Understanding the Root Causes of Diseases
To effectively treat diseases, it is crucial to comprehend their underlying causes. Thai Traditional Medicine identifies five fundamental factors that influence and contribute to illnesses: elements, seasons, age, time, and location.
Elements
All living beings consist of four fundamental elements: earth, water, wind, and fire. Earth represents solidity and stability, water embodies fluidity and absorption within the body, wind signifies movement, and fire represents heat and combustion.
Health depends on a delicate balance among these elements. Any imbalance, deficiency, excess, or loss of function in these elements can lead to illness. Appropriate treatments are prescribed to restore this balance. There are 8 common behavioral causes of disease that can lead to imbalances in the elements, which we will discuss in the next post.
Seasons
Seasonal changes can also trigger illnesses. When transitioning between seasons, individuals need to adapt their bodies significantly to cope with the new environmental conditions. Failure to adapt correctly can result in illness.
For instance, transitioning from cold to hot seasons involves adjusting to shifts in temperature. Natural remedies like Triphala (the three myrobalans) are used to help the body adapt smoothly from cold to hot seasons.
Different seasons bring distinct susceptibilities. The hot season may lead to illnesses related to the fire element, such as fever and rashes. In the rainy season, wind-related sicknesses like dizziness and body aches become more common, while the cold season may bring about water-related issues such as runny noses and excess phlegm.
Age
Age is another crucial factor. There are three distinct age stages: early age (birth to 16 years old), middle age (16 to 32 years old), and old age (32 years old and up).
During early age, growth outweighs decline, and individuals are prone to diseases related to water elements, such as colds resulting in runny noses, excess phlegm, and ear infections. Middle age is characterized by a balance between growth and decline, leading to illnesses associated with the fire element, such as fever and sore throats.
In traditional Thai medicine, old age is defined differently from the common perception. It is marked by a decline that outweighs growth, emphasizing the need for self-care, even in the absence of apparent symptoms. Individuals in this age group are more likely to experience wind-related sicknesses like fatigue, dizziness, body aches, and bloating. Modern medicine acknowledges that muscle strength starts to decline after 30 years of age.
Thai traditional medicine practitioners tailor medicine prescriptions based on the patient’s age group. For example, those in the old age group receive treatments addressing the wind element, while those in the middle age group are prescribed remedies targeting the fire element.
Location
Your place of residence also significantly affects your health. If you have been in your current location for more than six months, it is considered your place of residence.
Living in a hot region with mountains and cliffs can make you susceptible to fire element-related illnesses. Conversely, residing in a tropical area with heavy rainfall can result in wind element-related sickness.
When moving to a new location, acclimatization is essential to prevent illness. Consuming local dishes can help your body adapt to the new climate. In Thailand’s southern coastal regions, people consume fiery cuisine to counteract wind element-related illnesses, often incorporating calming herbs like white turmeric. Local cuisine often reflects generations of wisdom.
Time
Time also plays a role in illness. The Earth’s rotation causes day and night, while the moon’s orbit around the Earth and gravitational pull create tides. According to ancient medical astrology, Earth’s movement around the sun and the stars’ positions relative to Earth influence illnesses.
For example, the water element dominates from 6 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm, leading to symptoms like runny noses or diarrhea. The fire element prevails from 10 am to 2 pm and 10 pm to 2 am, often causing peak fever and stomach discomfort. From 2 am to 6 am and 2 pm to 6 pm, the wind element dominates, worsening symptoms such as dizziness, pain, fatigue, and asthma during these periods.
The Supernatural
While Western medicine generally does not consider the supernatural a cause of illness, Thai traditional medicine, and various indigenous belief systems do. In this context, karma is a central concept. Good deeds lead to good karma, while bad deeds result in bad karma. Illness is often seen as a consequence of bad karma, and patients are encouraged to perform virtuous actions like generosity, morality, meditation, loving-friendliness, compassion, appreciative joy, equanimity, and to practice the noble eight-fold path to improve their karma.
In some cases, illness may be attributed to curses or black magic. If someone feels cursed, they may seek help from a monk or spiritual leader to remove the curse.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, delving into the root causes of diseases is not only crucial for effective treatment but also for adopting preventive measures. Thai Traditional Medicine identifies five fundamental factors—elements, seasons, age, time, and location—that influence and shape our health. By recognizing the intricate interplay of these factors and their impact on our well-being, individuals can make informed choices to maintain their health and vitality.
Through a holistic understanding of these elements, one can navigate life’s seasons, embrace the passage of time, adapt to their place of residence, and even contemplate the influence of the supernatural, all while taking proactive steps towards a healthier future.
