Valentine’s
Day, TCM and Heart Health
Every February men all over
the world flock to the local flower shops and jewelry stores in search of the
perfect bouquet or piece of jewelry to express their undying love to their
significant other. Why? Nobody knows for certain, but there are at least
a couple of theories.
One theory is a Catholic
priest, Valentine, was imprisoned for helping Christians escape Roman prisons.
While he imprisoned himself, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who
visited him. Allegedly, before his death, Valentine wrote a letter and signed
it, “From your Valentine.” Thus, the first Valentine’s Day card was created,
or so it is reported.
However, like many
contemporary holidays, Valentine’s Day probably has pagan roots. The pagan
celebration of Lupercalia, celebrated at the ides of February, was a fertility
festival dedicated to Faunus. Faunus was the Roman god of agriculture. So
it can be derived that from the pagan fertility festival, this was later
watered down by the Church and turned into a festival of love. By the 1800s it
had become common for friends and lovers to exchange gifts as tokens of affection.
Shortly after that, the holiday became commercialized.
Where does Traditional
Chinese Medicine fit in? Well, it really doesn’t. However, in TCM, the
heart houses the Shen. The Shen is sometimes described as the spirit, but it
also includes the mind. During the winter months, when the hours of sunlight
are short, the weather is typically colder and very little is growing; many
people develop something known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. So
perhaps, celebrating Valentine’s Day in the middle of winter is a way to keep
our hearts healthy and our Shen lively. The feeling of love can permeate every
cell of the body and mind. This can bring healing to those who are experiencing
SAD, while helping to keep the heart healthy.
Heart health is extremely important.
Without a healthy heart, the body does not function properly. Just as
equally important is the state of the mind. This is where TCM can be extremely
beneficial. Acupuncture, the main modality of TCM has been shown to help
lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate and calm the mind. There are specific
acupuncture points and point prescriptions that can help the mind and the
heart, which can strengthen the mind-body connection.
The emotion associated with
the heart in TCM is joy. The heart is also the center of perception. Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to experience joy, and it doesn’t
have to be from a significant other. Sharing special moments with those
who are closest to us, friends, family, etc., helps to keep the heart full of
joy. Even acts of “selfishness” can have profound effects on the mind, body and
soul. Spending time alone can also keep the heart healthy, as it gives us time
to reflect, relax and take in the beauty all around us.
So this year, when
Valentine’s Day rolls around, don’t fret over trying to find the perfect card
or gift. Instead, try focusing attention on the people, places and things
that bring joy to your life. Your heart will beat a little slower and your mind
will be a little calmer.
Bishara WIlson, L.Ac., MSTOM, C.SMA
888.375.5444
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