The thyroid gland is highly vascularized and receives many times
more blood in proportion to its size. It is noted for its high degree of
functional activity. It is heavier in the female than in the male and
becomes enlarged during sexual excitement, menstruation, and
pregnancy.
The thyroid gland’s secretion is called thyroxin, which contains
iodine.
The thyroid is an energy gland and its secretion is the controller
of the speed of living. It affects the metabolism of practically all the
tissues of the body. The principal function of the hormone is to
regulate the rate of oxygen consumption, which is tantamount to
the body’s metabolic rate, which can be thought of as one’s “rate
of living”. This hormone is required for normal growth and develop-
ment of the brian, muscle and bones and it indirectly affects the
activity of other glands of internal secretion as well. Too little thyroid
hormone produces a condition of sluggishness. With too much,
there will be marked apprehension, alertness, nervousness, loss
of weight, increased thirst, frequent urination, profuse perspiration,
intolerance of heat, insomnia, frequent stools, rapid heartbeat and
palpitations.
In the Taoist Approach, the energy center at the thyroid is con-
sidered to be one of the most important centers in the body be-
cause it controls the growth of the dense vehicle and mental devel-
opment and it is very closely related to all of the other six energy
centers under consideration. It is the great link between the brain
and the organs of generation (reproductive organs). In the Taoist
Esoteric System, the thyroid energy center is called Hsuan-Chi
(the twelve story) and is used as an energy Center only to draw in
power. It is not ordinarily included in alchemy because when it is
open it is hard to protect. However, in the greater and the greatest
enlightenment of the Kan & Li, we draw enormous stores of power
from this energy center to alchemically mix with the power of other
energy centers in order to produce an ever greater source of power.