|
|
Hot (Purify)
|
Cold (Hold the organism together)
|
|
First Degree
|
Opens the pores of the skin and tissues to let
fluids flow out
|
Cools the body, on a hot summer day, refreshes
the spirits, and returns the temperature to normal
|
|
Second Degree
|
Thins fluids so that they can flow out through
the pores
|
Abates active inflammations
|
|
Third Degree
|
Increases the innate heat of the body that
drives the fluids out through the pores
|
Thickens and contains substances within the
organism, such as sweat and diarrhea, also condensing “vapors”
that rise and cause nervousness, restlessness, and madness
|
|
Fourth Degree
|
Burns the skin to remove foreign growths
|
Causes unconsciousness and pain relief
|
Measures of
humidity
Dry
Hardens to such an extent that it causes a boundary that keeps things
within, especially fluids.
~ “strengthening to nature” (acclimatizing, resistance building)
~binding (astringent)
~hardening
~drawing
Damp
“Moisture spreads unstoppably in all directions until it meets a
boundary.”
~loosening or relaxing
~moistening
~softening
~nourishing
Adapted from: Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete
Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. North Atlantic Books:
Berkley, 2008. Pages 5 – 7.
