The Dragon



wyhocs@yahoo.com

012-3319234





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The ugliness we see in others



Is the reflection of our own nature



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Easy to see the faults of others; but one’s own is difficult to see.









Parkinson once said that: -



Normally, a person can perform well within his level of capability.

When a job, which is beyond his level of capability is given to him to perform, he becomes very indecisive. He will begin blame others and talk fallacies about other people just to hide his own weakness.



Dragon W Y Ho, ACIS

Words of Wisdom

The Dragon



wyhocs@yahoo.com

012-3319234



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Cultivation of Tolerance

Cultivation of tolerance helps you to:

[1] avoid hasty judgements,

[2] sympathize with other people’s troubles,

[3] avoid captious criticism,

[4] realize that even the finest human being is not infallible.



The weakness you find in your

neighbours can be found in your own

self.

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Dragon W Y Ho, ACIS

The Dragon

KARMA
Karma is neither fatalism nor a doctrine of predetermination.
The past influences the present, but does not dominate it,
For Karma is past as well as present.
The past and the present influence the future.
The past is a background against which life goes on from moment to moment.
The future is yet to be.
Only the present moment exists and the responsibility of using the present moment for good or for ill lies with each individual.

The Dragon
W Y Ho, ACIS
Member of Association of Backpackers Malaysia 11th November 2010

LEADERSHIP

What is a leadership?
Generally, a person who is placed in front of the others to lead the way is called the leader, but is he a true leader? What is true leader? A true leader is a person who has leadership qualities in him. What are leadership qualities?

The CHAMBER’S TWENTIRTH CENTURY DICTIONARY has defined leadership as ability to lead. Firstly, one must understand the basis of any leader’s function which can be described as being three skill perimeters. They are:

[1] Technical skill
A leader must have sufficient technical competence to know what is to be expected of him to recognize solutions to respective situations, but not necessary to be technically excellent.

[2] Administrative skill
As a leader, it is necessary to understand the methods, and procedures that are the administrative framework of the organization. Although not necessary to be an administrative expert, a leader must be able to maintain the standards of the procedures and be able to champion for changing those that no longer suit the needs of or are defective in the current operation.





[3] Achieving results
This is the main focus of a leader with leadership qualities. Achieving results is the principle objective of a quality leader. A leader should not be discriminative when putting efforts in execution of projects – he should not habour indifferent attitude towards projects that would not benefit him or towards projects that would benefit some individuals whom he dislikes. As a leader, he must look at projects from a macro prospective of things that would benefit the organization as a whole.

The primary and the most obvious duty of a leader is to accomplish the tasks for which the organization exists. A “leader” who fails or chooses to fail to achieve the organizational targets for the sake of his dislike for some individuals is not a true leader. It is the responsibility of a true leader to build teamwork by directing each individual’s efforts towards the achievement of the organization’s objectives and not towards his own agenda.

“We are never alone.
Therefore we must honour the spiritual beings
With true sincerity,
And we must be careful of our conduct.


The Dragon
W Y Ho, ACIS
Member of Association of Backpackers Malaysia 10th November 2010

The Dragon

Drunkenness
Drunkenness is a thief of my purse.
It not only expel good reasons from my faculty of thinking, but
Also deface my brain and diminishes my strength.
It inflames my blood and causes injuries to my heart.
What a devil to my mind, it keeps my health far, far behind.
[at my age in the 70’s I still climb mountains]

The Dragon
W Y Ho, ACIS
Member of Association of Backpackers Malaysia
7st November 2010

The Dragon

Mountain Climbers

Up, up, and up the mountains we go,
To its summits in the fore.
Through the forests and across the rivers we never fear
As the spirit of our hearts is always near.
Safety is our scripture and respect is our procedure.
Values of safety and respect the laws of the jungles are always dear.
Come, come, up the mountains and down the valleys we go
To enjoy the mountain breeze and let our hearts aglow.


The Dragon
W Y Ho, ACIS
Member of Association of Backpackers Malaysia
31st October 2010

The Dragon

THE CHINESE WAY TO HEALTHY LIVING – Part 1: the 3 Treasures

Wen Tzu Classic says: -

The body is the Temple of Life
The Qi (vital energy) is the force of Life
The Shen [神] (spirit) is the Governor of Life
If any one of them goes off balance, all the three Treasures are damaged.
When the Shen is in command, the body naturally follows it, and this arrangement will benefit all the three Treasures of Life.
When the body leads the way and the Shen follows along, this will harm all the three Treasures of Life. (written in third century B.C.)

At birth, all human beings are endowed with these three Treasures of Life. By virtue of these three Treasures of Life we all are able to exist, function and think as we do. Our health and span o our life depended on how we take care to protect and to preserve the three Treasures of Life inside us, i.e., the ancient Chinese called it the Dao ( or Tao).

What is the Dao? The Dao[道] simply means the “path” or the “way”. A way of life that is guided by the mind. The Dao is a guiding path and in the context of this article, the way to healthy life style. The Dao was established by LaoTzu of Chou Dynasty in his Dao De Zing. The followers of the Dao are referred to the Daoist [Taoist] and this has nothing to do with the Taoist religion.

Since ancient times (about 5,000 years ago) the ancient Chinese emphasized utmost importance to health and longevity. The Daoist view the human organism as a microcosm of the universe. It has its own internal heaven and earth and its own climate and seasons as well as its own cyclic transformations and natural interplay of universal energies. The Daoist School views the three Treasures of Life are [1] Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy) and Shen (spirit).

Generally, Jing refers to as the thick, slow moving, refined substance, which has different aspects – the Pre-natal or Congenital Jing and the Post-natal or Acquired Jing. Pre-natal or Congenital Jing is inherited from the parents and it cannot be increased after birth, but it can be preserved through meditation, qigong and taijiquan exercises, The Post-natal or Acquired Jing is formed by the human body from the nutrients of food and air. The Acquired Jing is constantly replenished to support the Congenital Jing. However, in the Daoist view, Jing refers to the physical human body of flesh and blood and all its basic material constituents including hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters.

The Qi is everything that exists, all changes, all phenomena; all the myriad forms in the universe are made of Qi. The Qi in the human body is constantly changing and takes different roles according to what it needs to do in the body as well as the location in the body. Qi is the vital energy or vital force that activates all the functions of the human body. It drives every voluntary and involuntary process in the human body. The Post-natal Qi is polar and electromagnetic characterized by constant activity and transformation.

The Shen refers to the mind. It includes all its various facets and functions. The Shen consists of the [1] Pre-natal Shen, which is the primordial mind of Dao, the origin of consciousness or the eternal spark of awareness and [2] the Post-natal Shen, which manifests as sensory awareness and thoughts. All human beings have the primordial mind of the Dao within himself or herself.

All diseases and illness are caused by the imbalance of the Yin-Yang Qi in the human body. Health and longevity depend solely on the maintenance of the balance and harmony among the three Treasures of Life, the Yin-Yang Qi of the vital organs of the human body as well as between the human body and the eternal environment.

Through the few thousands of years, ancient Chinese have developed various exercises such as the Qigong and the taijiquan for the purpose of maintaining the balance and harmony among the three Treasures of Life, the Yin-Yang Qi of the vital organs of the human body as well as between the human body and the eternal environment.


W Y Ho, ACIS
25th October 2010

The Dragon

THE ART OF LIVING

Everyone of us is born with a pure mind. As we grow up, our minds are obstructed, polluted and influenced by information from the TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and hearsays. Such pollutions have caused us to lose our effect on our settled and concentrated mind, which is a mind of wisdom.

How can we be free from these unneeded, but necessary afflictions? Information from the TV, radio, newspapers, magazines is necessary because it has educational values, but we must have the ability to isolate such academic information from the mind of wisdom.

Religions of any group are set to cultivate settled and concentrated pure mind. It was never set to make inter-religious comparison. It stresses on the importance of cultivating purity of mind, thus, the method of entering into the religious teachings is through the state of purity of the mind.

True wisdom arises from purity of mind. True wisdom is not attainable from reading newspapers, magazines or books. The wisdom that we attained from reading books and such materials is worldly knowledge and that is not true wisdom. True wisdom is the function of our self-nature, which is complete with unlimited wisdom, virtues and abilities.

The unlimited wisdom, virtues and abilities are qualities in everyone’s self-nature so embedded inside everyone of us. We need to cultivate purity of mind to bring these qualities out from inside us. Purity, Equality, and true Understanding is the vehicle that can lead the qualities of unlimited wisdom, virtues and abilities out from our self-nature.

True Sincerity towards others, Purity of Mind within us, Equality in everything we see, Proper Understanding of life and the universe, Compassion (helping others in a wise and unconditional way), Able to See Through to the truth of impermanence, Let Go of all wandering thoughts and attachments, Freedom of mind and spirit, Accord With Conditions( go along with the environment), Be Mindful of the religions we profess, are the ten basic Qi-force that can drive the vehicle of Purity, Equality, and true Understanding towards achieving the goal of bringing the qualities of unlimited wisdom, virtues and abilities out from our self-nature. The ultimate goal in all religions is the great Perfection.

Our true mind (original nature) is complete with infinite wisdom, virtuous abilities and talents. One of the keys to the treasure of our self-nature is filial to our parents and respectful to our teachers. We must strive to do our best in living up to our parents’ expectations. All parents wish their children to be good persons and benefit the society.

True wisdom is unfathomable. Understanding it can bring great help to our living, work and inter-personal inter-actions. For achieving true wisdom, our willingness and abilities must be set with the capacity to truly surpass the boundaries of all nationality, races and religions. In this respect, the first thing we should learn is the practice of Giving, which includes the Giving of wealth including inner wealth (one of the inner wealth is providing the means for living or use of one’s physical energy and wisdom to support one’s family), Giving of teaching and the Giving of fearlessness.

In the journey towards achieving true wisdom, we must cultivate the Practice of Patience (refers to having endurance doing our chores without complaining or feeling fatigue), the Practice of Diligence (seeking improvement everyday, hoping that to-morrow’s attainment will exceed that of to-day’s), the Concentration in Purity of Mind (while executing our daily duties, we must maintain a pure and undeluded heart and mind) and the Practice of Wisdom (having inner peace and happiness at all conditions).

We must remember that the most important factor in learning and cultivating the Purity of Mind is that we must be able to or remindful of practicing towards achieving true wisdom in our daily life.

A true cultivator of Purity of Mind does not see the faults of others

W Y Ho, ACIS
25th October 2010

NAMES OF TCM HERBS IN CHINESE - H1N1

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE - H1N1

INFLUENZA A [H1N1] AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

In April 2009, in a little boy in a village in Mexico contacted Influenza A [H1N1]. Since then, it has spread far and wide across the five Continents of the world. As of 4th August 2009, the World Health Organisation has reported that 1,154 people have died of H1N1 and as per report in the Malaysian newspaper on 16th August 2009, an estimated 80,000 Malaysians might have been infected with Influenza A [H1N1], which is a viral pneumonia since it the outbreak began in May 2009. Until 16th August 2009, 59 people have died in Malaysia.

The newspaper reported that the Ministry of Health has reported that it noted that H1N1 related deaths in Malaysia were caused by virus attacking the respiratory system [breathing system]. Most of the death victims suffered from acute respiratory distress syndrome as a result of severe fulminant [disease or symptom of severe and sudden in onset] pneumonia.

The H1N1 virus, like seasonal flu, is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing by the infected people. It can also be spread by persons who touch on the surface of an object, which are contaminated by droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.

The signs and symptoms of H1N1 as reported include: -
[1] fever of >38 degrees
[2] dry cough
[3] body aches
[4] running nose
[5] sore throat
[6] nausea
[7] vomiting and/or
[8] diarrhoea
[9] headache
[10] difficulty in breathing

The Lungs, according to the Chinese Medical Philosophy, are “Lid of the of the Yin Organ. It is the cap on top of the thoracic cavity. The Lungs are the most easily affected by External Pernicious Influences.

The Chinese Medical Philosophy describes that the function of the Lungs is very closely associated with the Qi of the Chest. The Qi of the Chest is associated with the movement of all Qi and Blood in the body. A disharmony of the Lungs can lead to Deficient Qi or Stagnant Qi anyway in the human body..

According to the Chinese Medical Philosophy, “Lungs are the upper origin of water”. That is, the Lungs move water in the body in the same two directions as it moves the Qi. The Lungs liquefy water vapour and move it downwards to the Kidneys. At the same time, the Lungs have the disseminating function of circulating and scattering water vapour throughout the human body through the skin and pores. In another words, the Lungs cause the water vapour to ascend or circulate while the water in liquid form to descend. Disharmonies of the Lung Qi may lead to weakening of the Protective Qi in the human body that may result in fever, urination problems or edema and other complications, etc.

Ancient Traditional Chinese Medical experts have classified that diseases are caused mainly by either of the following factors: -
[1] Pestilential Factors
[2] improper diet
[3] fatigue and lack of proper physical exercise
[4] the seven emotions, namely: joy, anger, meditation (thinking frequently about a happening
etc.), fear, grief, melancholy and anxiety
[5] the six excesses, that is: wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness and fire (heat)
[6] traumatic wound
[7] insect or animal bites
and so on.
These causes are classified further into Yin and Yang categories. Zhang Zhongjing of Han Dynasty [206-220 B.C.], in his Synopsis of the Golden Bookcase, had described that there were several ways a person can contact or acquire a disease, that is, when a pathogenic factor invades the meridian and the viscera [organs], infects the skin, and injuries from excessive sexual activity, wounds, insect or animal bites.

Disease caused by Pestilential Factors
Pestilential factors are highly infectious and contagious pathogens. They are characterised by rapid onset a critical disease with severe infection of a highly contagious type. The Pathogens may attack a local area as well as over a number of areas of the human body.

The prevalence of the Pestilential Factors is usually related to: -
[1] Abnormal change of climate such as the recent Tsunami that hit Indonesia and Sri
Lanka, the Cyclone that hit Myanmar, the Earthquake that hit Szechuan in China and
the Marokat Typhoon that hit Taiwan
[2] The Environment
[3] Delayed prevention and isolation action, e.g. the current spread of the H1N1
[4] Diet,
[5] Pollution of the air
[6] Influence through social activities.
[7] Poor public health programmes o control of the spread of the deadly contagious
disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that in a situation where the body constitution of Yin and Yang is in balance, the viscera [organs] will function normally and well. The Qi, the Blood and the body fluid will be enriched and hence the anti-pathogenic factor in the human body will be strong. When there is a Yin-Yang imbalance, the anti-pathogenic factor will be weak leading to invasion of pathogenic factors into the human body. The anti-pathogenic factor includes the human body condition that is not conducive for the pathogenic factor to live in.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM], an invasion by the pathogenic factors into the human body is an indication that there is Yin-Yang imbalance in the human body. The TCM treatment is to restore the Yin-Yang balance in the human body so that the body condition will become non-conducive for the pathogenic factors to live in. Hence the invaders will die naturally as the result of restoration of the Yin-Yang balance and hence strengthen the anti-pathogenic factor in the human body.

The signs and symptoms of the H1N1 as described above indicate that there is Yang excess as the result of the invasion that cause Yin Qi to decrease or Yang Qi to increase into a condition of Yin Qi deficiency in the body. Vomiting and diarrhoea indicate that there is Yin-Yang imbalance in the lungs, spleen and the stomach as the result of the pathogenic attack. The dry cough, headache and sore throat indicate that there is Yang excess [pathogenic wind-heat] in the Lungs and the Liver. Running nose and difficulty in breathing are signs of the pathogenic attack on the Respiratory System.

Analysis of the signs and symptoms indicates that the affection of exogenous (i.e. relating to external factors) pathogenic heat has invaded the Lungs. Hence the Lungs cannot carry on its clearing functions leading to occurrence of cough, difficulty in breathing (hasty and rough breathing). The body fluid has been consumed by the burning heat causing thirst. The blockage of the Lungs by the pathogenic heat caused the sore throat. Delay in clearing stagnation of pathogenic heat from the Lungs will cause the body fluid to be concentrated into phlegm, which will block the Lungs and the nutritional blood will be impaired and pus may form in the Lungs leading to gangrene of the Lungs with foul expectoration. The exogenous pathogenic dryness by invading the Lungs has severely consumed the body fluid and caused occurrence of asthmatic breath with no or little mucoid sputum. The Lung Qi will be weaken and becomes unable to carry out its dispersing functions resulting to fever and aversion to cold. When the pathogenic damp-heat invades the Stomach and the Intestines, the stagnant pathogenic damp-heat accumulates in the Large Intestine as the result of improper diet. The accumulated and stagnated pathogenic damp-heat in the Large Intestine will force the Qi to stagnate causing failure of the Large Intestine to perform its transportation function and hence, diarrhoea occurs and burning sensation of the anus and thirst results.

The Yang Excess condition is conducive for the H1N1 virus [pathogens] to survive in the human body. The TCM method of curing such disease or to prevent the human body from such attack is to restore and maintain the Yin-Yang balance in the human body. Below are some of the herbs that reduce the Yang Excess to restore the Yin-Yang balance in the body and thus overcome the pathogenic attack. However, administrations of the various types of herbs rest with the body condition of the individual and the combination of herbs.

Folium Mori and Semen Sojae Praeparatum in combination can ventilate the Lungs to dispel the pathogenic factors therefrom. Semen Pruni Armeniacae will ventilate the Lungs and promote the flow of Qi while the Radix Adenophorae, Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii together with Exocarpium Pyrus will moisten the Lungs to arrest cough. Fructus Gardeniae will clear the pathogenic heat in the chest. Folium Mori and Flos Chrysanthemi can expel pathogenic heat from the Lungs and the Wei System while the Herba Menthae, which has the effect of dispelling wind-heat with Semen Armeniacae Amarum and Radix Platycodi will assist to promote the dispersing function of the Lungs. Fructus Forsythiae together with Rhizoma Phragmitis can be adjuvant herbs to dispel and clear wind-heat from the exterior and promote the production of body fluid to quench thirst. Radix Glycyrrhizae is the mediator for co-ordinating the various effects of the herbs in the recipe.
Gypsum Fibrosum can clear away the heat from the Lungs and from the Stomach and the Pericarpium Trichosanthis will promote the circulation of the vital Qi to clear the heat and phlegm. Semen Armeniacae Amarum will calm the Lung Qi to increase the purgative effect of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei to expel stagnated heat in the Large Intestine in order to keep the Lung Qi pure and descending. Rhizoma Anemarrhenae which will enhance the effect of Gypsum Fibrosum. Radix Glycyrrhizae and Semen Oryzae Sativae will benefit the Stomach and promote production of body fluids to prevent the extreme cold agents from damaging the Stomach.

Herba Menthae is cool in property and it acts on the Lungs and Liver Channels. It is effective in dispelling wind-heat and relieving sore throat while Flos Lonicerae is cold in property. Flos Lonicerae acts on the Lungs, Stomach and Large Intestine Channels. Fructus Forsythiae is cold in property and it acts on the Lungs, Heart and Gallbladder Channels. It clears away heat and toxins. Radix Platycodi is neutral in property and it acts on the Lung Channel. It ventilates the Lungs while Semen Armeniacae Amaran, which is slightly warm in property, acts on the Lungs and the Large Intestine Channels. It relieves cough and moistens the Intestines to relax the bowels. Rhazoma Amenarrhenae is cold in property and it acts on the Lung, Stomach and Kidney Channels. It clears away heat, purge out fire and promotes the production of body fluid. Rhizoma Coptidis is cold in property and acts on the Heart, Stomach, Liver and Large Intestine Channels. It clears away heat, dry up dampness and purge away fire and clears away toxins. Cortex Phellodendri is cold in property, acting on the Kidneys, Urinary Bladder and Large Intestine Channels. It clears away heat, purging fire & toxins. Herba Artenisiae is cold in property and acts on the Liver, Gallbladder and the Kidney Channels. It can effectively remove the heat from the blood and brings down hectic fever. It also clears away heat from the Gall bladder. Radix Palsatilla, which is cold in property acts on the Large Intestine Channels. It detoxifies and clears and removes the heat from the blood. Cortex Lycii Radicis is cold in property and it acts on the Lungs and Kidney Channels. It removes and clear away heat from the Blood and the Lungs and brings down hectic fever. Semen Arecae is warm in property and acts on the Stomach and the Large Intestine. It has anthelmintic functions (destory parasites in the human body) as well as descend of flow of Qi function. Radix Spepheniae Tetrandrae is cold in property and acts on the Urinary Bladder, Kidney and Spleen Channels. It expel wind to relieve pain. Semen Plantaginis is cold in property and acts on the Kidney, Liver and the Lung Channels. It induces diuresis to arrest diarrhoea, Caulis Artistolochiae Manshuriensis is cold in property and it acts on the Heart, Small Intestine and Urinary Bladder Channels, It expels heat and induces duiresis. Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae is warm in property and it acts on the Lung and Spleen Channels. It regulates Qi and normalises the functions the Spleen and the Stomach. Magnoliae Officinalis is warm in property and it acts on the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, and the Large Intestine Channels. Bulbus Macrostemi is warm in property and it acts on the Lung, Stomach and the Large Intestine Channels. It can disperse the accumulation of pathogens and promote circulation of Qi. Herba Leonuri is slightly cold in property and it acts on the Heart, Liver, and the Urinary Bladder Channels. It invigorates the Blood Circulation to remove blood stasis. Rhizoma Corydalis is warm in property and acts on the Heart, Liver and Spleen Channels. It promotes Blood Circulation and the flow of Qi to relieve pain. Radix Polygalae is slightly warm in property and it acts on the Lung and the Heart Channels. It tranquillises the mind and induce resuscitation. Fructus Mume is neutral in property and it acts on the Lung, Liver, Spleen and Large Intestine Channels. It acts on the Lungs and the bowels to relieve cough and stop diarrhea. Fructus Tritici Lovis is cold in property and acts on the Heart Channel. It replenishes Qi and clear away heat. Herba Dendrobii is cold in property and acts on the Stomach and Kidney Channels. It nourishes Yin and clear away heat. Radix Ophiopogonis is slightly cold in property and it acts on the Lung, Heart and the Stomach Channels. It moist the Lungs and nourishes Yin and clear away Heart-fire. 424, Radix Glehniae is slightly cold in property and acts on the Lung and Stomach Channels. It nourishes the Yin and clear away heat from the Lungs. It also reinforces the Stomach as well as promoting production of body fluid. Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae is slightly cold in property and acting on the Heart, Pericardium and the Liver Channels. It invigorates the Blood Circulation to cool the blood and tranquillises the disturbed mind.

Most of the herbs prescribed above are cold or cool in property and act on the Lung, Heart, Liver, Stomach, Gallbladder and Spleen, e.g., Folium Mori is cold in property and is good for clearing away wind-heat or dry-heat from the Lungs, but it is not strong enough, hence it has to be assisted by Semen Sojae Praeparata and Fructus Gardeniae, which is cold in property and acts on the Heart, Lungs, Stomach and the Sanjiao Channels. Fructus Gardeniae is capable of purging fire-heat, relieving dysphoria, removing heat from the Blood and promoting diuresis. However, some of the herbs are warm in property such as the Rhizoma Corydalis and Radix Polygalae.

Application of herbs is related to the body condition as diagnosis has determined by the TCM Physicians. However, to strengthen the body resistance and relieve exterior syndromes, the first decoction to start with can be as follow:
[1] RhizomaPolygonati Odorati [H40] 9g 90
[2] Bulbus Allii Fistulosis [H41] 6g 90
[3] Radix Platycodi [H10] 5g
[4] Radix Cynanchi Atrati [H43] 3g 90
[5] Semen Sojae Praeparata [H44] 9g
[6] Radix Glycyrrhizae Praeparata [H45] 2g 90
[7] Herba Menthae [H 8] 5g
[8] Fructus Ziziphi Jujubae [H47] 2pcs 90



The second prescription that follows after taking 4 to 6 packets more of the aforesaid prescribtion can be as follow [take about 4 packets]:

[1] Semen Armeniacae Amarum [H 9] 6g
[2] Fructus Forsythiae [H 11] 5g
[3] Herba Menthae [H 8] 2.5g
[4] FOLIUM Mori [H 1] 7.5g
[5] Flos Chrysantemi [H 7] 3g
[6] Radix Platycodi [H 10] 6g
[7] Radix Gyyrrhizae [H 13] 2.3g
[8] Rhizoma Phragmitis [H 12] 6g

The subsequent prescriptions eill be determined by the body’s response to the two above decoctions. As a general preventive measure, a person can drink the following decoction once or twice a week [ prescription for adult. For children, reduce the weight age of the herbs so prescribe below by half]:

[1] Flos Lonicerae [H 19] 12g
[2] Flos Chrysantemi [H 7] 8g
[3] Herba Menthae [H 8] 3g
[4] FOLIUM mori [H 1] 12g
[5] Semen Arecae [H 25] 4g
[6] Semen Plantaginis [H 42] 10g

The following herbs can also be added to the above 6 herbs:

[7] Fructus Gardeniae [H 6] 8g
[8] Magnoliae Officinalis [H 29] 8g
[9] Radix Polygaiae [H 33] 8g
[10] Semen Armeniacae Amarum [H 9] 8g


W Y Ho, ACIS
[Dragon Ho]
8th September 2009-09-15

W Y Ho [Ho Wah Ying] is the former Advisor to the Kuala Lumpur Traditional Chinese Physicians Association. Currently, he is the President of the Kiwanis Club of Pandan Jaya [2007 – 2008 & 2008 – 2009] and the Lt. Governor-Elect for Division 3 of Kiwanis Malaysia [2009 – 2010]. For his contributions to societies, China has awarded W Y Ho with:



WARNING: The author is not asking or advising readers to follow this article of his and he therefore disclaims and shall not be liable for any eventualities as the dispensing of the herbs must be prescribed by TCM physicians.



[Please see the names of herbs in Chinese below:

TRADITION CHINESE MEDICINE

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
[Continued from earlier article posted on 16/7/2009]

Actions of Lifting, Lowering, Floating and Sinking.
In the previous week, we have discussed about the Properties and Flavours of Chinese herbs.
This article is discussing the actions of Chinese herbs tend to act on the human body.

The terms Lifting, Lowering, Floating and Sinking refer to the upward, downward, inward and outward directions in which the herbs tend to act on the human body:

Lifting indicates that the herbs will cause an upward movement of Qi in the body and Lowering is the opposite of that. Floating means causing the Qi to move outward towards the surface of the skin from the inside of the human body while Sinking means going inward into the body or purging away.

Herbs that belong to the Lifting and the Floating class have the upwards and outwards actions, hence these herbs are used for elevating Yang to relieve exterior syndromes by way of causing resuscitation, diaphoresis [to induce perspiration] dispelling superficial wind and cold, inducing vomiting, etc.

Herbs that belong to the Lowering and Sinking class have downward and inward action and therefore, these herbs are used for inducing purgation, promotion of micturition [ stimulate urination], clearing excessive body heat, removing dampness, causing an adverse flow of Qi to stop vomiting, checking the exuberance of Yang, relieving cough and asthma, removing stagnated food, tranquillising the mind, etc.

Generally, for diseases that are located in the upper part or exterior of the human body, it is appropriate to use herbs that belong to the Lifting and Floating class. For diseases that are located in the interior or lower part of the human body, such as dry stool and constipation, it is appropriate to use herbs of Lowing and Sinking class.

For diseases of which the manifestations tend upward, such as headache and vertigo due to hyperactivity of Liver-Yang, herbs belonging to Lowering and Sinking class should be used to calm the Liver and suppress the hyperactivity of the Liver-Yang.

For diseases of which manifestations tend downward, lifting herbs are suitable for curing such diseases as treatment for chronic diarrhea.

Most herbs that are pungent, or sweet in flavour and warm or hot in property have lifting and floating actions, while most herbs that have bitter, sour or salty flavour and cold or cool in property have lowering and sinking actions.

Generally, most of the herbs that are light in weight have lifting and floating actions while those that are heavy in weight have lowering and sinking actions. However, some herbs that are light in weight have lowering and sinking actions and conversely, some herbs, which are heavy in weight, have lifting and floating actions.

Composition of herbs in a prescription and the processing of the herbs can influence or alter the property of the herb, e.g., when wine is added to the decoction of herbs that have lowering and sinking properties, such properties can change to that of lifting and floating actions. Likewise the lifting and floating properties of herbs can be changed to that of lowering and sinking when salt solution is added to the preparation of` decoction.

If herbs that have lifting and floating actions are decocted with a greater amount of lowering and sinking action herbs, they may also have lowering and sinking actions. Similarly, if herbs that have lowering and sinking actions are decocted with a greater amount of lifting and floating action herbs, they may also have some lifting and floating action characteristics.

Some herbs may exert specific therapeutic action on pathological changes in certain viscera and certain or several channels, but having little effects on the other channels. For example, among the heat-clearing herbs, some herbs will either clear heat in the Lung Channel or in the Liver Channel or in the Heart Channel, etc. This herb’s selective therapeutic effects on certain channels and certain organs of the human body are referred to as Channel Tropism.

The human body is an organic whole in which the channels and collaterals are linked up with the interior and exterior and the all parts of the body. Pathological change in the exterior may affect the viscera in the same way as diseases in the viscera may find expressions in the exterior of the body, e.g., bacteria in the blood may weaken the liver and cause fever that is felt in the exterior of the body. Base on the theory of the channels and collaterals, the signs and symptoms of diseases in different parts of the body can be understood systematically, e.g., swollen gum in the oral, cavity is the symptom of the flare-up of stomach-fire, and pain in the hypochondriac region is the symptom of stagnation of Liver-Qi. Gypsum is used to treat pain and reduce swelling of the gum because it contains mainly hydrated calcium sulphate [CaSO4.2H2O]. It is pungent & sweet and cold in property. It acts on the Lung and the Stomach Channel. Gypsum has the effect of clearing away heat and purging fire, relieving thirst and restlessness. It promotes regeneration of the tissue and heals wound.

Different herbs can act on the same channel, but have different effects owing to the differences in property, flavour and actions, e.g. Dried Ginger [Gan Jiang], Lily Bulb [Baii Her], Lipidium seed [Huang Jin] and Scutellaria Root [Ding Le Zi] all act on the Lung Channel, but Dried Ginger can warn up cold Lung, Lily Bulb can cure Lung deficiency, Lipidium seed is used to soothe excess syndrome of the Lung and Scutellaria Root is used to clear heat in the Lung. Thus the Channel Tropism theory must be understood in association with the theories of the Properties and Flavours and the Action of Lifting, Floating, Lowering and Sinking.

Toxicity in Chinese herbs
Five thousand years ago, the Father of Chinese Medicine, Sheng Nong had identified Chinese herbs into: -
[1] Non-toxic herb:
[a] Food herbs – the food that the Chinese takes daily until to-day
[b] Curative herbs – those herbs that are used until present days

[2] Toxic herbs are classified into:
[a] Slightly toxic
[b] Extremely toxic
[c] Deadly toxic.
The slightly toxic herbs have no harmful effect on the human body.

Most of the herbs used in the administration of medicines are non-toxic herbs. Some extremely toxic herbs have remarkable effects and in certain extreme cases, are required to cure certain chronic, critical or obstinate illnesses. For the purpose of safety, such toxic herbs are usually prescribed in small and proper dosage to ensure that it will not have harmful effect on the human body. The dosage so prescribed will not cause side effects. The administration of such herbs is also determined by the patient’s age, severity, constitution and location of the disease. The dosage of such herbs is dispensed with extreme care to prevent and avoid overdose. Extremely toxic herbs must be DISCONTINUED immediately after the patient shows signs of getting better. Toxicity of the herbs can be eliminated or reduced by processing, preparation and dispensing. All the herbs available in the Chinese Medicine Shops [Drug Stores] are prepared or processed herbs.

TCM PRINCIPLE: “Treat the critical or obstinate illnesses with toxic herbs, of which the prerequisite is safety”.

Deadly toxic HERBS CANNOT BE DISPENSED for oral consumption.

[To be continued next week – Application of herbs - Compatibility and Contraindictions]

W Y Ho
26th August 2009



Meastro D’Taijiquan conducts Taijiquan and Qigong in Petaling Jaya. Please contact Master W. Y. Ho at 012-3319234

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

[Continued from earlier article dated 2nd July 2009]

The Five Flavours of Chinese herbs
The flavour of some of the herbs are often described below are different from their true tastes, nonetheless they are grouped together according to the various effectiveness. The various groups of herbs are explained below according to flavour grouping: - [1] Sweet [2] Sour [3] Bitter [4] Salty and [5] Pungent. There are two more groups and they that are Tasteless and Astringent.

[1] Sweet flavour herbs
The sweet flavour herbs have the effect of nourishing, tonifying replenishing and enriching the3 different parts of the human body or its organs. It has the impact on normalising the function of the spleen and the stomach as well as harmonising the properties of different herbs in combination, relieving spasm pain. Herbs of this group are effective usually in treatment of dry cough, lack of spleen – stomach co-ordination, constipation caused by dry intestine, various pains and the syndrome of the deficiency type, etc. Some of the sweet flavour herbs have detoxication effects.

[2] Sour flavour herbs
This group of herbs has the effects of inducing astringency and arresting discharge. Sour flavour herbs are used for treating:
[a] chronic diarrhea [f] emission
[b] sweating due to debility [g] spermatorrhea
[c] chronic cough [h] enuresis (involuntary urination)
[d] chronic leukorrhagia [I] frequent micturition (having the urge to urinate).
[e] metrorrhagia (non-menstruation) or metro-stasis (stoppage of menses)

[3] Bitter flavour herbs
Bitter flavour herbs have the effects of purging out pathogenic fire, clearing heat, sinking of the adverse Qi to treat cough and vomitting, cough and vomiting, cough with dyspnea (laboured breathing) eliminating dampness, relaxing the bowels, constipation due to heat excess, damp-heat syndrome as well as damp-cold syndrome etc.

[4] Salty flavour herbs
Herbs of this group have the effects of relieving constipation, softening and resolving hard mass. It is usually used for treating dry stool, scrofula (disease with glandular swelling), goitre, abdominal mass, etc.

[5] Pungent flavour herbs
This group of herbs has the effect of promoting the circulation of the vital energy and the blood as well as dispersing exo-pathogens (external micro-organisms that can cause diseases) from the body. Pungent flavour herbs such as garlic are usually used to treat blood stasis, stagnation of vital energy (Qi flow) and other superficial and mild illness caused by exo-pathogens, etc.

[6] Tasteless flavour herbs
This group of herbs has the effects of excreting dampness and inducing diuresis (sweating). It is commonly used for treating edema (water retention) and dysuria (difficulty in urination), etc.

[7] Astringent flavour herbs
This group of herbs has the harsh, biting quality. Astringent flavour herbs have the similar actions as those of the Sour flavour herbs.

Generally, herbs of the same flavour will have similar actions and herbs of different tastes will have quite a different actions. Nonetheless, some herbs have the same property, but have different flavour and vice-versa and as such, their effects are not all the same.

The property and the flavour of a herb should be considered as an integrated whole and not be treated separately

W Y Ho
16th July 2009


[To be continued next week – Action of Lifting, lowering. Floating and Sinking ]


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Maestro D’Taijiquan conducts Taijiquan and Qigong in Petaling Jaya. Please contact Master W. Y. Ho at 012-3319234

FOREST RESERVES - Deforestation

Recently, The Star Metro had reported about the deforestation exercises that took place at the Sungai Jelok Forest Reserves (reported on 29th June 2009) and at Rantau Panjang Forest Reserves near Bukit Terak (reported on 2nd July 2009). The Sungai Jelok Forest Reserves is in the Hulu Langat District while the Rantau Panjang Forest Reserves Hulu Selangor District in the State of Selangor, Malaysia.






The two reports in the Star Metro had prompted the Association of Backpackers Malaysia to revisit the jungle trails of Bukit Terak (Rantau Pajnang Forest Reserves) on 5th July 2009. Twelve members of the Association of Backers Malaysia (ABM) travelled by 3 cars from Petaling Jaya through the Rawang Interchange to a spot about 1Km before the Rawang to Batang Berjuntai – Batang Arang Junction. Bukit Terak is on the right side of Rawang-Batang Berjuntai [now known as Bestari Jaya] Road. From that spot the group of 12 ABM members walked up to the top of Bukit Terap and thereafter crossed over to Batu Arang Town on the left side Rawang-Batang Berjuntai Road. Below is what the 12 members of ABM saw during their excursion up Bukit Terak.

Dated 6th July 2009

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE - Properties & Flavours

[Continued from earlier article dated 24th June 2009]

Properties and Flavours of Chinese herbs
Every Chinese herb has its property and flavour, hence Chinese herbs are also referred to “Four properties and five flavours”. “Property” in this context, refers to cold, hot, warm or cool nature of the herb while “Flavour” refers to pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, tasteless and astringent.

Most cold or cool-natured herbs have the effects of clearing heat, purging the ‘fire’ from the body, removing toxic substances, and nourishing the Yin. Herbs that are warm or hot in nature have the effects of dispersing cold, warming up the interior of the body, supporting the Yang.

Besides the cold or cool-natured and the warm or hot-natured herbs, there is another class of herbs that are neutral to the aforesaid natures. Herbs of neutral in nature can be used to treat either hot or cold syndromes.

In term of flavour, sweet and tasteless coexist while the sour and astringent herbs have the same effects in the treatment applications. Pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty tastes herbs are the cardinal flavours that are habitually known as the five flavours. Some of the herbs are classified according to the herbs’ actions other than tastes.

Herbs of different flavours and different compositions give different pharmacological and therapeutic actions, while herbs of the same taste usually have similarities in effect and composition..

[To be continued next week – Application of herbs according to flavours]


W. Y. Ho
1st July 2009


Maestro D’Taijiquan conducts Taijiquan and Qigong in Petaling Jaya. Please contact Master W. Y. Ho at 012-3319234

ENVIRONMENT - CLIMATE CHANGE

The US Global Change Research Programme, a grouping of a dozen US government agencies and the White House, has recently released its report, titled “Global Change Impacts in the United States”. Mr. Jerry Melillo of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts said that “Climate change is happening now, it is not something that will happen decades or centuries in the future”. Mr. Jerry Melillo is one of the lead authors of the report. According to the report, the climate change is caused mainly by human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases. The report outlines in plain, non-scientific terms hoe global warming has led to an increase of extreme weather like the powerful heat-wave that swept Europe in 2003. Global warming has impact on everything from water supplies to farming, to energy, to health. On Friday, 26th June 2009, The House of Representatives in the United States has narrowly passed the legislation that establishes the United States’ first limits on pollution that is linked to global warming. Democratic Representative, Ed Murkey described the legislation as “the most important energy and environmental legislation in the history of our country”.

On Thursday, 18th of June 2009, the Star reported that the haze that covered the Kuala Lumpur skyline on 17th June 2009. According to that report, the Air Pollutant Index showed that some 26 areas in Malaysia, the air quality reading were between 51 to 100 while in Tanjung Malim area was declared as unhealthy with the reading between 101 and 200 as recorded.


On 27th June 2009, Malaysia Environment NGO (MENGO) in association with the Purple Ants had organised a Treasure Hunt to create awareness of the environmental impact on human life among the people. The Treasurer Hunt took some 500 participants, the majority of whom were below the age of 30 years age, from Petaling Jaya to Jalan Ampang to Jalan Sultan Ismail to Jalan Imbi to Jalan Hang Tuah to Jalan Sambantan areas in Kuala Lumpur. The rules of the Treasure Hunt prohibited the use of cars, buses or any petrol or diesel driven vehicles as a means of transport. It was all fun and challenges that had put the thought of winning in the second place.

The Team, “The Green Hunter”[picture above]is the only team, which has 3 of its 4 members who are above 60 years of age. Among them, the oldest is 70 years old..



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Maestro D’Taijiquan conducts Taijiquan and Qigong in Petaling Jaya. Please contact Master W. Y. Ho at 012-3319234

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

My name is Ho Wah Ying [better known as W. Y. Ho]. I was a practising TCM Chinese Physician for more than 40 years. For a number of years, I was the Advisor to the Kuala Lumpur Traditional Chinese Physician Association.

Very often I have overheard people at the coffee-shop talks, discussing about usage of herbs to cure certain illness, particularly single-herb prescriptions. Let me share my experience and knowledge, as a Chinese Physician, with you about Chinese Medicine. However, I have to share my knowledge by instalments as it would be too long to describe it in one single article.

Discussion 1 - The Characters and Functions of Traditional Chinese Herbs
Every herb has its own specific characters. Such different characters of the herbs are used to treat diseases, rectify the hyperactivity and hypoactivity of Yin and Yang. It helps the body to restore its normal physiological functions and hence eliminate the diseases and restore the body to good health. The characters and functions of these herbs include: -
[1] herbs’ properties, which refers to the cold, hot, warm, or cool nature of the herbs
[2] Its flavours, which refers to the taste of the herbs – pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, salty, tasteless and
astringent (harsh biting quality)
[3] actions of lifting,
[4] actions of lowering
[5] actions to float
[6] actions to cause Channel Tropism
[7] action to clear or neutralise toxicity, etc.

This theory is based on the theories of Yin and Yang, the viscera, the channels and collaterais, and the treatment principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

W Y Ho
24th June 2009
Next week – Properties and flavours

BLOGGERS CARNIVAL - PJ challenge 2009

The Day on 20th June 2009 is the 3rd Anniversary of Petaling Jaya City Day. As part of the City Day Celebration, the Association of Backpackers Malaysia (ABM) in association with Kaspersky Lab and MBPJ held a one-day Bloggers “K”arnival at Jaya 33 in Petaling Jaya.

More than 500 people came to participate in the Carnival. About 300 of the participants took part in the Blogging Competition while the rest of them took part in the Treasure Hunt, Find Your Match, Photography Contest (Capture Karnival Moments), Mystery Gift for Dad, and the Children’s Colouring Contest, All participants were given a goody-bag of freebies.


The Bloggers Competition was divided into two categories – [1] Basic (Blog 101) and [2] Advanced (Blog 411). The Prizes for the Basic (Blog 101) are Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 Antivirus system and the prizes for the Advanced (Blog 411) are Laptops.

1dragoncall.blogspot. com has won a prize in the Basic category.



There were also cultural activities to entertain the people who came to Jaya 33 to participate in the Carnival as well as to shop there.

BEAUTES OF BUKIT GASING, P. JAYA

The recent fire in May 2009 that burnt out part of the Bukit Gasing range, has destroyed some of the flora and fauna in the forest on those hills of the Bukit Gasing range. However, not all are lost. Below are some of the beauties that you can still find in the forest of Bukit Gasing.
















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Maestro D’Taijiquan conducts Taijiquan and Qigong in Petaling Jaya. Please contact Master W. Y. Ho at 012-3319234