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Learning & Resource Center Articles
Toxic Heat and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Understanding HIV disease from the Chinese Perspective
By: Dr. Misha Ruth Cohen, OMD, L.Ac.
Through
clinical observation and treatment of thousands of people with HIV and
AIDS, clinical evaluation of the tongues of over 600 people with HIV
infection and/or AIDS, and the use of pulse diagnosis, I have come to
understand that HIV infection is triggered by Toxic Heat, and initially
attacks the Spleen and Stomach Organ Systems. They are the central
organs involved in this complex syndrome and must be supported
throughout the entire course of the disease even when the HIV-related
disharmonies expand to involve all the other organ systems as well.
The Impact of Toxic Heat
Toxic
Heat creates the initial flu-like symptoms that for many people
accompany initial exposure to HIV. And as the Toxic Heat moves more
deeply into all systems of the body, it triggers a whole variety of
common HIV-related symptoms: pruritis (chronic itching), sore throats,
increase in body temperature, feeling like you always have a fever even
if one is not present, a nagging sensation that something toxic is
present in the body.
Toxic Heat is also responsible for the
cascade of Organ System disharmonies in the Spleen and Stomach, Kidney
and Liver, which contribute to the major complication associated with
HIV infection, wasting. (For detailed information on nutritional
management and therapy see the Diet Therapy chapter and the three-part
“Wasting Program: The Daily Diary;” “The Cleansing Diet;”“ The
Anti-Wasting Program” in The HIV Wellness Sourcebook.)
Role of the Spleen and Stomach Systems in the Progression from HIV to AIDS
The
Spleen and Stomach Systems govern the digestive process, transforming
food energy and fluid into Qi and Xue (blood). As a result the Spleen
and Stomach moisten and nurture all the other Organ Systems and
channels.
When Toxic Heat disrupts the Spleen and Stomach
Systems, it triggers symptoms that are associated with the very early
stages of HIV infection. These symptoms include
- fatigue,
- inability to gain weight no matter how much is eaten,
- loose stools,
- bloating, gas and flatulence and/or dull pain in the abdomen,
- needing to take naps after meals, and/or
- frequent infections.
In
addition, symptoms of early stage HIV infection, such as dry skin and
lips, set in when the flow of fluids and food essence from the Spleen
and Stomach to the Lungs, is disrupted. Often dryness in one area,
triggers dampness in another: Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness
manifests in early neuropathy (a numbness or tingling sensation often
in the hands or feet, lymphadenopathy (swelling and inflammation of the
lymph nodes), vaginal candidiasis (yeast) infections, more serious
loose stools and/or bloating. Spleen-related diarrhea is prevalent with
loose stools and abdominal bloating after eating. Skin rashes, commonly
associated with early-stage HIV infection, are a result of Spleen Qi
deficiency and Lung disharmonies interacting with the essential
substances.
Spleen Qi deficiency also causes deficient Xue
(blood). Once this sets in, the door is opened to allow Toxic Heat to
enter the depleted blood and penetrate ever deeper into the body. The
body them moves into more advanced stages of HIV/AIDS. If unchecked, an
increasing depletion of the fluids of the Spleen (the Spleen’s Yin
aspect) leads to overall Yin deficiency, which in turn can lead to Yang
depletion.
Although today the combination of Western and Chinese
therapies can arrest (for some period of time) the progression of HIV
infection to end-stage AIDS for many people, when the cascade of
Spleen-Stomach triggered disorders causes overall Yin deficiency and
Yang depletion, wasting becomes severe. Diarrhea stops. The skin
becomes drier and drier. Thirst is unquenchable. Fevers spike every
afternoon and often in the evenings. The pulse is rapid, thready and
superficial. This is a terminal stage of HIV disease. (ED: Yes it is
called HIV disease.) Acupuncture and herbs are used to support the Shen
(spirit) and the passing over to a new phase of existence.
Associated Disharmonies and Opportunistic Infections
Toxic
Heat and the Spleen-Stomach disharmonies weaken the body’s overall
resistance to assault from both internal and external disease factors
and allow other organ systems to become involved. This leads to the
development of HIV-related disorders and opportunistic infections. For
example, if Toxic heat assaults the Lungs, PCP (Pneumocystis Carinii
pneumonia) may develop. Xue disharmonies are associated with Kaposi’s
sarcoma (a proliferative, circulatory cell disease that causes skin
lesions); dampness is associated with candidiasis (yeast infections)
and fungal invasions; Yin deficiency and Xue deficiency are associated
with MAC (Mycobacterium Avian Complex) ; dampness and Spleen and Lung
disharmonies may manifest as chronic sinusitis; disturbed Shen that is
associated with mental disturbances that accompany HIV/AIDS; and many
more.
Each of these syndromes is detailed in the individual
treatment programs in the last section of the book. However, I wanted
to make the point here that looking at HIV disease as an assault by
Toxic Heat that starts with damage to the Spleen and Stomach, and moves
on to include other organ systems and Essential Substances, provides a
concise method of describing, diagnosing and treating the whole
constellation of HIV-related diseases.
Continue Article:
Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.
This
article is protected by United States copyright law and may not be
reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast
without the prior written permission of Dr. Misha Ruth Cohen, OMD, L.Ac. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.
About the Author
Dr. Misha Ruth Cohen, OMD, L.Ac., has over 25 years experience in
the practice of Asian medicine--including acupuncture, herbal medicine,
nutrition and diet, and Asian bodywork.
Misha is the author of
three books: The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness; The
HIV Wellness Sourcebook: and The Hepatitis C Helpbook. She is
internationally known as a practitioner, teacher, and mentor to Chinese
medicine practitioners around the world.
Today, Cohen has developed great expertise in the area of gynecology
and is considered one of the pioneers of utilizing Chinese medicine to
help treat HIV and AIDS.
Website: http://docmisha.com
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