In trying to remedy any problem it is important, indeed crucial, to know the real underlying cause of the problem. The other side of the coin is what can actually resolve the problem and not just temporarily patch it up. ‘Patching’ leads only to facing greater and more serious problems down the road, often sooner than later. People used to say: “Short cut draws blood,” i.e. bigger problems with less solutions.
Now in order for the body to stay and remain healthy two things must happen regularly. There must be constant nourishing and constant cleansing. This requires a continuous and abundant supply of fresh blood flowing through the body. This nourishes the body with the nutrients it needs and the oxygen essential for all its life processes. Once nutrients and oxygen are delivered this flowing blood then removes waste and toxins of all kinds. This is the cornerstone of healthy living. There is no exception. When the blood does not circulate properly for whatever reason the body starts breaking down, thus jump-starting the disease process. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients. It removes waste and toxins, sending them to the liver and kidneys for filtering and detoxification. Blood delivers white cells, i.e. immune cells. Blood regulates the body temperature and the acid-alkaline balance.
Most adults have about 1 and a quarter gallon to a gallon and a half. This amounts to about 10lb. This same process takes place with the eyes. Blood drops off oxygen and nutrients then picks up the waste to be further broken down and removed. In many ways blood is like a postal delivery service. This circulation system delivers blood, oxygen and nutrients to the trillions of cells in the body, while at the same time removing waste and toxins. The eyes need a tremendous amount of blood, particularly oxygen and nutrients. The area behind the retina of the eyes requires the greatest blood flow per cubic millilitre of any area of the body.
How are the eyes nourished?
In eastern medicine eye problems are closely related to liver. The liver blood nourishes the eyes. When the liver blood is low this can lead to blurred vision, myopia, floaters in the eyes, colour-blindness or dry eyes. Western medicine would say low liver blood can result from anaemia or scarring of liver that reduces blood flow through the liver. Bloodshot, burning or painful sensation in the eyes is caused by too much heat in the liver. Western medicine would put this down to some sort of inflammation in the liver. Extreme heat in the liver, internal liver wind can cause the eyeball to turn upward and move involuntarily. From western medicine’s point of view this can result from uncontrolled blood pressure or from heavy emotional stress. The condition of the liver is often mirrored in the eyes. When one gets really angry the eyes go red due to heat in the liver. The liver can actually block nourishment due to lack of proper amounts of blood, or poor quality blood that does not have the ability to properly nourish. Blood that is lacking in iron cannot deliver oxygen and tends to be purple rather than bright red. Emotional stress is perhaps the most common factor in poor liver function. But all these things will affect the energy and blood circulation, resulting in poor blood flow, which then becomes a road-block for nourishment – including to the liver. It becomes like having a car but not enough gas, or the gas is blocked from getting to the engine, so that it doesn’t run properly. This is one way in which blood-flow, nourishment and oxygen can be cut off.
There are two more ways blood nourishment can be cut off. Now the kidneys manufacture blood and the liver stores it. If these organs are weakened they are not able to produce sufficient amounts of blood to nourish the eyes. This will lead to a breakdown in the eyes and can trigger floaters that come with floating dark specks or specks that come and go, or half circles, or flashes of light. With this condition there may be dizziness, ringing in the ears, lower backaches or dry thirst and mouth that can lead to heat. This particular situation of internal heat and fire can go into the blood and trigger bleeding of the blood vessels. This leads to floaters with dancing dark specks and poor vision. This can also cause irritability, insomnia, dry throat and mouth.
In eastern medicine the digestive system transports and transforms nutrients into energy and blood. The ability to do this can be weakened by poor digestion marked by feeling sluggish and tired, even sleepy after eating. This means food is not being turned into energy, but is stockpiling poorly as undigested food. This leads to fatigue. It also means that nutrients and energy are not being produced necessary to heal and generate energy. Because of poor appetite not enough nutrient is being eaten. This can trigger floaters that come with blurred vision, flying and dancing dark specks. Sometimes there is also a lot of mucous. This is part of what it means to get to the roots or foundation of the problem. Without dealing with one of the three possible causes or combinations of factors nothing can remedy them. One step is to strengthen the digestive system.
1.In this regard one should chew at least 20 -30 times each mouthful of food.
2. After eating do not do anything for 20 minutes: no reading, no watching anything, no exercise. This takes blood away from where it should be – in the belly digesting food.
3. Do not drink water or tea while eating. This weakens the digestive juices. Soups are OK, but is best eaten first in order of the meal.
4. Do not drink black tea or green tea right after the meal.
5. It is best to eat small meals throughout the day rather than 3 meals a day. (This will be outlined in Part 2) The key is taking more soup and carrying it in a container if necessary.
Carrots are very good because they help all kinds of digestive problems. Celery is good because it helps digestion and helps move the liver. Dried orange peel is good to remove obstructions and move the digestive system. This is all for today. Part 2 will look at improving digestion, dealing with cataracts, blood vessel issues, menus, etc.
Daniel Babu
