"The sage knows that the jing/essence is the most precious substance in the body."1 — Neijing Suwen
Jing is the foundation of life and longevity. Estrogen is one of the hormones which enables jing to find expression for life to unfold. More than two millennia after the Nei Jing, Dr. Royal Lee postulated that the maintenance of a healthy hormone system is the key to wellness and longevity.2 The long and healthy life of his devoted wife, beyond 100 years, is testimony to Dr. Lee's genius.
Estrogen and ITs Role in Health – and Disease
Henry R. Harrower, MD, the "Father of Endocrinology, pictured the relationship between internal secretions (hormones) and the viscera. His diagram reflects the kind of interdependence of Jing and the Zang Fu we are all familiar with in TCM. Note, for example, the relationship of the inclusion of the liver, pancreas, kidneys / adrenals, and pancreas. (See the chart, reprinted with permission from Selene River Press.)
Dr. Harrower's chart takes us beyond such limited paradigms as the HPG (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad) relationships. This corroborates Five Element shen and ko cycle relationships.
Contemporary research also expands our understanding of estrogen beyond the gonads; estrogen receptors are found in many parts of the body, and are thought to orchestrate development and growth in mammals.3 Overstimulation with xenoestrogens accounts for the genesis of cancer in vital organs. Science now understands the role of estrogen in cancers of the kidney, lung, pancreas and brain in relation to xenoestrogens and their receptors.4
When Hormones and Plastics Interact
Plastics proliferate xenoestrogens, which are the antithesis of the flourishing of life. Ironically, the basic material from which plastics are formulated are petrochemicals; the remains of ancient plants which initially contained healthy jing and phytoestrogens.
The modern view of estrogen receptors describes their impact on the endocrine, paracrine (local tissues) and neurotransmitting activity of human metabolism.5 Plastic pollution increases xenoestrogen damage to life primarily through microplastic fallout and food containers.6
Microplastics alone contribute 100,000 tons of pollution to the Earth's atmosphere annually. These pollutants pass through the mother's bloodstream into the uterus, entering the developing fetus. Evidence suggests some cancers may have their origin in the prenatal environment due to xenoestrogens.7
Xenoestrogens are also associated with precocious puberty in girls and delayed puberty in boys,8 according to a Copenhagen study that likewise demonstrated the additional relationship of breast and other gonadal cancers to prepubescent levels of excess estrogen. Contemporary veterinary practice advises spaying female dogs, but not neutering male dogs to prevent cancer.
Are We Putting Our Patients At Risk?
Estrogen-driven cancers can have a long and obsequious origin. Plastic containers and packaging are potent sources of this lethal contamination. One of my patients observed that her nutritional supplement, now only available in plastic, did not taste the same as the same nutrient formula previously available in a glass container.
By extension, are our granular and patent herbs also being contaminated? My suspicion is that both the supplements and the herbs exert a more powerful influence on our patients' immediate health than the microplastic and/or out-gassing of plastic contaminants from the containers.
The long-term impact of plastics seeping into herbs and supplements is unknown at this time, but some manufacturers are switching to glass with metal caps as a cleaner and healthier delivery system.
The release of EA (estrogen active) ingredients in plastics increases with UV radiation, heat, microwaves and mechanical stress, including shipping and handling. In an effort to produce safer plastics, substitute resins are being investigated. The popular "BPA-free" plastics are an example. Unfortunately, BPA substitutes may have even higher EA activity than the polymers they are replacing.9 The cited detailed study suggests EA free plastics are possible and the cost of these products would be only "minimally higher." But these plastics would still clog the oceans and break down into microplastic particles, adding to the toxic rain contaminating our air.
In our own profession, the introduction of "Acufast" needles, distributed by Golden Flower Chinese Herbs, is a significant step in reducing our plastic pollution load. Patients appreciate this effort to lessen plastic pollution. This enhances the shen calming aspect of their treatments.
It's Time to Make a Difference
We are all affected by plastic pollution. Indeed, all life on this planet is suffocating and dying under the load of plastic waste we humans relentlessly generate.
The intricate network of qi and blood flow in our bodies, and the many relationships described in the Nei Jing and through the long history of Chinese medicine, reflect the complexity of nature. This understanding of the natural world, coupled with the great genius and devotion of our predecessors, is the jewel of Chinese medicine.
Contemporary practitioners now face the challenge of finding ways to reduce and eliminate plastic toxins from practice. Fortunately, some governments are also working toward this goal.
Editor's Note: Raven's next article concludes her short series on how the acupuncture profession can take the lead in moving toward a healthier, plastic-free planet.
References / Notes
Neijing Suwen; Ni M, translator. Chapter 4: "The Truth From the Golden Chamber": p. 14.
Dr. Lee, founder of Standard Process, studied the endocrine system for more than 50 years.
Fucic A, et al. Environmental exposure to xenoestrogens and oestrogen related cancers: reproductive system, breast, lung, kidney, pancreas and brain. Environ Health, 2012;11(Suppl 1):S8.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Microplastic fallout is derived from the breakdown of larger plastics in the ocean and landfills.
Fucic, et al., Op. Cit.
Aksglaede L, et. al. The sensitivity of the child to sex steroids: possible impact of exogenous estrogens. Hum Reprod Update, 2006;12(4):341-9.
Yang CZ, et al. Most plastic products release estrogenic chemicals: a potential health problem that can be solved. Environ Health Perspect, 2011 Jul 1;119(7):989-99.
As modern medical standardization continues, the field of traditional Chinese medicine has the advantage of comprehensive personalization. For rare or complex cases, deeper consideration of constitution is invaluable. Proper constitutional assessment, especially with first-time clients, can guide desirable and predictable outcomes. This leads to a higher rate of return, and greater trust between you and your patient.
Though the creation of a financially sustainable, health-promoting model feels far away today, we are casting a vision for a full return on health, believing that this compels us to keep one foot firmly rooted in caring for the sick and the other foot firmly founded in maintaining health. Shifting from a fee-for-service model to value-based care using a phased approach is paramount.
Traditional Chinese medicine and the Vedic traditions both offer rich frameworks for understanding human health, emphasizing the balance of physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. The concept of "souls" or spiritual components in TCM, namely Hun, Po, Shen, Yi, and Zhi, bears significant similarities to the yogic concept of koshas. Their similarities and differences provide insights into how these systems contribute to holistic health practices.
