From a Medical viewpoint, Spirit is the non-physical part of the person, related to the manifestation of Consciousness. The Spirit is generally strongly associated with Mental function, clarity of consciousness and the Emotions. The Spirit is said to be seated in the Heart, but can be thought of rising to the Head while we are awake, and returning to the Heart when we fall asleep.

Disorders affecting the Spirit:

• Spirit affected by Heat–Insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, agitation, irritability and palpitations. Mania and Mental disorders may also occur; pulse will be fast or big, the tongue is red
• Phlegm or Damp obstruction–Phlegm/Damp obstructs clarity of consciousness causing Confusion or Mental Dullness. Pulse is soft. tongue is pale with a wet or white coating
• Wind affecting the Spirit–Wind affecting the Spirit causes erratic and irrational behavior, Mania, Manic-Depression, maybe leading to Insanity. Pulse is tight or tense, irregular, Toncgue will be dry
• Melancholy–affects the Heart and Spirit, there is a sense of dread, depression, preference for solitude, with a generally dark mental outlook, and worry and fear without good reason. Face and eyes are dull, pulse is small
• Heart Blood or Yin deficiency–the Spirit is not stable, there may be restlessness, insomnia, palpitations. Therefore medicines that nourish the Heart are often combined with Medicines that settle the Spirit. Pulse is weak, or fast and weak, Tongue is dry and/or cracked 9if Yin deficienct) or Pale if Blood deficienct

When the Spirit is overwhelmed, the person may be despondent, easily frightened or anxious, with a tendency to stress or depression. When the Spirit is subject to a shock, it may ‘return to the Heart’ and the person faints.

Cardiacs and Cordials are the traditional classes of medicine used to soothe and benefit the Heart which thereby settles the Spirit. Medicines appropriated to the Spirit include Pearl, Coral, Amber and the Gems, and many of the Traditional formulas for the Spirit contain some of these types of medicines.

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