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The ABC+D Approach

With Steven Horne, RH(AHG)

Lesson Two

Balancing Biological Terrain

Mental & Emo,onal Stress 

Nutri,onal Deficiencies 

Physical Trauma 

Toxic  Overload 

Body Systems Biological Terrain 

Cons,tu,on 

Coughs 

Backache 

Acne 

Hair Loss 

Gout 

Insomnia 

Weight Gain 

PMS 

Fever 

Cons,pa,on 

Eczema 

Hay Fever 

Asthma Indiges,on 

Cancer 

Arthri,s 

Anemia 

Cramps 

Ulcers 

Heart Disease 

Psoriasis 

Hepa,,s 

MS 

Biological Terrain

•  The internal environment — the lymphatic fluid in which cells live

•  Can be likened to the soil in which a plant grows

•  The health of the soil determines the health of the plant

•  As long as biological terrain is balanced, cells will be healthy

Three Factors in Biological Terrain

•  Heat and Cold –  Metabolic Rate

(“speed” of metabolic activity)

•  Dampness and Dryness –  Tissue Density (ratio

of fluid and mineral balance)

•  Tension and Relaxation –  Tissue Tone (muscle

tension and flow of secretions)

Six Directions of Action

•  Remedies Affecting Metabolic Rate –  Stimulate (Speed up metabolism or “heat”) –  Sedate (Slow down metabolism or “cool”)

•  Remedies Affecting Tissue Density –  Moisten (Lubricate and soften hard tissue) –  Dry (Remove excess fluid from tissue)

•  Remedies Affecting Tone –  Constrict (Increase tone, reduce secretion) –  Relax (Relax spasms, increase secretion)

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Metabolic Rate

•  Think of metabolic rate as moving forwards or backwards

•  If the body is too far forward (hot) you need to cool it down

•  If the body is too far back (cold) you need to warm it up

Metabolic Rate Factors

•  Complexion (red or pale)

•  Temperature (hot or cold)

•  Tongue (red or pale) •  Pulse (fast or slow) •  Function (hyper or

hypo) •  Mucus (white, clear or

discolored) •  Craving for hot or cold

foods •  Preferring hot or cold

environments

Irritation (Heat)

•  Increased metabolic rate, elevated temperature

•  Classic inflammation and fever

•  Restlessness, excitement, hyperactivity

•  Associated with summer, daytime, yang and fire

Classic Symptoms of Inflammation

•  Heat –  Elevated body

temperature •  Swelling

–  Fluid retention in the tissues

•  Redness –  Red color to the

tissues •  Pain

–  Acute or sharp pain

Irritation (Heat) Indications

•  Complexion (red, flushed) •  Temperature (hot, feverish) •  Tongue (bright red, pointy) •  Pulse (rapid, floating or

superficial) •  Function (hyperactive conditions) •  Mucus (clear, thin) •  Craving for cold drinks •  Feeling feverish or hot

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Health Problems Involving Irritation

•  Acute injuries (bumps, sprains, abrasions, burns)

•  Fevers •  Sore throat •  Earache •  Pain after injury,

surgery, etc.

•  Ulceration •  All inflammatory

(itis) diseases –  Arthritis –  Bronchitis –  Tonsillitis –  Appendicitis –  Laryngitis –  Etc.

Remedies for Tissue Irritation

•  Antioxidants •  Sour tasting

herbs –  Organic acids –  Bioflavinoids

•  Mucilaginous herbs applied topically

Herbal Remedies for Irritation

•  Acai •  Bilberry •  Cranberry •  Elderberry •  Elderflower •  Hawthorn •  Lemon •  Lycium

(wolfberry or gogi berry)

•  Mangosteen •  Peach leaf and

bark •  Raspberry •  Rose Hips •  Sea Buckthorn •  Wild Cherry •  Willow Bark •  Yarrow •  Yellow Dock

Other Remedies for Irritation

•  Vitamin C •  Citrus

Bioflavinoids •  Co-Enzyme Q-10 •  Orange juice

Depression (Cold)

•  Lowered metabolic rate, reduced temperature

•  Cool, pale, sluggish

•  Reserved, quiet, hypoactive

•  Associated with winter, night-time, yin and water or earth

Chronic “Low Grade” Inflammation

•  Tissue is under active but appears “hot” due to infection and petrifaction

•  Dark red or purplish color to tissues

•  Heat coupled with fatigue and weakness

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Depression (Cold) Indications

•  Complexion (white, pale) •  Temperature (cool) •  Tongue (pale) •  Pulse (slow and deep) •  Function (hypoactive conditions) •  Mucus (white, thick) •  Cravings for warm food and

drinks •  Lacking physical warmth, feeling

easily chilled or fatigued

“False Heat” Indications

•  Complexion (bluish, purple) •  Temperature (cool but with “hot

spots”) •  Tongue (dark red, purplish) •  Pulse (rapid but weak) •  Function (hypoactive with

infection) •  Mucus (yellow or green)

Health Problems Involving Depression

•  Aftermath of injury (bruises, chronic swelling, etc.)

•  General poor circulation

•  Poor digestion •  Low blood

pressure

•  Chronic infections

•  Depression •  All “hypo”

conditions –  Hypothyroid –  Adrenal fatigue –  Sluggish bowel –  Sluggish liver

Remedies for Tissue Depression

•  Fragrant herbs –  Essential oils

•  Pungent (spicy) herbs –  Resins –  Alkamindes –  Glucosinolates

Herbal Remedies for Depression

•  Black pepper •  Capsicum •  Cinnamon •  Clove •  Dill •  Fennel •  Garlic •  Ginger •  Horseradish

•  Juniper Berries •  Mustard •  Nutmeg •  Oregano •  Peppermint •  Rosemary •  Sage •  Thyme •  Watercress

Other Remedies for Depression

•  B-Complex –  Niacin –  B-12

•  Chocolate •  Coffee •  Essential oils

(applied topically)

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Metabolic Rate

Irritation •  Red •  Hot •  Acute, watery

discharge •  Tongue red,

elongated •  Pulse rapid •  Acute

inflammation •  Restless, irritable,

excited

Depression •  Pale •  Cold •  Thick, white

discharge •  Tongue pale or

purplish •  Pulse slow •  Chronic infection •  Tired, discouraged,

depressed

Balancing Metabolic Rate Irritation

Remedies •  Sour tasting fruits

and plants, containing: –  Organic acids –  Antioxidants –  Bioflavionids

Depression Remedies

•  Aromatic and pungent herbs, containing –  Volatile oils –  Resins –  Alkamindes –  Sulfur compounds

Tissue Density

•  Think of tissue density as moving to the right or left

•  If the body is too far right (dry) you need to moisten tissues and make them softer

•  If the body is too far left (wet) you need to dry tissues and make them firmer

Tissue Density Factors

•  Appearance (puffy or sunken, dry)

•  Feel (spongy or hard) •  Tongue (swollen or withered,

dry) •  Pulse (full, slippery or thin) •  Mucus (abundant, congested or

absent) •  Resistivity (high or low)

Stagnation (Wet)

•  Excess fluids, insufficient electrolytes

•  Swollen, spongy or puffy tissues

•  Sluggish, slow, yielding

•  “Swampy” condition in tissues

Stagnation Indications

•  Appearance (puffy, bloated) •  Feel (spongy, water logged) •  Tongue (swollen, damp) •  Pulse (full, slippery) •  Mucus (abundant, congested) •  General (edema, swollen lymph

nodes, acute congestion)

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Health Problems Involving Stagnation

•  Edema (water retention)

•  Swollen lymph nodes

•  Respiratory congestion

•  Acid reflux •  Sinus

congestion

•  Fluid around the heart

•  Pneumonia •  Most skin

disorders •  General malaise •  Polyps, cysts

Remedies for Stagnation

•  Bitters –  Alteratives –  Blood purifiers –  Laxatives –  Diuretics

•  Some salty tasting herbs –  Alteratives

Herbal Remedies for Stagnation

•  Alfalfa •  Barberry •  Black walnut •  Blue Flag •  Burdock root •  Cascara Sagrada •  Celandine •  Chickweed •  Cleavers •  Culver’s Root •  Dandelion •  Echinacea

•  Fringetree •  Goldenseal •  Myrrh Gum •  Nettle Leaf •  Oregon Grape •  Pau D’Arco •  Poke Root •  Red Clover •  Sarsaparilla •  Toadflax •  Yellow Dock •  Yucca

Other Remedies for Stagnation

•  Potassium •  Natural Salt •  Water •  Liquid

Chlorophyll

Atrophy (Dry)

•  Insufficient fluids, excessive electrolytes

•  Dry, withered, hardened tissue

•  Hard, inflexible, rigid

•  Mineral deposits •  Toxins inside the

cells

Atrophy Indications

•  Appearance (sunken, dark, wrinkled)

•  Feel (hard, stiff, dry) •  Tongue (withered, dry, cracked) •  Pulse (thin, weak, deep) •  Mucus (deficient or hardened) •  General (degenerative disease,

advanced aging)

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Health Problems Involving Atrophy

•  Hardening of the arteries

•  Calcium deposits and calcification

•  Osteoarthritis •  Osteoporosis •  Wrinkles •  Dry, scaly skin

•  Alzheimer's disease

•  Cirrhosis of the liver

•  Wasting diseases

•  Type II Diabetes •  Emphysema •  Tumors •  Kidney failure

Remedies for Atrophy

•  Sweet herbs –  Polysaccharides –  Some glycosides

•  Oily herbs –  Essential fatty acids

•  Mucilaginous herbs –  Mucilage –  Gums –  Pectin

•  Some salty herbs

Herbal Remedies for Atrophy

•  Aloe Vera •  Astragalus •  Burdock •  Chickweed •  Comfrey •  Cordyceps •  Dulse •  Ginseng, Korean

or American •  Ho Shou Wu •  Irish Moss

•  Kelp •  Licorice Root •  Marshmallow •  Mullein •  Nettle Leaf •  Plantain •  Reishi

Mushrooms •  Saw Palmetto •  Slippery Elm •  Wild Yam

Other Remedies for Atrophy

•  Water •  Salt •  Essential Fatty

Acids –  Fish oils –  Olive, flax and hemp

seed oils –  Evening primrose oil

•  Fat-soluble vitamins –  Vitamin D3 –  Vitamin K2 –  Vitamin E –  Vitamin A

Tissue Density

Stagnation •  Damp, swollen •  Soft and spongy •  Excess mucus

production •  Swollen, damp

tongue •  Heavily coated

tongue, often yellowish

•  Pulse full, slippery

Atrophy •  Dry, wrinkled •  Brittle and hard •  Dry lungs, mouth

and sinuses •  Shriveled, cracked

tongue •  Dry tongue, little or

no coating •  Pulse thin, feeble

Balancing Tissue Density Stagnation Remedies

•  Bitter herbs, alteratives and blood purifiers, containing: –  Bitter compounds –  Alkaloids

•  Salty tasting herbs, containing –  Mineral salts

Atrophy Remedies

•  Mucilaginous herbs, containing: –  Mucilage, gums –  Pectins

•  Sweet and tonic herbs, containing: –  Glycosides –  Polysaccharides

•  Oily herbs, containing: –  Essential fatty acids

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Tissue Tone

•  Think of tissue tone as moving up or down

•  If the body is too far up (tense) so that flow of fluids and movement are blocked you need to relax the tissues

•  If the body is too far down (relaxed) so that fluids are leaking you need to tighten the tissues

Tissue Tone Factors

•  Muscle Tension (cramps, spasms or flaccid)

•  Pulse (wiry, tense or flaccid) •  Flow (alternates between

arrested and flooding or constantly leaking)

•  pH (over acid or over alkaline)

Constriction

•  Spasm, cramps, rigidity

•  Alternating, variable conditions

•  Jerky, sudden, unpredictable

“Wind” Disorders

•  Flow of fluids and movement in the body is regulated by muscles

•  When muscles become exhausted they spasm, blocking flow and movement

•  As they open, they can release “dammed up” fluids

•  These alternating conditions are called “wind disorders”

Constriction Indications

•  Muscle Tension (cramps, spasms and convulsions)

•  Pulse (wiry and tense) •  Flow (alternates between arrested

and flooding) •  pH (over acid) •  General (migrating or shooting

pains, conditions that alternate or “come & go”)

Health Problems Involving Constriction

•  Alternating fever and chills

•  Alternating diarrhea and constipation

•  Pains which migrate from one part of the body to another

•  Menstrual cramps

•  Muscle spasms •  Colic •  Sharp pains •  Asthma •  Heart attack •  High blood

pressure

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Remedies for Constriction

•  Antispasmodic Herbs –  Acrid herbs –  Nervines

•  Magnesium

Remedies for Constriction

Herbs •  Agrimony •  Black Cohosh •  Blue Vervain •  California Poppy •  Chamomile •  Kava Kava •  Lavender •  Lobelia •  Valerian •  Wild Yam

Other •  B-Complex •  Magnesium

Relaxation

•  Excess secretion, loss of fluids

•  Loose, spongy, lacking tone

•  Relaxed, non-resistant

Relaxation Indications

•  Muscle Tension (flaccid muscles) •  Pulse (full and flaccid, slow) •  Flow (fluids “leak”) •  pH (over alkaline) •  General (bleeding, excessive

drainage or loss of fluids, tissues too porous)

Health Problems Involving Relaxation

•  Leaky gut syndrome

•  Chronic diarrhea •  Urinary

incontinence •  Night sweats •  Chronic sinus

drainage

•  Bleeding cuts •  Weeping sores •  Heavy

menstrual bleeding

•  Internal bleeding

•  Hemorrhoids •  Varicose veins •  Bleeding gums

Remedies for Relaxation

•  Astringents –  Tannins

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Herbal Remedies for Relaxation

•  Bayberry Root Bark

•  Blackberry root •  Butcher’s Broom •  Calendula •  Collinsonia

(Stone Root) •  Eyebright •  Geranium Root •  Goldenseal •  Green tea

•  Horsechestnut •  Horsetail •  Lady’s Mantle •  Red Raspberry •  Rose hips •  Sage •  Uva Ursi •  White Oak Bark •  Witch Hazel •  Yarrow

Other Remedies for Relaxation

•  Calcium •  Vitamin C •  Bioflavinoids •  Colloidal

Minerals

Tissue Tone

Constriction •  Tension, cramps •  Flow inhibited,

alternatives between arrested and flooding

•  Sharp, shooting or stabbing pains

Relaxation •  Flaccid, spongy •  Flow constant,

leaks, drips •  Swollen tissue,

bleeding or oozing

Balancing Tissue Tone Constriction

Remedies •  Acrid-tasting

herbs, with antispasmodic action

•  Relaxing nervines •  Magnesium

Relaxation Remedies

•  Astringent herbs, containing: –  Tannins

A Word from Our Sponsor •  The ABC+D course goes through each system

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Cleansing that system –  The symptoms of biological terrain imbalance in that

system –  The +D Direct Aids that balance biological terrain in

that system •  Cost for the complete course is $247 (which

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