called him the "number one young ambassador of world
government." Mr. Ohsawa spoke of Michio many times in his lectures, almost every
day. He told us Michio had graduated from his school, Maison Ignoramus, after a
total of only 48 hours' study; how smart he was, how Michio's mother was different
from ordinary mothers, and so on. He always advised everyone to follow Michio's
example and escape like him as soon as possible—better yet, at once. That was the
way he finished most of his lectures.
But Mr. Ohsawa was also worried about Michio because he didn't have much
experience in macrobiotic practice yet, and also he had a tendency toward a weak
heart and lungs. After a 13-day trip crossing the Pacific Ocean by boat, Michio had
reached San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1949; but he did not send any letters
for almost four months after he left Japan. Then one day in April of 1950, when the
cherry blossoms were almost gone, George Ohsawa brought Michio's letter to his
morning lecture. Mr. Ohsawa was almost jumping and dancing. He told us that
Michio had finally reached New York. Michio's letter was very beautiful, and Mr.
Ohsawa read it at the lecture like a reading of poetry. That letter captured me for
the rest of my life!
[H]
12 / PREFACE
The study house was located in Hiyoshi, outside Tokyo. From there, many stu-
dents went out to foreign countries to begin spreading macrobiotics, when George
Ohsawa was still in his early 50's: Mr. Tomio Kikuchi, to Brazil; Mr. and Mrs.
Herman Aihara, to the West Coast of the United States; Mr. Clim Yoshimi, to
France; Mr. Roland Yasuhara, to Spain; Mr. Ave Nakamura, to Germany; Shizuko
Yamamoto, to New York; Mr. Junsei Yamazaki, to California to help in the es-
tablishment of Chico San; and several others.
My husband was lecturing here and there throughout America from the begin-
ning, but the first time we organized a summer camp ourselves was in 1965 on
Martha's Vineyard. At that time, many other students of George Ohsawa were
beginning their teaching activities in other countries. George Ohsawa came from
Europe to teach at our summer camp. He was so happy to see us; we sat with him
on the sands of beautiful Martha's Vineyard Island, and dreamed together of the
future peaceful world for which we were all working.
When Mr. Ohsawa died suddenly on April 24, 1966, his passing made a dramatic
turning point in our lives. From that time on my husband put all his effort and
energy into giving lectures. He didn't mind if it was a rainy day or a snowy day; he
lectured usually two times a week, and sometimes several times a week. It almost
seemed as if he gave the lectures for himself. He did not mind how many people
attended; in the beginning, sometimes only a handful of people came. He went on
in the selfless spirit of a samurai practicing to perfect his swordmanship.
In the beginning, we never advertised or made any effort to attract students. We
don't know how they knew, but more and more people were knocking on our door.
Most of them were young; this was toward the beginning of the so-called "hippy"
era. So, paradoxically enough, just as LSD and marijuana were beginning to become
popular in this country, we were beginning our educational efforts. All of the students
were fairly eager to seek a new way of life, but they were rather like drifting leaves,
floating about on the winds or the waves. The purpose of my husband's lectures
was to change their total way of life; so the contents of each lecture depended on
the student's conditions or their wishes. His teaching method was not like the sys-
tematized curriculum of a school course, but covered a whole range of academic and
also practical subjects: oriental philosophy, oriental medicine, oriental culture, Bible
study, history, diet, women and children's studies, natural birth and education in
general, household organization and care, ancient and modern science, chemistry,
shiatsu massage, palm healing, do-in, acupuncture, astrology and astronomy, medi-
tation and exercise, new political and economic systems as well as the new vision of
the future world—he introduced everything. Starting at that time he has put his
whole effort into lecturing; helping young people launch businesses in the natural
foods area; and establishing the movement in this country towards natural organic
food and natural way of life.
The present book is based on many of these lectures that covered the basic prin-
ciples of medicine and health. To transcribe and organize the seminar material into
book form has involved the efforts of many people. We very much appreciate the
work of Edward Esko, Marc Van Cauwenberghe, and all of the others who have
contributed to its completion. Edward Esko is one of our most steady friends, who
has been continuously devoting himself to the ongoing activities of the East West
Foundation; Marc Van Cauwenberghe is a medical doctor and one of the most
Preface / 13
promising contributors to the future of medicine, curing many serious illnesses
through the application of the macrobiotic way.
We should be aware that there are no fixed medicinal regimens on which we can
always depend—certainly not the "medicine" promoted by television advertising:
aspirin, bufferin, nose drops, and so on! Medicine cannot be standardized; it must
be tailor-made to fit everyone's personal differences. Only you are able to do this
for yourself and your family. To cure sickness requires tremendous patience, but if
you take full responsibility to do that yourself, you will be surprised at the simple
ways you can discover to solve your problems.
I think the most important thing is to realize deeply that we cannot depend upon
anyone else for our well-being; we must take full responsibility for our own health
and for that of our families. Several times when our children have become sick,
because of that feeling of responsibility, fortunately, we have been able to discover
the proper course of healing and to pass through those times successfully.
We also need to be very careful to take care of ourselves before any symptoms
arise. It is very difficult to restore health after someone's physical condition has be-
come so unbalanced that symptoms of sickness appear; then, we are forced to look
around for special treatments. Day-to-day observation of our condition and our
family's condition is essential to maintain health and prevent sickness from develop-
ing. Of course, we should not have an anxious attitude, but we should be carefully
observant.
Simply reading this book will not tell you everything you need to know in order
to take care of sickness, but I can say with assurance that it contains more informa-
tion about the ways of healing than I have had to deal with in over 25 years of
macrobiotic living. It can serve as a basis for your study and practice of healing;
however, without our own observations and careful judgment of our varying condi-
tions, this general knowledge cannot be effective. We must fully participate with real
understanding of a person's individual condition and habits. Therefore, you should
not depend upon this information alone: the most important thing is, how you use
it.
In my opinion this book is a stepping-stone that can help you develop a deeper
understanding for your life. It is my hope that you will use this knowledge to create
health and happiness in your own life, and to help many other people to do the same.
I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all of those who assisted in the
creation of this book, which is based on the seminars and lectures presented by
Michio Kushi at the East West Foundation in Boston. The task of recording, tran-
scribing, and editing the spoken material presented by Mr. Kushi has involved the
cooperation of a number of people. Much of the material in this book was taken
from a seminar on Disease: Origin, Causes, and Cures presented by Michio Kushi
during November and December, 1972. I wish to thank Miss Joan Mansolilli for her
patient work in recording and transcribing this material, as well as Mr. Dale McNutt
for recording and reproducing the many accompanying diagrams and illustrations.
I would also like to thank my collaborator, Dr. Marc Van Cauwenberghe, of
Ghent, Belgium, for his invaluable assistance in recording and transcribing Mr.
Kushi's seminar on The Natural Macrobiotic Approach to Major Modern Illnesses
presented in May, 1977, and also for his patience in reviewing the text from a medical
point of view.
This book would not have been possible without the assistance of Miss Olivia
Oredson, who, from the very beginning of the project in May 1977, contributed her
time and energy. She has helped in the typing and coordination of every phase of
the manuscript, from her initial suggestion that the Foundation publish a book on
Natural Healing to the composing of the final text.
I would also like to thank Mr. Sherman Goldman, editor of the East West Journal,
and Mr. Phillip Jannetta, editor of the Order of the Universe, for reviewing the text
and for suggesting additional modifications and improvements.
I would also like to thank Mr. Tim Goodwin, Peter and Bonnie Harris, Mr. Stephen
Uprichard, Miss Teresa Turner, and other members of the Foundation staff for
their guidance and assistance, as well as Mrs. Aveline Kushi and Dr. Robert
Mendelsohn for their introductory comments and continuing support and guid-
ance. I would also like to thank my wife, Wendy, for her patience and support
during the long months that this book was written, and extend my heartfelt ap-
preciation on behalf of the staff and many friends of the East West Foundation to
Mr. David Hinckle of Earthbeam Natural Foods in Burlingame, California, for
his encouragement and support.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Michio
Kushi, George Ohsawa, and all others who have pursued the dream of a healthy
and happy world.
EDWARD ESKO
[151
Introduction
Not long ago, I was visited by a young woman who 1 will call "Beth." Beth had
been experiencing irregularities with her menstruation, along with a persistent, grow-
ing pain in her lower back, and facial blemishes. A medical examination revealed
that she had developed a cyst, about the size of an orange, in one of her ovaries.
Her doctor had advised exploratory surgery, with the likelihood that the tumor and
perhaps the ovary itself would be removed.
I felt that the problem was caused by an improper balance in her daily diet, par-
ticularly the overconsumption of dairy products. During her visit, 1 recommended
that she begin the macrobiotic way of eating, along with the application of several
simple external treatments that could be easily prepared at home. To the surprise of
both Beth and her doctor, the cyst was no longer detectable after six weeks of prac-
ticing this regime. Her physician, a well-known gynecologist, remarked that in all
her years of practice, she had never seen a case such as this.
During more than seven years of study and practice of the macrobiotic way of
natural healing, 1 have had the opportunity to witness hundreds of cases, involving
a variety of illnesses, which have had a similar outcome to the case of Beth. Although
less dramatic than Beth's, my own experience with macrobiotic healing began in the
late 1960's when I was student at Temple University in Philadelphia. It was during
this time that I started to seek a more comprehensive understanding of life and the
universe through the study of the traditional wisdom of the Orient.
My search began with the wisdom of Vedanta, proceeded through Taoism and
Chinese thought, and then led on to Zen and Shintoism. I discovered the macro-
biotic teachirgs of George Ohsawa at this time, and soon realized that macrobiotics
offered the means of actually transforming this timeless wisdom of the Orient into a
living reality. Through macrobiotics, I came to understand that the enlightenment
that 1 had been searching for had been directly in front of me all along, literally as
close as my next meal. As I adopted the macrobiotic lifestyle based on natural law,
the allergies I had suffered from since childhood began to disappear, my eyes be-
came bright and clear, I lost excessive weight, and my outlook grew more positive
and happy.
In 1972, I moved to Boston from Philadelphia in order to deepen my understand-
ing of macrobiotic healing through study and association with Michio Kushi and
others. Since 1973, I have been closely associated with the East West Foundation,
an experience which has afforded many opportunities for further study and practical
application, including the chance to have taught and lectured throughout the United
States, as well as in England and Belgium, and to have edited the Order of the Uni-
verse, the Case History Report, and other publications dealing with macrobiotics and
natural healing. During this period I have advised several hundred people about the
way of health and happiness through macrobiotics.
Through these and other experiences, I have come to realize that health, happi-
ness, and freedom are actually the natural human condition, and are far easier to
[151
18 / INTRODUCTION
achieve and maintain than their opposite states. If we live in harmony with our natural
environment, health and happiness will follow automatically. My observations and
direct experiences with the effects of food on our physical condition and mental
outlook have convinced me that the most basic and fundamental way of achieving
health and happiness is to begin selecting, preparing, and eating our daily meals in
accordance with the order of nature. This universal, common sense method is freely
available to everyone, regardless of age, sex, race, occupation, religion, or nation-
ality. All that is required is a desire to enjoy a life free from sickness, disease, and
unhappiness, along with the wish to claim the human birthright of a free, happy,
and healthy life.
The age of "dietary anarchy" now prevails throughout modern society. Tradi-
tional patterns of eating—based around whole cereal grains and cooked vegetables as
the staple foods—which were followed for thousands of years throughout the world
have been abandoned in favor of the modern diet consisting of large quantities of
animal food; heavily refined and processed flour and grain; refined sugar; dairy pro-
ducts; fruits and spices imported from great distances; chemicalized, industrialized
and artificial foods; and powerful drugs and medications. Not only is this modern
way of eating widespread in the industrial nations in both East and West, but it is
being exported at an increasingly rapid rate throughout the world. As a result, in
spite of the great prosperity brought on by technological advances, we are in the
midst of a biological Noah's Flood which is reflected in the increasing worldwide
incidence of degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, mental illness, etc.,
along with an epidemic of social ailments such as divorce, drug abuse, juvenile delin-
quency, crime, and the ever-present possibility of nuclear war.
More than forty years ago, Dr. Alexis Carrel, a Nobel Prize winning physiologist
at the Rockefeller Institute, foresaw our present situation and, in his book Man the
Unknown, proposed a complete re-evaluation of our approach to life, the universe,
and ourselves. In the preface to his comprehensive volume we read:
Before beginning this work the author realized its difficulty, its almost impossibility.
He undertook it merely because somebody had to undertake it, because men cannot
follow modern civilization along its present course, because they are degenerating. They
have been fascinated by the beauty of the science of inert matter. They have not under-
stood that their body and consciousness are subjected to natural laws, more obscure
than, but as inexorable as, the laws of the sidereal world. Neither have they understood
that they cannot transgress these laws without being punished. They must, therefore,
learn the necessary relations of the cosmic universe, of their fellow men, and of their
inner selves, and also those of their tissues and their mind. Indeed, man stands above
all things. Should he degenerate, the beauty of civilization, and even the grandeur of the
physical universe, would vanish. For these reasons this book was written.
The natural laws of which Dr. Carrel wrote are expressed in macrobiotics as the
principle of dualistic monism: yin changes into yang, and yang changes into yin,
everywhere and forever. The greatest and most grandiose civilizations have all ex-
perienced eventual decline and decay. Nothing is exempt from this most fundamental
law. At the same time, however, within the potential Armageddon of modern civili-
zation, the seeds of the biological, psychological and spiritual restoration of human-
ity are beginning to grow, just as the depth of winter produces spring, and the peak
of night leads to dawn.
Introduction / 19
Over the past fifty years, the most fundamental way to achieve this restoration has
been taught throughout the world as the understanding and practice of macrobiotics.
When Michio Kushi graduated from Tokyo University more than twenty-seven years
ago, prior to coming to the United States for graduate study at Columbia, his inte-
rest in world peace through world federal government led him to investigate the work
of George Ohsawa. Mr. Ohsawa proposed that only with the biological reconstruc-
tion of humanity on an individual basis through the basic means of daily life and
diet, could world peace be established. Observation of the human condition for close
to twenty-five years had led Mr. Ohsawa to this insight. His conclusions are con-
tained in three basic works available in English: Zen Macrobiotics, The Book of
Judgement, and The Macrobiotic Guidebook to Living. Inspired by this view of life,
Mr. Kushi has been teaching, writing, and lecturing throughout the United States,
Canada, Western Europe, and the Far East, in order to further the understanding
and practical application of this traditional way of life based on harmony with the
order of the universe for the goal of world peace. Many of his conclusions are con-
tained in The Book of Macrobiotics—The Universal Way of Health and Happiness
published by Japan Publications, Inc. in 1977.
Since 1965, Mr. Kushi has centered his educational activities in the Boston area,
where thousands of students from throughout the United States and the world have
come to study. Many of these students have subsequently begun enterprises making
the macrobiotic way of life easily available for all. As a result, numerous outlets for
the distribution of high quality natural and organic foods have been established in
America. These include Erewhon, which, in addition to having several retail outlets
in New England, with an affiliate in Southern California, also provides natural and
organic products to several hundreds of retail stores in North America. Among the
many macrobiotic restaurants established by these students, the Seventh Inn and
Sanae restaurants in Boston are perhaps the leading examples.
In 1971, a 12-page newsletter was started by several of Mr. Kushi's students.
Since then, the East West Journal has grown to become a 96-page monthly news
magazine with an international readership of 120,000. The East West Journal regu-
larly publishes articles by, and interviews with, leading contemporary philosophical,
social and scientific thinkers working in their respective fields to express the uni-
fying principle in Western terms.
In 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Kushi established the East West Foundation for One
Peaceful World. It is a federally approved, nonprofit educational and cultural institu-
tion, created for the purpose of implementing a sound and human technology for
the biological, social and spiritual devolopment of all people. The activities of the
Foundation now includc education, publication, cultural and student exchange, the
development of agricultural and educational centers, and research.
In 1977, the Michio Kushi Institute was established in London to provide sys-
tematic programs in macrobiotics and natural healing. In the following year, the
Kushi Institute was established in the Boston area as well. Mr. Kushi's activities
for the benefit of society at large also include plans for the presentation of regional
Congresses of macrobiotics in Europe, North and South America and the Far
East, to be followed by the World Congress of Macrobiotics during the coming
decade.
The overall aim of macrobiotic healing extends beyond the relief of individual
20 I INTRODUCTION
EDWARD ESKO
Brookline, Massachusetts
April 1978
Contents
[151
22 /CONTENTS
[23]
24 I W A Y OF N A T U R A L HEALING
may very well take place. To confirm this, one need only refer to the statistics docu-
menting the steady increase in cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, deafness, and
a multitude of other physical and mental disorders. However, this course is not irre-
versible. Once we self-reflect and decide to take positive steps to change ourselves,
this tragic situation can be turned into its opposite, both for individuals, and for
society as a whole. Therefore, the most primary method for avoiding this potential
tragedy is not any particular technique, including dietary adjustment, but self-
reflection. If we can first realize that all of our sickness and unhappiness have re-
sulted from nothing but our own mistakes and improper judgment, and then
resolve to change, we can very easily turn our direction into one of continuing
health and happiness.
2. Our view should be comprehensive. Today, the study of the body is called
physiology, whereas the study of the mind is called psychology, and both are con-
sidered as separate sciences. Further, each organ or part of the body is given separate
consideration, and a whole field of specialists are created for each. For example, if
a person develops ear trouble, he or she will go to an ear specialist. However, the
ears are organically related to other parts of the body, and trouble with these organs
means that other parts of the body are also not functioning properly. People with
skin disorders are advised to see a skin specialist, but this approach often overlooks
the deeper internal disorders which produce skin disease, such as malfunction of the
liver, the inability of the kidneys to smoothly discharge excess, or intestinal and
digestive disfunction.
At present, we are in the midst of a rapid deterioration of the biological, psycho-
logical, and spiritual quality of humanity, which is reflected in the steady increase
in the incidence of degenerative disease, mental illness, and social disharmony. In
order to change this course, we must now re-evaluate our present orientation. Rather
than continuing to further subdivide and analyze, our approach to healing should be
based on a comprehensive view of man's relationship with the universe. Naturally,
the techniques which develop from this understanding should be simple, practical,
and easily understood by everyone. In fact, the process of developing and main-
taining health should not be separate from the normal, day-to-day process of life
itself.
Sickness is nothing but the result of being out of balance with nature and the uni-
verse. It usually develops through the following general stages:
1. Fatigue or Tiredness. This includes both physical and mental fatigue. A person
who frequently changes his job, place of living, or spouse, is suffering from this
stage of sickness. When healthy people work very hard, they may naturally feel ex-
hausted, but, after a good night's sleep, they will awaken the next morning feeling
completely refreshed and eager for any challenge or difficulty. This is quite different
from the chronic fatigue which many people presently experience.
Try gripping your shoulder tightly, and also the back of your neck. If you feel
pain, then you have the tendency to suffer from chronic fatigue. The major causes
The Stage of Sickness / 25
of this prevalent problem in the modern world are lack of physical exercise plus over-
eating and over-drinking, in particular the consumption of meat and sugar, all of
which tax the muscles and circulation.
2. Aches and Pains. Problems such as muscle aches, occasional headaches, men-
strual cramps, stomach pains, and others occur at this second stage, in which the
nervous system is starting to weaken.
3. Blood Diseases. Sicknesses of the blood are often the result of a chronically
over-acid blood condition, or of a fatty, sticky, or cholesterol-filled bloodstream.
The quality of everyone's blood is different. If the condition of the blood is chroni-
cally poor, illnesses such as anemia, leukemia, asthma, hemophilia, jaundice, vari-
cose veins, mononucleosis, skin diseases, leprosy, and others can easily occur.
Unfortunately, many of these sicknesses as considered incurable. However, even
a sickness as serious as leukemia is relatively easy to control through proper eating,
even if the person has suffered from it for several years.
6. Nerve Diseases. These include various types of mental illness, multiple sclero-
sis, spinal meningitis, Parkinson's disease, and different types of paralysis. Problems
with the peripheral nerves are included in this category, as are disorders such as dull
responses to others, forgetfulness, and social crimes.
7. Arrogance. This occurs when we try to separate ourselves from nature and the
universe, and happens in one of two ways. The first is yang arrogance, and it appears
in the form of a domineering, conquering, or self-insistent personality which tends
to drive others away. The second type of arrogance is generally more yin. Persons
who are exclusive or who confine themselves suffer from arrogance of this type.
Often, when friends offer help or advice, a person with yin arrogance will refuse to
listen and will withdraw. Many elderly people have this problem, as do many who
consider themselves to be devout or religious. This type of person is usually not
open to the opinions or suggestions of others.
Arrogance is actually the underlying cause of all human sickness and unhappiness,
and is at the same time the end point of the first six stages. Ultimately, all people
who suffer from arrogance commit suicide by dying an unnatural death, either
through sickness, war, accident, or other causes. The basic purpose of macrobiotic
healing is to cure arrogance. Even though modern medicine can relieve a variety of
26 I W A Y OF N A T U R A L HEALING
symptoms, as can acupuncture and other forms of oriental medicine, it cannot cure
this basic disease of arrogance.
should I stop n o w ? " However, this type of person often has a sudden heart attack
or eventually develops cancer.
To further understand the mechanism of sickness, let us consider the difference
between condition and constitution. Since our condition is a result of our day-to-day
eating, it is always changing. On the other hand, our constitution changes very
slowly, if at all. Our constitution can be thought of as our original condition. In
other words, our constitution represents our condition while in the mother's womb,
and is determined by our mother's diet. After birth, this becomes our constitution,
which continues to be formed until about the age of twenty-four for men and twenty-
two for women. This process is accomplished with the appearance of wisdom teeth.
In general, degenerative diseases affect the constitution, while adjustments represent
changes in condition.
Eating is the most important function in life, since without it, life would not exist.
It is the single most important factor in determining whether or not we are har-
monious with our environment, and therefore, whether we are healthy or sick. As
with sickness, there are seven general levels of eating:
1. Mechanical Eating. An example of this is the way we eat while in the mother's
womb, which is without consciousness or desire. However, some people continue to
eat this way even after becoming adult. An example is when we come home in the
evening and automatically go to the refrigerator for something to eat, often without
even washing our hands or taking off our coats. Even dogs or other animals are
more conscious of their eating than this. Another example is when we automatically
eat at a certain specified time, such as 12 Noon or 6 P.M., even if we aren't hungry.
2. Sensory Eating. This level of eating follows as our senses begin to develop soon
after we are born, and is based on our preference for certain tastes, odors, colors
and textures. The food industry is presently making huge profits as a result of cater-
ing to these desires, since the overwhelming majority of people eat on this level.
However, as with the mechanical level, this type of eating will eventually spoil our
health.
3. Sentimental or Emotional Eating. Even though we may not want to, when we
go out with friends, many of us eat this way in order to be sociable. Candlelight
dinners accompanied by music are also examples of sentimental eating. We eat on
this level when we visit our relatives' homes and eat what they are eating in order to
satisfy them. About 99% of modern people are eating on these first three levels, all
of which produce an eventual deterioration of our health.
these systems and theories are unworkable. The United States is the richest country
in the world, so some people in America may be able to practice these suggestions;
yet, even among Americans, many cannot afford to eat this way. As far as other
countries are concerned, there are millions of people who cannot afford to buy meat,
milk, and other expensive food items on a regular basis. This level of eating is only
possible for a small number of people and has no universal value. Besides, rather
than being beneficial for human health, many nutritional theories are often harmful.
5. Social Eating. At this level, one realizes that 98 % of the world's people cannot
afford to eat according to nutritional theories, and that this type of eating is even
too complicated and time-consuming for most of the people who recommend it.
For example, it is unlikely that the wives of dieticians or nutritionists actually keep
track of vitamins, protein, minerals, etc., when they shop for food. Most probably,
they go to the supermarket and buy whatever they want, as do other wives. Although
many of these theories sound wonderful, they are usually impractical for most
people.
The social level of eating takes place when we start to think in terms of the econo-
mics of food. An example is when someone can afford meat, eggs, and milk, but
doesn't use many of these items so as to be able to contribute toward helping to
feed people who are less fortunate. The concept of social eating developed in rela-
tively recent times, particularly with the advent of socialism and communism, and
is more widespread in countries with these forms of government, while the intel-
lectual level is more widespread in democratic countries. The social way of eating
is not necessarily the most ideal, however, since the emphasis is more on quantity
rather than quality.
6. Ideological Eating. The dietary customs of many religions, such as the dietary
teachings of Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, and others are examples of this.
Unfortunately, since their nature is limited to specific environments where they
originally developed, they have all declined. For example, there are few Kosher
restaurants in Jewish neighborhoods now, and few Christians eat in a manner similar
to Jesus. The same is true in Zen Buddhism. If you visit a Zen monastery, you will
discover that the monks are eating white refined rice, sugar, and other processed
foods instead of brown rice, vegetables, and other natural foods which were tradi-
tionally served.
7. Free Eating. This does not mean chaotic eating, but eating freely in harmony
with the order of the universe. For example, if you visit a place such as Israel,
Pakistan, or South America, the best thing to do is to study the traditional dietary
customs of the people who have been living there for thousands of years. This basic
diet can then be modified according to seasonal change and personal need. Free
eating means the ability to freely adapt to our surroundings. At this level, we use
free will in selecting food according to our freely-chosen purpose, and as a result,
health and happiness automatically follow. When properly understood and applied,
the macrobiotic way of eating represents this level, since it is based on a flexible
adaptation to nature and the universe. At the same time, it also satisfies all of the
previous levels of eating.
CHAPTER TWO
The macrobiotic way of natural healing is not limited to the relief of symptoms. It
is equally concerned with educating people toward an understanding and practice
of a way of life in harmony with nature and the universe. Health and happiness are
the result of living in harmony with nature, while sickness is the consequence of
acting, thinking, and living in a manner that is disharmonious. If, through our free
will, we choose to disharmonize ourselves with our environment, sickness will occur
as the natural process through which balance is again restored. Therefore, the most
fundamental way of approaching sickness is to restore ourselves to a condition of
harmony with the universe. This is actually the normal human condition, and it can
be achieved through the following methods:
1. Dietary Approach. Proper eating is the most basic way of establishing har-
mony with our environment. If our daily food is in accord with our surroundings,
our blood, cells, and therefore emotions, thoughts, and consciousness will also be
in accord. Harmony is created through the union of opposites: for example, man
and woman as well as the union of countless other complemental phenomena in the
universe. The union of man and woman is referred to as sex, while the union of
human beings with the vegetable kingdom is known as eating. Proper eating is the
essence of natural healing, and without it, sickness can never be definitively cured.
2. Mental Approach. Sickness is also an indication that our thinking has grown
out of order. Persons with any type of sickness should view the healing process as
being one of learning how to adapt and maintain harmony with nature and the
universe. This type of education is actually the most important of any that we
receive.
The standard macrobiotic way of eating represents a set of general guidelines for
dietary practice in a temperate, or four-season climate. This way of eating is the most
moderate in terms of yin and yang balance, and will naturally produce a condition
of harmonious adaptability to the surrounding environment and result in the deve-
lopment and maintenance of health. However, the majority of people are not eating
this way, which means that their diets contain an abundance of foods which are
extremely yin or extremely yang or both. Almost every modern degenerative illness,
including cancer, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, results from the habitual ex-
cessive intake of foods which are either too yang, too yin, or both.
This standard diet consists of the following:
1. At least 50% of the volume of every meal should be whole cereal grains,
[29]
30 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
* That a way of eating similar to the above is beneficial for the prevention of disease is being
recognized by an increasing number of doctors and nutritionists, as well as by the public at
large. For example, in the report entitled Dietary Goals for the United States released early in
1977 by the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs of the United States Senate
under the chairmanship of Senator George McGovern, Americans were advised to increase
their intake of whole grains, beans, and fresh vegetables and fruits, in order to reduce the risk
of serious illness. The dietary recommendations contained in this report approach the standard
macrobiotic way of eating.
The Standard Way of Macrobiotic Eating / 31
the traditional way, may be used as salty seasoning. In general, food should
be moderately or lightly seasoned, and should not have a salty taste.
3. The following condiments are recommended:
—Gomasio (10 to 12 parts roasted sesame seeds to 1 part sea salt, ground
together in a small earthenware bowl, or suribachi).
—Roasted kelp (kombu) powder or roasted wakame powder. (Roast in oven
until crisp, then crush in suribachi.)
—Umeboshi plums
—Tekka
—Tamari soy sauce (moderate use only)
4. You may eat one, two, or three meals per day, or as much as you want, pro-
vided the proportion is correct and chewing is thorough. Each mouthful
should be chewed 50 times or more. Avoid eating for approximately three
hours before sleeping. For thirst, you may drink a small amount of water,
but not iced.
5. Proper cooking is so important that everyone is advised to learn the way of
cooking by attending classes or through advice from experienced macrobiotic
cooks. Various books and publications on the art of macrobiotic cooking
may also be consulted.
In addition, the following practices are recommended for the establishment and
maintenance of health and happiness:
1. Let us live happily without being preoccupied about our condition, and let us
be active both mentally and physically.
2. Let us be grateful for everything and everyone, and let us offer thanks be-
fore and after each meal.
3. Whenever possible, try to retire before midnight and rise early in the morning.
4. Try to avoid wearing synthetic or woolen clothing directly in contact with
the body, as well as using excessive metallic accessories on the fingers, wrists,
or neck, keeping such ornaments as simple and graceful as possible.
5. If your strength permits, go outdoors often in simple clothing, and, if pos-
sible, barefoot. Try to walk on the grass and soil every fine day for up to one
half-hour.
6. Try to keep your home in good order, starting from the kitchen, bathroom,
bedroom, and living rooms, and including every corner of the house.
7. Initiate and maintain an active correspondence, extending your love and
friendship towards parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, teachers, and
friends.
8. Avoid taking long baths or showers unless you have been consuming too
much salt or animal food.
9. Scrub your whole body with either a hot damp towel or a dry towel until
the skin becomes red, every morning or every night before retiring. If that
is not possible, at least do your hands and feet, including each finger and toe.
10. Avoid the use of chemically perfumed cosmetics. For care of the teeth, brush
with natural preparations or sea salt.
11. If your physical condition allows, try to exercise vigorously on a regular basis,
including such activities as scrubbing floors, cleaning windows, washing
32 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
clothes, yoga, martial arts, sports, and other forms of systematic exercise.
Many of the foods being consumed at present on a regular basis are more yang than
those included in the standard diet. These products, which many people are eating
daily, include:
—Eggs
—Meat (beef, pork, lamb, and others)
—Poultry (chicken, turkey, and others)
—Salt: Salt is often used as a preservative in order to prevent the putrefaction
of meat and other animal products. Products like ham, bacon, hot dogs, and
others are often preserved in this manner, and salt is often added after they
have been cooked. In case salt is not used, chemicals are added to prevent
putrefaction. These produce an opposite, or yin, effect. If we consume pro-
ducts such as these on a regular basis, our intake of salt tends to be too large.
—Cheese (more salty varieties)
The following products, all of which are being consumed regularly, are more yin
than those included in the standard diet:
—Chemicals (additives, sprays, fertilizers, drugs, medications, etc.)
—Sugar
—Chocolate
—Honey, maple syrup, and other simple sugars
—Saccharine and other artificial sweeteners
—Soft drinks and other artificial beverages
—Tropical and semi-tropical fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, benanas, pine-
apples, mangoes, papayas, etc.
—Vegetables of tropical or semi-tropical origin including potatoes, tomatoes,
eggplant, avocados, etc.
—Vegetables which produce an acidic effect such as asparagus, spinach, beets,
zucchini squash, green pepper, and others
—Industrially produced, artificial vinegar
—Dairy products which are industrially processed and chemically treated such
as milk, butter, cheese (for example, cottage cheese, cream cheese and others),
and yoghurt
—Refined flour and grain products
—Spicy condiments and seasonings such as catsup, mustard, pepper, red pepper,
and others
—Alcohol
—Commercially produced tea and coffee
—Aromatic teas which have a stimulant effect like mint or peppermint teas.
A Nutritional Approach to Cancer / 33
The present diet of the vast majority of people includes foods from both of these
categories. If we regularly eat foods in either of these groups, we are automatically
attracted to the foods in the other. Everyone is balancing yin and yang, but in most
cases, this balance is maintained intuitively without conscious awareness. However,
foods such as those outlined above are very difficult to balance. After 10, 20 or 30
years of eating foods from these categories, your condition will become either ex-
cessively yang, excessively yin, or both. In general, a diet of this type results in a very
chaotic state of chronic imbalance.
In general, the foods included in both categories produce an acidic condition in
the bloodstream. Among the foods included as a part of the standard diet, which
are all more centrally balanced, some create a mildly acid condition while others
produce milk alkaline. On the whole, a diet of this type will cause a weak alkaline
condition to be maintained in the bloodstream.
When foods which are at the extremes of yin or yang comprise the mainstay of our
diet for any length of time, our physiological condition becomes imbalanced. Since
the body at all times seeks balance with the surrounding environment, the normal
process is for this excess to be eliminated, or stored when it exceeds the body's
capacity for elimination. Let us consider the progressive stages in this process, par-
ticularly in their relation to the eventual development of cancer.
1. Normal Elimination
2. Abnormal Discharge
These processes occur from time to time and include abnormal symptoms such as
34 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
(1) fever, (2) coughing, (3) diarrhea, (4) frequent urination, (5) abnormal sweating,
and (6) abnormal motions such as shivering, shaking legs, etc. This type of discharge
can also occur through abnormal thoughts and emotions. Discharges of this type
represent various types of adjustment sicknesses, and their frequency depends on
the quantity of unnecessary excess that is taken in. In many cases, however, the con-
tinuous intake of excess exceeds even these channels of discharge. This often leads
to the elimination of excess through the skin.
A. General Skin Disorders. The most common causes of skin disorders are animal
foods—e.g., meat, eggs, dairy, and fish—followed by sugar, fruit juice, oil, and other
yin products. When approaching skin diseases, we should not try to suppress this
discharge; rather, we should encourage it to come out while at the same time elimi-
nating the cause of the problem. A person with skin disease should begin the stan-
dard diet and avoid the following foods until the condition clears up: (1) all animal
products; (2) buckwheat; (3) various types of extremely yin foods such as fruit and
sweets; (4) all raw foods including even a small quantity of salad; (5) "quick" pickles
which are aged less than two months; and (6) flour products.
It is very important for a person with any type of skin disease to eat cooked foods
only. For example, several years ago I met a woman who had been suffering from
skin disease for over twenty years. Her condition had prevented her from getting
married and even from finding a job. The cause of her problem had been her intake
of sugar, and after two weeks of proper eating, her condition had improved about
50%. When I saw her again after another two weeks, she had improved only slightly.
This improvement was not as good as it could have been, and this was the result of
her having eaten a small salad every day. After she stopped her intake of salad, the
problem cleared up completely.
The following external treatments are also helpful in relieving skin diseases by
speeding up the process of discharge:
/. Compress Made from Dried Leaves and Grated Ginger: Boil dried leaves,
using the method described in the chapter, The Reproductive System in the
section on the treatment of female disorders. Grate fresh ginger root and
wrap in cheesecloth. Turn off the flame, and place this "ginger sack" (which
should contain a lump of grated ginger about the size of a golf ball) in the
water. Then, dip a towel into the watei, squeeze, and apply to the affected
area.
2. Rice Bran Nuka Skin Wash: Wrap nuka in cheesecloth. Place in hot water
and shake. The nuka will melt and the water will begin to turn yellow. Then,
wash the affected area with a towel or cloth that has been dipped in this water.
3. Wood Ash Skin Wash: Place ashes that are left over after burning wood in
a fireplace into hot water and stir very well. Let sit until the ashes settle to
the bottom, and then use the water to wash the skin. Pat dry with a towel.
4. Daikon Application: In cases where a person with skin disease suffers itch-
ing, rub a piece of cut fresh daikon directly onto the affected area. If you
don't have daikon, use a scallion or onion.
A Nutritional Approach to Cancer / 35
5. Sesame Oil Application: Sesame oil can be applied directly to the affected
area in cases where the skin becomes ruptured.
Persons with skin diseases should avoid using blankets which are made of wool or
synthetic fibers, and ideally these should be cotton. Clothing should also be made of
cotton or other natural vegetable fibers. This is especially important in the case of
underclothing. Rice bran which is wrapped in cheesecloth or natural vegetable-
quality soaps should be used instead of chemical soaps or shampoos.
These diseases usually appear when the intestines and kidneys become incapable
of efficiently discharging toxins. The intestines and kidneys can be strengthened
through the use of hot applications along with proper eating. The most effective of
these is the ginger compress, which should be repeatedly applied directly to these
organs. A roasted salt application may be used in place of the ginger compress.
B. Skin Cancer. Skin cancers are more serious forms of skin disease. Persons
with these diseases should stop eating all foods which are extremely yang or ex-
tremely yin, and should begin the standard macrobiotic way of eating. Within the
range of macrobiotic foods, fish, fruit, salad, and nuts should be avoided, although
seeds may be eaten on occasion. Thorough chewing is essential to restore the quality
of the blood. For any type of cancer, each mouthful must be chewed at least 100,
and preferably 200 times. Skin cancers are relatively easy to relieve with this ap-
proach, and success can be expected in practically every case. Modern medicine will
often treat skin cancer with radiation, chemotherapy, or by surgical removal. These
symptomatic approaches reveal an incomplete understanding of the cause of this
disease, or of the possibility of eliminating it from the inside by removing the cause.
Although these approaches may eliminate the external symptoms, the disease will
reappear if the patient does not change his internal quality.
Skin diseases are usually not very serious, since in most cases, the discharge of
toxins permits the internal organs and tissues to continue functioning smoothly.
However, if our eating continues to be excessive, the body will start to accumulate
this excess.
4. Accumulation
At this stage, the volume of excess exceeds the body's capacity for discharging it,
and it begins to accumulate. However, this excess tends to be deposited toward the
periphery of the body, particularly in regions that come in contact with the outside.
Let us consider each of these in some detail.
A. The Sinuses. The sinuses are the most common site for the accumulation of
excess. Mucus will often accumulate in this area so that it may be discharged through
the nose and from the eyes. Often, when dust or pollen enters the nostrils, the mucous
membranes react in an effort to push as much excess as possible toward the outside.
Reactions such as this are known as hay fever or allergies, and are nothing but dis-
charge mechanisms.
To diagnose sinus trouble, refer to the pressure-points indicated in the section on
pressure-point diagnosis. If these points are painful when pressed, there are mucus
36 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
deposits in the sinuses. Moxa can be applied to these points to help relieve this
condition. If moxa is not available, a lighted cigarette can be used as a substitute,
preferably a brand in which the tobacco is tightly packed. To apply cigarette moxa,
refer to the technique outlined in the section on pressure-point diagnosis. By apply-
ing moxa to these points twice each day for several days, the deposited mucus will
begin to loosen.
Another external application that is helpful in relieving sinus congestion is a lotus
root plaster. This method can help to dissolve mucus which has taken years to ac-
cumulate. Before applying this plaster, apply a hot water or ginger compress to the
sinus region. These compresses can be discontinued when the skin turns red, and
should be followed immediately with the lotus root plaster.
To make the plaster, grate a piece of fresh lotus root (which is available in most
oriental or natural food stores) without peeling it. If the grated pulp is thin and
watery, thicken with about 10%-15% white flour. The grated pulp should have a
pasty consistency. Add about 5% grated ginger and mix well. This mixture should
then be applied directly to the skin to a thickness of about 2/3 of an inch, covering
the entire region of the sinuses, especially the forehead and around the nose, and can
be held in place with a cotton bandage that is wrapped around the head. Apply
this plaster right before going to bed, and leave it on until the following morning,
at which time the lotus root can simply be washed off. This procedure should be
repeated over several consecutive evenings, after which a large quantity of mucus
will often start to be discharged. This discharge may include deposits of mucus which
have been in the sinuses for years, as well as calcified stones, which are often dis-
charged through sneezing.
B. The Inner Ear. The accumulation of mucus and fat in the inner ear can lead
to frequent pain, impaired hearing, and even deafness. In America, more than 12
million people are deaf, and this number is steadily increasing. If this continues for
another 25 years, 50% of the American population may become deaf. The mecha-
nism of hearing troubles is discussed in our chapter, The Face and Head, along with
several methods for treating these disorders.
To diagnose problems in the inner ear, use the points located in the indented re-
gion directly below each ear which are mentioned in the section on pressure-point
diagnosis. Pain indicates that mucus is beginning to accumulate. Cigarette moxa
can be applied to these points to help relieve this condition. Another helpful treat-
ment is to slowly circle each ear with a lighted cigarette which is held about 1/4 inch
from the skin. After several circuits, the person's body will begin to feel warm, par-
ticularly in the area of the kidneys, since these organs correspond to the ears.
C. The Lungs. Excess in various forms will often accumulate in the lungs. Aside
from the obvious symptoms of coughing and chest congestion, this condition can
be diagnosed by pushing with your finger in the area under the vocal cords in the
center of the throat. If this is painful, the lungs have begun to accumulate mucus
which has the possibility of developing into some type of cyst or into cancer.
To help relieve this condition, apply a ginger compress to the area of the lungs,
using either the front or the back of the body. The compress can be applied once
each day for 10 days or two weeks, and it will help to loosen stagnation in this area
A Nutritional Approach to Cancer / 37
D. The Breasts. The accumulation of excess in this area often results in a harden-
ing of the breasts, as well as in the formation of cysts. Excess usually accumulates
in the breasts in the form of mucus and deposits of fatty acid, both of which take the
form of a yin, sticky or heavy liquid. These deposits develop into cysts in the same
way that water freezes into ice, and this occurs when foods like ice cream, sugar,
orange juice, soft drinks, and other cold beverages are consumed on a regular basis.
All of these produce a cooling effect which causes these stored deposits to crystallize.
Aside from proper eating, the primary method of relieving this condition is to
literally "melt away" these hard deposits. These methods are discussed later in this
chapter.
E. The Intestines. In many cases, excess will begin accumulating in the lower part
of the body in the form of mucus and fat deposits which coat the intestinal wall.
This will often cause the intestines to expand, resulting in a bulging abdomen. A
large number of people in the United States have this problem, and Americans have
acquired an international notariety for this. Young people in America are often very
stylish and attractive. However, after the age of 30, and particularly between the
ages of 35 and 40, a large number of Americans lose their youthful appcarancc and
become overweight and unattractive.
F. The Kidneys. The kidneys are a frequent site of mucus and fatty-acid accumu-
lation, since they are connected to the outside through the bladder and urinary tract.
Problems arise when these elements cannot pass through the fine network of cells
in the interior of these organs. In this condition, the kidneys often accumulate water
and become chronically swollen. Since the process of elimination is hampered, fluid
which cannot be discharged is often deposited in the legs, producing periodic swell-
ing and weakness. At the same time, a person with this condition often perspires
excessively.
If someone with this condition consumes a large quantity of foods which produce
a chilling effect, such as those mentioned in our discussion of breast cysts, the de-
posited fat and mucus will often crystallize into stones. In order to dissolve these
stones, we need to eat foods which have the effect of dissolving or melting these
deposits. Vegetables like daikon radish, ginger, and turnips are very effective for
this, and can be cooked in soups, with other vegetables, or, in the case of daikon,
grated and eaten raw. These should be included within the standard macrobiotic
way of eating.
A hot ginger compress applied daily will cause most kidney stones to begin melting
and shrinking in size, while some may even split into several pieces. As their size
becomes smaller, they will begin to pass through the ureter into the bladder, where
they are discharged during urination. In some cases, the stones or stone fragments
are too large to pass smoothly through the ureter. This often results in a very sharp
pain that is often mistaken for an appendicitis attack. However, appendicitis is
accompanied by a fever, whereas the discharge of a kidney stone is not. If the pain
38 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
from this discharge becomes intolerable, and we go to a hospital, the stone will
most likely be surgically removed. However, this is unnecessary, since the pain can
be relieved by applying a ginger compress to the area and by drinking plenty of hot
bancha tea. This will cause the ureter to dilate and allow the stone to pass through.
Salt or salty foods should not be eaten at this time, since they will cause the ureter
to contract, thereby increasing the pain.
For additional relief, cigarette moxa can be applied to the kidney point at the
bottom of the foot as well as to the point above the ankle on the inside of the leg
known as San-In-Ko. The location of these points can be found in the chapter. The
Way of Diagnosis, in the section Pressure-Point Diagnosis.
Kidney stones can be eliminated very easily through the proper application of the
standard diet, combined with the additional treatments mentioned above.
G. The Sexual Organs. In men, the prostate gland is a frequent site of accumula-
tion. As a result, it often becomes enlarged, and hard fat deposits or cysts often
form within and around it. This is one of the principal causes of impotency. The
standard macrobiotic way of eating will relieve this condition, along with regular
ginger compresses which can be applied to the area of the bladder. For the develop-
ment of sexual ability, men should be careful not to overeat.
Since the female sexual organs are connected to the outside, excess will often
accumulate there. This often leads to the formation of ovarian cysts, as well as to
blockage of the Fallopian lubes. In many cases, mucus or fat in the ovaries or Fal-
lopian tubes will prevent the passage of the egg and sperm, resulting in an inability
to conceive. The treatment for this condition, as well as for the related problem of
vaginal discharges, is discussed in our chapter, The Reproductive System.
All of these forms of accumulation can be eliminated through the methods that
we have just discussed. However, if we ignore these conditions, or if we try some
type of symptomatic measure such as having an operation, taking medication, or
merely quitting smoking, without changing our diet, we inevitably proceed to the
next stage.
5. Storage
In this stage, excess in various forms is stored within and around the internal organs,
resulting in their improper functioning. In the case of the circulatory system, excess
often accumulates around and inside the heart, as well as within the heart tissues.
Accumulation may also occur both in and around the arteries. These fatty deposits
reduce the heart's ability to function properly and hampers the smooth passage of
blood through the arteries. The end result is often a heart attack. The major causes
of this problem are foods which contain large amounts of hard, saturated fat. Many
nutritionists and doctors are now aware of the relationship between the intake of
saturated fats, cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, but often overlook the effect
of sugar and dairy products, both of which contribute greatly to the development
of these illnesses.
Within the body, the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that we consume often
change into each other, depending on the amount of each consumed as well as the
A Nutritional Approach to Cancer / 39
body's needs at a particular time. If we consume more of these than we need, this
excess is normally discharged. However, the quantity of excess often exceeds the
body's capacity to discharge it. When this happens, the excess is stored in the liver
in the form of carbohydrate, in the muscles in the form of protein, or throughout
the body in the form of fatty acids. (See Fig. 1.)
In the heart, accumulated fatty deposits are usually not distributed evenly. For
example, one side of the heart will often contain more than the other, and this im-
balance will cause the rhythm of the heart to become irregular. If the storage of
excess continues in this manner, breathing becomes difficult, and, since the lungs are
usually accumulating mucus while the heart accumulates fatty deposits, the ability
of the lungs to absorb oxygen and discharge carbon dioxide is substantially impeded.
The tip of the nose reflects the condition of the circulatory system and in particular
the heart, with the left and right sides of the nose corresponding to the left and right
sides of the heart respectively. If the left side of the nose is harder than the right,
because of deposits of hard fat, this indicates that fatty deposits are also greater in
the left side of the heart. The resulting improper coordination of the heartbeat often
produces a heart murmur.
The whole face is a reflection of the condition of the heart. If the face has a red-
dish color or a swollen appearance, this indicates that the heart is also swollen and
expanded. A pale face means that the circulation within the heart is weak, and that
the heart tissues are not receiving enough blood. An oily or greasy complexion
means that the heart is coated with fatty deposits. The location of pimples and other
facial blemishes indicates the region of the heart in which fatty deposits are most
prevalent. For example, pimples on the lower left side of the face indicate that the
lower left side of the heart contains a high concentration of fatty deposits. (See
Fig. 2.)
If the bloodstream is filled with fat and mucus, excess will begin to accumulate in
the organs. Since the lungs and kidneys are usually affected first, their functions of
filtering and cleansing the blood become less efficient. This situation leads to further
deterioration of the blood quality and also affects the lymphatic system. Operations
40 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
Fig. 2. The condition of the heart can be seen in the entire face. The cor-
respondences between the two are illustrated in the above diagram.
such as tonsilectomies also contribute to the deterioration of the lymphatic system,
since they reduce the ability of this system to cleanse itself. Such operations even-
tually lead to frequent swelling and lymph gland inflammation, producing a chronic
deterioration of the quality of the blood, particularly the red blood cells. When the
red blood cells then begin to lose their capacity to changc into normal body cells,
they start to create the degenerate type of cell that is known as cancerous.
Poorly functioning intestines can also contribute to the degeneration of blood
quality, since blood cells and plasma originate largely in the small intestine. In many
cases, the villi of the small intestine are coated with fat and mucus, and the condi-
tion in the intestines is often acidic. Naturally, healthy blood will not be created in
this type of environment.
A. Nutrition and the Cause of Cancer. Cancer develops from chronic degenera-
tion of the blood and lymph fluid. Once we realize that cancer is the result of a
general body-wide deterioration, we can better appreciate the body's attempt to
concentrate the cancerous cells in a particular location to prevent the organism as
a whole from being poisoned. The location of this concentration depends upon
which type of food is primarily responsible for the formation of the cancerous cells.
A Nutritional Approach to Cancer / 41
In general, there are two types of cancer, which we can classify according to cause.
The first results from excess yang foods such as eggs, meat, fish, and some types
of dairy food. The second is caused by excessive intake of yin, such as soft drinks,
sugar, milk, citrus, stimulants, chemicals, refined flour and grain products, and
spices. In general, if the cancer appears in the more deep parts of the body, or if it
involves the more yang, compacted organs (listed above), it is caused by the over-
consumption of yang foods. Yin-caused cancers usually develop at the periphery of
the body, or in the more yin, hollow organs. However, this classification is not ab-
solute. Although cancer arises as the result of a predominance of one factor, the
opposite factor is also involved, even though to a lesser degree. For example, cancers
which result from the overconsumption of yang foods also require an intake of yin,
since this provides the stimulus for tumor growth.
Thus, cancer was unknown among the Eskimos until sugar and other products of
civilization were introduced. The inclusion of these extremely yin items provided
the necessary stimulus for their normally very yang diet to lead to the formation of
a variety of cancers.
Also, regions within each organ have either a more yin or more yang nature. For
example, the stomach can be divided into the more expanded region, which secretes
strong acid, and the more compact pylorus, which secretes a much weaker acid. The
body portion of the stomach is more yin, while the pylorus is more yang, as is the
duodenum. Although on the whole the stomach is a yin organ, cancers which appear
in the more expanded parts are more yin, resulting from the intake of foods such as
sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG), white refined rice and flour, and other yin
products; while those which develop in the more yang pylorus or duodenum result
from the overconsumption of meat, eggs, fish, and other more yang products. Since
these more yin foods are consumed widely in Japan, the people in that nation have a
very high incidence of stomach cancer, while other types of cancer, such as those
resulting from the intake of saturated fat, are more predominant in America. (See
42 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
The ascending colon is the most yin part of the large intestine. The rectum, being
more tight and narrow, is the most yang part, while the transverse and descending
portions of the colon have both yin and yang characteristics. If cancer arises in the
yin, ascending colon, it is caused by the overconsumption of yin foods such as honey,
white refined flour, milk, fruit juice, sugar, saccharine, and others. Conversely, cancer
of the rectum is caused more by yang foods such as eggs, meat, and some types of
cheese, although yin foods are also involved. Cancer of the transverse or descending
colon results from a combination of excessively yin and excessively yang foods.
(See Fig. 5.)
Cancer of the liver, spleen, and pancreas results from the overconsumption of
yang foods. Tumors or cancers which arise in the compact brain also have as their
base the consumption of yang foods. Brain tumors are relatively easy to relieve
through proper eating since (1) tumors in this very compact area tend to grow very
slowly, and (2) the abundance of blood supply to the brain means that a change in
blood quality will quickly affect the condition of the brain.
Cancer of the small intestine is generally yin, but it also involves a contributing
factor from various yang foods. Uterine cancer arises from the combination of both
extremes, as does breast cancer. The saturated fats contained in meat, eggs, and
dairy products combine with the effects of sugar and other yin products to produce
these conditions. Prostate cancer is generally the result of too many yin foods, but,
among yin cancers, it is a more yang variety, similar in degree to cancer of the des-
cending colon. Skin cancer results from the excessive intake of yin foods like dairy,
sugar, and honey, combined with various types of yang animal foods. Skin condi-
tions like psoriasis and eczema may be considered as pre-cancerous conditions, as
are white or brown patches which appear on the skin.
Ascending Descending
Colon Colon
V A
More Yin Yang Area
Anus
and swallow. If the patient has difficulty in eating food prepared in this manner, it
is advisable to mash the food after it has been cooked. It may also be necessary to
cook the food with more water than usual, in order for it to have a softer, more
creamy consistency. Grains, vegetables, beans, and other foods can be cooked in
this manner and then mashed by hand in a suribachi. A blender should not be used
in for this purpose.
The most important external applications are the ginger compress, taro potato
plaster, and buckwheat plaster. The methods for preparing these are outlined in the
appendix on external applications. However, let us briefly consider their proper use
in cases of cancer.
/. Ginger Compress. The ginger compress should be prepared in the usual
manner. However, we should apply it only for a short time to activate the circula-
tion in the affected area, and it should be followed immediately by a taro potato
plaster. If we apply a hot ginger compress repeatedly over an extended period, it
may accelerate the growth of the cancer, particularly if it is of a yin variety. The
ginger compress should be considered only as preparation for the taro plaster, and
not as an independent treatment. Apply it for several minutes only.
2. Taro Potato (Albi) Plaster. Taro potato can be obtained from Chinese or
Armenian groceries or from a natural foods store. The skin of this vegetable is brown
and covered with " h a i r . " The taro potato is grown in Hawaii as well as in the Orient.
Smaller taro potatoes are the most effective for use in this plaster.
To prepare the plaster, peel off the skin and grate the white part on a flat grater.
Mix the grated potato, which should be in the form of a sticky white pulp, with about
5% grated ginger root, and spread the mixture on a piece of linen to a thickness of
about 1/2 inch. The plaster should then be applied to the cancerous area so that the
grated mixture comes in direct contact with the skin. (See Fig. 7.)
Bandage
The cool taro application should be put in place immediately following the ginger
compress. The taro application can be held in place with a bandage, and should be
left on for about four hours, after which its effectiveness decreases. A fresh applica-
tion should be put on every four hours. If the patient feels chilly because of the cool-
ness of the taro plaster, the hot ginger compress which is applied for five minutes
while you are changing plasters will help to relieve this. If a chill persists, roast sea
salt in a skillet, wrap it in a towel, and place it on top of the plaster. Be careful not
to let the patient become too hot from this salt application.
The taro plaster has the effect of drawing cancerous toxins out of the body, and
46 I THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SICKNESS
is particularly effective in removing carbon and other minerals which are contained
in tumors. If, when the plaster is removed, the light-colored mixture has become
dark or brown, or if the skin where the plaster was applied also takes on a similar
color, this change indicates that excessive carbon and other elements are being dis-
charged through the skin. This treatment will gradually decrease the size of the
tumor.
Taro potato can usually be obtained in most of the major cities in the United
States and Canada. However, if you live in an area where it is not available, a pre-
paration using regular potato can be substituted. Although regular potato is not as
effective as taro, it will still produce a beneficial result. Mix 50%-60% grated potato
with 40%-50% green leafy vegetables, which should also be grated, by crushing them
together in a suribachi. Apply this mixture in the same way you would a taro plaster.
3. Buckwheat Plaster. A buckwheat plaster should be applied in cases where a
patient develops a swollen abdomen due to the retention of fluid. If this fluid is sur-
gically removed, a patient may temporarily feel better, but after several days, may
suddenly become much worse. Obviously, we should try to avoid such a drastic
procedure.
To prepare a buckwheat plaster, mix buckwheat flour with warm water and knead
it into a dough-like mixture that should be somewhat stiff and not too watery. Apply
this to the abdomen to a thickness of about one inch, so that the entire swollen area
is covered; hold the plaster in place with a bandage or a piece of cotton linen. This
plaster can be applied anywhere on the body. For example, in cases where a breast
has been removed, the surrounding lymph nodes, the neck, or in some cases, the
arm, often become swollen after several months. To relieve this condition, apply
ginger compresses to the swollen area for about five minutes, followed by a buck-
wheat plaster. The buckwheat plaster should be replaced every four hours. After
removing the plaster, you may notice that fluid is starting to come out through the
skin, or that the swelling is starting to go down. A buckwheat plaster will usually
eliminate the swelling after only several applications, or at most after two or three
days.
Most cancers can be dealt with successfully without the use of external treatments.
It is only the 20%-30% that are considered terminal or that have been complicated
by previous treatment that require these applications. This macrobiotic dietary ap-
proach can also be combined with these external applications for the relief of a
variety of non-cancerous tumors and cysts including brain tumors, fibroid tumors,
ovarian cysts, breast cysts, and others.
The following factors should be considered when judging whether a difficult case
of cancer will have a successful outcome:
1. The strength of the person's native constitution.
2. Whether the person has had any previous operations or treatments. Tonsil-
lectomies, appendectomies, and other operations weaken the person's ability
to resist and overcome illness, as does the previous use of drugs or medica-
tions.
3. Whether the person and his immediate family are capable of self-reflection
—in other words, whether they have a spirit of thankfulness and appreciation,
not only to the people helping them but also towards life in general, including
the marvelous natural defense mechanism of the body.
CHAPTER THREE
The art of diagnosis forms an integral part of the way of natural healing. Without a
clear understanding of the nature of a particular problem, it is difficult, if not im-
possible, to make the proper recommendations to relieve or solve it. In this chapter,
we will outline sixteen different methods of diagnosis, all of which are derived from
the understanding of the order of the universe, or natural law. This understanding
formed the basis of traditional oriental medicine, and several of these methods have
been used for thousands of years in the Far East.
This type of diagnosis is based on the understanding of our relationship to our large
surrounding environment, both in terms of space and in time. This includes the
heavenly environment, or Ten-Sd, the earthly environment, or Chi-So, and the en-
vironment of time, or Ji-Sd. So can be translated as " p h e n o m e n a " or "phenomenal
appearance." Among these 16 methods of diagnosis, the first six are different forms
of So, while the remainings are varieties of Shin, which means "individual symptoms."
[49]
50 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
the seashore, the desert, the fertile valley, the forest, the lake, each affects us in a
different way. For example, 1 recently met a young couple in Amsterdam who were
not happy even though they had been eating macrobiotically for several years. The
young wife was urinating too frequently, suffered from periodic headaches, and a
swollen face, even though she was drinking very little liquid. Thinking that salt
was responsible, she had tried avoiding it, but her problem did not improve, al-
though her overall condition had become much better. Her problem was caused by
living in a houseboat. Even though she hadn't been drinking excessively, she was
constantly breathing in very humid air from the canal on which she was living, and
this was the cause of her symptoms.
C. Ji-So: Time. (See Fig. 8.) Our condition is being constantly influenced
by such things as the changing seasons and the cycles of day and night. Ji-So is the
study of the way in which these cycles affect us. As an example, let us consider the
problem of polio. Polio is a yin condition, and is caused by the excessive consump-
tion of foods like fruit juice, ice cream, and sugar. When these are eaten excessively,
the more yang areas of the body, such as the legs, become weak. Polio is prevalent
in the southern United States, where people tend to consume more yin foods than
in the North. The consumption of these items tends to be greater during the hot
summer months, but during this lime, the intense heat somewhat counteracts their
effects. After the peak of summer, the weather becomes cooler, and the yin that was
consumed during the summer, or that is still being consumed, starts to become
excessive, resulting in an overly-yin condition. As a result, polio tends to develop
during the late summer and early autumn.
Bedwetting offers a good example of the influence of the 24-hour cycle of day and
night. Some children wet their beds soon after going to sleep, while others release
urine later in the evening or towards morning. Although the symptom appears to be
the same, each has a different cause, depending upon the condition of the bladder.
In some cases, bedwetting occurs when the bladder is contracted and tightly closed,
and therefore cannot hold much water; while in others, it results from a loose, ex-
panded bladder which is also unable to hold urine. During which time of night would
the bladder be more likely to contract? This would more likely occur later in the
evening or towards morning when the atmosphere is darker and colder, or more
yin. In the early evening, the atmosphere is not so cold, and the opposite condition,
relaxation, would more likely occur. If bedwetting takes place soon after a child goes
to bed, the cause is too much yin. including water, fruit juice, spices, various types
of sugar, soft drinks, coffee, and similar foods. In the case of an overly-constricted
bladder, the cause is too many yang foods like salt, eggs, meat, and fish. For an
overly-yang bladder, we should recommend foods which create relaxation. However,
we should not advise extremely yin foods like sugar, since these would cause the
child's overall condition to deteriorate. Good-quality yin in the form of baked apples,
hot apple cider, or any type of cooked, locally-grown, seasonal fruit will help this
condition. We should approach an overly-expanded bladder in the opposite way,
advising the person to avoid fruits, sugar, and other yin foods, while minimizing the
intake of liquid, and including a bit more salt.
The Way of Diagnosis / 51
V
Winter
Autumn Spring
Increased
Incidence of
Polio
Summer
A
Fig. 8. Ji-So depicts the influence of the seasonal cycle on our physical,
emotional and psychological condition. The above diagram illustrates the
influence of the seasons on the incidence of polio. Polio occurs more often
in the late summer and early autumn. This is due to the accumulated effects
of extremely yin foods such as ice cream, soft drinks, and others which tend
to be consumed in greater quantities during the hot summer months.
A. Ancestral Diagnosis. This type of diagnosis includes the ability to see and
interpret various characteristics that are inherited from parents, grandparents, and
ancestors. Fig. 9 illustrates the relationship that each of us has to our respective
ancestors.
We stand at the center of this chart (I) and originally exist in the form of a fer-
tilized ovum. The union of our father's sperm with an egg from our mother, repre-
sented by (2), begins this process. In turn, each of our parents receives this same in-
fluence from their parents (3), and each of our grandparents receives this influence
from their parents (4), who in turn receive their parents' influence (5), and so on
through (6) and (7). Each of us has two parents, four grandparents, eight great-
grandparents, 16 great-great grandparents; their parents number 32, and theirs, 64.
Counting ourselves, this totals seven generations. Each of our ancestors influences
The Way of Diagnosis / 53
us to some degree. Those closer to us in time have a greater influence, while those
who are farther removed have less. Of course, we can trace our lineage back to infinity
itself, but for practical use, the influence of the last seven generations, counting our-
selves, can be seen within the body.
For example, the right side of the face is generally more yang than the left side.
Since the egg moves downward and is relatively compact, it is more yang, meaning
that it is governed primarily by centripetal force. Conversely, sperm are more active,
move upward and are created through a process of differentiation, and are therefore
more yin. The influence that we receive from our mother is more yang, and is reflected
in the right side of the face, whereas our father's more yin influence can be seen in
the left side. In the same way, the lines on the right palm reveal the influence received
by the mother, while those on the left represent the father's influence.
Once this is understood, we are able to formulate a general picture of person's
parents—what type of people they were, what were their favorite foods, and who
was strongest. Everyone's face is unbalanced, one side always being more contracted
than the other. This means that one side is smaller and the nose will often curve in
that direction. When a person speaks, the side of the mouth which is on the more
contracted side will be more active. The more yang, contracted side of the face also
indicates which parent was more active.
We can also determine the condition of our parents by observing the palms of
our hands. (See Fig. 10.) The three major lines in the palm reveal the condition of
the three major bodily systems. The "life-line" corresponds to the digestive and
respiratory systems; the "line of intellect" to the nervous system; and the "line of
emotion" to the circulatory and excretory systems. If these systems are natively
strong and healthy, all of these lines will be deep and clear. The digestive system line
should be long and unbroken. If the lines on your right palm are stronger, your
mother was a more active person. If your left palm is better, your father was stronger.
Circulatory/
Excretory
We can further subdivide the face in order to determine the condition of a person's
grandparents. (See Fig. 11.) When we divide each side in half, the inside half shows
the more yang influence of the grandmother, while the outer half shows the grand-
father's more yin influence. The right side would show the conditions of the maternal
54 I THE WAY OF DIAGNOSIS
Mother Father
and because of this, carry the father's more yin influence. Of course, both parents
influence our entire body, but in this instance the father's influence predominates.
Conversely, the mother's more yang influence is centered predominantly in the
digestive and respiratory systems, which occupy a more central, or inward position.
If a man has a strong nervous system and good thinking power, his children will
usually inherit this characteristic, unless, of course, they spoil themselves by eating
improperly. In a related fashion, if a woman is natively strong and active, with a
powerful digestive and respiratory system, her children should also enjoy this
advantage.
Each of the 32 vertebrae reflects the influence of our 32 ancestors spanning seven
generations on our father's side, while each tooth corresponds to the same ancestors
on our mother's side. These influences also appear in other areas of the body. For
example, the more yang, compacted organs reflect the influence of our mother's
ancestors, and the more yin, hollow organs reflect the influence of our father's an-
cestors. These relationships correlate precisely with those studied in the science of
genetics. In other words, the influence which is passed from generation to generation
through the transfer of DNA correlates to that which is passed on through the
mechanism of yin and yang.
B. Rei-S5: (34S) Spiritual Diagnosis. In Japanese, the word Rei means "spirit."
This type of diagnosis involves being able to perceive the influences exerted by
people who have died. To explain this in modern terms, we may interpret the term
"spirit" to mean "vibration," "energy," or "consciousness." Let us consider several
types of influence that human beings receive from the world of spirit so as to better
understand this type of diagnosis. Many of us have an image of an ideal person.
We may think, "I would like to be like Socrates, Jesus, Lao Tsu, Albert Schweitzer,"
or some other person. As a result, we often carry an image of that person whicn
affects our consciousness and our life orientation. This is one type of spiritual influ-
ence. Another has to do with the attachment that we may have to people who were
closely associated with us in life but who have died. If you had a special relationship
with a particular person, such as a parent, ancestor, or close friend who has now
passed away, his or her spirit will often become attached to you. A large number of
people are influenced by spirits of this type, which you may also call "ghosts."
56 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
For example, several years ago a desperate young man came to see me. Not only
was his physical condition poor, but he was suffering from emotional and psycholog-
ical disorders as well. His condition was so poor that as soon as he entered, the
atmosphere of the room became dark and depressing. Both of his parents had died,
and his brothers and sisters were either suffering from mental illness or had already
experienced an untimely death. When I inquired about his ancestors, he replied that
they had been slave traders in colonial America. Since this young man's ancestors
were involved in such an occupation, their negative influence was transferred from
generation to generation and was the cause of his family's unhappiness. In order to
purify his condition, this young man began to eat macrobiotically and to pray to
his ancestors, extending his appreciation to them as well as his sincere apologies on
their behalf to the wandering spirits of the people whom they forced into slavery.
After one year, he became very happy, strong, and healthy.
Wandering spirits appear over the shoulders. If they are seen over the left shoulder,
they are either male spirits, such as a deceased husband, or are among the father's
ancestors. When they appear over the right shoulder, they are either female spirits
or are among the mother's ancestors.
As the case of the young man illustrates, our health may depend on whether we
can make our spiritual condition clean by pacifying these wandering spirits. Prayer,
self-reflection, and self-resurrection—changing the quality of our blood, cells, and
entire being—are necessary to achieve this. Our consolation of unhappy spirits should
ultimately extend beyond those directly influencing us to the entire realm of unhappy
or deluded entities. Many people have suffered throughout mankinds' long history,
and our modern civilization has literally been built upon the sacrifice and suffering
of an untold number of people. Unless we begin to change this through the above
methods, our civilization will produce great unhappiness and will end tragically.
Present
is called "non-thinking," the vibrations around the head become very quiet. How-
ever, as our thoughts become active or vigorous, such as when we think about the
opposite sex, our business, or financial position, or about some type of struggle or
conflict, the vibrations around the head become correspondingly active and intense.
If your condition is sensitive, you can detect these vibrations by applying your
hand to the different regions of the head, to sense which areas of the brain are active,
and to what degree. It is even possible to detect these vibrations without touching;
in other words, to actually see what type of thoughts a person is having. A person
with this ability knows whether someone is lying or telling the truth, or whether
what he or she is saying is different from what he or she is thinking.
To practice this method of diagnosis, it is necessary to use what is called "non-
focussing" vision, which is similar to the type of vision that newborn infants have
before developing the ability to focus upon specific objects. Our breathing should
be very quiet, with the out-breath being four to five times longer than the in-breath.
Begin to unfocus your eyes during the out-breath.
5. Diagnosis by Expression
All forms of expression reveal our condition, since our habits, speech, movements,
writing, and other day-to-day modes of expression are the result of the foods we
have been eating. For example, suppose someone shakes his foot while sitting in a
cross-legged position. This is the opposite of a condition like polio, and is caused by
the overconsumption of yang foods. Sleepwalking offers another example. This
condition is also caused by the consumption of too many yang foods, and can be
cured in one week by eliminating animal products and consuming foods of vege-
table quality.
This type of diagnosis is similar to the above, and is based on the ability to under-
58 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
stand what personal preferences, such as the type of clothing that people wear, the
type of hobbies they have, the type of books they read, reveal about their condition.
Another important aspect of this diagnosis is based on the understanding of basic
character differences which result from different birth dates. This is also known as
"astrological diagnosis."
One aspect of astrological diagnosis is based on the constitutional differences
resulting from the season of birth. For example, someone born in May was con-
ceived in August, and their embryonic development was spent predominantly during
the colder months of winter, during which time their mother was probably eating a
more yang diet—more cooked food, more salt, and possibly a higher percentage of
animal food. As a result, this person's basic constitution is relatively yang. On the
other hand, a person born in November, which is the opposite time of the year, began
his embryonic life around February, passing through nine months of development
during the spring, summer, and fall. Since their mother would naturally eat a more
yin diet during this period, this person would have a more yin constitution.
In general, people born during the spring and summer, from March 21 to Sep-
tember 21, have more yang constitutions, while those born during the fall and winter,
from September 21 to March 21, are natively more yin. Those born in June are the
most yang, while persons born in December are the most yin. More yang persons
tend to be more physically or socially active, while those who are more yin tend to
involve themselves in intellectual or artistic pursuits.
This type of diagnosis is known in oriental medicine as Bo-Shin, and is based on the
ability to understand the internal condition of the body by seeing its surface features.
This art was widely practiced in ancient times, but, after several thousand years, has
been largely forgotten. However, this ancient art is now being revived, and an increas-
ing number of people have studied and are using it.
At the basis of visual diagnosis is the understanding of the various complementary
and antagonistic relationships existing within the human body, such as that between
(1) the upper and lower regions of the body, (2) the front and back of the body,
(3) the left and right sides of the body, (4) the periphery of the body and the inside,
and (5) the various parts of the body to the body as a whole.
A. The Upper and Lower Regions of the Body. The upper region of the body refers
to the area above the neck, while the lower region refers to that below the neck. For
convenience, we will call the former the "head" and refer to the latter as the "body."
In terms of structure, the head is compact and solid, and therefore yang, while the
body is more large or expanded, and therefore yin. Since yin and yang are the in-
verse of each other, what exists in one exists in the other in an opposite form. In
terms of the human body, what exists in the head in a more compacted form also
exists in the body, but in an opposite, or expanded form. Therefore, the heart, lungs,
intestines, and the other bodily organs have corresponding manifestations in the
head, and we can see their condition by looking at the face.
The neck represents the center of the body, and from here, the head develops in
an upward direction while the body develops downward. Therefore, the organs which
The Way of Diagnosis / 59
Fig. 15. The organs in the lower part of the body are reflected in the
upper part of the face; those in the middle regions correlate to the middle
of the face; while those in the upper region can be seen in the lower part of
the face. The mouth reflects the condition of the digestive tract as well as
the sexual organs.
are located in the lower part of the torso appear in the upper region of the face,
those in the central region appear in the central region of the face, and those in the
upper region are reflected in the lower part of the face. (See Fig. 15.) Let us now
examine these correlations in detail:
1. Lungs. The lungs are reflected in the cheeks. Changes in their condition pro-
duce corresponding changes in the cheeks, particularly in regard to color. It is widely
known that the cheeks take on a reddish color when the lungs become inflamed.
Pimples on the cheeks indicate that fatty acid or mucus deposits are present in the
lungs, while pale cheeks reveal a weak lung condition.
2. Heart. The condition of the heart can be seen in the tip of the nose. A nose
that is very enlarged indicates that the heart is likewise expanded, while a red nose
shows that the heart is overworking, causing irregular blood pressure. A cleft in the
center of the tip of the nose indicates a heart murmur. This condition is similar to
a harelip, in which the right and left sides of the mouth did not fuse properly during
the embryonic period. This is caused by the faulty diet of the mother, particularly a
diet which is lacking in minerals. A cleft in the nose is less extreme than a harelip,
and indicates that the left and right sides of the heart did not fuse properly, resulting
in an irregular heartbeat.
3. Bronchi. The condition of the bronchi can be seen in the nostrils.
4. Stomach and Pancreas. These organs, located more in the central part of the
body, are reflected in the central and upper part of the nose.
5. Kidneys. The kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs located in the central
region of the back, correspond to the paired organs of the face—the eyes and ears.
The ears also reflect the nature of a person's overall constitution. (See Fig. 16.) Until
very recently, most people were born with large ears. Even today many persons over
the age of 45 have large and well-developed ears which reflect a strong native con-
stitution. However, many younger people have smaller ears, indicating that their
kidneys are weak, as are their overall constitutions.
As we discussed in the section on ancestral diagnosis, the three major lines of the
palm reveal the condition of the three major bodily systems. At the same time, these
lines correlate to the three major ridges on the ear. The innermost ridge of the ear
correlates with the lowest palm line, and shows the condition of the digestive and
respiratory systems. The middle ridge corresponds to the middle palm line, and shows
the condition of the nervous system. The outer ridge of the ear reflects the condi-
tion of the circulatory and excretory systems, and correlates to the upper palm line.
If the kidneys have become tight and contracted as a result of excessive salt in-
take, the region below the eyes often becomes dark. This symptom may also appear
after excessive sexual activity. On the other hand, if this region becomes swollen
or expanded—a condition commonly called "eyebags"—you can suspect that the
kidneys are overworking as a result of the excessive intake of liquid. This is often
accompanied by a condition in which the kidneys become swollen and waterlogged.
Pimples in this region indicate that the kidneys have begun to accumulate fat and
mucus, and if these deposits become hard, kidney stones are beginning to form.
6. Liver and Spleen. The liver is more yang than the spleen, since it has a greater
density, is reddish in color, and contains a larger number of red blood cells. As a
result, it appears in the more contracted central region of the face, immediately above
the nose. One or more vertical lines in this area indicate liver trouble. Since it is more
yin, the spleen appears on both sides of the head in the region around the ends of the
eyebrows. Discoloration in this region is an indication of spleen trouble.
The Way of Diagnosis / 61
7. Intestines and Bladder. These organs, which are located in the lower portion
of the body, appear in the upper region of the face, specifically in the forehead. If
we drink excessively, we urinate more frequently, while at the same time we begin
to perspire from the forehead. Lines or ridges in the forehead indicate trouble in
these organs.
8. Reproductive Organs. These organs are located in the lowest region of the
body, and are therefore reflected in the hair, which is the uppermost part of the head.
If someone's hair has many split ends, a yin condition, this indicates that his or her
sexual ability is declining. At present, many people have fragile hair that breaks very
easily. This also indicates that the reproductive and sexual functions are weak. Hu-
man hair should be strong and not easily breakable.
Each strand of hair contains a record of our past history. The tip of each hair
reveals our past condition, while the root indicates our present condition. None of
our hairs are uniform from the root to the tip. Some parts are thick, while others
are more narrow; some regions may be lighter in color, while others are darker, and
various regions of each hair are stronger or weaker. All of these variations reflect
previous changes in our eating and in our physical condition. The fingernails also
carry this history.
9. The Digestive System. The mouth is the entrance of the digestive vessel. The
condition of the entire digestive tract is reflected here, as is the condition of the anus
and the sexual organs. (See Fig. 17.) Many people have swollen or protruding lower
lips, which indicate that the lower part of the digestive vessel is also expanded. In
other words, the intestines have become loose, producing an irregular bowel move-
ment. An expanded upper lip indicates that the upper region of the digestive vessel,
or the stomach, is not functioning properly.
Mouth
Digestive
Tract
The inner portion of the lower lip shows the condition of the small intestine, while
the outer section correlates to the large intestine. The duodenum corresponds to the
corners of the mouth, or the area that is in between the upper and lower lips. Dis-
colorations of the lips reveal corresponding problems in the digestive organs. For
example, white patches on the lips indicate that mucus or fat deposits are accumulat-
ing in the intestines, while dark patches show the development of ulcers. In a similar
way, the digestive condition can be seen in the tongue. The tip of the tongue cor-
responds to the lower region of the digestive tract, while the root of the tongue cor-
responds to the upper region.
The mouth and the area surrounding it also corresponds to the reproductive
organs. It is in this region that men grow moustaches. A woman should not have a
moustache. If she does, problems are developing in her sexual organs. Suppose that a
woman has a moustache that is thicker on the right side. In this case, her right
ovary would be the most affected.
B. The Front and Back of the Body. The correlation between the front and back
of the body represents another of the complementary and antagonistic relationships
used in diagnosis. The principle of this relationship is simple—imbalances occurring
in the front of the body, for example in the front internal organs, appear on the back
as well. When we observe the condition of the spine or of the skin on the back, for
example the manner in which the spine curves or the various types of markings or
discolorations on the skin, we are able to determine which organs are disfunctioning.
C. The Right and Left Sides of the Body. Besides helping us to understand the
influences that we receive from our parents and ancestors, the body's left-right
balance can also be used to understand the condition of the internal organs. (See
Fig. 18.) For instance, let us assume that a person's right shoulder is higher, or more
expanded. This indicates that the right lung is also more yin, or expanded, and is
therefore weaker than the left lung. If the right lung is weaker, this influence is trans-
ferred to the opposite side of the diaphragm, meaning that the organs below the dia-
phragm on the left side are weaker. This condition is in turn transferred to the oppo-
site leg, so that in this example, the right leg would tend to be weaker.
D. The Inside (Center) of the Body and the Periphery. We cannot analyze the
internal organs through direct observation without artificial measures, but it is pos-
sible to fully understand their condition by seeing their manifestations at the peri-
phery of the body. When troubles occur inside the body, signs appear immediately
at the periphery. These include symptoms like chipped fingernails, excessive body
hair, skin markings like moles or beauty marks, and many others, all of which reveal
past and present imbalances in the internal organs.
E. The Parts of the Body and the Body as a Whole. We have already seen how this
relationship works in the case of the ears and the palms of the hand. Let us now
consider how the condition of the entire body can be understood by observing the
whites of the eyes. By dividing the eye horizontally, we obtain an upper section,
which corresponds to the organs in the upper region of the body, and a lower section,
which corresponds to the organs in the lower region. When we divide the eye ver-
The Way of Diagnosis / 63
Right Left
tically, we obtain an inner and an outer half. The more yang inner section corre-
sponds to the part of the body that is structurally more compact—the back or spinal
region. Conversely, the outer, more yin section corresponds to the front of the body
which is structurally more yin—soft and expanded. We can then divide the eye into
twelve sections in order to determine more precisely the areas in which specific
organs appear. These correlations appear in Fig. 19.
Bloodshot areas in specific parts of the eye indicate problems in the corresponding
organs. For example, bloodshot in the region that corresponds to the brain means
that the blood capillaries in this area are inflamed and expanded. Bloodshot in the
area corresponding to the sexual organs indicates that the capillaries in these organs
are expanded and may be overflowing with blood. In some cases, a woman will de-
velop bloodshot in this area during menstruation, but this should disappear after
the completion of her menstrual period. If this condition is constant, however, it is a
symptom of chronic trouble in the sexual organs. Dark spots appearing in the upper
region of the eye indicate the development of calcified stones in the sinuses; when
seen in the lower region they signal the possible formation of kidney stones or
ovarian cysts.
If the whites of the eyes become yellowish, the liver and gall bladder are malfunc-
tioning. A dark color indicates kidney and bladder trouble, while a reddish color
shows that the heart and small intestine are not working properly. As with the face,
a gray color in the eyes indicates liver trouble, a pale color shows lung and large
intestine trouble, and a green color shows the development of cancer. Cancer may
also be reflected in the eyes as a transparency found in the area corresponding to
the afflicted location in the body. Another common symptom is the appearance of
white or yellow patches on the eyeball. If these appear on the lower part of the eye-
ball underneath the lower lid, it is an indication of fat and mucus in the lower part
of the body, particularly around the sexual organs. In woman, this is an indication
of a chronic vaginal discharge, while in men, it indicates prostate trouble.
64 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
Right Eye
Large Small
Brain Brain
(prostate, ovaries)
Nose
Fig. 19. The correspondences between the major organs and sections of the
body and the whites of the eyes.
Bun-Shin is the ancient art of diagnosing a person's condition by the sound of his
voice. If you listen to many voices, you will notice that some are very high-pitched;
some are interrupted by frequent pauses; and some are watery, while others are
unclear. All of these qualities reveal much about a person's condition. For example,
a watery voice indicates kidney trouble, while speech that is interrupted by frequent
pauses warns of heart problems. If someone's speech sounds heavy or stagnant, this
is an indication that the lungs are coated with mucus. Any type of condition, such as
kidney stones, fever, diarrhea, or constipation, will appear in the voice. Persons who
are skilled in this art can understand someone's condition within 30 seconds after
hearing his or her voice, even over the telephone.
We can also diagnose someone's condition by examining his handwriting. Every-
one's handwriting is different, and by analyzing these differences, it is possible to
determine the type of sickness a person has, which of his organs are strongest and
which are weakest, and a variety of other conditions.
9. Diagnosis by Smell
Everyone has a unique body odor, according to the type of food eaten. In general,
persons who eat well and who are healthy do not discharge much odor. The deodor-
The Way of Diagnosis / 65
ant industry is a symptom of chaotic eating which creates strong odors as the body
discharges toxins. Perfumes are more popular in western than in eastern countries,
because people in the West tend to have a poorer condition which is reflected in
stronger body odors.
An unpleasant body odor results from a diet that is high in meat and other animal
products, as well as dairy food. Under normal circumstances, the carcass of an
animal starts to putrefy immediately after it has been killed. Bacteria begin to mul-
tiply and an unpleasant odor soon develops. However, this is largely avoided through
the modern techniques of freezing and chemical preservation. Meat, however, im-
mediately starts to decay upon entering the digestive tract, and, upon reaching the
intestines, the bacteria which are produced by this putrefaction begin to spread. This
disrupts the normal functioning of the intestine, since these bacteria destroy the
beneficial intestinal bacteria which synthesize B-Complex Vitamins and other neces-
sary compounds.
The putrefaction of animal proteins in the intestines also produces an unpleasant
odor, which is first apparent in the bowel movement. If these foods continue to be
eaten, an unpleasant odor will spread to the underarms and other parts of the body.
This condition can be cured by eating primarily grains and vegetables, and by
limiting the intake of animal products.
Various disorders in the internal organs produce specific types of odors. For ex-
ample, a person with liver or gall bladder trouble will exude an oily or greasy smell.
Someone with trouble in the heart and small intestine will give off a burnt smell,
while spleen-pancreas or stomach troubles produce a roasting odor. Diseases of the
lungs and large intestine, such as tuberculosis, coughing, and bronchitis, produce a
smell that resembles fish, while trouble in the kidneys or bladder often results in a
putrefying smell.
The meridians are pathways of electromagnetic energy, and are not a part of any of
the body's systems. Interestingly enough, western science and medicine were unaware
of their existence until very recently, although they have been widely known and
used in the Orient for the past five or six thousand years. Meridians occur universally
in nature. For example, the lines on a leaf show the presence of meridians, as do the
ridges of a cactus, and the earth itself contains a network of energy lines. The human
body has 12 major pairs of meridians.
The meridians are created as a result of the electromagnetic charge existing between
heaven and earth. (See Fig. 20.) The universe, or heaven, generates a centripetal
force which enters the body through the hair spiral, while the expanding force pro-
duced by the earth's rotation enters through the genitals. After entering through the
hair spiral, heaven's force charges the midbrain. This charge is distributed to the
cells of the brain, and results in the formation of images and thoughts, similar to the
way in which a television creates an image and sound. Proceeding downward,
heaven's force charges the area deep inside the mouth, and results in the creation
of the uvula. It also charges the root of the tongue, and passing downward, charges
and vitalizes the vocal cords and thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Proceeding further, it charges the heart and surrounding area, resulting in the
66 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
Fig. 20. The major charging regions along the primary channel of heaven's
and earth's forces, along with the sexual differentiation that is created by
the predominance of either of these forces at particular locations. This
main channel is the origin of the 12 pairs of meridians.
intestine, as well as the absorption of digested foodstuffs by the villi and the secre-
tion of intestinal juice. Heaven's force exits from the body in the region of the sexual
organs. In men, it creates here a second uvula-like organ known as the penis.
Of course, women also receive heaven's force, but this energy is superseded in the
lower region of the body by earth's expanding force. As a result, women do not have
a large "uvula" in the lower part of the body as men do, but instead have a smaller
one known as the clitoris. At the same time, earth's upward-moving force creates
the vagina and uterus, which are formed in an inward, upward direction in com-
parison to the male sexual organs. Earth's force continues upward to the hara region,
where it collides with heaven's descending force, creating spirals known as the
ovaries. Both forces collide again at the region of the heart, and the spirals created
here form the breasts. Since earth's force is stronger in women, their voices tend to
have a higher pitch. Also, women tend to develop longer hair, which grows in an
upward direction on the head, while men usually have less head hair and more down-
ward-growing body hair.
To summarize, women are charged more by earth's centrifugal, yin, expanding
force; while men are influenced more by heaven's centripetal, yang, contracting
force. This fundamental difference formed the basis of the traditional association
of women with the earth and men with heaven. Naturally, different mental, physical
and emotional tendencies arise out of these basic constitutional differences. Viewed
from this perspective, we see that sex is simply the attraction of these two comple-
mental forces to merge and create harmony.
The meridians are the supplemental channels which radiate outward from the
main heaven-earth channel. A similar phenomenon occurs in apples, apricots, and
other fruits, as well as in vegetables like squash and pumpkins. The ridges on the
surface of a pumpkin outline the path of its meridians, or surface channels of electro-
magnetic current, while the outline of the main heaven-earth channel can be seen in
the core.
In the human body, meridians channel electromagnetic current to and from each
of the body's organs. While in the womb, our development takes the form of a
spiral. The peripheral region of this spiral later becomes the spine and nervous sys-
tem, while the inside or central region later becomes the front of the body. This
highly-charged embryonic spiral receives a constant supply of energy from the en-
vironment, primarily in the form of 12 major currents which enter through the back.
Upon reaching the most deep inner region of the body, this energy begins to con-
dense and form smaller spirals of its own. These smaller spirals later develop into
the various bodily organs, and from here, this energy is discharged through the front
of the body. This discharge manifests primarily as a pair of upper and lower spirals
which later develop into the arms and legs. These paths of discharge later become
the meridians. (See Fig. 21.)
The first type of meridian diagnosis consists of examining each meridian for the
purpose of correlating various skin discolorations with the condition of the corre-
sponding organ. For example, many people have so-called "beauty marks" along
the meridians. These show that at one time the person had some type of sickness in
the corresponding organ which was accompanied by high fever. The beauty mark
is a remnant of this, caused by the discharge of carbon produced by the burning of
the fever.
68 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
Entrance
Environmental
Charge
Legs
Fig. 21. Energy from the environment enters the developing embryo
through the back, creates the interna! organs, and exits through the front
of the body along the arms and legs.
Each finger and toe is connected to a meridian, and by examining them we are
able to determine the condition of the corresponding organs. (See Fig. 22.) For ex-
ample, curved fingers show an imbalance in the corresponding organ. If they curve
away from the thumb, the imbalance is a result of excessive yin, while a curvature
toward the thumbs is caused by excessive yang. Toes which are curled or twisted
indicate potential weakness in their corresponding organs. If the second toe is longer
than the first, the stomach is natively yin, and has a tendency to be weak.
The meridians can also be used to diagnose specific conditions such as cancer.
The area around the base of the thumb on the inside of the hand corresponds to
the digestive and respiratory systems. A green or blue color in this region is a sign
of intestinal trouble, and possibly cancer. This area should be the same color as the
rest of the palm.
In the case of colon cancer, the fleshy part of the outside of the hand between the
thumb and index finger often takes on a green or bluish shade. This discoloration
may also occur around other areas which lie on the large intestine meridian. In the
case of small intestine cancer, a green or bluish color will often appear along the cor-
responding meridian, particularly around the outside of the hand between the wrist
and the little finger. (See Fig. 23.)
Cancer in the liver or spleen will often appear as a greenish or bluish shade any-
where along their respective meridians. (The liver meridian runs from inside the
first toe up along the inside of the leg, while the spleen meridian begins on the out-
side of the first toe and also continues along the inside of the leg.) With liver cancer,
this discoloration often appears around the area below the knee, while persons with
spleen or pancreatic cancer often develop it around the inside of the foot. If a person
The Way of Diagnosis / 69
Heart
Liver
Spleen/Pancreas
Fig. 23.
Kidney
Fig. 24.
70 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
develops kidney cancer, a similar discoloration may occur anywhere along the cor-
responding meridian, which begins at the bottom of the foot and runs up along the
inside of the leg. This often occurs around the arch of the foot or around the outside
of the ankle. (See Fig. 24.)
The stomach meridian runs down the outside of the leg. It splits into two branches
at a point located several inches below the knee. The main branch continues along
the outside front of the leg to the second toe, while the secondary branch follows a
similar path to the third toe. When stomach cancer develops, this area below the knee
often becomes discolored. If the gall bladder becomes cancerous, this discoloration
may occur on the outside of the foot, around the outside of the knee, or anywhere
along this meridian, which runs down the outside of the leg to the fourth toe. Cancer
of the bladder, uterus, prostate or sexual organs may produce discoloration along
the bladder meridian. This meridian runs down the back of the leg to the fifth toe,
and discoloration often appears on either side of the foot around the ankle. (See
where energy was lacking, or drawing it out from the overactive areas.
Another type of meridian diagnosis involves using the fingers to probe directly
along the meridian. Suppose that while diagnosing the lung meridian in this man-
ner, you come to a region that is tight and painful. This indicates that mucus and fat
deposits are starting to form in the lung, and that its overall condition is weakening.
This technique can be applied to any of the meridians.
Headaches, Eyes
Let us now study the major points along the meridians which can be used to diagnose
the internal condition.
The point above the eyes, shown in Fig. 26, can be used to diagnose nearsighted-
ness. If you feel pain when you press this point, you may have this condition. The
point located on either side in the indented region above the nose can be used to
diagnose astigmatism, or double vision. Pain here indicates the possibility of this
condition. If you feel pain when the point located in the indented area of the center
of each cheekbone is pushed, mucus is accumulating in your sinuses. The point in
the indented region just below the earlobes can be used to determine the condition
of the inner ear. If pain is felt here, deposits of mucus and fat are beginning to form,
and hearing is starting to deteriorate.
Pain in the temple means that the brain is expanded, and that headaches may
develop frequently. In many instances, people with headaches intuitively massage
this area to obtain relief. This point can also be used to diagnose and treat eye prob-
lems. The point in the indented region of the jaw can be used to diagnose problems
with the teeth. Pressure can also be applied to these points to help relieve the pain of
a toothache.
On the front of the body, as shown in Fig. 27, the point located in the center of
the breast bone, about 11/2 inches above the area where the sternum and ribcage
meet, is called Dan-Chu. This point can be used to diagnose the condition of the
72 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
heart. If you feel pain when you press here, your heart is enlarged. If you feel pain
when you push the points which are under the collarbone, you are suffering from
lung trouble, while pain in the point located 1 to 1 '/2 inches above the breastbone
means that trouble is developing in the bronchi. This point is usually very sensitive
in cases of bronchitis or asthma. To find the liver diagnosis points, follow the slant-
ing inner side of the ribcage until you come to the indented areas illustrated in
Fig. 27. If you feel pain when these points are pressed upward and inward, your
liver has become expanded and hard, and is not functioning properly.
Heart
DAN-CHU
If there is pain while pressing the points in the center of the palms, shown in
Fig. 28, your circulation has become weak, possibly as a result of an excessive fluid
intake. These points can also be used to diagnose the functioning of the sexual
organs. The point located on the inside of either forearm around the elbow is on
the lung meridian. Pain here indicates lung trouble. The large intestine diagnosis
point lies on the outside of the hand in the fleshy part between the thumb and index
finger. This point is known in the Orient as Go-Koku. The large intestine meridian
continues up the arm, and contains another diagnosis point at the elbow. Pain in
either of these points indicates problems in the large intestine.
The kidney diagnosis point is located on the bottoms of both feet as shown in
Fig. 29. This point is called Yu-Sen, which means "bubbling spring," and is the
beginning of the kidney meridian. Pain in this area indicates kidney trouble. On the
insides of the legs, about lYi inches above the anklebone, is a point called San-In-
Ko, or "three-yin-junction." The meridians of the spleen and pancreas, liver, and
kidney all meet at this point, which was traditionally used to diagnose and treat
troubles in these organs, as well as in the sexual organs. (These organs are all yang
—solid and compact—but their meridians are yin, hence the name San-In-Ko.) If
The Way of Diagnosis / 73
Fig. 29. Major diagnosis points on the inside of the leg and foot.
you feel pain when this point is pushed, among other problems, your sexual organs
are becoming weak. Another important point is located further up the insides of
the legs at the same level as the most expanded part of the calf. If this point is pain-
ful when pushed, it is an indication of trouble in the intestines and bladder, which
often results from expansion or looseness caused by excessive eating and drinking.
74 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
The liver diagnosis point is located on the inside of the leg below the knee, while
the spleen-pancreas diagnosis point is located several inches above the knee against
the inner part of the thighbone. Pain in either of these points indicates trouble in
these organs.
There is a very well-known point located about three inches down from the bot-
tom of the kneecap, in the area indicated in Fig. 30. Known as San-Ri (Stomach
No. 36), this point is used to diagnose and treat stomach and overall digestive dis-
orders. If there is tightness when this point is pushed, electromagnetic current is not
flowing smoothly through the stomach meridian, which runs along the outside of the
leg to the second and third toes. This can result in breathing and digestive difficulties,
an inability to relax, and a tendency to tire easily.
Traditional oriental doctors relieved blockages in this point with needles, moxa
(heat), or finger-pressure. If moxa is not available, then a cigarette can be used for
the purpose of generating heat. To apply this method, called "cigarette moxa,"
bring a lit cigarette to about 1/3 of an inch above the point, while rotating it in a
circular motion. When this becomes too hot, remove the cigarette, approach the
point, and again remove when it becomes hot. This can be repeated three to five
times. The gall bladder diagnosis point is located at the same level as San-Ri but
The Way of Diagnosis / 75
about 1 y 4 inch more toward the outside of each leg. If pain is felt here, this organ
is in trouble. Cigarette moxa can also be applied to this point, as well as to any of
the points that we have studied, in order to release tightness or stagnation.
In modern medicine, the pulse is used primarily to determine the condition of the
heart and circulatory system. However, in oriental medicine, the pulses are used to
gain a much more detailed picture of an individual's health. This refined type of
pulse diagnosis can be used to judge the condition of each of the major organs.
So as to better understand how this is possible, let us consider the relationship of
the pulses to the universal cycle known in the Orient as the "Five Transformations,"
or Go-Gyo. This process was used to describe the order of change which governs all
phenomena, and is one of the most fundamental concepts underlying the medicine,
culture, and philosophy of the Orient.
Let us consider the progress of change within the world of matter. When gross or
solid matter begins to expand, it changes into liquid, gas, and then plasma, which is
familiar to us in the form of fire. From here, an opposite process occurs, as matter
begins to solidify and condense back into the solid stage. This process is endless,
and involves the transformation of matter into energy, and energy into matter. A
familiar example is the cycle in which water evaporates, condenses, falls as precipi-
tation, pools on the surface of the earth, and again evaporates. Ancient people as-
signed familiar names to each of these stages in order to facilitate an understanding
of this universal process. The plasmic state was referred to as fire; the state of soli-
dification, soil; the stage of gross matter, metal; the liquid stage, water; and the
gaseous state was called wood. These stages were understood as being manifesta-
tions of the eternal cycle between expansion and contraction, or yin and yang, which
occurs throughout the universe. (See Fig. 31.)
Ancient people were also aware of the subtle differences in the type of energy
nourishing and sustaining each of the body's organs. In some cases, this energy is
thick and condensed, while in others it is more diffused or expanded. This energy
was classified as follows in terms of the five transformations:
1. Wood: This type of energy is expanding or outward-moving, and corresponds
to the liver and gall bladder.
2. Fire: This type of energy has a dual nature. For example, matter, in the pro-
cess of decomposing into energy, passes through the stage of plasma. This was
known in oriental medicine as the stage o { primary fire, and corresponds in the body
to the heart and small intestine. At the same time, when energy begins to condense
into matter, it too passes through the plasmic stage. Known as secondary fire, two
of the body's comprehensive functions—the Heart Governor and Triple Heater—
were classified in this category. The Heart Governor is the name given to the bodily
functions which regulate the internal flow of blood and body fluid, while the Triple
Heater refers to the functions which convert digested foodstuff into caloric energy.
3. Soil: This represents the stage in which energy is beginning to condense and
solidify. This type of energy nourishes the spleen, pancreas, and stomach.
4. Metal: This type of energy is more thick and condensed, and corresponds
to the lungs and large intestine.
76 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
Plasma
FIRE
1 Plasma 3
Fig. 32. The Five Transformations and their corresponding organs and pulses.
The Way of Diagnosis / 77
Fig. 33. Pulse correspondences on the left and right hands. The pulses
illustrated are those for men; in the case of women, the yin transformations
appear on the right wrist, while the yang transformations appear on the left.
Among the organs appearing on the left hand, the heart, liver, and kidneys are
more solid and compact; while the small intestine, gall bladder, and bladder are
more hollow and expanded. On the right hand, the lungs, spleen, and Heart Governor
are more condensed; while the large intestine, stomach, and Triple Heater functions
78 I THE WAY OF DIAGNOSIS
are expanded. However, the more yang, compacted organs are nourished by slower-
moving, less active energy which is yin, while the yin, hollow organs are nourished
by a yang, fast-moving and active type of energy. Therefore, the more active, surface
pulses reflect the condition of the yin, or hollow organs, while the deeper, more subtle
pulses reflect the yang, compacted organs. (See Fig. 34.)
Surface
Left
Deep
Surface
Right
Deep
When taking the pulse, place your index, middle, and ring fingers next to each
other on the three points indicated in Fig. 33. With your fingers in position, apply
light pressure to each point in order to detect the superficial, or surface pulse. To
find the deep pulse, press each point deeply, almost to the extent that you cannot
press further. After checking both the superficial and deep pulses on one wrist, repeat
the same procedure on the opposite wrist. There are subtle variations in the pulses
which enable us to diagnose a variety of conditions in the organs. Some pulses may
feel "jumpy," while others may seem hard or rigid. Some may be irregular, while
others will be even and steady. Traditional practitioners of pulse diagnosis were
able to identify about 140 different symptoms with this method.
The flow of energy is more active in the superficial pulses, and thus, they are usu-
ally detectable even in cases of serious sickness. In many instances, however, the
deep pulses cannot be felt, even when a person appears to be healthy. Among prac-
titioners of oriental medicine, it was commonly understood that if four out of the
six deep pulses could not be felt, a patient had no hope of recovery, except through
dietary adjustment. A more common condition is for several of the deep pulses to
be undetectable, or for the pulses to beat in an irregular manner. Such indicators
reveal precisely which organs are not functioning properly.
The pulses can also be used to understand the overall body condition. In general,
the surface pulses reveal the general condition of ki flow which energizes the organs,
while the deep pulses reveal the condition of the organs themselves. In between these
is a third pulse which reveals the condition of the blood which nourishes each pair
of organs. To detect this pulse, touch each point lightly, and then deeply, and then
apply a medium pressure. By pressing the first point on the left hand in this manner,
The Way of Diagnosis / 79
we can detect the condition of the nourishment passing via the bloodstream to both
the heart and small intestine.
This type of diagnosis includes body odor and voice diagnosis. Along with these,
the color, odor, and texture of the bowel movement and urine can be used to form
a diagnosis. A healthy bowel movement is solid, long, and dark gold in color. In
the Orient, this color is described as "old gold." Urine should be somewhat lighter
in color, or as it is referred to in the Orient, "new gold." Both of these vary with
our changing condition. For example, if we eat unbalanced food, often we will have
diarrhea the following day. Too much salt will turn the urine into a darker color,
while too little results in a much lighter color. If too much fluid is consumed, urina-
tion will become very frequent. Normally, we should urinate three to four times a
day. More than this indicates that too much fluid is being consumed, while less
means that not enough is being consumed.
By touching the shoulders, neck, forehead, hair, hands, feet, and other parts of the
body, we can tell whether a person is tight or loose, dry or watery, warm or cold,
oily or normal, as well as many other external appearances which reflect our internal
condition.
It is possible to determine the condition of all of the major organs by applying pres-
sure to their corresponding regions on the abdomen. (See Fig. 35.) The area located
in the center of the abdomen, above the navel, corresponds to the heart and small
intestine. The condition of the lungs and large intestine can be judged at the point
to the right of the navel, while the left side reflects the condition of the liver and gall
bladder. The area below the navel shows the condition of the kidneys and bladder,
while the condition of the spleen, pancreas, and stomach appears in the central
region around the navel.
To practice this method, have the person that you wish to examine lie comfortably
on his or her back with raised knees. Ask him to breathe deeply, and, on the out-
breath, press deeply but gently into the area that you are examining. If the organs
are in a healthy condition, a normal pulse is felt when the corresponding regions
80 I THE W A Y OF DIAGNOSIS
Right Left
are pressed. If the organs are in poor condition, a larger, throbbing pulse will be felt,
as well as hardness or tightness. The person will also experience pain when pres-
sure is applied.
Appendix
Practical Diagnosis
Let us summarize our study of diagnosis with the following practical illustrations
. of how it can be used:
1. If a single symptom appears in a particular location, always check the place
that is opposite to it. For example, if someone has pain in the shoulder, check the
complementary and antagonistic region, which in this case would be the intestines.
In many cases, shoulder pain is the result of an intestinal disorder. The relationship
between the sinuses and the sexual organs offers another example. In many cases,
mucus deposits in the sinuses indicate a similar problem in the sex organs, which
may result in prostate trouble or vaginal discharges.
2. If the symptoms are multiple, for example, a headache plus ear difficulty, or
nausea plus diarrhea, and pain in some area, check the meridians so as to under-
stand the way in which the symptoms are interconnected. A problem such as this
may involve only one or perhaps several meridians.
3. When head or facial troubles develop, always check the intestinal condition,
as well as the related intestinal points on the hand. Conversely, if primary symptoms
appear in the intestines, this will usually produce some type of head or facial disorder.
For example, if the intestines are clogged because of constipation, excess will often
rise and cause pimples, eye troubles, headaches, and other similar problems. Dis-
orders such as these may also be the result of menstrual difficulties.
4. In cases of skin disease, check the internal condition through pressure-point,
eye, or another form of diagnosis. The body's peripheral or surface condition always
reflects the condition of the organs and other internal features.
5. If a person suffers from depression, check the mental and emotional as well
Practical Diagnosis / 81
as physical condition, by using any of the methods included in spiritual and image
and thought diagnosis. If someone is irritable, uneasy, and changes his mind often,
check the balance between his father and mother. This tendency is often the result
of an imbalance between parents.
6. Someone who is very talkative can be diagnosed through audio diagnosis,
while visual diagnosis can be used for someone who tends to be quiet. If someone
is very active, base your diagnosis on his motion, expression, and mannerisms. If a
person is unexpressive and not responsive to your questioning, you can diagnose the
quality of his thoughts and images, while pressure-point, pulse, or abdominal diagno-
sis are effective in cases where someone is confined to bed.
Giving Advice
After we understand the nature of someone's problem through any of the above
methods, the next step is to offer guidance as to how the problem can be overcome.
The basic types of guidance or advice can be summarized as follows:
1. Advice for the relief of symptoms. This may require the recommendation of
ginger compresses, taro plasters, and other external applications, as well as massage,
moxibustion, palm healing, and other types of treatment. These treatments should
be simple, natural, inexpensive, and should not produce side effects. Therefore, as
much as possible, we should avoid the use of artificial medications.
2. Advice for the relief of sickness by eliminating the cause. As an example, let
us consider a case in which a person with cancer suffers pain and water retention in
the abdomen. A taro potato plaster would be helpful to relieve the pain, while a
buckwheat plaster would be effective in reducing the abdominal swelling. However,
since cancer results from an unhealthy blood and general bodily condition, these
treatments will not actually eliminate the disease. For this, the person must restore
the quality of the blood and cells through proper eating. In many cases, specific
treatments or external applications are unnecessary, and should be used only when
someone is experiencing pain or discomfort. However, proper diet should always
form the basis of any type of program for the relief of sickness.
3. Advice for permanent release from all difficulties and troubles. The aim of
this type of advice is to guide a person toward changing his way of life and thinking.
A person who offers advice of this kind is no longer only a doctor or a healer, but
also serves as a teacher of the proper way of life, which includes the practice of self-
reflection.
For more detailed information on the above, as well as other, methods of diagnosis, please refer
to the How to See Your Health: The Book of Oriented Diagnosis and The Book of Do-In: Exercise
for Pin 'sical and Spiritual Development by Michio Kushi. published by J a p a n Publications. Inc.
CHAPTER FOUR
The digestive system occupies a more central position in the developing embryo,
and therefore attracts more yin fats and proteins among the nutrients supplied by
the mother's blood. As a result, the digestive system has a more hollow and expanded
structure at birth. The digestive system is created in the form of an expanding spiral,
which radiates outward from the central region known as the hara. Located about
three fingers below the navel, deep within the small intestine, this region is one of
the vital centers of the body, and is possibly one of the principal sites of red blood
cell formation. This region is known in the Orient as Ki-Kai, or "sea of ki."
The digestive system should preferably be long, and should always be kept warm.
It was for this reason that Orientals developed the hara maki, a special cotton wrap-
per worn around the abdomen.
The digestive system is counterbalanced by the nervous system. (See Fig. 36.)
This system originally occupies a more peripheral position and during pregnancy
attractes the yang nutritional components such as minerals and more yang proteins
from the mother's blood. As a result, its structure at birth is compacted, shorter,
and harder. The digestive system attracts and processes a more yang type of food in
the form of physicalized, or material food. On the other hand, the nervous system
processes a more yin type of food in the form of waves or vibrations. In between these
two is the circulatory system, which includes the lymphatic and excretory systems.
In terms of yin and yang, we can say that this third system is balanced. The respir-
atory system can be considered as a part of the digestive system. In terms of struc-
ture, it is compact and solid, and it attracts yin oxygen and discharges the more
yang carbon dioxide. The digestive and respiratory systems complement each other
in both structure and function. The former is structurally yin and processes yang
food, while the latter is yang and handles yin in the form of gases.
Food enters the body through the mouth and moves both spirallically and up-and-
down in the process of chewing. (See Fig. 37.) Saliva normally has a pH factor of
7.2, which means that it is slightly alkaline before descending through the esophagus.
In the stomach, gastric juices are secreted by 30 to 40 million gastric glands. There
are two major gastric juices: (1) pepsin, which is secreted by round-shaped, yang
gastric glands; and (2) hydrochloric acid, which is secreted by more yin, triangular-
shaped cells located in the upper portion of the stomach. In general, gastric juice has
a pH range of 0.9 to 1.5, meaning that it is a very strong acid. The influence of the
digestive secretions alternate between alkaline and acid according to the following
pattern:
— M o u t h : alkaline
—Stomach: acid
[83]
The Physiology of Digestion / 85
ways indicated some malfunction in the other. The proper functioning of the intes-
tines is of vital importance to the overall health of the body, and if they are not work-
ing well, the activity of the heart, Jungs, and other major organs will not proceed
smoothly. The intestines are also closely related to the brain. The ridges in the brain
are proportional in number and depth to those in the intestines, and both are com-
posed of a similar type of tissue. Like the intestines, the condition of the brain should
be more yang or compacted. When the brain cells begin to expand, schizophrenia or
chaotic thinking result. Likewise, if the intestines bulge or are swollen, the func-
tioning of the brain becomes dull, often leading to indecision and loss of memory.
The condition of the intestinal villi is reflected in the hair. For example, when the
villi are not functioning properly as a result of being swollen and expanded, the hair
will also become loose and begin to fall out. The cause in both cases is an excess of
yin foods.
1. Worms
We will consider three basic types of worms, all of which are named after their par-
ticular shapes.
A. Tapeworms. Tapeworms enter the body when we eat meat or fish that has been
contaminated, and are especially common in beef and pork. Tapeworms are often
present in meats that are lightly cooked, or in foods like shellfish that have spoiled.
If the meat or fish is cut into thick slices, heat will often not penetrate to the central
regions, and worms which are there will still be alive when it is eaten.
B. Threadworms.
/. Hookworms. This type of worm usually enters the body through the skin of
the feet. From there, it travels through the bloodstream to the lungs where, through
breathing, it is carried up the windpipe and swallowed into the digestive tract.
2. Pinworms. Pinworms are usually found in the large intestine, and are often
discharged through the anus. They are often found on a sheet where a baby has been
sleeping.
C. Whipworms. Whipworms also live in the large intestine, and their eggs are
often transported in raw vegetables. It was for this reason that in the Orient, vege-
tables were traditionally cooked or used to make pickles, but never eaten raw. Worms
of this type are more prevalent in organic vegetables, for obvious reasons.
The symptoms of worms include the following:
1. General fatigue, lack of vitality, or laziness.
2. Cravings for various foods, often accompanied by a constant feeling of hun-
ger which is difficult to satisfy. A person with this condition will remain thin
even if he consumes a large quantity of food.
3. A periodic condition of anemia.
4. An occasional feeling of nausea along with pain resembling a cramp in the
area of the duodenum, which often arises several hours after the last meal.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 87
A. Stomach Ulcer. The two basic types of ulcers are those which occur in the
stomach, and those found in the duodenum. In the process of digestion, the stomach
secretes strong hydrochloric acid, and ulcers arise when these secretions become ex-
cessive. Mildly alkaline vegetables cause the lower stomach to secrete pepsin, and
this helps to maintain a general state of balance in the condition of the stomach.
However, an extremely alkaline food, such as refined sugar, stimulates the secretion
of stronger acids in the upper stomach, and if this occurs constantly, the stomach
lining becomes irritated and easily ruptures.
Acid-producing foods such as meat and eggs force the duodenum to accelerate its
88 I THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
secretion of alkaline digestive juices. The over-secretion of these juices may produce
an ulcer in this area. In general, ulcers which arise in the more compacted duodenum
are caused by an excess of yang foods, while the overconsumption of various types
of yin creates ulcers in the structurally yin stomach.
Fasting is often recommended as a way of curing ulcers. This is unnecessary, how-
ever, although proper chewing is essential. For any type of digestive disorder, in-
cluding ulcers, a person should chew 200 times or more.
A person with stomach ulcers should begin the standard macrobiotic way of eat-
ing. Approximately 80% of the daily menu should consist of principal foods—whole
cereal grains and cooked vegetables—while the remaining 20% can include the other
supplemental foods. Among vegetables, the more compact, root vegetables should
be used frequently. The standard macrobiotic way of eating is the basis for treating
a duodenal ulcer. However, food should be mildly seasoned and lightly cooked. Salt
should be used sparingly, and a higher percentage of leafy green or ground vege-
tables should be eaten. Hot applications like ginger compresses or hot salt packs are
helpful for stomach ulcers, while cool applications like chlorophyll or tofu plasters
are better for duodenal ulcers. However, ginger compresses can be effectively used
for duodenal ulcers as well. In this case, apply the hot ginger compress to the stom-
ach, and follow it with a cool compress over the area of the duodenum.
B. Stomach Cancer. Please refer to the discussion of cancer in the chapter, The
Progressive Development of Sickness.
C. Stomach Cramps and Swelling. Stomach cramps are caused by too many yin
foods, which expand the tissues and result in nerve pressure. They are similar to
cramps which arise in the legs or in other parts of the body, and are caused by such
excessively yin foods as soda, cold drinks, ice cream, and sugary desserts and sweets.
Aside from following the standard diet, a person with this condition can obtain tem-
porary relief by eating a handful of gomasio, drinking a small quantity of umeboshi
juice, or taking bancha tea with several drops of tamari. Hot applications such as
ginger compresses or roasted salt packs are also helpful,
A swollen stomach is also caused by too many expansive foods. Therefore, more
compact root vegetables, like burdock and carrots, should be emphasized within
the standard diet. These are particularly effective when prepared in the kinpirci style.
Liver troubles often arise when this organ becomes swollen and hard and loses its
functioning ability. You can diagnose this condition by trying to place your fingers
under the ribcage on the right side. If you feel pain here, or are unable to place your
fingers under the ribs, your liver is swollen. You should be able to insert four fingers
without feeling pain.
The liver is a very important organ, so much so that in the Orient, the expression
for an important occasion is Kan-Jin (Kan—liver; Jin—kidney). Also, in relation to
the emotions, the liver was understood to govern anger. In the Orient, the term for
anger is Kan-Shaku, meaning "liver pain." As we saw in the chapter on diagnosis,
liver troubles are reflected in the face, in the area above the nose and between the
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 89
eye-brows. One or more vertical lines in this area indicate liver trouble. If the lines
are deep and caused by contraction, the problem is the result of too much salt and
animal food. On the other hand, if the lines are caused by expansion—meaning that
the skin around the lines has puffed up—the cause is too much yin.
To cure general liver troubles, which are often the result of overeating, a person
can fast for several days or can eat very small quantities. Also, chewing is very im-
portant—up to 200 times per mouthful—and a person with these disorders should
avoid all animal products until the condition clears up. After a brief period of fasting
or semi-fasting, a person with liver problems should eat only brown rice soup with
leafy green vegetables. If mi so is added, the amount should be minimal. After several
days, the range of foods can be widened to include those recommended in the stan-
dard macrobiotic way of eating, again with no animal foods, until the problem has
been relieved.
External applications may be necessary if the person is experiencing pain. First
apply a hot ginger compress, followed by taro potato plaster. In some cases, a per-
son with this condition will also experience abdominal swelling due to the retention
of fluid. In this case, after applying the ginger compress, apply a buckwheat plaster to
the swollen region. If the person also has a fever, either a tofu or chlorophyll plaster
can be applied to the forehead, while a small amount of gomasio or cooked sea-
weed can be eaten in cases of nausea.
A. Jaundice. Normally, bile secreted in the liver flows either into the gall bladder
or the duodenum, where it aids in the digestive process. However, when the ducts
through which bile flows become obstructed, it is then absorbed into the blood-
stream. This condition, known as jaundice, often produces a yellowish facial and skin
discoloration resulting from the accumulation of bile pigments in the skin and mucus
membranes, and in some cases the urine darkens to an almost chocolate color. The
primary causes of blockage in the bile ducts are foods which create fat and mucus.
A person with jaundice should avoid all such foods including eggs, meat, dairy foods,
sugar, oily or greasy foods, and should begin the standard macrobiotic way of eat-
ing. As with liver disorders, only vegetable quality foods should be eaten until the
condition clears up, and in many cases, a fast of three to five days can be helpful.
Within the range of suitable vegetables, daikon radish should be eaten daily in order
to help dissolve these deposits. Also, mugwort tea can be used instead of other bev-
erages until the condition improves.
Hot ginger compresses are also helpful in accelerating the melting of these deposits,
and can be applied every day over the region of the liver and gall bladder until the
person's condition improves. If itching develops, dip a towel into the water which
you are using for the ginger compress and wash the affected area. To be effective,
the water should be fairly hot.
If a nursing infant develops jaundice, the mother should eat according to the above
recommendations. Once the jaundice disappears, the mother can resume the stan-
dard way of macrobiotic eating.
B. Liver Cancer. Please refer to the discussion of cancer in the chapter, The Pro-
gressive Development of Sickness.
90 I THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
4. Intestinal Problems
and in some cases, an inability to walk. The dietary approach to this problem is the
same as for dysentery. A tofu or chlorophyll plaster can be applied to the head to
relieve a fever, and to strengthen the intestines, apply a roasted salt pack to the ab-
domen. If the person is nauseous or is vomiting frequently, have him drink umeboshi
juice with some grated ginger, while a hot hip bath is helpful in cases of leg cramps.
Dried daikon, turnip or other green leaves and mustard powder should be added
to the hot bath water, but if these are not available, salt can be substituted. This will
improve circulation in the lower part of the body. If there is no place to take a hot
bath, apply a ginger compress, mustard plaster, or hot water compress to the abdo-
men or other painful areas.
3. Echerichia (Children's Dysentery). This condition can be prevented by
avoiding peaches, apples, bananas, and other tree fruits. However, strawberries and
other more yang fruits that grow on the ground usually will not cause this problem
caused by excess yin. Children who develop this condition should avoid raw vege-
tables and fruits until it disappears completely. The basic dietary approach for this
illness is the same as for the above conditions, and again, tofu or chlorophyll plasters
can be applied to the head for the relief of fever. Rather than a hot hip bath (which
can be difficult for children), apply hot towels to the painful regions. After their
condition improves, they can return to the standard macrobiotic way of eating. Since
children require much less salt than adults, when treating this condition with ume-
boshi juice or salt, be careful not to use too much.
D. Hernia. A hernia arises when the wall of the stomach or intestines becomes
loose, expands, and descends. An operation is the standard method of treatment,
but this does not eliminate the cause or change the over-expanded condition of the
organs and tissues. The normal contracted state of tissues and organs can be re-
established only through proper diet. A hernia can usually be relieved in four to six
months with the standard macrobiotic approach, including the following practices:
1. Watercress, kale, leeks, cabbage, daikon and carrot greens, and other tough,
fibrous vegetables should be eaten often to strengthen the muscles of the
intestinal walls.
2. A side dish of hijiki seaweed, which contains plenty of minerals, should be
eaten every day.
3. Salt is required to cause contraction of the intestinal or stomach tissues. Un-
refined sea salt should be used for this purpose in cooking, along with high-
quality vegetable oil.
4. Persons who are overweight should try to return to their normal weight.
5. All yin foods such as ice cream, fruit, sugar, excess liquid, and others should
be avoided. As little as half an orange can cause the intestinal tissues to be-
come loose and expanded.
The Effects of Sugar / 93
6. Long, hot baths and showers should be avoided, because they take minerals
out of the body.
7. In cases where the intestinal tissue begins to protrude, a hot, steaming towel
can be applied to the anus, followed by an application of sesame oil. Then,
push the protruding tissue back with your finger.
8. A support should be worn, and plenty of physical activity is recommended.
Persons with this condition can return to the standard macrobiotic way of eating
after the hernia disappears. This will prevent a recurrence.
E. Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids arise from two basic causes: (1) the overconsump-
tion of various types of yin food which cause the blood capillaries in the rectum to
expand and rupture, and (2) the overconsumption of foods such as eggs, meat, and
fish, which cause the tissues to contract and bleed. To relieve yin hemorrhoids, begin
the standard diet and avoid fruit, salad, excessive liquid and other expansive foods.
For yang hemorrhoids, avoid all animal products, while keeping the intake of salt
to a minimum. In both cases, return to the standard way of eating after the condi-
tion improves.
Appendix
In regard to refined sugar, we need to consider the different effects produced in the
body by the three main varieties of sugar: simple sugars or monosaccharides, which
are found in fruits and honey; double sugars or disaccharides, which are found in
cane sugar and milk; and complex sugars or polysaccharides, which are found in
grains, beans, and vegetables.
In the normal digestive process, grain sugars, or polysaccharides, are first decom-
posed by saliva in the mouth, then further broken down in the stomach, and then
completely digested in the duodenum and intestines.
When refined sugar enters the stomach, it causes what is known as a "sugar reac-
tion," whereby the stomach is temporarily paralyzed. As little as |4 teaspoon of re-
fined sugar can cause this. Since refined sugar is strongly alkaloid, the stomach
secretes unusual amounts of acid in order to make balance, which, if repeated over
a long enough period, can cause eventual ulceration of the stomach wall. Our blood
normally maintains a weak alkaline condition, and when strongly alkaline refined
sugar is introduced, what is known as an "acid reaction" takes place, causing the
bloodstream to become over-acidic. To compensate for this, our internal supply of
minerals is mobilized so as to restore a more normal balance. The minerals in our
daily food and in our normal body reserve are sufficient to meet this situation if it
arises now and then. However, if we are eating refined sugar every day, this supply
is not sufficient, and we must depend on minerals stored deep within the body, par-
ticularly calcium in our bones and teeth. If this continues for a long enough period,
the depletion of calcium from the bones and teeth results in their eventual decay
and general weakening.
Excess sugar is stored in various places within the body, first in the form of gly-
94 I THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
cogen in the liver. When the amount of glycogen exceeds the liver's storage capacity
of about 50 grams, it is then released into the bloodstream in the form of fatty acid,
which is first stored in the more inactive places of the body such as the buttocks,
thighs, and mid-section. Then, if the intake of refined sugar is continued, this fatty
acid becomes attracted to the more active organs such as the heart and kidneys,
which gradually become encased in a layer of fat and mucus, which also penetrate
the inner tissues of these organs. This of course weakens their normal functioning,
and when excessive enough causes their eventual stoppage. The growing consumption
of refined sugar in modern nations can be seen in the increasing incidence of such
degenerative diseases as heart disease, which two out of five people in the United
States are now suffering from. Refined sugar also directly affects our thinking abili-
ties, through the destruction of the intestinal bacteria which are responsible for the
creation of B-Vitamins necessary for the synthesis of glutamic acid which is directly
involved in the mental activities carried on in the brain. A lack of this component
can result in a lack of memory and ability to think clearly.
In general, the intake of refined sugar, which is a highly processed and refined
product of tropical climates, results in an overall yinnization of our physical and
mental condition, particularly affecting the parasympathetic nervous system, and the
organs which it governs. This is what cases "sugar reaction" in the stomach men-
tioned earlier. Sweeteners such as honey and maple syrup have an effect similar to
that of refined sugar, although to a lesser degree, and should be avoided as much
as possible in daily use.*
* For additional information regarding the physiological and psychological effects of refined
sugar, please see Sugar Blues by William Dufty, published by Chilton Book Company, 1975.
CHAPTER FIVE
The purpose of respiration in man and animals is to provide the body's cells with
oxygen and to facilitate the discharge of carbon dioxide. The two types of respira-
tion are (1) internal respiration, which entails the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide between the tissue cells and their surrounding fluid, and (2) external respira-
tion, in which the body exchanges these gases with the surrounding atmosphere.
Being yang, animals are attracted to oxygen, which is yin, and repel the more yang
carbon dioxide. The major components of the human respiratory system include
(1) the nasal passages and the sinuses; (2) the larynx and vocal cords; (3) the trachea
or windpipe, which is located in front of the esophagus; (4) the bronchi and bron-
chioli; (5) the alveoli, or air sacs; and (6) the lungs.
The lungs are asymmetrical, as are all the paired organs of the body. (See Fig. 38.)
The left lung is composed of two lobes, and the right lung has three. Two bronchial
arteries go to the left lung, and one to the right. These arteries follow the bronchi,
and their branches supply nourishment to the lung tissues. Bronchial veins run along
these branches in the opposite direction.
De-oxygenated blood enters the lungs through the pulmonary arteries, which come
from the right side of the heart. The branches of this artery end in a net of capillaries
which surround each of the alveoli. After blood has been supplied with oxygen, it is
collected in the pulmonary veins, which transport it to the left auricle of the heart
for distribution to all of the body's tissues. The lungs are surrounded by the thoracic,
or pleural cavity, which is lined by a thin, moist membrane called the pleura.
1. Emphysema
Emphysema was virtually unknown before the Second World War. Since then, the
number of people afflcted with this disease has grown logarithmically. The wide-
spread increase of this yin sickness parallels the postwar proliferation of artificially-
produced, chemicalized food, such as ice cream and soft drinks, frozen fruit juice,
and others.
The overconsumption of these excessive foods causes the alveoli to dilate and fuse,
so that the lung tissue as a whole becomes loose. Within the lung, the surface area
used for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide diminishes, and a person com-
pensates for this by breathing more rapidly. Emphysema generally results in death
from an overworked heart. Dilation of the bronchi can be remedied with more yang
food and saltier cooking. However, once the alveoli have started to fuse, it is very
difficult to separate them. If the blood becomes thicker, the fused sacs may shrink
but in most cases will not separate. The standard macrobiotic way of eating can stop
the development of the disease, however.
[95]
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96 I THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Deep, wheezing breaths occur when the walls of the bronchi are covered with mucus.
This is caused by foods such as dairy products, sugar, fruits, and saturated fats. The
mechanism whereby this condition develops is discussed in the chapter, The Pro-
gressive Development of Sickness. In more serious cases, mucus begins to fill the
alveoli, and breathing becomes difficult. Occasionally, a coat of mucus may even
develop around the air sacs, choking off the blood supply. Mucus in the bronchi can
be loosened and discharged by coughing, but once it surrounds the sacs, it becomes
more firmly lodged, and may remain there for years. Then, if air pollutants and ciga-
rette smoke enter the lungs, their more solid components are attracted to and remain
in this sticky environment. In severe cases, these deposits can trigger the develop-
ment of lung cancer. However, air pollution or cigarette smoke are not the causes
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 97
of this disease. The real problem lies in the condition of the alveoli and the blood and
capillaries which surround them.
Recently, a remote village was studied in South America, where the natives begin
smoking at about the age of five, and continue throughout life, with no evidence of
lung disease. Unlimited heavy smoking is, of course, not advisable, but neither is
breathing heavily polluted air. The real cause of these problems is poor quality blood,
resulting from improper diet, and the most fundamental way of preventing them and
treating them is proper eating.
3. Asthma
In order to understand these conditions, let us consider the similarity between the
respiratory system and a tree. (See Fig. 39.)
In many ways, the lungs resemble an inverted tree. The roots and stem of a tree
are compacted, and the leaves are more expanded. The leaves, being yin, attract
carbon dioxide and repel oxygen. In the lungs, this is reversed; the trachea, which
corresponds to the tree stem, is hollow, while the alveoli, which correspond to the
leaves, are more compacted. Since the alveoli are yang, they attract oxygen and dis-
charge carbon dioxide.
Bronchitis is a disease of the trachea and bronchi, the yin section of the lungs.
When the sickness is deeper—involving the alveoli—it is called pneumonia. Persons
with a more frail constitution would tend to develop bronchitis, while a person who
98 I THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
V
Trachea (B)
Roots & A
Stem (B) A
Alveoli (A)
Fig. 39. The leaves of the tree (A) correspond to the alveoli or air sacs (A),
while the roots and stem (B) correspond to the trachea (B).
is stronger, more sturdy, and often a big meat-eater is more frequently afflicted with
pneumonia. Bronchitis has a yin character—lingering for a long time—while pneu-
monia is the opposite: it usually develops abruptly and is more acute.
pneumonia. A person with this condition should immediately stop eating all of these
foods and begin the standard diet. The recommended applications given above can
also be very helpful.
The modern medical approach to this disease is usually effective in relieving the
accompanying symptoms. However, since it does not consider or attempt to remedy
the cause of the problem, it should not be thought of as a cure. Along with sug-
gesting the necessary modifications in a patient's diet, traditional practitioners of
oriental medicine treated the symptoms of pneumonia by placing cold applications
over the lungs. The most effective of these is a carp plaster. Carp is a very yin fish,
and has been found effective in neutralizing the fever and overly-yang condition as-
sociated with pneumonia.
If you can obtain a live carp, first offer your thanks and appreciation to it, and,
after killing it, extract a small quantity of its blood. This should be taken in a small
cup, about the size of a sake cup. Infants should drink 1/8 of a cup; children should
have 1/4; and adults should take 1/2 cup. This will help t reduce the fever. Mean-
while, wrap the carp in a towel and crush it with a hammer in the same way you
would crush a piece of ice. Apply this to the chest, and check the person's tempe-
rature every half hour, since it will drop quickly. Remove the application when the
temperature drops to 97 degrees. This may take from one to three hours, or longer
in some cases. It may even be necessary to apply a fresh plaster, but the temperature
will eventually drop and breathing will become easier. This is one of the most effec-
tive methods for relieving the symptoms of pneumonia, even in advanced cases.
If carp is unavailable, you can apply a tofu, chlorophyll, or potato plaster, and
even ice or cold ground beef can be helpful. Since this type of meat contains plenty
of fat, it is effective for reducing a fever, although it is not recommended for eating.
Since the symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia are often similar, we must ac-
curately determine from which the person is suffering. If our judgment is faulty,
and we apply the wrong treatment, the person could die.
5. Tuberculosis
foods was recommended. This approach was later changed, and sun baths were
considered best. As we have seen, tuberculosis is a yin disease and the bacteria are
easily killed by sunlight. As this disease develops, the blood vessels within the lungs
become weak and rupture, and blood is often coughed up. This condition is often
aggravated by sunlight, which stimulates blood circulation. For this reason, it is
better for someone with this disease to stay inside and perform only light physical
activity.
A later treatment involved puncturing the skin and forcefully injecting air into the
cavity between the rib cage and the lungs. Another approach, known as thoracoplasty,
involves removing a portion of the ribs in order to alter the shape of the lung. The
most recent method of treating tuberculosis is to administer antibiotics over a long
period of time. Meanwhile, if the patient's condition is infectious, he must be isolated
in a sanatorium where his condition is monitored. If, after several tests, it is deter-
mined that he is no longer emitting bacteria, he is pronounced "clean" and dis-
charged.
In order to cure tuberculosis, we must first understand its cause. Tuberculosis
develops as a result of the repeated consumpton of both extremely yin and extremely
yang foods. As we have seen in the chapter, The Progressive Development of Sick-
ness, the repeated intake of extremes such as meat and sugar creates a strong acid
condition in the blood which elicits a buffer reaction that draws on the body's re-
serve of minerals. Calcium comprises 40% of the body's mineral content, and is the
element used most often in this process. If we have a daily minor acidosis, the buffer
maintains the necessary alkaline condition in our body, and the effects are not usually
serious. However, when the intake of excess exceeds the bloodstream's capacity to
neutralize it, deposits of fatty acid and mucus begin to accumulate in the lungs,
kidneys, lymph nodes, and other places. In an attempt to neutralize these additional
acidic deposits, buffer reactions begin to take place around the site of the localiza-
tion. As a result, various regions of the particular organ begin to calcify, and
bacteria thrive in this highly acidic environment. This condition is known as tuber-
culosis.
To relieve this condition, we need to stop the intake of sugar, fruit, meat, dairy
products, soft drinks, eggs, fish, refined grains, and other extreme foods which pro-
duce an acidic condition. A person with tuberculosis should begin the standard
macrobiotic way of eating, with emphasis on well-cooked root vegetables like car-
rots and burdock. The cooking should be strong and fairly salty. A person with this
condition should also control the intake of liquid.
6. Whooping Cough
In the Orient, the name for this disease is "100 days' cough," since it usually con-
tinues for about that length of time. Whooping cough is related to the symptoms of
discharge which arise during the course of a season, or "100 days."
The effects of the food we eat remain in the body for about three months, since
the red blood cells, which are synthesized from food, have a life span of about 120
days. To illustrate how whooping cough develops, suppose a person eats an extreme
food, like ice cream or tomatoes, in early March. Since this is a more yin time of
year, an imbalance is created, and this excess takes about 120 days to be totally
The Voice / 101
expelled. Whooping cough arises when this excess is discharged through the lungs
in the form of coughing. As the season changes to summer, a time span correspond-
ing approximately to the period that the excess remains in the body, the discharge is
completed and the illness disappears. However, it is not necessary to wait 100 days
for this to happen. By eating more strongly-cooked foods, this internal imbalance
can be neutralized within several weeks. Persons with this condition should begin
the standard way of eating with a slight emphasis toward a yang selection of foods
and style of preparation.
Hay fever is usually accompanied by sneezing, a runny nose, and in some cases,
fever. It is widely believed that an allergy to pollen causes this condition. However,
pollen is not the cause of hay fever. If it were, then everyone would develop it. Why
is it that some people react this way, some mildly, and others more severely, while
others are not affected at all? The primary cause of this susceptibility to irritation is
the consumption of dairy food, and especially cold milk; while fruit, chemicals, sugar,
and other forms of yin also contribute to this condition.
Since pollen is yin, when it enters the body a reaction occurs: like repels like, re-
sulting in draining, sneezing, and coughing. This arises only when the condition of
the blood is not good, when it contains too much yin. These foods also make the
condition of the blood and internal mucus membranes sticky, and when pollen is
inhaled, it sticks and produces irritation rather than being smoothly discharged, Hay
fever and other chronic allergies can be easily relieved through the standard macro-
biotic way of eating.
8. Pleurisy
Pleurisy is a pooling of water in the area between the rib cage and the membranes
which cover the lungs. With this condition, deep breathing is accompanied by pres-
sure and pain, and if it continues beyond several days, a fever of between 100 and
103 degrees often develops. Pleurisy usually lasts between one and three months,
during which time the patient is advised to rest in bed.
This condition is simply the result of an excessive intake of liquid, especially cold
or iced beverages and products like frozen fruit juices. Watery foods also contribute
to this condition, as does sugar and ther items which rapidly dissolve into water
after being eaten. This problem can be relieved in one week through the standard
macrobiotic approach. As with asthma, our aim is to make the person's condition
less watery by serving drier foods and by limiting the intake of liquid. The discharge
of excess fluid can be accelerated by the application of hot ginger compresses to the
lung region.
Appendix
The Voice
Speech depends on the following basic factors: (1) outgoing breath; (2) a vibrator,
or the vocal cords; (3) an amplifier, or the pharynx, mouth, and nasal cavity; and
1 0 2 I THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
(4) the lips, tongue, the hard and soft palates, the walls of the mouth, and the nasal
cavities, all of which act as articulators.
Before puberty, boys and girls have the same general voice pitch. At the time of
puberty, however, a boy's voice becomes deeper, while a girl's generally stays the
same. This transitory period lasts for about two years, after which a boy's voice
becomes noticeably lower and masculine. Boys become more yang at the time of
puberty, and this causes excess to be released into the bloodstream. This is often
discharged through physical activity, but some of it is attracted to the vocal cords,
causing them to expand and the voice to lower. Girls don't experience this condi-
tion since their excess is more efficiently discharged through menstruation.
Let us consider the following difficulties which arise with speech and respiration,
along with several related problems:
1. Stuttering. Stuttering is often caused by the overconsumption of foods which
expand the vocal cords and inhibit their ability to vibrate. This condition can gradu-
ally be improved through proper eating.
2. Inability to Speak Due to Brain Malfunction. This can occur when either the
motor center or sensory center of the brain begins to malfunction. Excessive yin
causes the motor center to malfunction, while excess yang causes problems in the
sensory center. This condition takes several months to cure, during which time the
person should observe the standard macrobiotic diet, with emphasis on proper chew-
ing.
3. Hiccoughing. This occurs when the diaphragm becomes loose, as a result of
an excess of yin foods, and begins to repeatedly contract. Take a small handful of
gomasio every 15 minutes to relieve this problem. Tekka, sea salt, or umeboshi are
also useful.
4. Snoring. Snoring is caused by excess yin, and especially by the overconsump-
tion of liquids. Items such as milk, fruit juice, alcohol, and coffee expand and loosen
the uvula, causing it to vibrate excessively. They also contribute to the development
of mucus in the nose and sinus cavities, which can obstruct breathing through the
nasal passages. Snoring can be cured very quickly by controlling the liquid intake.
5. Bad Breath (Halitosis). Bad breath originating in the lungs indicates that the
quality of the blood has become poor. Foods such as animal protein, saturated fat,
and sugar cause the blood to become acidic, and to have an unpleasant odor. This
condition can be cured by eating very well for several weeks. If bad breath comes
from the stomach, it is caused by the decomposition of food. This more temporary
condition can be quickly relieved by taking umeboshi, tamari-bancha, or grated
da ikon.
The Blood
Our blood is a replica of the ancient sea in which biological life developed for seven-
eighths of its long evolutionary history. At first this water was fresh or clear, but as
minerals were leeched from the earth, it became increasingly salty. Biological life
has existed on earth for about 3.2 billion years. For approximately the first 2.8 billion
years, evolution took place in water, while about 400 million years were spent on
land.
During the nine months of pregnancy, we repeat the evolutionary process of life
in water. We grow in a liquid environment during the embryonic period, and in this
sense are very much like fish. At birth, contractions force us out of the womb, and
we become air-breathing land animals. These birth contractions correlate to the
alternating rising and sinking of land that occurred on earth about 400 million years
ago. Our salty bloodstream replicates the saline ocean environment from which life
emerged and our lymph liquid and urine also reflect this heritage.
The blood consists of liquid in the form of plasma and formed elements, which
are the more yang red and more yin white cells and the blood platelets. The plasma
comprises about 55% of the blood by volume, while the various formed elements,
which are suspended in the plasma, constitute the remaining 45%.
Our bodies contain about 35 trillion red blood cells. (See Fig. 40.) Each of these tiny
disc-shaped cells is about 7.7 microns in diameter and about 1.9 microns thick. Men
have about 5 million per cubic mm, and women about 4.5 million per cubic mm.
The number of red blood cells is dependent on a variety of circumstances. For ex-
ample, as we grow older, their number decreases from the six million per cubic mm
that we had at birth. This is one reason why newborn infants and babies are very
yang. Also, the number of red blood cells increases as the altitude at which we live
increases. People living at elevations of 10,000 feet or more above sea level are gen-
erally more yang than those living at lower altitudes. Their red blood cell counts
are as much as 30 per cent above normal. When we are in a more active state, the
number of red blood cells increases, while during sleep, the number decreases. The
number of red cells also multiplies as muscular activity or environmental temperature
rises.
Hemoglobin comprises between 60 and 80 per cent of the red blood cell. This per-
centage varies between men and women. Men have about 16 grams per 100 cc of
blood, and women about 14 grams per 100 cc. Hemoglobin consists of hematin,
which is a more yang form of protein containing iron, as well as a simpler yin pro-
tein. Hematin attracts oxygen in the lungs and transports it to the cells. Then, as
[103]
1 0 4 I THE CIRCULATORY A N D LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
the oxygen-depleted blood returns through the veins, it attracts and transports carbon
dioxide back to the lungs where it is exhaled. This process is essential for life and
the efficiency with which it is accomplished directly influences our health. (See
Fig. 41.) In a normal adult, about 20 million red blood cells are destroyed every
minute. New red blood cells are continuously formed to replace them. The total
volume of hemoglobin in the body is about one kilogram, 20 grams of which are
destroyed and rebuilt every day.
The human body contains far fewer white than red blood cells—about 6,000 per
cubic mm. (See Fig. 42.) They are usually larger than red blood cells, possess a
nucleus, and have the power of movement similar to that of an amoeba. White blood
cells are attracted to bacteria entering the body, which they envelop and devour.
They also gather around inflamed external injuries. White blood cells are divided
into two general groups: granulocytes and agranulocytes. Granulocytes are sub-
divided into three types: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, while agranulocytes
are subdivided into lymphocytes and monocytes.
1. Leukemia
In this disease, the number of red blood cells decreases while the number of white
blood cells increases dramatically. In some cases, leukemia patients may have as
many as one million white blood cells per cubic mm instead of the normal 5,000-
6,000. Leukemia can be either chronic or acute, and there is no medical cure for this
illness which often results in death. Leukemia is relatively easy to control, however,
through proper eating.
White blood cells are yin. An increase in their number indicates an overconsump-
tion of extreme foods, especially sugar, soft drinks, ice cream, milk, and chemicals.
At the same time, a decrease in the number of red blood cells reflects a lack of min-
erals and other high-quality yang foods in the diet. The mechanism by which this
condition develops is discussed in the chapter, The Progressive Development of Sick-
ness, page 29, while a more comprehensive list of the foods causing leukemia, which
is a more yin type of cancer, is found in the same chapter. The dietary recommenda-
tions for the relief of this condition are similar to those for the relief of other yin
cancers, and are listed on page 44. As with other types of cancer, a person with
leukemia should chew up to 150 or 200 times per mouthful. However, in cases where
the quality of the person's saliva is not good, a healthier person should chew the food
and then spoon-feed the patient.
A hot ginger compress can also be applied daily to the hara region. This will stimu-
late the normal production of healthy red blood cells by the intestinal villi. With
this approach, leukemia can be reversed in a relatively short time.
2. Anemia
Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total blood volume. The
symptoms of anemia include (1) gray or white lips (the lips should be pink); (2) a
white color in the inside of the lower eyelid (this should also be pink); (3) pale or
white cheeks; (4) white rather than pink fingernails; (5) a lack of vitality; and (6) a
decrease in sexual activity. The three main types of this illness are nutritional anemia,
pernicious anemia, and sickle-cell anemia.
1 0 6 I THE CIRCULATORY AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
Vegetable Animal
Fig. 43. In the human body, chlorophyll changes into hemoglobin through
a process of transmutation in which magnesium changes into iron. This is
accomplished with the addition of oxygen.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 1 0 7
B. Pernicious Anemia. In pernicious anemia, the red blood cells increase in size
while decreasing in number. The symptoms of this illness include pallor, weakness,
and gastrointestinal and nervous disturbances, all of which are associated with a lack
of gastric juice containing what is called an intrinsic factor. Pernicious anemia is
believed to result from a lack of Vitamin B-12, which is sometimes referred to as the
"anti-pernicious anemia vitamin." A lack of this vitamin results in retarded growth
and a high rate of mortality in offspring. Many people believe that Vitamin B-12 is
available only in foods of animal origin like milk, organ meat, and egg yolks.
However, for centuries, millions of people have lived without many animal pro-
ducts, and yet did not develop pernicious anemia. Vitamin B-12 is found in the milk
and liver of cows. These animals subsist entirely on grasses which do not contain
B-12. Apparently they have the ability to synthesize the vitamin within their own
digestive tracts. It would seem logical that, as more highly developed animals,
humans should also have this ability. Since recent nutritional studies have shown
that Vitamin B-12 exists in fermented vegetable foods like miso and tamari, as well
as in some seaweeds, if pernicious anemia arises, it is not necessary to eat animal
products. Also, this illness may develop as a result of our losing our natural ability
to synthesize Vitamin B-12, and it may be possible to recover this ability once we
stop eating animal foods. Persons with pernicious anemia should observe the standard
macrobiotic way of eating, with a bowl of miso soup every day. Seaweeds should
also be eaten on a regular basis.
C. Sickle-Cell Anemia. (See Fig. 44.) This disease is a special problem in the
United States. About 10% of the Negro population in America are so-called
"carriers." This amounts to between two and three million people. Among this
group, one out of about every 400 becomes seriously ill or dies from the illness.
This disease usually occurs before the age of 20, and develops almost exclusively
within the Negro population. The main symptoms are periodic attacks of paralysis
similar to epilepsy, fatigue, and brain damage. A person with this condition often
starts to forget simple things and will frequently experience pain in the nerves or
muscles. In severe cases, the person curls up in the embryo position and cannot move.
Sickle-cell anemia often results in death, and there is no medical cure for it.
The most prevalent theory about the cause of sickle-cell anemia states that Negroes,
who originally lived in malaria-infested West Africa, carry an anti-malaria factor in
their blood. Purportedly, this factor is created by the transformation of red blood
cells into sickle cells. This condition is considered hereditary and appears in black
people in both Africa and the United States. Scientists assert that as long as they
remain in Africa—where malaria is common—there is no trouble, because of the
yang climate and the natural diet. Once black people move to another climate,
however, with different environmental factors, this condition becomes a threat to
their lives.
1 0 8 I THE CIRCULATORY A N D LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
There is another theory, however, which states that sickle-cell anemia has only
recently become widespread, probably only since the end of World War II. The
consumption of refined, processed foods like sugar, soft drinks, ice cream, refined
flour, and chemicals, has contributed to this condition. Red blood cells are yang,
while sickle cells are yin. The increased incidence of this disease coincides with the
increase in consumption of extreme foods. Black people may have a predisposition
for the disease, but it is the way of eating that fosters it.
Sickle cells are caused by an excess of poor-quality yin foods in the diet. To relieve
this condition, one should eliminate these foods, and begin following the standard
macrobiotic way of eating.
3. Hemophilia
This is a condition in which blood does not clot at its normal rate. Hemophiliacs
may bleed excessively from minor injuries such as small cuts, and when they receive
even a light blow, large black and blue spots appear under the skin. Normally, when
blood flows from any place in the body, it immediately coagulates; but in hemophilia
this does not happen. Blood, which is yang, normally forms a resinous type of sub-
stance when it comes in contact with oxygen. If this does not occur, however, the
blood is in a very yin condition.
Hemophilia is considered to be hereditary, often occuring repeatedly in the same
family. Many members of the old imperial families of Europe, like the Hapsburgs
and Romanoffs, were afflicted with it. Hemophilia is caused not by heredity but by
improper diet. In cases like the Romanoffs and Hapsburgs, it resulted from a rich
diet and luxurious lifestyle, both of which produce an excessively yin condition, in
which the red blood cells become weak and so do the blood vessels. The red blood
cells lose their ability to attract the oxygen needed for coagulation, and the blood
vessels do not have the power to fuse or close once they have been ruptured. Foods
like animal fats, butter, and eggs accelerate this condition by making the blood more
acidic. Hemophilia occurs more in men than in women. This is because women are
internally more yang than men, and can therefore absorb more of their opposite
without becoming unbalanced.
Medical science considers hemophilia incurable and has no method of treatment.
The best advice that doctors can give is to avoid injuries. Although it may take
several years, hemophilia can be cured through proper eating. The standard macro-
biotic way of eating, with a slight emphasis toward more contractive foods, is the
remedy for this disease. Plenty of good physical activity is also recommended.
4. Rh Incompatibility
The blood of many people contains a substance known as the " R h factor." The
name " R h " came from the Rhesus monkey, which was used in the initial experiments
connected with this problem. This factor, called " R h positive," is found in about
85% of the population. If it is missing, the blood is described as "Rh negative."
The Rh factor acts as an agglutinogen, which means that it causes a clumping
together of red blood cells. When Rh positive blood is transfused into someone with
Rh negative, the body of the recipient produces an anti-Rh agglutinogen, usually
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 109
within two weeks after the transfusion. Serious difficulties may arise if this person is
given a second transfusion. The presence of this anti-agglutinogen results in a hemo-
lytic reaction, or the destruction of red blood cells, which can be fatal.
If the fetus of an Rh negative woman is Rh positive, the anti-Rh factor produced
by her body as a defense mechanism may pass through the placenta to the fetus.
The baby may then experience a hemolytic reaction in which its red blood cells are
destroyed. This is usually fatal.
Since the Rh factor produces agglutination. Rh positive blood is more yang, while
Rh negative is more yin. When Rh positive blood is transfused into Rh negative, the
anti-Rh factor arises. This means that the more yin blood can tolerate only a small
amount of yang. In this case, however, with a second transfusion, the blood of the
recipient becomes very yang, triggering the hemolytic reaction. This happens because
the red blood cells cannot tolerate this second influx of yang, since like repels like.
In order to balance this, the red blood cells suddenly expand and decompose.
The Rh factor of the blood can be changed more easily through proper eating than
can the blood type. This is because blood type reflects a person's constitution,
whereas the Rh factor represents the condition. Through dietary adjustment, Rh
positive blood can become Rh negative and vice versa.
Recently the number of people with Rh positive blood has been increasing. This
Rh positive and Rh negative differentiation is caused by present eating patterns.
In other words, the modern diet is extreme on both sides. About 4 8 % of the average
daily diet in America is comprised of animal foods, including dairy. This necessitates
eating large quantities of carbohydrates to make balance. Usually large amounts of
simple sugar—either in the form of refined cane sugar, maple sugar, refined flour,
and fruits, are used to achieve this. However, if we eat a more balanced or neutral
diet, our blood reflects this balance and the Rh factor will be neither strongly positive
or negative. If you receive a transfusion under these circumstances, an extreme re-
action between plus and minus factors should not arise. In this case the difference
between the blood of a mother and her baby will not be great enough to produce
an extreme reaction. Persons not eating properly should be very careful about this
problem, however.
There are seven major divisions of the circulatory system (see Fig. 45.):
1. Circuit through the heart (coronary circuit)
2. Circuit through the upper extremities (shoulders, arms)
3. Circuit through the neck and head
4. Circuit through the thorax (lungs)
5. Circuit through the abdominal area (digestive organs)
6. Circuit though the kidneys (renal circuit)
7. Circuit through the pelvis and lower extremities (legs)
The circulatory system can be compared to a tree. Each of its major circuits fork
into numerous smaller branches which in turn divide into millions of peripheral
capillaries. Ultimately, the capillaries differentiate into the trillions of cells within the
body. The central regions of the circulatory system can be likened to the bough and
stem of a tree, while the peripheral regions correspond to the branches and leaves.
The body's cells comprise the most peripheral part of the circulatory system, and
correspond to the tree's fruit.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Cardiovascular Diseases / 111
Neck and Head
This condition occurs when the insides of the arteries become clogged and lose their
normal elasticity. It is caused by the accumulation of cholesterol and fat. In severe
cases, the passageway in the arteries becomes progressively narrow and eventually
closes. The resulting blockage of blood flow usually causes a heart attack and often
death.
1 1 2 I THE CIRCULATORY A N D LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
As we saw in the chapter, The Progressive Development of Sickness, fat and cho-
lesterol deposits result from the repeated consumption of foods such as meat and
saturated fat, eggs, dairy products, sugar, refined and processed grain products, and
others. This condition used to be rare in persons under the age of 50, but now it is
even found among school-age children.
To determine whether you have this condition, put the fingers of both hands
together and try to push them back to an angle of 90 degrees. If they cannot go this
far, your arteries are hard and inflexible. The dietary approach for the relief of this
condition is discussed below.
An excessive intake of liquid and other types of yin often causes the heart to become
swollen and expanded. In this condition, the organ must work harder in order to
maintain the normal circulation of blood, and often hypertension, or high blood
pressure, results. If a person with this condition continues to take excess yin, the heart
may become so swollen and loose that it no longer has sufficient contracting power.
As a result, blood pressure often becomes dangerously low, producing what is called
hypotension.
Hypertension is less serious than hypotension, and can be cured in about one
month through proper eating, whereas hypotension is a more advanced symptom
and therefore takes a longer time to cure. Since both conditions are the result of
over-expansion, within the standard macrobiotic way of eating, we should emphasize
more yang factors in our cooking and selection of food.
The Lymphatic System / 113
5. Broken Capillaries
When the blood vessels become swollen and enlarged from the overconsumption of
yin, they start to break down. The functions between branches are particularly sus-
ceptible. Nosebleeding is a good example of this. It occurs when the blood becomes
too thin and when its volume becomes excessive. The direct cause is often the over-
intake of fruit juice, soda, water, and other liquids. Nosebleeding can be quickly
relieved by making the blood thicker and the capillaries more contracted. To do this,
moisten a piece of tissue or paper napkin with saliva and dip it in salt or dentie.
Insert this in your nostril for several minutes. Also, to quickly thicken the blood,
eat a small amount of gomasio or a piece of umeboshi plum every 10 minutes for
about one-half hour.
6. Artherosclerosis
This is a type of arteriosclerosis in which deposits of fat develop within and around
the heart. These deposits start in the more peripheral regions of the circulatory
system and gradually move inward. The cause of this condition is the same as that
for arteriosclerosis—in other words, foods which contribute to the development of
fat and cholesterol. We should therefore approach it in the same way as arterio-
sclerosis.
Twenty-five years ago, heart disease affected about one out of eight people. This
rate has increased tremendously, so that now, at least two out of every five people
will eventually develop it. One out of every three men and one out of every six
women in the Unites States can be expected to die of heart disease or stroke before
the age of 60. It is now known that saturated fats and cholesterol are largely responsi-
ble for these disorders, and many medical associations have advised the avoidance of
fat as well as an overall reduction of cholesterol-rich foods like meat and eggs.
However, these recommendations usually overlook the other types of foods which
contribute to these problems, such as sugar, fruits, and dairy foods.
The blood and lymphatic systems are closely related. The bloodstream is generally
more yang and its main function is to transport red blood cells. The lymph stream,
carrying a clearer liquid, is more yin, and deals primarily with the white blood cells.
Both comprise the circulatory system as a whole, and circulate in opposite yet com-
plementary directions. Blood circulation begins in the heart, radiates outward to the
1 1 4 I THE CIRCULATORY A N D LYMPHATIC SYSTEMS
more peripheral regions, and then returns. Conversely, the flow of lymph begins in
the peripheral body tissues, and then enters the central bloodstream.
Unlike the bloodstream the lymphatic system has no central organ to pump the
lymph fluid. The flow of lymph is maintained by several factors, such as the activity
and contraction of the muscles. Another factor is the action of the lungs and dia-
phragm during breathing, which has the effect of "sucking" lymph from the smaller
vessels into the larger vessels, while the tendency of yin liquid to rise causes the
lymph to flow from the lower to the upper parts of the body. Also, the function of
the intestines, including the movements of the villi and the contractions of the in-
testine as a whole, contribute to the flow of lymph. Since the villi are continuously
taking in digested food particles, these are continuously flowing into both the blood
and lymph streams, along with newly created red and white blood cells.
The lymphatic system consists of lymph capillaries, vessels, ducts, and nodes, as
well as such organs as the tonsils and spleen. The lymph nodes are found at intervals
throughout the lymphatic system, and are arranged in 32 paired groups, correlating
to the 32 teeth and spinal vertebrae. The lymphatic system also contains another
major organ which is located above the heart. Known as the thymus, this organ
reaches its largest size at the age of two, and then gradually declines until it dis-
appears entirely. The thymus produces white blood cells along with certain types of
antibodies.
The spleen is the major organ of the lymphatic system. Located opposite the liver
on the left side of the body, it has the following functions:
1. Filtration and cleansing of lymph and body fluid. The spleen filters substances
like bacteria and worn-out red blood cells from these fluids.
2. Formation of white blood cells, especially lymphocytes.
3. Storage of blood and minerals, particularly iron.
4. Productin of antibodies (immunization factors). These are very important in
the body's natural resistance to bacteria.
5. Bile production.
The liver and spleen are complementary. The liver is yang in comparison, and
functions in coordination with the bloodstream, while the spleen, which is more yin,
serves as the major focus of the lymphatic system. The major function of the lympha-
tic system is to keep the body clean through the removal of toxic excess.
2. Tonsillitis
This illness occurs when the lymphatic system localizes various types of toxic excess
in the tonsils. Suppose, for example, someone eats a large quantity of ice cream or
other extreme food. Immediately the lymphatic system begins to localize this excess
for discharging. Additional white blood cells are created in the tonsils to neutralize
any harmful bacteria that may form, while minerals start to gather in this region as
a buffer for the discharge of acids. In the meantime, the tonsils may become inflamed
and the body temperature may rise. If, at this time, the person has the tonsils re-
moved, the fever and inflammation may disappear, but the toxic bodily fluids will
continue to circulate throughout the system, and the remaining lymphatic organs
will have to work much harder to perform the discharge function of the tonsils. The
net result is a reduction in the ability of the lymphatic system to efficiently rid the
body of toxic excess. This will not necessarily cause serious problems, provided the
person eats properly. However, if the person continues to eat poorly, he will begin to
experience a lack of vitality. A person in this condition is more susceptible to illness,
and has less self-healing ability than someone who has not had his tonsils removed.
The relationship between operations such as tonsilectomies and the development of
illnesses such as cancer and multiple sclerosis is discussed elsewhere in this book.
Appendix
Blood Type
type, they are classified as universal donors. People with Type AB are the opposite
in this respect: they can give only to others of the same type of blood. However,
they can receive blood from people with any of the other types. Fig. 47 shows the
frequency with which the blood types occur, along with their arrangement from most
yang to most yin.
Since Type O is the most yang, it can be given to many people. It has been said
that people with this type of blood become either beggars or generals, meaning that
they have the potential to be either very lazy or very great. A person with Type B is
yang, but less so than someone with Type O. Type B individuals tend to be better at
speaking than writing, and usually have cheerful, outgoing personalities. Type A
individuals are the most yin, and usually have a more inward or gentle personality,
and are usually better at work involving details such as accounting and writing. A
person with Type AB blood is in between Types A and B, and has characteristics of
both.
Blood Pressure
The amount of pressure the blood exerts against the walls of the vessels is described
as "blood pressure." Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the body. It is highest in
the aorta, and becomes progressively lower in the arteries, capillaries, and veins.
There are different types of blood pressure. The general term "blood pressure" refers
to the pressure in the major arteries, while venous pressure refers to that in the veins,
and capillary pressure to that in the capillaries.
Blood pressure is generally expressed in terms of a fraction such as 120/80, which
reads "one-twenty over eighty." The first number records the pressure of the blood
during the yang or contracting phase of the heart, and is called the systolic pressure.
The second number is called the diastolic pressure, and records the pressure during
the heart's yin, expanded phase. Both figures indicate the level in millimeters reached
by a column of mercury which is contained within the measuring instrument. When
we take the average of the systolic and diastolic pressures, we obtain what is called
the "mean blood pressure." For example, to determine the mean blood pressure in
Blood Pressure / 117
the above example, we would add 120 and 80, and divide the sum by 2. Thus, the
mean blood pressure in this case would be 100.
Fig. 48 shows the average blood pressure among young people in the United
States for the different regions of the circulatory system.
Blood pressure tends to increase with age. Fig. 49 shows the average variations in
systolic pressure according to age.
Persons who consume little or no animal food have blood pressures which are
about 10 mm lower than average. This was confirmed several years ago by Dr. Ed-
ward Kass, Dr. Frank Sacks, and others at the Harvard University School of Medi-
cine in a study of several hundred macrobiotic people living in the Boston area.
The results of this study were published in the American Journal of Epidemiology
(Vol. 100, No. 5) under the title "Blood Pressure in Vegetarians.'"*
On the average, the blood pressure of men is between 8 and 10 mm higher than
that of women. This indicates that men are more easily excitable than women. When
women reach menopause, however, their blood pressure rises to about the same level
as men. From this age on, the blood pressure of men and women tend to be equal,
with the levels for women tending to be slightly higher.
Arterial
systolic 110-120
diastolic 65-80
Capillaries 20-30
Veins (those near the heart) 0-20
Fig. 48.
Age mm
Birth 40
12 months 80
12 years 100
15 „ 110
20 „ 120
40 „ 125
65 „ 134
Over 65 Increases rapidly
Fig. 49.
* In a later study, this same research team investigated the relationship between diet and blood
fat and cholesterol levels. The subjects for this study were a group of people in the Boston area
who were following the standard macrobiotic way of eating. The results of this study, published
in the New England Journal of Medicine, (May 29, 1975), under the title "Plasma Lipids and
Lipoproteins in Vegetarians and Controls," demonstrated that these individuals had lower than
average blood fat and cholesterol levels, and that the consumption of dairy products and eggs
contributed to an increase in these levels.
CHAPTER SEVEN
In addition to the highly charged bloodstream and lymphatic system, our body con-
tains other fluids which are also receiving a constant charge of energy from heaven
and earth as well as from the meridians. These highly charged liquids can function
in either of two ways: (1) to influence the functioning of the organs, in which case
they are known as hormones, or (2) to aid in the decomposition of food, in which
case they are known as digestive liquids. We can understand how the highly charged
digestive liquid decomposes nutrients by considering the model of a water molecule.
A water molecule is composed of one oxygen atom, which is yin, and two hydro-
gen atoms, which are yang. (See Fig. 50.) However, one of the hydrogen atoms is
positively charged, while the other is negative. When a particular substance is placed
in water, its more yang components are attracted to water's yin pole, while its more
yin components gravitate towards their opposite pole. This process results in the
decomposition of the substance, and thus water is often referred to as the "universal
solvent."
Another group of these highly charged liquids are known as hormones. The major
endocrine glands are located principally along the spiritual channel, with the excep-
tion of the adrenal glands, which differentiate off to either side.
Heaven's downward force enters the body through the spiral on the top of the
head. As it passes downward, it charges and activates the midbrain, and also is
responsible for the embryonic formation of the uvula. On the other hand, earth's
expanding force passes upward through the body, and in the head region its action
is responsible for the formation of the tongue. (See Fig. 51.)
Saliva is produced in this region through the interaction of these two forces, serv-
ing principally as a highly charged digestive liquid. In ancient spiritual practices,
saliva was referred to as "the dew of heaven and earth," and it was often collected
in the mouth and then swallowed in order to vitalize the entire body. This highly-
charged fluid is naturally generated through proper chewing.
[119]
1 2 0 I THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Heaven s Force
During the process of biological evolution, we passed through the stage of four-
legged mammals. In this form, heaven's force enters through the tail and passes
along the spine toward the midbrain. At the same time, it enters through the back
of the head, creating another uvula deep within the brain. This "uvula" is known as
the pituitary gland, and it secretes highly-charged liquid known as pituitary hormones.
(See Fig. 52.)
The head and the torso have a complementary-antagonistic relationship. What
occurs in a compacted form in the head also occurs in the torso in a more expanded
form. In the case of the endocrine system, the single pituitary gland located in the
compacted head differentiates into multiple endocrine glands in the expanded torso.
These differentiations are as follows (see Fig. 53.):
1. Throat—The thyroid gland which is more yin; the parathyroid glands which
are more yang.
2. Above Both Kidneys—The adrenal glands secrete both yin and yang hormones.
3. Pancreas—The pancreas also secretes both yin and yang hormones.
4. Duodenum—The duodenum mucosa secretes a variety of hormones.
5. Gonads—The sexual hormones are of a more yin variety and a more yang
variety.
6. The Placenta—This arises during pregnancy.
Since these glands are complementary-antagonistic differentiations of the pituitary,
they are all influenced by its secretions. For example, suppose you walk past a bakery
and notice a cake in the window. The visual image of the cake stimulates the pitui-
tary, which in turn stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid, the secretion of saliva
The General Pattern of the Endocrine System / 121
and stomach juices, and the duodenum mucosa which in turn causes the secretion
of digestive liquid. These digestive and hormone liquids are already secreted before
the cake is eaten.
Another example is when a man catches sight of a beautiful woman. This visual
stimulation goes to the midbrain, which in turn activates the pituitary gland. The
secretions of the pituitary in turn influence the adrenal glands and the gonads. The
result is that the man feels sexually attracted to the woman.
Heaven's force also creates and charges the male sexual organs. In this sense, we
can consider the penis as a second uvula. The secretions of the male sexual organs
are highly charged with electromagnetic energy, or in other words, very "alive.'"
This is why sperm are capable of self-motion.
Heaven's Force
Fig. 52. In four-legged mammals, heaven s force enters through the tail,
especially when it is raised, and the top of the head, where it creates the
pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and consists of an anterior, or
front, lobe, and a posterior, or back, lobe. The anterior lobe secretes the following
more yin hormones: (1) growth hormone, which regulates growth; (2) thyrotropic
hormone, which regulates the development and functioning of the thyroid gland;
(3) gonadotropic hormones which regulate the sex organs; (4) lactogenic hormone
(prolactin), which initiates the secretion of milk by the mammary glands; and
(5) adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is essential for the development and activity
of the adrenal cortex.
The following more yang hormones are secreted by the posterior lobe: (1) vaso-
pressin (pitressin or A D H ) which causes the blood vessels to contract and inhibits
urination, and (2) oxygocin which causes the uterus to contract.
These are the major known hormones which are secreted by the pituitary gland.
There are probably others which have not as yet been identified.
1 2 2 I THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Fig. 53. In the human body, the single pituitary gland differentiates below
the neck into the thyroid and parathyroid glands, the adrenal glands, the
pancreatic alpha and beta cells, the duodenum mucosa, the gonads, and
during pregnancy, into the placenta.
These glands are located in the area of the throat chakra. The more yang parathy-
roid glands (usually four in number) lie within the thyroid gland, which is larger and
more expanded. The thyroid and parathyroid glands have a complementary and
antagonistic relationship.
The thyroid secretes the hormone thyroxin which regulate the body's basal metabo-
lism, or the rate of cellular oxydation. The parathyroid glands secrete parathormone
which controls the metabolism of minerals such as calcium and phosphorous.
The Physiology of the Endocrine System / 123
3. Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are located on top of both kidneys, and are separated into a
more peripheral region known as the cortex, and a more central region known as
the medulla. More yin hormones are secreted by the cortex, while the medulla sec-
retes hormones which are more yang.
The structure of the cortex is more differentiated than that of the medulla. The
cortex secretes a variety of hormones most notably those known as steroids. These
regulate the metabolism of ingested proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as the
body's water and salt balance. Aside from regulating the metabolism of nutrients,
this group of hormones also stimulate the functioning of the parasympathetic branch
of the autonomic nerve.
The medulla secretes two hormones: adrenalin, or ephinephrine, and noradrenalin,
or norephinephrine, which influence various bodily functions in a manner similar to
that brought about by stimulation of the orthosympathetic nerve.
The adrenal glands, which are centrally located within the body, have a very im-
portant role within the endocrine system. The greatest complementarity within the
endocrine system exists between the pituitary and the adrenal glands. All of the other
endocrine glands can be considered as branches of these.
4. Pancreas
The pancreas has the double function of secreting both digestive juices and hor-
mones. These hormones are secreted in the region of the pancreas known as the
islets of Langerhans. Within the islets, two main types of cells can be distinguished:
small beta cells which secrete a more yang hormone known as insulin, and larger
alpha cells which secrete a more yin hormone known as glucagon, or anti-insulin.
Both hormones affect the metabolism of carbohydrates. Insulin lowers the blood
sugar level, while glucagon causes it to rise, by stimulating the liver to release glu-
cose.
5. Duodenum
The surface of the duodenum secretes several hormones which influence the func-
tioning of the pancreas, liver, gall bladder, and stomach. Among these are:
1. Secretin, which brings about the secretion of pancreatic juice and increases
the flow of bile in the liver;
2. Pancreozymin, which also stimulates the secretion of pancreatic juice;
3. Cholecystokinin, which causes the gall bladder to contract and thereby dis-
charge bile;
4. Enterogasterone, which limits the activity of the stomach, including the secre-
tion of stomach acid.
The duodenum is a more compacted part of the digestive system, and the hormones
that it secretes are generally yang, although they differ in degree; and they have an
antagonistic relationship to the more expanded parts of the body such as the stom-
ach wall. Since it is longer and wider, the small intestine secretes intestinal juice
which is more yin.
1 2 4 I THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
6. Gonads
These are male of female, and their hormones differ accordingly. The female hor-
mones are created principally in the ovaries, while the testes produce the male hor-
mones.
B. The Testis. Male hormones are known as androgens, the most important of
which is testosterone. This hormone regulates the development of male characteris-
tics which occur at puberty such as the growth of facial hair and the deepening of
the voice. Testosterone is a yang hormone.
7. Placenta
During pregnancy, the placenta secretes the following hormones: (1) chorionic
gonadotrophs, (2) estrogens, and (3) progesterone. Chorionic gonadotrophin forms
the basis of various pregnancy tests, since it appears in the blood and urine of wo-
men within two weeks after fertilization. This hormone stimulates the formation of
the placenta and is produced only after the fertilized ovum is implanted. During
pregnancy, the placenta also assumes the production of both estrogens and pro-
gesterone.
HEAD
Pituitary Gland
V A
Anterior Lobe Posterior Lobe
growth hormone vasopressin (ADH)
thyrotropic oxytocin
gonadotropic
lactogenic
adrenocorticotropic
Diseases of the Endocrine System / 125
BODY
V A
Thyroid Parathyroid
thyroxin parathormone
Adrenal Cortex Adrenal Medulla
steroids adrenalin
Pancreatic Alpha Cells Pancreatic Beta Cells
glucagon insulin
Gastric and Intestinal Juice Duodenal Hormones
Ovaries Testis
estrogen V androgen
progesterone A
The single pituitary gland differentiates in the lower body into the following eight
major functions: (1) thyroid, (2) parathyroid, (3) adrenal cortex and (4) medulla,
(5) pancreatic alpha and (6) beta cells, (7) gonads, and (8) duodenal mucosa. In
general, the more yang hormones of the endocrine system show a relation to the
functioning of the sympathetic nerve, while the more yin hormones are related to
the parasympathetic nerve.
The central function of the hormone system is to regulate and control the use of
food, including the digestion of solid food, the intake and use of oxygen, and the
metabolism and balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and water. These
functions, which result in the growth of the body, the maintenance of vitality, and
the ability to reproduce, are summarized in the following chart:
Pituitary Gland
GROWTH
1. Thyroid 2. Parathyroid
0 2 metabolism mineral metabolism
3. Adrenals
VITALITY CH, fat, protein metabo-
lism: salt and water balance
5. Duodenum 4. Pancreas
digestion sugar metabolism
REPRODUCTION
Male testis Female ovaries
In general, there are two basic types of endocrine disfunctions: (1) hyposecretion,
in which not enough of a particular hormone is secreted, and (2) hypersecretion, in
1 2 6 I THE ENDOC RINE SYSTEM
which too much is secreted. Either of these can result in an unbalanced condition,
in the following manner:
/. Hyposecretion of a yin hormone produces an overly yang condition.
2. Hyposecretion of a yang hormone produces an overly yin condition.
3. Hypersecretion of a yin hormone produces an overly yin condition.
4. Hypersecretion of a yang hormone produces an overly yang condition.
Let us now consider specific disfunction in each of the major endocrine glands.
1. Pituitary
2. Thyroid
Hyposecretion of thyroxin can result in: (1) simple goiter, which is an enlargement of
the thyroid gland resulting primarily from a lack of iodine in the diet, and (2) my-
dexedema, or Gull's disease in an adult, and cretinism during childhood. Both my-
dexedema and cretinism have common symptoms such as physical and mental retar-
dation, abnormal metabolism, low body temperature, slow heartbeat, and thickened
skin. With mydexedema, the nose becomes swollen and a loss of hair occurs.
These conditions can result from either the overconsumption of yin foods or the
overconsumption of yang foods.
Hypersecretion of thyroxin can produce exophthalmic goiter (Graves' disease)
or toxic goiter. Exophthalmic goiter is characterized by a swollen throat, an increase
in the metabolic rate, a rapid heartbeat, muscular weakness, shortness of breath,
and various nervous disturbances, irritability, tremors, and protruding eyeballs.
Toxic goiter results from a tumor in the thyroid and the symptoms are generally the
same as for exophthalmic goiter, with the exception of protruding eyeballs.
3. Parathyroid
4. Adrenals
Sicknesses of the medulla are not very common. Adrenal disorders arise more fre-
quently in the cortex. Hyposecretion of the cortex causes Addison s disease, which
is marked by a degeneration of the cortex region, causing fatigue, low blood pres-
sure, reduced basal metabolism, muscular debility, abnormal pigmentation of the
skin, etc. This sickness results from the overconsumption of animal products and
salt, as well as from overeating.
Hypersecretion of the cortex which occurs during pregnancy or childhood can
result in sexual precocity, or the failure of the sexual organs to develop. If this condi-
tion occurs later in life, it can result in the tendency to reverse sexes.
5. Pancreas
Endocrine disorders are not difficult to diagnose. For example, various troubles
in the upper region of the body such as bulging eyes, ear problems, mental disorders,
and others are related to dysfunction of the pituitary and/or the thyroid. Disorders
in the lower region of the body such as poor digestion, sexual troubles, and others
are all related to problems of the adrenals or lower endocrine glands. All sicknesses
are related to dysfunction of the endocrine system. Even problems like acne or
pimples indicate that an excess of yin hormones are being released into the blood.
1- Dietary Approach
The principles for approaching endocrine disorders are as follows: (1) In cases where
not enough of a particular yin hormone is secreted, or if an excess of a yang hor-
mone is secreted, the patient should eat a slightly more yin diet. (2) When the body
is not producing enough of a particular yang hormone, or if too much of a yin hor-
mone is produced, the patient should eat a slightly more yang diet. Of course, the
standard macrobiotic way of eating should form the basis upon which these minor
a
djustments can be made. For example, for a more yin condition the proportion of
sesame seeds to salt in gomasio should be about 10 to 1 or 8 to 1; for a more yang
condition, about 12 or 15 to 1. A person with a yin disorder should have a slightly
1 2 8 I THE ENDOC RINE SYSTEM
stronger tasting miso soup, while a lighter miso soup should be served to someone
with the opposite condition. Among vegetables, green leafy vegetables are good for
someone who is overly-yang, while root vegetables should be emphasized by some-
one with a more yin condition.
As a practical illustration, suppose a woman is suffering from a condition in which
not enough estrogen is produced. To relieve this condition, animal products should
be avoided, cooking should be light, green leafy vegetables should be emphasized,
and an occasional small volume of fruit may be eaten. An opposite type of condi-
tion results when too much estrogen is secreted, or when a woman has taken birth
control pills. In this case, a slightly more yang diet will bring relief.
If a man lacks sexual vitality, or develops female characteristics, this results pri-
marily from the over-intake of sugar and dairy products. In this case, root vege-
tables should be emphasized, salad should be avoided, a little more miso, tamari,
and salt can be used, and fish or other animal products may occasionally be eaten.
2. External Applications
3. Meridian Treatments
Since the endocrine glands receive a constant charge of electromagnetic energy from
the environment, we can accelerate their functioning by stimulating the meridians.
This can be accomplished through shiatsu massage, moxa, or with needles. Although
it is not absolutely necessary to supplement the dietary treatment of endocrine dis-
orders with these techniques or with external applications, they will serve to accele-
rate the cure. To locate the specific points indicated below by number, please refer
to an acupuncture chart or text that uses the standard numbering system.
B. Thyroid and Parathyroid. Any of the major points on the lung meridian can be
used to treat thyroid or parathyroid troubles. Like the lungs, these glands are loca-
ted in the upper region of the body, and they are also involved in the metabolism
of oxygen. These glands are also related to the tongue, which is in turn related to
the stomach. Therefore, any of the major points on the stomach meridian can also
be used.
Diabetes Mellitus / 129
C. Adrenals. The adrenals can be approached by using either the kidney or blad-
der meridian. A particularly effective way to activate the adrenals is to use shiatsu
(finger pressure) massage on the bladder meridian running along either side of the
spine.
F. Gonads. To treat disorders in these organs, use either the kidney or bladder
meridian.
Diabetes Mellitus
This condition, which affects millions of people, is caused by the failure of the islets
of Langerhans to produce enough insulin. Hyposecretion of insulin, a yang hor-
mone, results in an overly-yin blood condition in which the level of sugar in the
blood rises markedly. This condition is known as hyperglycemia. In normal cir-
cumstances, the sugar content of the blood is about 100 mg (70 mg-120 mg) per
100 cc. Fatigue and tiredness begin if this level rises to over 130 mg, and if it in-
creases to 180 mg, what is known as the renal threshold is reached. At this point,
sugar begins to appear in the urine (glycosuria) and the discharge of urine increases
(polyuria). The loss of water through excessive urination causes the patient'to be-
come thirsty, while the accompanying loss of glucose and minerals produces hunger.
Since the metabolism of sugar is disturbed in diabetes, the oxidation of fats,
which depends on the oxidation of glucose, does not proceed smoothly. Partially
oxidized fats give rise to what are known as ketone bodies, and acetone (C 3 H e O)
appears in the urine, often giving rise to an acetone smell in the breath. Other types
of acidic ketone bodies are also formed in large quantities, and this condition neces-
sitates the maintenance of a constant buffer action which depletes the body's mineral
reserves. This situation leads to the development of acidosis, and disrupts the meta-
bolism of carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide cannot be discharged smoothly, it
becomes like a toxin in the body, resulting in possible convulsions, coma, and death.
A high blood sugar level also has the effect of weakening the peripheral parts of
the body, especially the skin. Wounds heal slowly, skin ulcers often develop, the
skin loses its natural flexibility and begins to harden, and the circulation becomes
Poor in the hands and feet. Since diabetes results in a depletion of minerals, the
structure of the teeth becomes weak. Also, various eye disorders such as glaucoma
are often associated with diabetes.
1 3 0 I THE ENDOC RINE SYSTEM
In the past, diabetes was considered as a disease of old age, since it was more
common in persons over 60, arising in many cases after a person achieved material
success and could afford gourmet-style food. Presently, however, diabetes arises at
any age, and many young people have begun to develop it.
The present medical treatment of diabetes is to inject insulin, but this does not
cure the disease. Since the intake of carbohydrates affects the utilization of insulin,
the dosage must be adapted to the patient's diet and activity. In many cases, dia-
betics are placed on a low-carbohydrate and high fat and protein diet. An over-
dose of insulin may result in insulin shock, convulsions, coma, and in some cases,
death, while not enough will leave the patient with diabetic symptoms. It is very
dfficult to maintain the correct dosage of insulin, and patients must be checked often
and have their dosage adjusted. Recently, it has been found that insulin combined
with protamine and zinc is absorbed more slowly, thus requiring less frequent injec-
tions, and several oral medicines, most notably or incise, have been found somewhat
effective in controlling the blood sugar level.
The cause of diabetes is not known medically. However, with the unifying principle
of yin and yang, the solution to this problem is quite easy. Insulin is secreted in the
pancreas by the islets of Langerhans. These masses of cells are scattered through-
out the pancreas, and vary in number from 200,000 to 1,800.000. They are most
numerous in the tail portion of the pancreas.
The more yang beta cells within the islets secrete insulin, while larger and more
yin alpha cells secrete glucagon. In diabetes, the beta cells become expanded, and
lose their ability to secrete insulin. This is caused by an overly yin blood condition
which results from the over-consumption of sugar, fruit, dairy, chemicals, and other
similar foods, as well as by the overconsumption of animal products which create an
acidic condition.
A diabetic patient should try to get up early every morning. Sleeping late will
cause the patient's condition to remain weak.
Hyperinsulinism
This is an overly yang condition in which too much insulin is secreted. The symp-
toms are opposite to diabetes mellitus, and are as follows: (1) hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar), (2) fatigue, (3) muscular weakness, (4) excessive perspiration and
thirst, (5) nervous irritability including anxiety and neurosis, and in extreme cases,
(6) convulsions and coma. If a person with this condition goes into a coma, imme-
diate ingestion or injection of glucose will bring temporary relief.
In some cases, hyperinsulinism is brought on by an overdose of insulin. This con-
dition is known as insulin shock. A chronic condition of hyperinsulinism may be
due to tumors which involve the islets of Langerhans or to hypersensitivity of the
islets to the level of blood sugar. Tumors in this area arise because of the presence
of too much insulin which attracts various yin fatty acids which then coagulate.
The standard medical treatment for this condition is to remove the tumor, or in
the case of hypersensitivity, to recommend a diet which is high in fat and protein and
low in carbohydrate. However, this diet is similar to that recommended for diabetes,
Hyperinsulinism / 133
The human nervous system has two anatomical divisions: the more yang central
nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord; and the more yin periph-
eral nervous system, which includes all of the nervous structures outside of the
skull and vertebral canal, such as the cranio-spinal nerves and the orthosympathetic
branch of the autonomic nervous system. The central nervous system acts as a
"switchboard" for incoming impulses from receptors and outgoing impulses to effec-
tors; it regulates all body activities except for chemically controlled ones, and of
course is the seat for the higher conscious processes. The peripheral nervous system
connects peripheral organs and tissues of the body with the central nervous system.
The cranio-spinal nerves which it includes consist of the twelve pairs of cranial
nerves, which are connected to the brain, and the thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves,
rooted in the spinal cord. (See Fig. 54.)
The autonomic nervous system is not considered to be an anatomical division,
but rather a functional unit which handles the involuntary, non-conscious body
activities, such as the beating of the heart, breathing, digestive peristalsis, and so on.
The autonomic system is in turn composed of two antagonistic branches, the para-
sympathetic (yang) and the orthosympathetic (yin). The parasympathetic nerves
have a more peripheral position of origin in the body, beginning in the brain stem
and sacral region of the spinal cord (top and bottom), and passing outward through
four pairs of cranial nerves and three pairs of sacral nerves. The orthosympathetic
nerves have a more central position, beginning in the central section of the spine
and passing outward through the corresponding spinal nerves.
In the mother's womb, all nerves in the body are actually autonomic, working
automatically, but after birth, consciousness gradually emerges. That is to say, a
division begins to arise between the autonomic functions and the higher, central
nervous system. This division becomes most clear at the time of maturity.
In almost all organs, tissues, and smooth muscles there are pairs of autonomic
nerves, one ortho- and one para-sympathetic, which act in opposite ways. Thus the
whole body is held by an antagonistic yet complementary system of nervous con-
trol. Fig. 55 shows the way these nerves work in some specific body areas.
Another example of the cooperation of this two-armed system is urination. As
the bladder wall contracts under parasympathetic action, the sphincter relaxes.
Through orthosympathetic stimulation the opposite occurs: the bladder wall relaxes
and the sphincter tightens, so that urine is retained. The parasympathetic system is
especially affected by the intake of strong yin, particularly drugs and medications.
Generally speaking, these items reduce the polarity between the two branches,
making all body reflexes and functions less sharp. One example of a specific prob-
lem is in the uterus, where soon after drugs are begun the overstimulated parasym-
pathetic nerves keep the uterus in a state of contraction. This situation can easily
bring on a miscarriage. The same immediate effect can sometimes be observed in the
[135]
I 42 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
dilate. After continued drug use, however, the parasympathetic nerves become
"worn out," yinnizing more and more; the pupils then dilate and the vessles
contract.
A yang stimulus will affect the orthosympathetic system, causing the hair to
"stand on end," the follicle muscles to contract, the heart to speed up, the pupils to
enlarge, and the bronchi to dilate, resulting in more rapid breathing. An opposite, or
yin stimulus, will affect the parasympathetic system, causing the breathing and
heartbeat to slow down.
Medical researchers in Canada have found that a major problem in sickness is
138 / THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
To understand the manner in which the brain serves to facilitate communication, let
us consider the relationships between its various components. The two major divi-
sions of the brain are the large forebrain and the more compact small brain. Since
the forebrain is more expanded, it is more yin, while the small brain is more yang.
We can also divide the brain into its more central region known as the midbrain,
and more peripheral region called the cortex. (See Fig. 56.)
Forebrain y
V
Front
Future Vision
A
Back
Past Memory
Fig. 57. Future vision arises in the more yin front portion of the brain,
while memory arises in the more yang hack section. The more yang right
side is where more simplified thinking occurs, while more refined thinking
arises in the more yin left side.
left hemisphere produces more refined and complex thinking. In terms of language,
more simple or basic expressions originate in the right hemisphere, while the left
hemisphere creates more refined expression. Imagination, which is based mostly on
futuristic thinking, develops more in the left hemisphere, while in the right hemi-
sphere, our thinking is based more on actual past experiences.
Climatic and geographic differences throughout the world produce the tendency
to develop more toward one or the other of these qualities of thinking. Therefore,
in some parts of the world, people tend more toward imaginative thinking, while in
others, their thinking is based more on their past experiences. Of course, each per-
son contains both tendencies, but on the average, the general trend of a particular
population will be more toward one way or the other.
Scientific thinking is based mostly on the sensorial confirmation of a particular
theory or idea through controlled experimentation. This is an example of right-hem-
isphere thinking. On the other hand, poets, novelists, or persons with religious or
spiritual inclinations base their thinking more on imagination than on experimen-
tation, and are using the left side of their brains more. On the whole. Western civi-
lization can be classified as a more theoretic culture, while various Asian countries
represent more aesthetic cultures. The former is based more on right-side thinking,
while the latter is based more on thought originating in the left side.
This relationship also corresponds to the complementary antagonism between the
Past and future, with the right side being more the source of past memories and the
,e
ft side more of future vision.
1 4 0 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Our modern technological civilization has arisen due to the active development of
right-hemisphere thinking. This more restricted type of thinking and activity has in
turn called for the proliferation of various yin types of food, such as refined sugar,
chemicals, imported tropical fruits and spices, and others, as well as to the artificial
synthesis of extremely expansive products like birth-control pills and LSD. Then,
within many modern countries, people in the younger generations have been ex-
posed to these types of foods from birth, and, many have taken various medications
and drugs such as LSD. These extreme products have produced a rapid shift in
thinking from the right side, which is predominant in modern society, towards the
left side, and also from the back of the brain more toward the front. As a result,
many young people started looking more toward the future, while neglecting or for-
getting many previous traditions. An example is the "New Age" movement that was
popular in the United States several years ago. Various modes of aesthetic expres-
sion, such as music and poetry, which result from the activation of the left hem-
isphere, formed an integral part of this movement.
In terms of communication, we can say that this movement emphasized the more
expansive aspect of dispatching, or in other words, giving away. This can be seen
in the popularity of ideas such as "love one another." In many cases, the steady in-
take of extreme foods has led to very unbalanced conditions where people are most-
ly dispatching and not receiving. When the dispatching aspect of communication
becomes predominant, we call this "altruism"; while when the receiving aspect is
stronger, this is known as "egocentricity." Altruism tends to develop more among
those who consume a more vegetable-quality diet, while egocentricity is more the
result of a diet based around animal products.
Among the branches of the autonomic nervous system, the parasympathetic
branch is more active at night, while the orthosympathetic branch is more active
during the day. In terms of communication, the parasympathetic system acts more
as a receiver of impulses and vibrations, while dispathcing is more the function of
the orthosympathetic branch.
The parasympathetic-receiver is most active during the deepest part of the night,
which is between 1 and 3 A.M. It is during this time that many people have had the
experience of seeing what is known as a "true dream," which means an actual per-
ception of something that may be occurring at a great distance. As an illustration of
how this process works, let us take the example of a person seeing a nighttime
dream showing the death of a friend or a relative which is actually occurring at some
distance. As death approaches, the person who is dying is becoming progressively
more yin, meaning that the more expanded parts of the nervous system such as the
orthosympathetic system and cerebral cortex become more active. These areas
function more as dispatchers of outgoing images, which exist in the form of waves
or vibrations. These are "caught" by the second person's parasympathetic-receiver
which is more active during the evening. Therefore, he sees an image of his friend's
death. The dying person can be compared to a television transmitting station which is
dispatching waves in all directions, while the person who sees the dream is acting in
the same manner as a television receiver which catches these waves and translates
them into an image.
The entire human body is actually functioning as a complex communications
machine based on the very simple code of yin and yang, or sending and receiving.
Consciousness and Communication / 141
This simple code also forms the basis of the most complex computers, as well as all
interactions in the universe. For example, each of our cells contains two comple-
mentary and antagonistic chemical components known as D N A and RNA. D N A
is located in the central nucleus, while R N A is found more in the peripheral cyto-
plasm. In terms of communication, D N A functions more as the receiving com-
ponent within each cell, while R N A serves more as the dispatching component.
DNA can also be thought of as the repository of our past heritage, or memory,
while R N A represents our future possibilities for growth.
The more yang components of the human body such as the parasympathetic sys-
tem, the bones, the compacted organs, the D N A in every cell, and others, all serve
as receivers of various forms of vibration, and are the repositories of our past mem-
ories. The more yin components—the orthosympathetic system, the hollow organs,
RNA, and others all function as dispathcers of vibration and as the creators of our
future visions.
This same relationship exists between the brain and the rest of the body. There
are billions of cells compacted into the relatively small space of the brain, and each
of these corresponds to one of the billions of cells existing in the expanded body.
In an overall sense, we can say that the compact brain functions more as our com-
munications receiver, while the rest of the body serves more as our communications
dispatcher. In terms of time, the brain serves as the primary interpreter of past mem-
ories, while the body as a whole functions in the realization of our future dream or
vision.
Our physical body is actually a compact replica of the entire universe, with the
brain representing the entire past universe, and the rest of the body representing the
future universe. Our universe is presently expanding in all directions, and this is
replicated in our expanded body. However, the universe itself is governed by an
eternal order of change in which expansion and contraction always change into one
another.
In the past, the universe was contracting rather than expanding, as is reflected in
the more compacted brain. As human beings, we have the capacity to extend our
memory beyond the origin of this universe toward the infinite past, while our image
or dream can be dispatched infinitely toward the future.
Infinity has two dimensions—infinite space and infinite time. Infinite space com-
prises the yin aspect of infinity, since it is constantly expanding in all directions.
Infinite space is the source of all images and vibrations, and these are being con-
tinually dispatched to every galaxy, planet, and object in the universe.
The second aspect of infinity is the beginningless and endless stream of time. In
comparison to space, time is yang, serving to condense or gather together all pheno-
mena. Since we are replicas of the infinite universe, our capacity includes both of
these aspects. Infinite space appears in the human consciousness as the infinite ca-
pacity for love, which is an expanding or embracing phenomenon. Infinite time
manifests as our capacity for infinite memory.
Both of these capacities can be linked in the form of a cross, with infinite love
representing the vertical dimension of space, and infinite memory representing the
horizontal dimension of time. At the center of this figure is the human body, and
these lines extend infinitely outward from there. As we continue to eat macro-
biotically, our condition becomes increasingly refined, and we are not disturbed by
I 42 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
toxins, cloudy vision, or by the rough vibrations of other people eating meat and
sugar or overeating. As we become increasingly sensitive, we start to recover our
infinite memory, meaning that we.start to catch vibrations from infinity. At the same
time, we begin to dispatch our image or dream, which exists in the form of vibration,
back out toward infinity. While we are living here in the form of a human being on
this tiny planet known as the earth, we begin to know what is taking place millions
of light years away, as well as what occurred billions of years ago or what will occur
billions of years from now. This ability is known popularly as "universal conscious-
ness."
Universal consciousness is often thought of in terms of more sentimental expres-
sions such as universal love, etc. Although universal consciousness includes this, it
can be thought of more as the power of insight or understanding which extends
beyond this solar system and galaxy, and beyond millions of galaxies and through
to the dimensions of infinite space and time. These capacities do not require any
special training to develop, but evolve naturally through the practice of macrobio-
tics. By eating small quantities of good food, chewing very well, and keeping busy,
we develop our capacity to receive vibration from infinity and to dispatch vibration
back to infinity. This process all depends on the quality and coordination of the
body, which should ideally function as a finely-tuned instrument for receiving and
dispatching infinite vibrations. This very simple method is the most universal way
of developing the unlimited capacities of human consciousness.
Our entire body, and all of its parts, is constantly being charged with ki or environ-
mental energy. This charge originates from our surroundings—the condition of the
atmosphere, the motion of the earth, and the activity of celestial bodies such as stars
and planets. It is this constant stream of invisible energy that actually makes life
possible.
The amount and intensity of charge that we receive depends on the position of
our body. For example, when we stand upright, our vertical position allows a very
active energy flow up and down from the earth; this causes the heart, digestive
organs, and the brain to function very actively. When we assume a horizontal posi-
tion, for example when we sleep, the charge that we receive becomes less intense,
and all of our bodily functions slow down.
As we saw in the section on meridian diagnosis, human life is maintained and
activated by two primary forces: a centripetal force coming in to the magnetic core
of the earth from stars, constellations, the sun, the moon, other celestial bodies, the
atmosphere, and infinite space itself, which we call heaven's force, and a centrifugal
force generated upward by the earth's rotation, which we call earth's force. Phy-
sically speaking, heaven is yin or expanded, but dynamically the force or energy
which it generates is centripetal, coming in towards the earth. On the other hand,
The Macrobiotic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis / 143
the earth is physically yang, but the energy generated by its rotation is upward and
expanding.
Heaven's force enters the body through the center of the hair spiral on top of the
head and exits via the sex organs. Earth's force enters through the sex organs, passes
through the body and exits through the head spiral. Both of these forces run deep
within the body along one central channel, and they collide at certain areas, produc-
ing an intense outward radiation of energy. The areas where this charge is most
intense are the midbrain, throat, heart, stomach, and small intestines or hara. These
five colliding places, plus the entrance and exit regions were known in India as the
seven chakras. Heaven's downward centripetal force stronger in men, thus produc-
ing downward-extending sex organs which are external and more expanded; while
earth's expanding upward force is stronger in women, resulting in sex organs which
are oriented upward inside the body.
The primary, or spiritual, channel runs deep within the body slightly in front of
the spine. Since the earth is rotating, the forces of heaven and earth are not straight
lines but curve in a spirallic manner. In the Northern Hemisphere, heaven's force
moves in a counterclockwise direction, and earth's force proceeds outward in a clock-
wise direction. These directions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. In the
body, these descending helixes of energy intertwine, forming a configuration similar
to the double-helix form of DNA, with one strand representing heaven's force and
the other representing earth's force. In fact, the structure of DNA reflects the way
in which these forces interact throughout the human body. During its course through
the body, this spiral channel of energy passes through the large vein running in front
of the spine, known as the inferior vena cava. Since this channel provides the source
of our life energy, its smooth functioning is essential for our health. (See Fig. 58.)
Heavens
Force
This primary vertical channel activates both the right and left sides of the body
with ki or generalized energy. The energy which animates the arms originates along
this central channel in the throat and heart chakras. From here it branches off to
the left and right. The charge of ki which energizes the legs originates in the hara
region and likewise branches off to the left and right. This energy runs deep within
the arms and legs, and is the cause of their motion. This charge proceeds to the center
I 42 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
of the palms and feet, and from there, it radiates outward to the sides and toward
the fingers and toes. These central regions are occasionally referred to in oriental
medicine as the "heart of the hand" or the "heart of the foot." (See Fig. 59.)
A
Heaven s Force
Heart
Heart
Center
DAN-CHU
of Hand
CV 17
Stomach
CHU-KAN ....
CV 12
Hara
1N-KO
CV 7
Heart
Center
of Foot
V
Earth's Force
Fig. 59. The three major regions for the generation of ki, or life energy,
along the primary channel deep w ithin the body are the heart, stomach and
HARA or small intestine. Each corresponds to a point on the Conception
Vessel {CV) meridian which runs upward along the front of the body. The
numbers in the diagram refer to their specific locations on this meridian.
The Japanese name for each point is also indicated.
During the past 50 years, many people have been experiencing chronic weakening
of this vital charge. In extreme cases, this weakening produces symptoms such as
numbness and inability to move the arms and legs, organ disfunction, impaired
speech, and loss of ability to think clearly. This syndrome, known as multiple sclero-
sis, is on the increase. Multiple sclerosis usually begins in the legs and proceeds up-
wards. Since this more yang part of the body is often the first region to be affected,
multiple sclerosis can generally be classified as a more yin sickness. However, it can
The Macrobiotic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis / 145
arise from continued overconsumption of both yin or yang foods, which produce
the following effects:
A. Yin Cause: The vital channel becomes open and loose, resulting in a decreased
conductivity for heaven's and earth's force. The majority of cases fall into this ca-
tegory, and result from excessive intake of sugar, fruit and fruit juice, Vitamin C,
chemicals, cold beverages, medications, and other very yin substances.
B. Yang Cause: In this case, the vital channel becomes clogged with hard depos-
its and the flow of energy through it is impeded. The underlying cause is over-
consumption of animal foods such as dairy, particularly cheese, eggs, and saturated
animal fat.
In either case, the flow of energy to the arms, legs, organs, and other parts of the
body diminishes, and paralysis sets in. If the legs are the first area to be affected,
the charge around the hara region is particularly weak or stagnated, while if the
arms are stricken first, the primary blockage exists around the heart and throat
chakras.
One way of determining whether a case of multiple sclerosis is caused by excess
yin or yang is to press the heart-of-the-hand point located in the center of the palm,
as well as the center of the head spiral. If these regions seem unusually hard, then the
M. S. is caused by too much yang. If they seem loose or soft, the cause is the op-
posite. The primary cause of multiple sclerosis is improper diet, but along with this,
there are other factors which contribute toward its development. Let us consider
these in some detail.
1. Abortion. After an egg is fertilized and implanted, the body begins concen-
trating blood and ki energy toward the depth of the womb. This area corresponds to
the hara region, and it is here that the intense activity of heaven's and earth's forces
form the developing embryo. In the case of an abortion, the embryo is suddenly
removed, and all of the centripetal forces which gather around it are dispersed
throughout the body. Since the hara region should normally be very yang, that sud-
den dispersal produces a substantial weakening in this area. If this experience follows
many years of poor eating, which also weakens the contracting power of this region,
the result can be multiple sclerosis or weakening of the legs.
2. Appendectomy. The yin structure—i.e., hollow, expanded—of the small and
large intestines is counterbalanced by the compact appendix. So to speak, the in-
testines are "held together" by the appendix, in the way a fan is bound together in
the center. If we suddenly remove the fan's central binding, it will collapse. In the
same way, removal of the appendix causes the intestines to become loose and very
weak.
The removal of the appendix increases the possibility for development of a variety
of intestinal disorders such as hernia, indigestion, or bulging intestines, as well as
weakening of the legs. It is also a contributing factor in the development of multiple
sclerosis.
3- Removal of the ovaries. Many women have had one or both ovaries removed
in order to remove a cyst or tumor. These operations, along with hysterectomies,
accelerate the development of M. S.
4
- Removal of tonsils or adenoids. The organs of the mouth correspond to the
I 42 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
male and female sex organs in the torso. Thus, heaven's descending force creates
the uvula and adenoid glands, and in the male, the penis and testis. The tongue and
the tonsils are created more by earth's upward force, as are the uterus and ovaries.
(See Fig. 60.) If we remove the adenoids, the effect is similar to the removal of the
testis, while removing the tonsils is similar to the removal of the ovaries. These
operations substantially weaken the charge of ki or life energy in the hara region,
and cause the vital channel on the whole to become much weaker.
Approximately 60%-70% of all modern people have had some type of operation.
About 30%-40% have had their tonsils or adenoids removed, while about 10%-
15% have had their appendix removed. All of the operations mentioned above con-
tribute toward the weakening of a person's life energy, or ki, especially the charge
of the vital channel.
Testis/Adenoids Ovaries/Tonsils
Womb/Tongue
Fig. 60. Spirallic formation of the sexual organs.
5. Long hot baths or showers. Many people take a 20-minute hot bath or shower
every day. Only one generation ago, this practice was not so common. People either
showered quickly or washed themselves with a wet sponge or towel, and bathed
about once a week. Long hot baths or showers cause us to lose minerals, which are
needed in order to maintain an active charge of heaven's and earth's force along the
vital channel.
6. Loss of natural contact. Most of us in modern society always wear shoes
when we go outside. For those of us who live in cities, we usually walk only on
sidewalks or streets made of asphalt or concrete. Our feet never come in direct con-
tact with the earth. Our modern environment serves to block the energy of heaven
and earth. We further isolate ourselves from this energy by wearing nylon stockings,
synthetic socks, and other artificially-produced clothing, or by using artificical rugs,
curtains, furniture, blankets, and other unnatural items in our homes.
All of these factors—operations, unnatural life styles, artificial environments—
combined with our modern way of eating, have produced a weaker-quality human
being known as modern man.
To diagnose whether someone is prone toward multiple sclerosis, push the point
located in the center of the throat just above the top of the breast bone. Pain in this
area means that mucus and fat deposits have started to form in the throat, and that
the spiritual channel is somewhat blocked in this area. This congestion is often fol-
lowed by blockage around the heart region.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis / 147
C. Dietary Suggestions for the Relief of Multiple Sclerosis. To relieve yin M.S.,
a person should begin following the standard macrobiotic diet, with the following
modifications, while a person with yang M.S. should observe a diet similar to that
far more yang type of cancer.
1. All food should be of vegetable quality.
2. Whole grains should comprise as much as 6 0 % - 7 0 % of the daily diet. Grains
should be eaten primarily in their whole form (e.g., brown rice, millet, kasha)
rather than as flour. However, among flour products, whole buckwheat noodles
(soba) may be eaten on occasion. Yeasted breads should be strictly avoided.
3. Gomasio should be more yang, perhaps 10: 1. If the patient can tolerate it,
9: 1 or 8: 1 gomasio can be used.
4. Miso or tamari broth soups should be somewhat thicker than usual. However,
if the patient becomes thirsty, decrease the amount of these seasonings.
5. Oil should be used sparingly, and only in cooking.
6. Among vegetables, the patient should eat about 1/2 root vegetables and about
1/2 hard, leafy green vegetables. Vegetables should be cooked slowly over a
low flame. The nishime, or waterless, cooking style is also highly advisable.
Several varieties of root vegetables can be combined with kombu and cooked
in this manner. This dish should be seasoned with tamari or miso.
7. Raw salad should be avoided. Instead, the patient may occasionally have some
boiled salad, in which the vegetables are only lightly boiled for one or two
minutes.
8. Beans and seaweeds should be eaten every day; however, the percentage of
beans should not exceed 10%.
9. Fruit or fruit desserts should be strictly avoided.
10. Animal food should be avoided. However, if the patient experiences cravings,
vegetable-protein dishes such as seitan may be used. If the cravings are not
satisfied by this, the patient may occasionally have a small quantity of little
dried fish.
11. Tea and other standard beverages should be used only when the person is
thirsty.
D. Modifications in Lifestyle.
1. Long hot baths or showers should be avoided. A person with this condition
should also not go swimming in a chlorinated swimming pool, or for more
than several minutes in a freshwater lake or stream. However, the patient
may swim in the ocean.
2- Synthetic clothing, especially underwear, stockings, and socks, should not
be used.
3. Wigs or hairpieces should not be worn.
4- A person with this condition should not wear shoes or socks while indoors,
and should often go walking barefoot on grass or soil.
I 42 I THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Heart
Thoracic no. 3-4
SH/N-CHU (Body Pillar)
GV 12
Stomach
Thoracic no. 11-12
CHU-SU (Central Metropolis)
GV 7
Hara
Lumbar no. 4-5
YO-KAN (Yang Gate)
GV 3
Fig. 61. The three major points on the spine which correspond to the three
major body chakras are indicated in the above diagram with their Japanese
names and translations. These points can be found in the spaces between
the vertebrae, and their locations are noted above, along with the correspond-
ing location of each point on the Govering Vessel (GV) meridian which
runs up along the center of the spine.
Either cigarette moxa or direct moxa can be used to generate heat on these points.
When applying cigarette moxa, use the technique described in the chapter, The Way
of Diagnosis. If you have real moxa, it can be applied directly to these points for the
same purpose.
Along with these points, we may also need to treat other regions of the spine, all
of which lie on the governing vessel meridian which runs along the entire spine. These
points can be determined by pressing along the entire spine with your thumbs in-
serted in between the vertebrae. Moxa can then be applied to the regions where pain
is felt.
After treating the specific regions described above, cigarette moxa should be
applied along the entire length of the spine. For yin M. S., hold the cigarette about
The Macrobiotic Approach to Multiple Sclerosis / 149
1/4 inch from the spine, starting at the top, and slowly move it downward toward
the base. Start at the bottom of the spine and move upward for yang M. S. If you
aren't sure whether the disease is more yin or yang, start at the bottom and move
upward.
The bladder meridian runs down the back on either side of the spine. There are
several important points on this meridian which are effective in treating multiple
sclerosis. Moxa can be applied to bladder points 31-34 which are located on the
lower back, or to bladder points 35, 40, and 60, which are located on the back of
both legs.
A treatment such as this should be administered about once a week. It may take
about 15-20 minutes to treat all of these points. In some cases, patients who have
been confined to a wheelchair may actually be able to stand up after only one treat-
ment. However, if this method is not combined with a proper diet, the spiritual chan-
nel will soon become blocked, and the patient's condition will again worsen.
The spine can also be treated with a hot ginger towel. Prepare hot ginger water in
the same way as for a ginger compress. Instead of applying the towel to only one
area, rub the entire spine with it until the skin turns very red.
2. Treatment of the Hands and Feet. A person who has multiple sclerosis should
soak both feet every night in hot water. While the feet are soaking, scrub them
briskly with a towel, with particular attention to the toes. This massage will stimulate
the meridians which begin or end at the toes. Several times each day, rub some grated
ginger into the heart of the hand and heart of the foot points. This practice will also
help to stimulate the patient's ki flow.
3. Chanting. Chanting vibrates the spiritual channel and helps to dissolve hard-
ening. It should therefore be practiced every day. Sit in a straight position and
breathe deeply. After a minute or so, begin to utter the sound of A U M or SU.
Chanting is especially helpful if repeated frequently.
When combined with proper food, these methods can bring about a cure in three
to four, or at the utmost, six months. This approach involves no danger or side
effects, and is the most sure and fundamental way of solving this problem.
2. Parkinson's Disease
The symptom of this illness is an uncontrolable shaking. There are two types:
(1) yang Parkinson's disease, which manifests itself as a large or very quick shaking
motion, and (2) yin Parkinson's disease, which appears as a.slower or less activc
motion. The first type is caused by the overconsumption of foods like meat, eggs,
and other animal products, while the second results from the overconsumption of
yin. A person with either type should stop the intake of both extremes and begin
the standard macrobiotic way of eating. As a supplemental treatment, a hot ginger
towel can be applied to the spine in the same way as for multiple sclerosis. This can
be repeated daily. Parkinson's disease can be relieved in anywhere from one to six
months.
1 54 I THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
3. Epilepsy
back of the neck, as well as to the hands and feet. Also, apply continual deep pres-
sure to the points indicated in Fig. 62 on both large toes. These measures can reduce
to about three minutes a seizure which would normally last ten minutes.
The testes, located below the torso in the sac called the scrotum, are the primary
male organs of reproduction. The peripheral layer of the testes, called the tunica
albuginea, contains about 250 lobules or chambers. Each chamber holds from one
to three minute seminiferous tubules, in which sperm are formed. (See Fig. 63.)
Mature spermatozoa lie on the inner surface of each tubule, with their heads im-
bedded in the inner lining and their tails facing outwards. (See Fig. 63.) Sperm are
created through a process of yinnization in which the cells of the tubules differentiate
into millions of sperm. Sperm are eventually discharged from each tubule, floating
upwards through the rete testis and efferent ducts to a region known as the epididy-
mis. From here, sperm must flow downward, a difficult direction for yin to move.
This process is slow and results in a temporary accumulation in the epididymis.
Sperm may be stored in this region for weeks, months, or even years.
Ejaculation of the seminal fluid occurs as a result of contractions of the lower
bladder muscles and the smooth muscle of the prostate gland, along with contrac-
tion of the muscles in the excretory ducts, especially the ductus deferens. These con-
tractions enable the sperm to move quickly, and an average ejaculation contains
about 200 to 400 million sperm. If sperm do not enter the uterus, they soon die as
a result of oxidation, but if they do, they can live for about three to five days. Their
ability to fertilize an egg, however, is limited to about 24 hours.
The production of sperm through the yin process of differentiation requires a more
yang quality blood. Men who cannot create sperm usually have a very weak quality
of blood, and often have a tendency toward anemia, and in extreme cases, are sus-
ceptible to leukemia. This results from the overconsumption of yin foods, and can
be overcome through the standard macrobiotic way of eating, with emphasis on the
type of foods recommended for anemia.
2. Impotency
Irnpotency means the inability to achieve an erection, which is made possible by the
contraction of muscles around the bladder. This condition usually arises when these
muscles become loose and expanded, and lose their normal contracting power. This
condition is generally caused by too many expansive foods, and can be relieved
through the standard way of eating, with emphasis on more compacted grains such
as
buckwheat, as well as root vegetables like carrots and burdock.
[153]
1 54 I THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Bladder
Prostate Gland
Penis
Ductus Deferens
Epididymis
Tunica Albuginea
Epididymis
Spermatozoa.
This arises in the same way as hardening of the arteries, and is caused by the over-
The Female Reproductive System / 155
consumption of animal foods like eggs, meat, and dairy products, all of which con-
tain saturated fat, as well as by foods like sugar and fruits which produce fat and
mucus. Blockage can be relieved through the standard way of eating, along with
limiting the use of oil and a temporary avoidance of nuts and other oily foods.
4. Hydrocele
This is an accumulation of water around or in the testis, and is caused by the exces-
sive intake of more expansive foods, particularly fluid. This condition can be over-
come through the standard way of eating, and by controlling the intake of liquid.
1. The Ovaries
The ovaries are the primary organs of the female reproductive system. Each of these
tiny paired organs is about the size of an almond, and it is here that the production
of eggs takes place. The central region of the ovaries is known as the medulla, while
the outer layer is called the cortex. The medulla contains blood and lymphatic vessels
and smooth muscle fibers, while the cortex contains follicles in various stages of de-
velopment. The outer surface of the ovary is covered by a single layer of cells called
the germinal epithelium. (See Fig. 64.)
2. Ovulation
About 400 of the approximately 800,000 follicles present at birth mature and dis-
charge ova, while the remainder decompose. On the average, three to five of these
400 mature follicles undergo fertilization and eventual development into a human
being.
Following ovulation, the egg, which is yang, enters the fimbriated, or finger-like
end of the Fallopian tube, and begins its downward, yang movement. At this stage,
two possibilities exist:
1. If intercourse has taken place, the egg has the possibility of being fertilized.
The union of egg and sperm occurs in the fimbriated end of the uterine tube. Since
sperm cells are yin, they begin an upward course after entering the vagina. If an
ovum is fertilized, it begins to develop as it passes through the uterine tube and into
The Female Reproductive System / 157
the uterus. Implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterus takes place after about
7-10 days.
If the path of the fertilized ovum is blocked, it will often implant in the Fallopian
tube. This condition is known as tubal pregnancy, and usually results in the rupture
of the Fallopian tube due to the growth of the embryo. The resulting hemorrhage
may have very serious effects, and in some cases, can lead to death. Tubal pregnancies
usually arise when the Fallopian tubes are blocked by thick deposits of mucus or
fat, and the major causes of this are foods which contain saturated fat. This condi-
tion can also arise if the fertilized ovum does not move through the Fallopian tube
quickly enough on its way to the uterus, resulting from the overconsumption of
sugar, spices, tropical fruits, and other similarly extreme foods.
The uterus averages 2y 2 inches in length and weighs approximately 50 grams. It
has a capacity of 2 cc to 5 cc, and is tightly constructed. During pregnancy, it in-
creases substantially, and at full term reaches a length of about 20 inches, a weight
of about 1,000 gm, and a capacity of between 5,000 cc and 7,000 cc. The uterus
returns to its original condition following delivery.
2. If sperm are not present at the time of ovulation, the ovum disintegrates in
its passage through the uterine tube, and is discharged through the process of men-
struation.
3. Menstruation
The 28-day cycle of menstruation correlates with the process of ovulation, and the
length of time taken for each stage in this cycle is largely dependent on the types of
food that a woman eats. (See Fig. 66.) For example, if a woman is eating primarily
cooked whole grains and vegetables, menstruation should take only three days, as
compared to the five days usually necessary for a woman who is eating a diet high
in meat, sugar, and dairy products. The next phase, in which the uterine lining re-
generates itself, usually takes two days. However, with proper eating this can be
accomplished in a single day. The following stage, in which the follicle matures,
lasts about eight days, and ovulation should occur in the part of the cycle which is
exactly opposite to the onset of menstruation. Ovulation is followed by the premen-
strual or progravid phase, during which a structure known as the corpus luteum
develops within the ruptured follicle. During this phase, the corpus luteum matures
and secretes progesterone, a hormone that influences the changes that take place
in the uterine wall during the second half of the menstrual cycle. The follicle and
corpus luteum eventually decompose during this phase, and are discharged during
menstruation.
If a woman is eating properly, her menstrual cycle should correlate with the
monthly lunar cycle. During the full moon, the atmosphere becomes brighter, or
Vang. A more yang girl will menstruate at this time, since the condition of the at-
mosphere will cause her to become excessively yang, thus necessitating the discharge
this excess. During the new moon, the atmosphere becomes yin, and a yin woman
w
iU usually menstruate in response to this influence. If, when a woman begins to
ea
t properly, she menstruates in between the full and the new moon, this is an indi-
1 54 I THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
cation that her condition is also "in-between." However, the onset of menstruation
will gradually start to coincide with either of these times.
During the menstrual period, a woman's excess is discharged through the skin as
well as through the menstrual flow. A woman should not wash her hair or take a
shower during this time, since both of these tend to draw this excess away from its
normal course of discharge. When this happens, a woman's face may easily become
flushed, and she may often become upset.
Menstruation
1. Menstrual Disorders
B. Excessive Menstrual Flow. This can result from either an excessive intake of
overly-yin or overly-yang foods. In the case of too many contractive foods, the blood
thickens and the flow lasts longer. This is often accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
When too many expansive foods are consumed, the blood becomes thinner than
normal, and menstruation is prolonged. When a woman eats a more balanced or
central diet, menstruation will be of shorter duration than what is common today,
and the flow will be light.
Disease 9 of the Female Reproductive System / 159
C. Irregular Menstrual Cycle. If the menstrual cycle is too short, totalling only
24 instead of 28 days, for instance, this usually indicates an overly-yang condition.
If the cycle is longer than average, lasting from 32 to 35 days, this usually means
that a woman is too yin. Both conditions can he corrected by eating a more balanced
or central diet.
In this condition, the uterus is abnormally tilted either slightly toward the front or
toward the back. In many cases, it returns to its normal position after a woman
becomes pregnant. If the uterus leans forward, the cause is too much yang, and if it
tilts towards the back, it is caused by an excess of yin. This condition can be relieved
through the standard way of eating, with slight modifications depending on the direc-
tion in which the uterus is slanted.
3. Vaginal Discharge
sea salt or kombu seaweed can be added. The water will turn brownish in color. Then,
run hot water in the bath tub, add the mixture along with another handful of sea
salt, and get in. Cover your upper body with a thick towel to avoid chills and to
absorb perspiration. As the water begins to cool, add more hot water, and stay in
the tub for 10-15 minutes.
During this time, your lower body will become very red as circulation in the area
increases, and the stagnated fat and mucus inside the vagina will start to loosen.
Immediately following the bath, douche with a preparation made with a pinch of
sea salt, the juice of V2 lemon, and bancha tea. This will help to dislodge the deposits
of mucus and fat, which have been loosened by the bath. Continue this procedure
for five days to two weeks, depending on the severity of the condition. During this
time, you should eat very well and especially avoid all dairy products, since these
are the primary cause of accumulations which develop in the female sex organs.
If dried leaves are not available, add several handfuis of sea salt to the bath water
instead. Hip baths, together with ginger compresses, are effective for any type of
cysts or tumor in the female sex organs.
A special tampon preparation can also be used to help relieve vaginal discharges.
Mix one part sesame oil with two parts grated ginger, add a pinch of sea salt, and
coat a cotton tampon with the mixture. Insert as you would insert a regular tampon
and leave in for about one hour. After removal, douche with the bancha tea mixture
described above. If the ginger causes irritation, reduce the amount and then grad-
ually increase it with each application. This should be repeated once a day for three
or four days.
Most cysts are soft when they begin to form, but with the continuation of an im-
proper diet, they harden and often calcify. This type of cyst is something like a stone,
and is very difficult to dissolve. Some varieties of cysts contain fat and protein, and
may even begin to form skin, hair, and calcium deposits resembling teeth. These are
called dermoid cysts, and are the result of eating the foods mentioned above. Oral
contraceptives also contribute to cyst formation.
5. Vaginismus
This is a spasm of the vaginal muscles. It may arise during intercourse, and is similar
to cramps that arise in the legs. The cause is excess yin. This condition can be reme-
died through the standard diet, while salt, umeboshi, or gomasio will help to relieve
the muscle spasm.
6. Prolapsed Uterus
This condition develops when the uterus drops, and part of it begins to p r o t r u d e
into the vagina. An excessive intake of yin foods causes this problem by weakenn^
the muscles and other structures which normally hold the uterus in place. The s
dard macrobiotic way of eating will reverse this condition.
Venereal Diseases I 161
Venereal Diseases
1. Chancroid
The infecting agent in this illness is a bacteria known as hemophilus ducreyi. Contact
with this bacteria may result in the appearance of multiple soft lesions, or "chancres,"
in the genital area, often accompanied by swollen lymph nodes.
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
should include vegetables which are adequately seasoned with salt and oil;
condiments like gomasio and tefcka; kinpira (root vegetables such as burdock
and carrots cut into matchstick pieces or slivered, sauteed with a small amount
of oil and water, and cooked until the water evaporates); shiokombu (kombu
seaweed pickled in tamari); azuki beans cooked with kombu; hijiki and
other seaweeds which are cooked with tamari and oil; strong miso soup which
can include scallions and dumplings made from sweet brown rice; koi-koku
(a stew made with a whole carp, burdock, and miso); as well as pickles which
are processed in salt, rice bran, or miso.
4. Recommended beverages include roasted grain tea (rice or barley) which is
boiled with a pinch of salt; brown rice soup; and azuki bean and kombu drink
(made by boiling these together with a pinch of salt and extracting the juice).
As many as seven cups of these beverages may be consumed daily in order to
relieve thirst.
This more restricted way of eating should be observed for one or two months,
even in cases where the disease has been medically treated, to establish a healthy
blood quality and ensure the elimination of the disease. The standard macrobiotic
way of eating can be resumed after this period.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Light entering the eyes normally focuses on the retina, where it creates an image
that is transferred to the brain by the optic nerve. The retina is a sensitive mem-
brane containing nerve endings, and is attached to the rear wall of the eyeball. (See
Fig. 67.) Under certain circumstances, however, it starts to detach or separate. When
this happens, light no longer focuses on the retina, and blindness often results.
Separation or detachment is a yin characteristic, and this problem results from the
overconsumption of more expansive foods, particularly liquids. To understand this
process, paste two pieces of paper together and put them in water. They will soon
begin to separate. The only cure for a detached retina is a very delicate operation.
But since an operation does not eliminate the cause, the retina will often detach
again after several years.
To relieve this problem, one should observe the standard macrobiotic way of eat-
ing, along with the following modifications: (1) control the intake of liquids; (2)
control the intake of fruit; (3) avoid sugar entirely, since it changes into water in
the body; (4) avoid raw vegetables; (5) avoid alcoholic beverages and fruit juice;
(6) avoid watery cooking. These suggestions are aimed at reducing the body's ex-
cessive water accumulation, which is responsible for the detached retina. As the body
dries, the retina will begin to reattach itself, and sight will gradually return.
Once I met with a man who was suffering from this problem. His condition did
not improve even after he had begun to eat macrobiotically. I learned that the only
type of oil he had been using was corn oil. When he substituted the more yang,
roasted sesame oil, his eyesight returned in five days. Sesame oil was traditionally
used to treat a wide variety of eye troubles. Since oil is yin, it repels excess water,
which is also yin. For medicinal use, heat a small amount of sesame oil and pour it
through a piece of sanitized cotton. Store this strained oil in a small jar and apply
°ne or two drops directly to the eyes with an eyedropper. This can be continued
once a day until the eye problem clears up.
Cataracts
With this condition, a milky film, which blocks the passage of light, develops in the
crystalline lens of the eye or its capsule, and can eventually cause blindness. Cataracts
ev
elop over a long period of time, and are generally caused by expansive foods such
jjs coffee, sugar, citrus fruit, strong drugs, dairy products, and others. Cataracts also
. 0 r r r i, however, when the gelatinous lens is composed of saturated animal fat result-
lng f r o m
the intake of meat and eggs, as well as cheese, butter, and other dairy foods.
[163]
1 70 I THE FACE A N D HEAD
To relieve this condition. (1) avoid the above foods and begin the standard macro-
biotic way of eating; (2) apply hot water or warm baneha tea compresses to the eyes
five or six times a day; (3) apply one or two drops of strained sesame oil to the eyes
every day before going to bed in order to speed the discharge of yin. Cataracts can
be relieved in about three or four months with this approach.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when the fluid in the eyeball begins to exert abnormal pressure
against the other regions of the eye. This pressure, caused by excessive liquid intake,
may damage the retina and destroy portions of the optic nerve, and often results in
blindness. Draining this liquid is a standard medical treatment, but, because the
cause is ignored, this condition often returns after several weeks or months. Along
with the overconsumption of liquid, glaucoma can be caused by the intake of other
expansive foods such as sugar, milk, and fruit. Diabetes often accompanies this con-
dition, since both are caused by similar types of food. The macrobiotic approach to
glaucoma is basically the same as that for cataracts.
About 12 years ago I met a minister suffering from glaucoma. He was judged to
be legally blind. One night he dreamed that he had recovered his sight. The following
day, he met a woman who told him about macrobiotics. He later came to see me
with his wife assisting him, and they both began to practice macrobiotics. To relieve
his condition, the strict control of liquid was essential. After several months, he again
visited with his wife, and I advised him to increase the amount of soup that he was
having and to add more green vegetables, since he had become very thin and dry.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 165
Two weeks later he came for a surprise visit without his wife. His sight was returning.
He then visited every other day, and after ten days he was able to go out without his
cane. He had been cured. He was in his seventies and was a very humble man. He
had been able to control himself to the extent of being able to overcome his problem.
4. Nearsightedness
In this case, the light entering the lens focuses in front of, rather than on, the retina.
(See Fig. 68.) This condition can result from either of two basic causes. The first
type occurs when the eyeball elongates as a result of the overconsumption of expan-
sive, or yin foods, although the lens itself doesn't change. About 9 5 % of all present
cases of nearsightedness result from this cause. In the second type, the eyeball stays
the same but the lens contracts. This is caused by the overconsumption of yang foods
such as meat and salt.
To relieve the first type of nearsightedness, begin the standard macrobiotic way of
eating, while controlling the intake of yin, including liquid. The second type of near-
sightedness can be treated by the standard way of eating with a slight emphasis
toward good quality yin foods and a more yin style of preparation. In both condi-
tions, improvement will occur gradually.
5. Farsightendness
When the eyeball is smaller or more contracted than usual, light will focus at a point
behind the retina causing farsightedness. (See Fig. 69.) Since babies have smaller
eyeballs, during their first five months to one year they normally have this condi-
tion. Many elderly people are farsighted because, with age, the eyeball starts to
shrink. To relieve this more yang condition, meat and other animal products should
be avoided, and salt should be used in moderation. The standard macrobiotic way
°f eating should be adopted, and more oil than usual can be used in cooking.
Crossed Eyes
There are three basic causes of crossed eyes. (See Fig. 70.) The first type, in which
l
he eyes point inward towards the nose, results from the overconsumption of foods
such as eggs, meat, or salt. To relieve this condition, observe the standard macro-
'°tic way of eating with less salt and very little or no animal food. The second type.
' n which the eyes point outward, is caused more by expansive foods. Observing the
1 70 I THE FACE AND HEAD
standard way of eating along with controlling the intake of yin, will help this prob-
lem. The third type, in which one eye points inward and the other points outward,
results from extremes of both yin and yang in one's diet, and can be relieved by eat-
ing foods which are more central or balanced.
7. Color Blindness
There are two basic types of color blindness. One is caused by the overconsumption
of meat, salt, and animal foods. With this condition, a person is insensitive to the
color red, which is yang. The second type is caused by too many yin foods, and
results in an inability to detect colors at the opposite, or blue-green end of the spec-
trum. In both cases, a person should observe the standard macrobiotic way of eating.
With yang color blindness, the person should moderate his use of salt and avoid
most animal foods, while emphasizing items which are slightly more yin. For the
opposite type of color blindness, a slightly more yang selection and preparation of
foods should be emphasized.
The eyes are closely related to the liver and the sexual organs. When dealing with
eye troubles, the most important factor is proper diet, along with various applica-
tions such as sesame oil drops. At the same time, we should always consider their
relationship to the liver, and use such applications as hot ginger compresses to treat
this organ. Simple eye exercises are also helpful. For example, close your eyes and
cover them with your palms. Move them up and down, then left and right, and then
rotate them in a clockwise and then in a counterclockwise direction. Repeat each
motion about thirty times before moving on to the next.
In the chapter. The Way of Diagnosis, we outlined the major pressure-points
useful in diagnosing and treating eye problems. Simple massage or cigarette moxa
can be applied to these points to help relieve any type of eye disorder. Eye problems
are often accompanied by tension on the sides of the head as well as in the back of
the neck. Simple light massage will release tension and accelerate the improvement
of eye troubles.
The Macrobiotic Approach to Respiratory Diseases / 167
A. Looseness of the Eardrum. In order for a drum to create a clear, sharp sound,
its skin must be tight. The same is true of the ear. If the eardrum is loose, it will not
conduct sound well. Looseness of the eardrum is caused by the overconsumption of
liquid and other yin foods. If you feel wetness when you insert a finger into your
ear, your hearing may be from ten to thirty percent below normal.
B. Clogged Auditory Ossicles. The auditory ossicles are three small bones located
in the middle ear which amplify and transmit sound vibrations. These tiny bones
are named for their shape, and are called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup. If they be-
come clogged with sticky fat or mucus, their vibrating ability will be impaired and
sound will not be transmitted well. This blockage is usually caused by the overcon-
sumption of mucus- or fat-forming foods such as animal fat, dairy products, sugar,
fruits and fruit juice, and nuts and nut butters.
C. Problems with the Cochlea. The cochlea is a tiny, spiral-shaped, bony organ
deep within the inner ear containing a fluid which transmits sound vibrations. If
the quantity of this liquid changes, or if it becomes thick and sticky, the transmission
of sound will be impaired. The foods which cause this problem are often the same as
those which produce trouble in the ossicles, particularly extremely yin foods which
have the effect of thickening or "freezing" this internal liquid. Sugar, cold iced drinks,
Vitamin C, and drugs and medications can have this effect.
D. Auditory Nerve Damage. This nerve, resembling a fine hair, vibrates in response
to sound impulses, and then transmits these impulses to the auditory centers of the
brain. If it is coated with fat or mucus or if it is swollen, it loses its sensitivity to
these sound vibrations. In this case the nerve is not vibrated by incoming sound and
thus the impulses are not transmitted to the brain. This condition results from the
overconsumption of yin foods, and is similar to the above problems.
In most cases, deafness results from clogged auditory ossicles. An operation to
remove mucus and fat deposits is the present medical approach to this problem, but,
without a change in diet, the condition often returns. The worst food for our hearing
and ear condition is ice cream, which is presently the number one dessert in America,
even during the cold winter months. You may notice that your ears ring even after
eating several spoonfuls.
A clogged or sticky inner ear condition can be relieved by eliminating foods which
produce mucus or fat, such as dairy, sugar, saturated animal fat, fruit juice, and by
observing the standard macrobiotic way of eating. Within the standard way of eating,
the intake of liquid should be moderate. Along with proper diet, repeated ginger
compresses around the ears will help to melt these deposits. Wax deposits stuck in-
side the ear can be removed by the application of several drops of warm sesame oil
from an eyedropper, followed by a warm bancha tea rinse, in which a pinch of sea
salt has been added. Banging the sides of the head above the ears is also helpful, and
you can directly stimulate the ears by covering them with the palm of one hand and
1 70 I THE FACE A N D HEAD
tapping hard with two fingers of the other. Do this between fifty and one hundred
times. These simple exercises are often included in the practice of Do-In, or self-
massage. Since the ears correlate with the kidneys, these treatments will benefit their
condition as well.
The Teeth
Tooth enamel is harder than bone tissue. The dentine, located under the enamel, is
similar to bone, but is not composed of bone cells. It is also harder than bone. The
central part of the tooth, or pulp, contains nerves and blood vessels and is the softest
part. Tooth decay can arise when the quality of the saliva or the blood is poor.
Saliva should be slightly alkaline, but if it becomes more yin or acidic, it starts
to melt the enamel of the teeth. You can see how this work* if you have a tooth that
has fallen out. Soak it in a glass of Coca-Cola or any other soft drink overnight.
By the following day, the tooth will already have started 10 soften and decay. If it
had been placed in a glass of salt water, however, this would not have happened.
If the quality of the blood is not good, the dentine will start to weaken and will
easily chip. Many types of bacteria live in healthy saliva, producing enzymes that
are beneficial to the teeth. However, in acidic or unbalanced saliva, a different
The Teeth / 169
Enamel
Dentine
Gum Line
Pulp
quality of bacteria flourish which attack and weaken the teeth, resulting in tooth
decay. The original cause of both types of tooth decay is an improper quality of
blood resulting from the intake of foods like meat, sugar, fruits, drugs, and other
acid-forming foods. The best way to care for the teeth is to avoid these items as much
as possible and to eat whole grains, beans, cooked vegetables and other macrobio-
tically-prepared natural foods.
Tooth pain arises when either the nerve or the gum is exposed as a result of decay.
Also, when the nerve becomes swollen, it exerts pressure that causes pain. For relief
the nerve must be contracted by eating more yang food such as gomasio or umeboshi
plums Also, eat a little salt every ten to thirty minutes and at the same time apply
ctentie (roasted eggplant and sea salt powder) to the tooth. Within two hours your
blood will become yang, causing the nerve to contract and the pain to disappear.
Healthy gums are pink. Red gums are caused by expanded blood capillaries result-
ing from the intake of expansive foods, including drugs and medications. An oppo-
site condition is scurvy, which is caused by an excessive consumption of meat, eggs,
and salt without enough yin factors, such as green leafy vegetables, to balance. If we
eat a more balanced diet, this condition will not arise. Foods like hard, leafy greens,
hard root vegetables, and hard seaweeds are good for strengthening the teeth, par-
ticularly the dentine portion.
To clean the teeth, use dentie, sea salt, or clean soil. If you binge on sugar, gargle
as soon as you can with salted bancha tea or salt water, to re-establish the alkaline
condition of your saliva. Natural-bristle toothbrushes made from rice or wheat
straw, animal hair, or other natural materials are recommended for tooth care.
The structure of the teeth reflects the order of the universe. We have thirty-two
teeth which correlate to the thirty-two vertebrae of the spine. Together these equal
sixty-four, the number of hexagrams recorded in the I Ching, which is an ancient
oriental book on practical cosmology. Our permanent teeth show the biological
1 70 I THE FACE A N D HEAD
history of man and the types of foods that we are best suited to eat. Of the thirty-
two teeth, we have twenty molars which are used primarily for grinding grain, as well
as eight incisors which are most effective for cutting vegetables. The four canine
teeth can be used for tearing flesh or animal foods. Accordingly, twenty-eight of our
teeth, the molars and incisors, are suited for vegetable quality foods, while the four
canines can be used for animal foods, in a ratio of seven to one. Five parts of our
diet should therefore consist of whole grain cereals, two parts should be vegetables,
and one part can include animal food.
Human biological history is the result of eating cereals as main foods, to which
supplemental vegetables were added. As shown in the structure of our teeth, animal
foods comprised only minor portions of the diet. In fact, they were mainly used only
for relatively short periods to balance extremely cold environmental conditions such
as those produced by the Ice Ages, and not as long-term principal foods. (See Fig.
73.)
If you are eating well, it is often unnecessary to have cavities filled, provided that
the condition of your saliva remains slightly alkaline. Tooth decay will be arrested
or halted in this type of environment. Avoid having a tooth removed if the roots are
still in good condition, since pulled teeth tend to produce an irritable mental or
emotional disposition.
The Hair / 171
Teeth that slant inward show that an abundance of more yang foods were con-
sumed during childhood, while protruding teeth are caused by excessive quantities
of yin. If the teeth are chaotic—some slanting inward while others are slanting out-
ward—a person's way of eating was also chaotic, with extremes of both in the diet.
Teeth that overlap usually result from the jaw being too contracted. This is caused
by too many yang foods. Spaces between teeth are caused by yin. There is an old
oriental saying that if you have spaces between the teeth you will not be present at
the death of your parents, since these were considered to be signs of separation.
In the chapter. The Way of Diagnosis, we studied the pressure point under the
middle of the jawbone which can be used to diagnose and treat tooth problems.
Strong massage or cigarette moxa on this point will help to relieve any type of tooth
disorder. Other helpful treatments include massaging the gums by pressing the out-
side of the mouth with your fingers, pounding the head, and clicking the teeth. These
simple exercises should be repeated about 100 times, and have been used for thou-
sands of years as a part of the practice of Do-In. Gold is the best material for fillings,
since it carries a more neutral or balanced charge. Other materials are either slightly
more negatively or slightly more positively charged, and therefore tend to alter the
normal electromagnetic charge which is generated in the mouth.
The Hair
Hair can be compared to a growing plant. If the soil in which plants grow becomes
too moist, they can be easily pulled from the ground. The same thing applies to hair.
From the sebaceous gland down is the root of the hair. If this region becomes too
watery, the hair will begin to fall out. The cause is too much yin in this case, es-
pecially liquids and fruit. On the other hand, if good rich soil becomes too dry,
like sand, plants can also be easily pulled out. Again, if the root of the hair becomes
too dry, it will also fall out. This type of baldness is caused by too much yang in the
form of animal food and salt. Baldness, as we can see, can be caused by extremes at
either end of the scale.
Drinking excess liquid causes perspiration to form on the forehead because this
region correlates with the bladder which discharges liquid. Often, if you continuously
drink too much, the hair in the front of the head will start to fall out. This type of
baldness is often accompanied by frequent urination. When hair falls out of the
center of the head around the hair spiral, the cause is yang—a dry condition result-
ing from too much animal food and salt. This area of the head correlates to the
duodenum and small intestine, and falling hair indicates trouble in these organs.
Aside from eating macrobiotically, you can stop balding by applying the juice of
umeboshi plums to your hair for several days.
2. Grey Hair
Often when a person is anemic, his or her face, nails, and hair start to turn white.
This is the result of poor circulation caused by the consumption of too much fat,
1 72 I THE FACE A N D HFAD
3. Frizzy Hair
4. Split Ends
Splitting hair is also caused by the overconsumption of yin. As in the case of frizzy
hair, it indicates that the ovaries or testes have become weak. Since the hair also
correlates to the intestinal villi, persons with either condition often suffer from
chronic digestive disorders. The standard macrobiotic way of eating will gradually
reduce this condition.
5. Dryness
Dry hair is usually caused by too many yang foods, as well as not enough oil. Within
the standard way of eating, seaweeds like kombu, hijiki, and wakame are especially
good for this condition, particularly when they are cooked for a long period over a
low flame. Cook the seaweed with a little oil and tamari soy sauce for about four or
five hours. This type of preparation will make the seaweed soft, salty, and slightly
oily. A small portion eaten daily will produce strong and healthy hair and will nor-
malize the condition of the scalp.
6. Dandruff
Dandruff is nothing but the discharge of excess through the scalp, particularly protein
and animal fat. Aside from animal products, overeating in general can produce dan-
druff. To relieve this condition, begin the standard macrobiotic way of eating, control
your intake of food, and chew very well. Your dandruff will soon disappear.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Pregnancy
When a woman becomes pregnant, she normally experiences the following phys-
iological, emotional, and psychological changes: (1) Menstruation stops. (2) The
breasts and nipples become slightly larger and harder, and are painful when touched.
(3) Her taste for food alters. In some cases the desire for items such as brown rice
and miso diminishes, while the hunger for fruits, sour foods, dairy products, fish,
and other items increases. When this occurs, it is best for a woman to follow her
intuition while trying to maintain the standard macrobiotoic way of eating. (4) Irrit-
ability. (5) Dreams that relate to pregnancy. (6) Morning sickness. This happens
when a woman has an overly yin condition. Vomiting is a way of discharging this
excess, and to obtain relief, a pinch of gomasio or an umeboshi plum should be eaten.
A. The Period of the Ovum. This pre-embryonic period begins with fertilization
and continues until the fertilized ovum is implanted in the uterus. It lasts between
8 and 10 days.
B. The Period of the Embryo. Extending from implantation until the end of the
second month, or about 48-50 days from the date of conception, this is the time dur-
ing which the rudiments of all the organ systems develop, representing a long epoch
in the history of the evolution of biological life. A tail emerges during this period,
becomes prominent at about the sixth week, and then begins to disappear.
C. The Period of the Fetus. The following changes occur during this period, which
extends from the beginning of the third month through delivery:
/. Third Month. The external genitalia differentiate and the sex of the fetus can
be determined.
2. Fourth Month. Peripheral development occurs at this stage. Hair grows
on the head and body, nails appear, and sense organs like the eyes, ears, mouth, and
nose develop.
3. Fifth Month. Deep internal development occurs during this period, includ-
ing the formation of blood cells, the development of the bone marrow, and central
regions of the internal organs.
4. Sixth and Seventh Months. During this stage, the body becomes better pro-
portioned.
5. Eighth Month. The fetus continues to grow and to complete its development
during this period.
At full term, the average weight of the embryo is approximately seven pounds.
[173]
1 7 4 I N A T U R A L P R E G N A N C Y , CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
In the Orient, the education that a fetus received in the womb was considered far
more important than that received after birth. This training was known as Tai-Kyo,
which means "education during the embryonic period." The following aspects were
emphasized as a part of this education.
1. Food
The fertilized ovum increases approximately three billion times in size, or roughly
ten million times each day of the nine months of pregnancy. During this time, the
quality of its nourishment is entirely dependent on the quality of the mother's blood.
Embryological development parallels the evolution of life on earth. It is now es-
timated that life originally appeared on earth about 3.2 billion years ago. Roughly
2.8 billion years of the evolutionary process were spent in water, while approximately
0.4 billion years of development occurred on land. This 2.8 billion year period cor-
responds to the 280 days of pregnancy, and the embryo passes through the equiva-
lent of about 10 million years of evolutionary development each day. The process of
embryological development generally occurs according to the following logarithmic
stages:
1. 7 days—implantation
2. 21 days—formation of major bodily systems
3. 63 days—system development; gland and organ formation
4. 189 days—overall strengthening and development
280 days total
After the first three months, the baby's constitution has been largely formed. Ex-
treme foods eaten after this tend to affect the more peripheral regions of the body.
For example, between the third and fifth months of pregnancy the webbing disap-
pears between the fingers. If a mother eats plenty of yin food during this time, the
force of contraction which causes the webbing to disappear is diminished. This can
result in a baby being born with webbed fingers.
2. Physical Activity
If a pregnant woman is lazy, her child will often have a similar tendency, while if
she keeps busy, her child will develop more active tendencies. Good physical activity
will produce a stronger, more compact and active baby.
If a woman maintains a quiet, peaceful mentality during pregnancy, her child will
tend to develop a more gentle personality. However, if she quarrels or frequently
becomes angry, her child will have the tendency to become unhappy and experience
many difficulties throughout life. The cultivation of a peaceful and happy attitude
during pregnancy is as much the responsibility of the father as it is of the mother,
since the husband exerts a strong influence on his wife's thoughts and emotions.
If a pregnant woman becomes upset, worries, or considers an abortion, the baby will
be adversely affected.
Many of us are aware of how thoughts and emotions influence plants. It has been
shown that negative thoughts or emotional states adversely affect a plant, while more
positive thoughts produce beneficial effects. How much more profound are the
mother's thoughts and emotions in their effect on the embryo growing in her body?
Thoughts manifest as vibrational wavelengths around the brain, and are particularly
active around the midbrain. From there they are transferred along the primary chan-
nel (please refer to the section in this book on meridian diagnosis), passing through
the hara region, which is the area deep within the uterus where implantation occurs.
If the mother's thoughts are calm and tranquil, the vibrational environment of the
uterus will reflect this harmony. If her thoughts are chaotic and disorderly, however,
the embryo will experience this type of vibrational environment. For example, if a
mother considers an abortion, the vibrational quality of the uterus will immediately
become chaotic, and the fetus will begin to sense possible danger.
In many oriental countries, a newly pregnant woman would begin to make order
in her daily life by regularly cleaning her house, washing her clothes, and by pre-
paring herself for the new baby. As much as possible, she tried to avoid books or
entertainment that dealt with crime, war, mystery, sex, or other overstimulating sub-
jects. To cultivate her spirituality, she was encouraged to pray and offer her gratitude
to her ancestors, nature, and the universe. This sense of order, gratitude and tran-
quility was transferred to the baby.
1 7 6 I N A T U R A L P R E G N A N C Y , CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
1. Bleeding
An excessive intake of either extremely yin or yang foods can cause bleeding. Foods
such as salt and animal products may cause the blood to thicken and be discharged,
while items such as fruit, liquid, sugar, and spices often cause the capillaries in the
ovaries and uterus to weaken and rupture If the bleeding is caused by excessive yang,
begin the standard macrobiotic way of eating, while avoiding animal foods and using
a moderate or small amount of salt. For bleeding which results from the opposite
cause, begin the standard way of eating, and avoid salads, fruit, and excessive liquid
until the condition improves.
2. Miscarriage
3. Premature Birth
Childbirth
About 280 days after the onset of the last menstrual period, the fetus is ready for
birth into the air world. Parturition or labor is the process by which the fetus is sepa-
rated from its mother. It lasts from the time the first contractions begin until the
placenta is discharged following the birth of the baby. For women who are pregnant
with their first child, labor averages about 16-17 hours among whites, and about 17-
18 hours among Negroes. Among multiparous women (those who have previously
borne one or more children), these figures are respectively about 11 and 121/2 hours.
With each child, the period of labor tends to shorten. A shorter period of labor
Childbirth / 177
indicates that a woman is more yang. Among macrobiotic women, regardless of
race, the average is between 8 and 10 hours for the first child and between 4 and 8
hours for the following children.
A. The First Stage of Labor. Repeated contractions of the uterus force the sac
in which the baby is floating, known as the amniotic sac, into the cervix. As a result,
the cervix dilates, allowing the baby's head to enter the cervical canal. When con-
tractions start to occur at five minute intervals, the sac usually ruptures and the
amniotic fluid moistens and lubricates the birth canal. This period, from the first
contraction to the breaking of the sac, takes about six hours. This stage corresponds
to the time on the earth when biological life shifted from evolutionary development
in water to development on land. The period of land formation, during which many
earthquakes took place, is replicated in the contractions of the uterus, after which
we begin life as a land animal.
B. The Second Stage of Labor. Beginning with the complete dilation of the cervix,
this period continues until the baby is separated from its mother. This usually takes
up to four hours for most women, while two hours is the average for macrobiotic
women.
C. The Third Stage of Labor. After delivery, contractions of the uterus resume,
and the placenta separates from the uterine wall and is discharged from the mother's
body. This should occur within one-half hour after delivery, and preferably within
15 to 20 minutes. However, if a woman's condition is not strong, this process may
take up to six hours. After the placenta is discharged, the uterus continues to con-
tract, causing the ends of the ruptured blood vessels to close.
A. Labor Pains. Pain occurs during delivery when nerves and tissues become ex-
panded from the overconsumption of liquid, sugar, drugs, medications, and other
similar items. When contractions begin, these swollen tissues press on the nerves and
produce pain. If a woman is in a normal, healthy condition the experience of child-
birth should not be painful. Childbirth is normally a very happy event during which
a woman should not experience pain.
B. Breech Birth. The baby's head is the most yang part of its body and should
emerge from the cervix first. Breech birth means that the feet come out first, and
indicates that the head is not compacted or heavy enough to assume a downward
position. This results from the mother's overconsumption of expansive foods. If a
woman is in good condition, and if the baby is not too large, a breech birth can be
performed naturally, without any medication or surgical procedure.
1 7 8 I N A T U R A L P R E G N A N C Y , CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
F. Twins. Twins can be either diovular or monovular. Diovular twins, also known
as "false" twins, result from the separate fertilization of two ova by two sperm. This
type of fertilization indicates that a woman has a generally more yin condition, and
about 75% of ail twins belong to this type. Monovular or "identical" twins develop
from a single fertilized ovum which splits into two. This can occur in one of two
The Newborn Baby / 179
ways: (1) A more yang way, in which the fertilized ovum contains two nuclei. This
is similar to chicken eggs which contain two yolks. (2) A more yin way in which two
separate masses develop as the fertilized ovum moves through the Fallopian tubes.
Diovular, or fraternal, twins are usually very different from each other, but mono-
vular twins are considered to be identical. If you observe them closely, however, you
will notice that one is more active or yang, while the other is usually more quiet or
yin. Identical twins serve to balance each other during the equivalent of the roughly
three billion years of biological evolution that they spend together in the womb.
After birth, they usually continue to be attracted to each other through strong psy-
chological and spiritual bonds, similar in many ways to the attraction between hus-
band and wife. Identical twins often have unusual experiences with each other
throughout life. For example, if one becomes sick, the other often senses that some-
thing is wrong.
Multiple births are not normal for human beings. In some traditional societies, it
was even considered unhealthy for a woman to bear twins. A woman who gives birth
to twins may often produce more than one set during her life. The tendency to have
twins usually skips a generation. This is also often true in cases of so-called "here-
ditary" diseases and arises because of the tendency of yin to produce yang and vice
versa. For example, suppose one generation eats more yang types of food and as a
result gives birth to more yang children. These in turn will be attracted to more yin
mates as well as more yin food, and they will consequently give birth to a third gen-
eration of children having more yin constitutions. These children will in turn be at-
tracted to more yang types of foods, as were their grandparents. It is for this reason
that our character and constitution tend to resemble those of our grandparents.
1. Lactation
Breast feeding has many advantages over other types of nourishment, for both infant
and mother. Mothers' milk is superior to cows' milk for humans in a variety of ways:
1. It contains a smaller percentage of minerals than does cows' milk. This is the
reason that people who drink cows' milk tend to develop a heavier bone struc-
ture and grow quickly.
2. It contains less protein than cows' milk, but this protein exists primarily in
the form of soluble lactalbumin, which is relatively easy to digest. Since the
caseinogen contained in cows' milk is relatively insoluble in the human diges-
tive system, it often coagulates in the stomach and leads to diarrhea and other
digestive disorders.
3. The fat contained in mothers' milk is easier for humans to digest and contains
less fatty acid than cows' milk.
4. With human milk, the alkaline condition of the body can be maintained with-
out the action of buffers. The repeated intake of cows' milk, which is more
acidic, requires the mobilization of minerals leeched from the bones and teeth
to serve as buffers in maintaining an alkaline blood condition.
5. The composition of human milk varies during the first several weeks in order
to meet the changing needs of the infant.
1 8 0 I N A T U R A L P R E G N A N C Y , CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
protein L5 K5_ J_
=
fat+carbohydrate 4.0+6.0 ~~ 10.0 ~~ T
As seen in Fig. 75, the proportions of the human body reflect the same one-to-
seven ratio that exists in human milk, while the body of a cow reflects the two-to-
five ratio found in cows' milk. Since our physical development is guided by food, a
baby nourished on cows' milk tends to develop a large bone and body structure,
similar to that of a cow, while mental development, which is also determined by
food, tends to become dull and lacking in sensitivity. Goats' milk is also an inade-
quate substitute for human milk. Human milk substitutes should be used only if
the mother is very sick or in extreme cases where an infant's survival is threatened.
Breast feeding creates a strong psychological and emotional bond between mother
and child, through which both experience a natural feeling of oneness which con-
tinues throughout life. Breast-fed children very naturally develop a feeling of love
and respect for their mothers, and mothers who breastfeed their children establish
a lifelong bond with them.
2. Infant Care
When selecting clothing for a newborn, try to choose all cotton items. Underwear
should especially be made of cotton and should be undyed. Try not to overdress
your baby. Frequent baths in warm water accelerate a baby's metabolism, and after
several weeks a baby can be taken outdoors. Never place an infant in direct s u n l i g h t ,
The Newborn Baby / 181
Fig. 75. The human body generally reflects the one-to-seven ratio found
also in human milk, while the form of a cow reflects the two-to-five ratio
found in cow's milk.
Breast tumors, cysts, cancers, or similar disorders can all be treated in the same
general manner. Breast cancer is one of the easiest types of cancers to overcome
through proper eating and way of life. Uterine and skin cancer, as well as breast
cysts or tumors also respond quickly to changes in diet and way of life. Operations
or radiation treatments are not necessary for these conditions.
The dietary approach to these disorders is discussed in the chapter, The Progres-
1 8 2 I N A T U R A L PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
Let us consider the following developmental stages which occur after birth:
1. The Period of the Newborn. This is also known as the neonatal period, and
extends from birth to about the end of the first month. During this period the infant
adapts to his new environment, and growth is guided by mechanical consciousness.
2. Infancy. Sensory awareness develops during this stage, which extends from
the first month until the infant stands up (around the 16th month).
3. Childhood. Lasting until puberty, this period can be divided into the follow-
ing stages: (1) From the age of 1 to 6, known as early childhood or the milk-tooth
period. (2) From 6 to 10, known as middle childhood or the permanent-tooth period.
(3) From 10 to puberty, known as late childhood or the prepubertal period. During
this stage, sentimental or emotional consciousness awakens and starts to unfold.
4. Puberty. Puberty begins for girls with the onset of menstruation around the
age of 14 ( 7 x 2 ) , while boys attain puberty around the age of 16 (8 x 2). This reflects
the cyclical changes which occur every seven years for women and every eight
years for men. The sexual organs become functional during this time and secondary
sexual characteristics begin to develop.
5. Adolescence. The period of adolescence extends from puberty until the age
of 24 for men (8 x 3) and until 21 ( 7 x 3 ) for women. During this stage, intellectual
consciousness develops.
6. Maturity. Early maturity extends until about age 35. During this time, social
consciousness develops and matures. Later maturity lasts until 56 (8 x 7 ) for men,
and 49 (7 x 7) for women. It is during this time that our understanding of life and
the universe naturally develops.
7. The Terminal Age. Lasting until the age of 125 or longer, it is during this
time that we achieve our potential as human beings through the development of
supreme or universal consciousness.
The time that we spend in the womb is a biological replica of the evolutionary
period during which life developed on earth from a single cell to the first land ani-
mals. This period of evolution occurred in a watery environment. Infancy cor-
1 8 4 I N A T U R A L P R E G N A N C Y , CHILDBIRTH. A N D CHII DCARI
Our diet should change in accordance with the development of our teeth. The
front teeth appear at about the age of 7-9 months, while the first molars develop
around the age of 12-14 months. At about the age of 16-17 months, the canine teeth
appear, and the second molars develop at about the age of 20-24 months.
The quantity of breast milk should gradually be decreased at about the age of six
months, while the percentage of soft foods, which should contain practically no salt,
should gradually be increased. Milk should be stopped around the time the first
molars appear (12-14 months). If the child is weaned too soon, he will become stub-
born, and if too late, he will become timid and overly-attached to the mother.
The soft foods which the baby should receive include a grain and bean mixture
known as kokkoh, as well as: (1) soft-cooked rice, prechewed rice, mochi, millet,
mashed noodles, and oatmeal; (2) vegetables that are either boiled, steamed, or
sauteed, and then mashed; (3) mashed beans; (4) mashed seaweed, which may com-
prise between 5% and 10% of the diet. Kokkoh is made from (1) 50% brown rice,
(2) 30% sweet brown rice, (3) 15% azuki beans, and (4) 5% sesame seeds. To pre-
pare kokkoh, roast each of the ingredients separately without burning, add 3 to 4
parts water plus a tiny amount of salt, and cook. Then, mash this mixture in a suri-
bachi or a food mill. Kokkoh should be more watery for younger babies, and can
be used as a substitute for breast milk in emergencies. Infants should receive only a
tiny amount of salt or none at all.
Harder foods should be introduced around the time the first molars appear, and
by the age of 20-24 months, should comprise the mainstay of the diet. At about the
beginning of the third year, a child should receive 1/3 to 1/4 of the amount of salt
used by an adult. A child's intake of salt should continue to be less than an adult's
until about the 7th or 8th year. (See Fig. 76.)
Bowed legs result from an overly-expanded condition, and are often the result of
feeding. A baby with this condition should be taken outdoors often and should be
given less food. Knock knees result from an overly-yang condition, and can be al-
leviated by making the child's food a little more yin. If a baby has already started to
walk and then returns to crawling, this is usually the result of too much salt. It can be
relieved by eliminating salt and by making the diet a little more yin.
2. Measles
Every child should have the measles, and the earlier the better. Measles allows a
child to discharge the excessive yang that has accumulated during the embryonic
period, and if a child does not develop this sickness, his growth will be hindered.
After having the measles, a child becomes more yin and begins to grow rapidly.
Measles begins with the appearance of a fever, accompanied by a slight loss of
appetite and a feeling of fatigue. The fever usually continues for two or three days,
during which time parents often start to worry. Children between the ages of one
Mumps j 185
and two usually have a low fever, but it may be high if the child is older.
Spots usually start to appear within three to four days after the fever begins, but
may take up to ten days to appear. Once you know that the child has measles, don't
apply any medication or application normally used to reduce fever. Rather than sup-
pressing the fever, we should encourage the discharge of excessive yang by making
the surroundings more yin. This can be accomplished by (1) placing a kettle or seve-
ral steaming pots in the child's room; (2) making the child's room darker; and (3)
keeping the windows closed and avoiding exposure to bright sunlight. Cold temper-
ature and bright sunlight can have the effect of suppressing the discharge, and this
can be detrimental to the internal organs. If the fever becomes too high (over 103
degrees), place a tofu or chlorophyll plaster on the forehead only, and remove it as
soon as the fever starts to drop.
If the measles start to disappear after only several days, give the child daikon radish
drink, which can be made by combining a teaspoon of grated daikon with a drop of
freshly grated ginger juice and several drops of rice honey or barley malt. Mix in
hot water and serve a half teacup. The child can have this drink three or four times
a day. These proportions are for a one-year-old child. For a two-year-old. double
the quantity of all the ingredients, and for a five-year-old, again double the quantity.
This will help to reactivate the discharge.
If the child is coughing excessively, you may prepare brown rice soup with lotus
root and the finely chopped skin of a tangerine or mandarin orange. In the begin-
ning stages, the measles appear as red dots which later start to fade into the sur-
rounding skin. If the child's skin becomes itchy during this time, apply pure sesame
oil or daikon juice for relief.
Mumps
Caused by the consumption of too many yin foods, this is not a necessary disease.
It often arises after a child eats several apples, tomatoes, birthday cake, ice-cream,
or potatoes. The symptoms of mumps include fever and pain behind and underneath
the ears, followed several days later by swelling.
For relief, we should try to make the quality of the child's blood more yang.
Foods such as burdock, ume-shoyu-kuzu, and gomasio are helpful for this, as is
restricting the intake of liquid. Naturally, all extreme foods should be avoided, and
the child should generally stay within the standard macrobiotic way of eating. Be
careful, however, not to give the child too much salt.
If the child experiences constipation or blockage in the intestines, an enema made
by adding salt to warm water or bancha tea can be very helpful. The solution should
be less salty than sea water. External applications such as tofu or taro plaster can
also be applied over the swelling to bring about relief.
APPENDIX A
Natural Applications
1. Buckwheat Plaster: Will draw retained water and excess fluid from swollen
areas of the body. Mix buckwheat flour with enough hot water to form a stiff, hard
dough and apply, in a half-inch layer, to the affected area. As it draws excess fluid,
the dough becomes soft and watery. Replace with a fresh, stiff dough every 3-4
hours.
2. Brown Rice Cream: Used to nourish and energize in case of a weakened con-
dition, or when the digestive ability is impaired. Roast brown rice evenly until all
the grains turn a yellowish color. To one part rice, add a small amount of sea salt
and 3-6 parts water, and pressure cook for at least two hours. Squeeze out the creamy
part of the cooked rice gruel with a sanitized cheesecloth. Eat with a small volume
of condiment, such as umeboshi plum, gomasio (sesame salt), tekka, kelp or other
seaweed powder.
3. Carp Plaster: Reduces high fever, as in the case of pneumonia. Crush and
mash a whole, live carp, and mix with a small amount of white wheat flour. Spread
this mixture onto an oiled paper and apply to the chest. When treating pneumonia,
drink one to two teaspoons of carp blood, and then apply the plaster. Take the body
temperature every half hour, and immediately remove the carp plaster when the tem-
perature reaches normal.
4. Daikon Radish Drink: Drink No. 1: Will reduce a fever by inducing sweating.
Mix half a cup of grated fresh daikon with one tablespoon of tamari soy sauce and
one quarter teaspoon grated ginger. Pour hot bancha tea over this mixture, stir and
drink while hot. Drink No. 2: To induce urination. Use a piece of cheesecloth to
squeeze the juice from the grated daikon. Mix two tablespoons of this juice with
six tablespoons of hot water to which a pinch of sea salt has been added. Boil this
mixture and drink only once a day. Do not use this concoction more than three
consecutive days without proper supervision and never use it without first boiling.
6. Dried Daikon Leaves: Used to warm the body and to treat various disorders
of the skin and female sexual organs. Also helpful in drawing odors and excessive
oils from the body. Dry fresh daikon leaves in the house, away from direct sunlight,
until they turn brown and brittle. (If daikon leaves are unavailable, turnip greens can
be substituted.) Boil 4-5 bunches of the leaves in 4-5 quarts of water until the water
[187]
1 8 8 I N A T U R A L APPLICATIONS
turns brown. Stir in a handful of sea salt and use in one of the following ways:
1. Dip cotton linen into the hot liquid and wring lightly. Apply to the affected
area repeatedly, until the skin becomes completely red.
2. Soak in a hot bath in which this mixture has been added.
3. Women experiencing problems in their sexual organs should sit in the bath
described above with the water at waist level, the upper portion of the body
covered with a towel. Remain in the water until the whole body becomes warm
and sweating begins. This generally takes about ten minutes. Repeat as needed,
up to ten days.
4. Strain the liquid and use as a douche to eliminate mucus and fat accumula-
tions in the uterine and vaginal regions. This douche can be used after the hot
bath described above or by itself.
8. Ginger Sesame Oil: Activates the functions of the blood capillaries, circula-
tion. and nerve reactions. Also relieves aches and pains. Mix grated fresh ginger with
an equal amount of sesame oil. Dip cotton linen into this mixture and rub briskly
into the skin of the affected area.
10. Grated Daikon: A digestive aid, especially for fatty, oily, heavy foods, and for
animal food. Grate fresh daikon (red radish or turnip can be used if daikon is not
available). Sprinkle with tamari soy sauce and eat about a tablespoonful.
11. Scallion, Onion, or Daikon Juice: Will neutralize the poison of a bee sting or
an insect bite. Cut either a scallion, onion or daikon, or their greens, and squeeze
out the juice. (If you cannot obtain these vegetables, red radish can be used.) Rub
the juice thoroughly into the wound.
12. Kuzu (Kudzu) Drink: Strengthen digestion, increases vitality and relieves gen-
eral fatigue. Dissolve a heaping teaspon of kuzu powder into one cup of cold water.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to the simmering point and stir con-
Natural Applications / 189
stantly until the liquid becomes a transparent gelatin. Now stir in one teaspoon of
tamari soy sauce and drink while hot.
13. Lotus Root Plaster: Draws stagnated mucus from the sinuses, nose, throat and
bronchi. Mix grated fresh lotus root with 10%-15% pastry flour and 5% grated fresh
ginger. Spread a half-inch layer onto cotton linen and apply the lotus root directly
to the skin. Keep on for several hours or overnight, and repeat daily for several days.
A ginger compress can be applied before this application to stimulate circulation
and to loosen mucus in the area you are treating.
14. Mustard Plaster: Stimulates blood and body fluid circulation and loosens
stagnation. Add hot water to dry mustard and stir well. Spread this mixture onto a
paper towel, and sandwich it between two thick cotton towels. Apply this "sand-
wich" until the skin becomes red and warm, and then remove.
15. Ranshio: Used to strengthen the heart, and to stimulate heartbeat and blood
circulation. Crush a raw egg and mix with one tablespoon of tamari soy sauce.
Drink slowly. Use only once a day and for no more than three days.
16. Raw Brown Rice and Seeds: Will eliminate worms of various types. Skip
breakfast and lunch. Then, on an empty stomach, eat a handful of raw brown rice
with a half-handful of raw seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and another
half-handful of chopped raw onion, scallion or garlic. Chew everything very well,
and have your regular meal later in the day. Repeat for 2 to 3 days.
17. Salt Bancha Tea: Used to loosen stagnation in the nasal cavity or to cleanse
the vaginal region. Add enough salt to warm bancha tea (body temperature) to make
it just a little less salty than sea water. Use the liquid to wash deep inside the nasal
cavity through the nostrils, or as a douche. Salt bancha tea can also be used as a
wash for problems with the eyes.
18. Salt Pack: Used to warm any part of the body. For relief of diarrhea, for
example, apply the pack to the abdominal region. Roast salt in a dry pan until hot
and then wrap in a thick cotton linen or towel. Apply to the troubled area and
change when the pack begins to cool.
19. Salt Water: Cold salt water will contract the skin in the case of burns, while
warm salt water can be used to clean the rectum, colon and vagina. When the skin
is damaged by fire, immediately soak the burned area in cold salt water until irrita-
tation disappears. Then apply vegetable oil to seal the wound from the air. For con-
stipation or mucus and fat accumulations in the rectum, colon, and vaginal regions,
use warm salt water (body temperature) as an enema or douche.
20. Sesame Oil: Use to relieve stagnated bowels or to eliminate retained water.
Take one to two tablespoons of raw sesame oil on an empty stomach to induce the
discharge of stagnated bowels. To eliminate water retention in the eyes, put a drop
1 9 0 I N A T U R A L APPLICATIONS
or two of pure sesame oil in the eyes with an eyedropper, preferably before sleeping.
Continue up to a week, until the eyes improve. Before using the sesame oil for this
purpose, boil and then strain it with a sanitized cheesecloth to remove impurities.
21. Tamari Bancha Tea: Neutralizes an acidic blood condition, promotes blood
circulation and relieves fatigue. Pour one cup of hot bancha twig tea over one to
two teaspoons of tamari soy sauce. Stir and drink hot.
22. Taro Potato Plaster (Albi Plaster): Draws pus and stagnated blood from
tumors, boils and similar eruptions. After paring the skin, grate the white interior
of the taro potato and mix with 5% grated fresh ginger. Spread this mixture in a
half-inch layer on a piece of cotton linen and apply the potato side directly to the
tumor or skin. Change every four hours. A ginger compress can be used before and
after this application to warm the body and to increase circulation in the affected
area.
23. Tofu Plaster: Is more effective than an ice pack to draw out a fever. Squeeze
the water from the tofu, mash it and then add 10 %—20 % pastry flour and 5% grated
ginger. Mix the ingredients and apply directly to the skin. Change every two to three
hours.
24. Umeboshi Plum; Baked Umeboshi Plum; Powdered, Baked Umeboshi Plum Pit:
Neutralizes an acidic condition and relieves intestinal problems, including those
caused by microorganisms. Take two or three umeboshi plums with bancha twig
tea. Or, you may bake the plums or their pits until black. If you are using the pits,
powder them and add a tablespoonful to a little hot water or tea.
25. Ume-Sho-Bancha: Strengthens the blood and the circulation through the
regulation of digestion. Pour one cup of bancha tea over the meat of one-half to one
umeboshi plum and one teaspoon of tamari soy sauce. Stir and drink hot.
Arthritis
Although its symptoms take various forms, arthritis can be classified into two dis-
tinct categories, according to cause:
1. Yin Arthritis—produced by excessive intake of various yin foods such as
fruits, fruit juice, especially tropical and semi-tropical varieties, spices, stimu-
lant and aromatic herbs and beverages, soft drinks, sugar, honey, chocolate,
and vinegars, as well as excessive intake of tomato, eggplant, and other vege-
tables of tropical origin.
2. Yang Arthritis—caused by excessive intake of the yang food categories, in-
cluding meat, eggs, and other animal food. Large amounts of salt and other
minerals, including the excessive intake of calcium associated with the regular
consumption of dairy foods, also creates a yang arthritic condition.
Despite these differences, however, both types of arthritis are aggravated to vary-
ing degrees by the consumption of excessive oil and fat from either animal or vege-
table sources. In addition, both types are accelerated by excessive intake of liquid
and icy cold drinks such as soda, beer and other cold beverages. Ice cream is of
course one of the major factors contributing to the symptoms of arthritis.
Dietary Approach: Avoid extreme categories of both yin and yang foods and, in
general, follow the standard macrobiotic diet. All food should be cooked, although
a third of your vegetables may be lightly or quickly cooked. The consumption of both
animal food and fruit should be minimized. The use of salt, miso, tamari and other
salty seasonings and condiments should be moderate.
1. When selecting vegetables, it is advisable to avoid potatoes, tomatoes, egg-
plant, asparagus, spinach, avocados, beets, zucchini squash and mushrooms. The
main food in the daily diet should be whole grains, while supplemental foods should
include cooked vegetables, beans, seaweed, and if desired, small portions of animal
food such as fish and seafood, and an occasional small volume of cooked or dried
fruits. The proportion of the main or principal food to side dishes should be 2: 1.
2. As a special therapeutic dish, cook dried, shredded daikon with miso or tamari
soy sauce to taste. Miso and scallion cooked together with several drops of sesame
oil is also beneficial when used as a frequent condiment.
The use of such wild plants as dandelion and watercress can also be helpful. Pre-
pare them by first sauteing with a small amount of sesame oil, then adding a little
water and simmering.
3. Arthritis is commonly accompanied by chronic intestinal disorders. Thorough
chewing of food is therefore especially important, preferably 80 to 100 times or more
per mouthful, until the food becomes completely liquified.
4. The symptoms of arthritis can be treated by applying a hot ginger compress
once each day to joints or hardened body parts in order to accelerate blood and body
fluid circulation and to dissolve stagnation. It is also helpful to soak swollen fingers
and hands, or feet, in very hot ginger water for about tO minutes.
5. Another helpful external treatment for arthritic persons is the daily or fre-
[191]
192 ARTHRITIS
[193]
1 9 4 / PRINCIPLES OF THE ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE
V A
YIN YANG
Characteristic Centrifugal Force Centripetal Force
Movement More inactive, slow More active, fast
Vibration Shorter wave, higher Longer wave, lower
frequency frequency
Direction Ascent, vertical Descent, horizontal
Position More outward and More inward and central
peripheral
Weight Lighter Heavier
Temperature Colder Hotter
Light Darker Brighter
Humidity More wet More dry
Density Thinner Thicker
Size Longer Smaller
Shape More expansive, fragile More contractive, harder
Form Longer Shorter
Texture Softer Harder
Atomoc particle Electron Proton
Elements N, O, K, P, Ca, etc. H, C, Na, As, Mg, etc.
Environment Vibration . . . Air . . . Water . . . Earth
Climatic effects Tropical climate Colder climate
Biological More vegetable quality More animal quality
Sex Female Male
Organ structure More hollow and expansive More compacted and con-
densed
Nerves More peripheral, More central,
orthosympathetic parasympathetic
Attitude More gentle, negative More active, positive
Work More psychological, More physical and social
and mental
Dimension Space Time
Bibliography
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Ohsawa, George. The Book of Judgment. Los Angeles: Ohsawa Foundation.
Ohsawa, George. Cancer and the Philosophy of the Far Fast. Binghamton, N. Y.:
Swan House.
Ohsawa, George. Guidebook for Living. Los Angeles: Ohsawa Foundation.
Ohsawa, George. Practical Guide to Far-Eastern Macrobiotic Medicine. Oroville,
Calif.: George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation.
Ohsawa, George. The Unique Principle. Ibid.
Ohsawa, George. Zen Macrobiotics. Los Angeles: Ohsawa Foundation.
Ohsawa, Lima. The Art of Just Cooking. Tokyo: Autumn Press.
Sacks, Castelli. Donner, and Kass. "Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Vegetarians
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Sakurazawa, Nyoiti (George Ohsawa). edited by Dufty, William. Macrobiotics.
London: Tandem Books. Published in the U.S.A. under the title You Are All
Sanpaku. New York: University Books.
Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, U.S. Senate. Dietary Goals for
the United States. February 1977.
Stiskin, Nahum. The Looking Glass God. Tokyo: Autumn Press.
Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Healthy
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Veith, llza. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. Berkely, Calif.: Uni-
versity of California Press.
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Yamamoto, Shizuko. Barefoot Shiatsu. Tokyo: Japan Publications, Inc.
Periodicals
Michio Kushi was born in Kokawa, Wakayama-Ken, Japan in 1926. His early years
were devoted to the study of international law at Tokyo University, and an active
interest in world peace through world federal government in the period following
the Second Word War. It was during this time that he encountered Yukikazu
Sakurazawa, the well-known teacher of oriental medicine and philosophy, known in
the West as George Ohsawa. Inspired by Mr. Ohsawa's teaching, Mr. Kushi began
his lifelong study of the application of traditional understanding to solving the pro-
ving the problems of the modern world.
Mr. Kushi came to the United States in 1949 to pursue graduate studies at Co-
lumbia University, and since that time has lectured on oriental medicine, philoso-
phy, culture, and macrobiotics throughout North America, Europe, South America,
and the Far East. Through his continuing lectures, seminars, and consultations,
Mr. Kushi has guided thousands of people to restore their physical, psychological,
and spiritual quality as the fundamental means of achieving world peace. In his
unique comprehension of man and the universe, evolved from a deep understanding
of law, philosophy, and medicine, he has applied the traditional wisdom of the Far
East and other cultures to the modern predicament of biological and social disorder,
formulating a dynamic blueprint for the future of mankind.
Michio Kushi lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife, Aveline, and
children. He is the founder of Erewhon, Inc., the leading distributor of natural and
macrobiotic foods in North America, as well as the East West Journal, a monthly
news magazine with over 100,000 readers.
Mr. Kushi is the founder and president of the East West Foundation, a federally-
approved, non-profit educational and cultural institution established in Boston in
1972 to help spread and develop all aspects of the macrobiotic way of life through
seminars, publications, research, and other means. Under Mr. Kushi's guidance,
the Foundation presents regular seminars and study programs in Boston and through-
out the United States, and is currently publishing a series of books and periodicals
which deal with various aspects of macrobiotics and oriental medicine. At the same
time, the Foundation is beginning a rural agricultural, educational, and spiritual
center on 550 acres of land in Ashburnham, Massachusetts.
So as to further the development of a truely human medicine along with medical
and scientific research for the future bcnelit of society at large, the Foundation has
sponsored periodic seminars and conferences for members of the medical community
and for the general public. These have included the conferences, A Nutritional
Approach to Cancer and Major Illnesses presented in the Boston area, as well as
Mr. Kushi's ongoing international seminars on macrobiotic and oriental medicine.
The proceedings of these conferences have been published and distributed to lead-
ing medical and scientific institutions throughout the world, and have been recently
Compiled in the publication, Cancer and Diet.
In 1977. Mr. Kushi and associates, including Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, met in
Washington with members of the White House domestic policy staff to discuss
various proposals for improving the food and nutrition policy of the United States.
[197]
1 98 I ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Subsequent discussions were also held with several of the leading individuals who
were involved in the preparation of the Senate Nutrition Committee report, Dietary
Goals for the United States, including Dr. Mark Hegsted. presently with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Dr. Philip Lee, of the University of California, and
others.
At the same time, Mr. Kushi and associates have begun the preliminary steps
toward the formation of an East West Foundation Medical and Scientific Advisory
Board. The Board is presently comprised of a group of international physicians
and related medical professionals who share the Foundation's interest in synthesiz-
ing traditional and modern methods of medical practice and understanding.
So as to further the continuing application of macrobiotic principles to a variety
of social problems. Mr. Kushi has made several presentations to the United Na-
tions in New York, including an address on One Peaceful World through Macro-
biotics.
In 1977, Mr. Kushi and associates established the Michio Kushi Institute in
London, for the purpose of providing concentrated study programs in various
aspects of macrobiotics, oriental medicine, and natural healing. In the following
year, Kushi Institutes were established in Amsterdam and Boston with the similar
purpose of providing study programs for the qualification of teachers and health
consultants capable of solving various individual and social problems.
In the autumn of 1978, Mr. Kushi and associates organized and presented the
First European Congress of Macrobiotics in London. Attended by delegates from
several hundred macrobiotic educational centers located throughout Western
Europe, the congress drafted a series of proposals and recommendations aimed at
applying macrobiotic principles to the solution of a wide variety of social problems.
The European Congress met again in the autumn of 1979 in Antwerp, Belgium,
while in the United States, the First North American Congress of Macrobiotics was
held in August of that year in Boston. Both the European and North American
Congresses are scheduled to meet once every year, along with future regional con-
gresses in South America, and the Far East, followed by a World Congress of
Macrobiotics during the I980's, to which representatives from over 400 international
macrobiotic educational centers will be invited.
Mr. Kushi's most recently published works in the English language include:
The Book of Macrobiotics: The Universal Way of Health and Happiness, The Book
of Do-In: Exercise for Physical and Spiritual Development. How to See Your Health:
The Book of Oriental Diagnosis, and Natural Healing through Macrobiotics, pub-
lished by Japan Publications, Inc., and Oriental Diagnosis published by Sunwheel
Ltd. in London, and Visions of a New World: The Era of Humanity published by
East West Journal. In addition, Mr. Kushi has inspired and encouraged a number
of other books including How to Cook with Miso by Aveline Kushi, Barefoot
Shiatsu by Shizuko Yamamoto, Introudcing Macrobiotic Cooking by Wendy Esko.
and Macrobiotic Cooking for Everyone by Edward and Wendy Lsko. published
by Japan Publications, Inc.. as well as Healing Miracles from Macrobiotics by Jean
and Mary Alice Kohler, published by Parker Publishing Company.
Index
[199]
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
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