MIDDAY- MIDNIGHT LAW

Midday-Midnight law in Acupuncture:-

According to this law, vital energy flows through the twelve channels in 24 hour cycle. Since the flow is through the 12 meridians, it takes two hours for the surge energy to pass through each meridian. 

The energy tide enters the Lung- meridian at 3.00 a.m. and leaves it to enter the succeeding Large Intestine meridian at 5.00 a.m. The vital energy flows in this manner successively through the twelve meridians till it leaves the Liver meridian to re enter the Lung meridian at 3.00 a.m. This flow of energy in this time sequence is known as the ORGAN CLOCK.

The organ Clock:-

Lung - 3.00 a.m. to 5.00 a.m.

Large Intestine- 5.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m.

Stomach - 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.

Spleen- 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Heart - 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Small Intestine- 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Urinary Bladder- 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. 

Kidney- 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

Pericardium- 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sanjiao - 9.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Gallbladder- 11.00 p.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Liver - 1.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Horary points- These are specific point in each meridian which is most effective, if used according to relevant time of the organ Clock. These points on a meridian which corresponds to the same Element as the Element of that meridian. 

The twelve horary points are:-

Lung - Lu.8

Large Intestine- LI .1

Stomach- St.36

Spleen- Sp.3

Heart- H.8

Small Intestine- S.I. 5

Urinary bladder- U.B. 66

Kidney- K.10.

Pericardium- P.8

Sanjiao- S.J.6

Gallbladder- G.B. 41

Liver - liv.1.

These Horary points are used during the appropriate period of the organ Clock, when the vital energy is at a peak in a particular meridian. 

Thus when treating a disorder related to the Stomach, the Horary point St.36 may be used during 7.00 a.m  to 9.00 a.m. 

If the energy imbalance is in the form of deficiency then this point may be punctured in the early part of this period  by using tonification method.

If it is due to excess then the Horary point is stimulated during later part of this period by using the technique of sedation or reducing method. 

The treatment according to the Organ Clock also corrects imbalance of vital energy involving the organ or meridian diametrically opposite to it in the organ Clock.

THE SIX EXCESSES IN HUMAN BODY

 THE SIX EXCESSES

The six Excesses are the extrinsic causes of disease.

The six Excesses are :-

1) Wind

2) Cold

3) Heat

4) Dampness

5) Dryness

6) Summer heat

The term Excess means "Abnormality or Evil".

When normal envirnomental forces become excessive, they may cause disease. The Excesses are each related to a particular season and associated with either Yin or Yang.

The Excesses:-

1) Wind:- Diseases caused by wind arise suddenly and change thier symptoms quickly. They may be accompained by symptoms of muscle spasm, vertigo, pruritus, or a pain, which often changes location. Wind disease usually affects the skin, head, pharynx and lungs first. 

Internally, when the Liver yang is hyperactive, dizziness and convulsion occur.

2) Cold:- The symptoms of this Excess is that the whole body or a part of body feels cold. Cold causes fluid to congeal in the body; this causes pain. Pain is caused by the obstruction in the flow of Qi or Blood. Cold causes material substance to coagulate in the channels; this causes cramps and spasms. When cold disease are present, the body excretions (mucus, tear, phlegm,  urine, stool) are white or clear and watery.

3) Heat:- The main characteristic of Heat is that the body or a part of body feels hot. Heat easily injures the body fluids. Thus, the tongue and stool become dry and the patient is thirsty.  Heat can cause the blood to travel outside the channels, leading to haemorrhages or rashes. In the presence of heat caused disease, body excretions are dark and yellow, sticky and foul smelling. 

4) Dampness:- This Excess often appears during weather or when a person comes into contact with moisture for a prolonged period of time. Dampness is sluggish and stagnating. Disease caused by this Excess takes long time to be cured. When Dampness is on the external part of the body the patient feels anxious, the limbs heavy, and the head feels swollen. When Dampness invades the muscles and joints, all movements become painful and oedema of the affected parts occur. Dampness tends to attack the Spleen. When the Spleen's transforming and transporting functions are weak.

5) Dryness: Dryness attack the fluids of the body and may result in dry skin, chapped lips, hacking cough, constipation. When body yin substances are seriously depleted similar may appear. 

6) Summer Heat:- The primary characteristic of Summer Heat is fever with pronounced sweating. This injures the Yin and the Qi. Dampness almost always accompanies this Excess.

THE FIVE ZANG ORGANS.

 The five Zang Organs store the vital essences of the body.

Functions of Zang Organs:-

 (1) Heart (H) - Pericardium (P):-

1) Regulates circulation of the blood. 

2) Control mental activity. 

3) Heart opens to the the tongue. The tongue colour denotes whether Heart is functioning properly. 

4) Heart govern the blood vessels.

5) Heart couples with the Small Intestine.

6) Controls the sweat.

7) Govern speech.

8) Incharge of happiness and joy.

(2) Lung (Lu)

1) Regulate respiration. 

2) All blood travels to the Lungs and then circulates. 

3) Opens to the nose.

4) Lung govern the skin and body hair.

5) Lung couples with the Large Intestine. 

6) Control the immunue system.

7) Control the vital energy in all over the meridian.

8) Incharge of physical strength.

(3) Spleen (Sp.)

1) It regulates digestion. 

2) Controls water metabolism. 

3) Controls the circulation of blood.

4) Spleen governs the muscle and the four extremities.

5) Opens to the mouth.

6) Supplies nutrition to the tongue and the lips.

7) Spleen couples with the Stomach.

8) Controls the saliva.

(4) Liver (Liv.):

1) Liver stores and regulates blood. 

2) Secretes bile.

3) Liver governs the tendons and endocrines.

4) Transport blood, bile and endocrines.

5) Opens to the eyes.

6) Liver couples with the Gallbladder.

7) Liver ensures the smooth flow of Vital energy.

8) Incharge of housing the etheral soul for planning and visioning.

(5) Kidney (kid):- The concept of kidney in traditional medicine includes the genital functions.

1) Regulates bone growth and the teeth.

2) Kidney governs bones, cartilage and head hair.

3) Generates vital essences.

4) Promotes new life.

5) Opens to the Ear.

6) Kidney couples with the Urinary Bladder. 

7) Control lower orifices.

TRADITIONAL LAWS OF ACUPUNCTURE

 The are four traditional Laws of Acupuncture may be used to select acupuncture points for therapy.

Here we are going to discuss about Mother-son Law:

Mother - Son law:

This Law is a consequence of cyclical flow of vital energy along the channels and the organs. If the flow is blocked or not circulating freely as the result of a disease factor then abnormal excess or deficiency of vital energy may occur. This affects not only that channel or organ but also the channel or organ which precede and succeed it; disharmony of the entire organism is caused, and a condition of disease in manifest.

In the Mother-Son law, the recognition of the direction of the flow of vital energy is important. It flows from channel or Organ just as " the mother nourishes her infant".

If a channel or Organ shows an insufficiency of activity then it can be strengthened by so stimulating it so that it draws more vital energy from its mother.

The mother-Son relationship of the Twelve Channels is in the sequence of the normal flow of vital energy of the Organ Clock in Twelve Channels. The Mother-Son relationship of the internal Organ is in the sequence of the generative cycle of the Five Element.