Conceptualization of emotions in three medical systems: traditional chinese medicine, ayurveda and traditional mexican medicine

Abstract

The emergence of alternative and complementary medicines (CAM) to address emotional upsets, chronic ailments and achieving overall wellness has been reported in several countries. Its practices generally deal with the psycho-physiological and the spiritual state. Although there are studies concerning different aspects about CAM, it is still little the information on the concepts of person, body and emotion they hold. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine the conceptualization of emotions in traditional chinese medicine, Ayurveda and traditional mexican medicine. The information has been gathered on theoretical texts and works based in ethnographies. The three health practices conceptualize the body and emotions based on a vast symbolic world in which representations of the universe, nature and human beings are juxtaposed. The human being is represented as an interweaving of functions expressed materially (organs, tissue, etc.) and immaterially (energy, emotions, etc.). In order to come to understand the emotions we first need to know the macro cosmic development, because emotions are manifestation of the energies that produce all forms of life. Into these health practices, the organic, emotional and energetic aspects are equally important for diagnosis and treatment.