pain, back problems, blurred vision, and temporo-
mandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. Mouth-balanc-
ing treatment includes the use of corrective
orthopedic braces to be worn in the mouth.
See also ACUPUNCTURE; HOMEOPATHY.
bitter One of the six Ayurvedic tastes, a sub-
stance from bark, tannin, and resin used in tonics
to stimulate appetite.
See also AYURVEDA.
blood cleansing A one- to two-month diet plan
aimed at eliminating toxins from the bloodstream.
Among the various plans is one that advocates
using fresh, organic produce whenever possible;
drinking pau d’arco and other teas, green drinks,
and specially prepared juices made from aloe
vera, carrot, papaya, and other ingredients; doing
weekly colonic irrigation; avoiding meat, dairy
and fried foods, saturated fats, salt, sugars, sweet-
eners, sodas, artificial drinks, and canned, frozen,
prepackaged, and refined foods; getting early
morning sunlight every day; and taking brisk
daily walks. There are also blood tonics, including
green drinks that are rich in chlorophyll (similar
in molecular composition to human hemoglobin),
which is also a source of vitamins, minerals,
enzymes, and other nutrients that promote opti-
mal cell response and growth. Green drinks are
also effective as energy-boosting, anti-infective
blood cleansers.
body map A technique for the diagnosis of ill-
ness or dysfunction. A Chinese tongue map, for
example, shows each region of the tongue in cor-
relation with other organs and structures of the
body. The area at the back of the tongue relates to
the uro-genital organs; the midsection relates to
the liver, gallbladder, and other digestive organs;
just before the tip of the tongue, the lungs are rep-
resented; the tip relates to the heart. Chinese doc-
tors also observe the color and condition of the
tongue, very often keys to diagnosing a problem. A
dark coating on the tongue, for instance, indicates
a toxicity in the body, and a dry, shiny tongue
indicates dehydration.
Face maps are popular for diagnosis in Asian
medical practice. Divided into horizontal thirds, a
face’s upper portion (intellect) relates to the ner-
vous system. The middle portion (emotion) corre-
sponds to the circulation, and the lower portion
(will) to digestion and reproduction. Specific parts
of the face—nostrils, chin, brow, lower lip, cheek,
and so on—relate to specific organs that may be
dysfunctional or impaired and the meridians
(energy channels) of the body. In turn, the physi-
cal body conditions relate to emotional and psy-
chological constitution of an individual. Nose,
pulse, and hand maps are also used by practition-
ers to identify disorders.
See also ACUPUNCTURE.body unit A system of measurement that corre-
sponds to the body’s acupuncture points. One unit
is equal to the width of the second joint of the
thumb, and three body units is equal to the breadth
of the second, third, fourth, and fifth fingers held
together. Each major body segment has a certain
number of body units. For example, five body units
may be measured from the navel to the pubic bone,
and 12 body units make up the area from the
elbow crease to the wrist crease.
See also ACUPUNCTURE.bodywork Modern systems for relaxation, physi-
cal therapy, stress reduction, and general muscu-
loskeletal and emotional well-being. These include
the following: the Alexander Technique;
Feldenkrais Method; Trager Approach; Rolfing;
myofascial release; Aston-Patterning; Hellerwork;
Barral visceral manipulation; Bowen Therapy; acu-
pressure; acupuncture; massage; (Oriental body-
work: shiatsu, jin shin jyutsu); reflexology; Bonnie
Prudden Myotherapy; bioenergetics; Therapeutic
Touch; Healing Touch; Reiki; polarity therapy;
Reichian therapy; hakomi; the Rosen Method; and
the Rubenfeld Synergy Method.
Other bodywork techniques include baths,
wraps, hydrotherapy, enemas, compresses, over-
heating therapy, and any other form of a “laying on
of hands” that is meant to facilitate a transfer of
energy from one person to another for the purpose
of healing.Boericke, William, and Dewey, W. A. Homeo-
pathic physicians with M.D. degrees and authors of20 bitter