Author: Khor Sea Moon (President of APAM)
Translated by: Karen Ku & Kathryn Wong (EXCO Members of APAM)
Emotion management in TCM emphasizes on the five emotions—fear, sorrow, anxiety, joy and anger. These emotion changes are reflection of the operation of the corresponding internal organs (Zangfu). Applying essential oils to the corresponding acupoints representing these organs can better manage mood swing.
To cope with today’s economic and living conditions, women need to be in the workforce. At the same time, they are as thoughtful as a full-time mother, being worried about children, family expenses, having harmony husband-wife relationship, social stress, etc. This causes many women in the state of over-anxiety. Such conditions excessively challenge the spleen functions, leading to symptoms like spleen functions deficiency, blood deficiency, indigestion (bloated stomach, vomiting), poor sleep quality, and bleeding (uterine bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, menopausal uterine bleeding). The therapeutic essential oils that can help to regulate the functions of spleen include patchouli, sweet tangerine, ginseng and atractylodes, which supply to the spleen positive Qi energy, happy elements, assist in nutrient conversion, and monitor Qi energy distribution to stop bleeding. We can apply these essential oils on the Xuehai acupoint to help hematopoiesis; Zhongwan acupoint (abdomen) to help the digestive system, and Zusanli acupoint to boost physical fitness and positive energy.
Many women experience symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome, one of which is their emotion change, being short-tempered and easily irritable. When a person is angry, the liver functions are affected. The blood pressure rises, and the fire element of the liver becomes exuberant. This condition hinders the functions of liver detoxification and blood dispersion, digestive system, bile secretion and causing changes in menstrual blood volume. This emotion may even lead to irritability and insomnia. Generally, essential oils such as gardenia, peppermint, and chamomile can be applied at the liver region before bedtime. These oils help to relieve the hyperactive emotion that causes irritability and insomnia, as well as relieving menstrual pain.
The emotion change suffered by most postpartum mothers is depression, which is greatly related to the “fear” and “sorrow” emotions in TCM. They may be at fear of baby’s health problem, persistency with breastfeeding, the speed of recovery from childbirth, hair loss, and the daily arrangements upon returning to workplace. This stress is invisible and inevitable. These mothers face the challenges bravely even though they feel miserable and lonesome. We could help these mothers by applying: (i) essential oils that can boost the kidneys and tune the Qi of the lungs, such as juniper berry, to strengthen the muscles and bones for better recovery; (ii) schisandra essential oil which helps in breathing and detoxification; (iii) agarwood essential oil which promotes deep sleep and boosts the immune system. These essential oil applications may help the postpartum mothers to survive this transitional period.
Five emotions exist in the sweets and bitters of our life—fear, sorrow, anxiety, joy and anger. Out of the these, joy is the most advocated and longed for. However, the TCM emphasises on a balanced state of emotion, which also includes not to overjoy. Confused? Fret not! It is okay to jump for joy, but in moderation. The Chinese idiom “extreme joy begets sorrow” explains it all. Many people suffered from a stroke, insomnia, and cerebral thrombosis, which are the aftershock of the “extreme joy” emotion. To tranquilise our mind by nourishing the heart with the use of essential oils, our choices are: (i) sandalwood and agarwood essential oils for a restful sleep; (ii) lavender essential oil for calming; (iii) ginseng essential oil for tuning the Qi of the heart; (iv) lemon essential oil for mood uplifting. Applying these oils on acupoints—Neiguan, Shenmen and Tanzhong—can help with grounding and relieve overjoy.
Today, besides physical wellness, the definition of health focuses more on the seemingly invisible manifestations of psychology and emotions, which are related to our body’s Zangfu organs and systems, and their interrelation with the hormones and endocrine system. The trendiest health regimen is one that focuses on internal and external balance, and maintaining the holistic wellness of body, soul and mind.