“The animals’ lifestyle is crucial” – Animal health from a TCM perspective
Interview with Li Wu, Natalie Lauer and Dorina Lux

"Similar to humans, physical symptoms and illnesses in animals often have their origins in inadequate nutrition and stress. In veterinary medicine, we understand the latter to be any condition that contradicts the natural needs of an animal. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM for short) is a holistic healing method that aims to harmonize and heal the entire individual, i.e. body, mind and soul, and to this end combines various treatment methods such as nutrition, medicinal plants and acupressure or healing massages." The TCM experts Prof. TCM Univ. Yunnan Li Wu , Dr. Natalie Lauer and Dr. med. vet. Dorina Lux , authors of the guide " The Organ Clock for Pets ", explain in an interview how the well-known concept of the organ clock can be transferred to our four-legged friends and how the applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can be used to gently heal them. 

The care and treatment of pets has been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. How does Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) differ from Western veterinary medicine?

Prof. TCM Li Wu: In TCM, great attention is paid to the acupuncture or acupressure points that lie along the meridians - the energy channels. In addition, the right diet plays a very important role in relation to an illness. For example, herbal leaves or a herbal decoction are added to the food of sick dogs.

Like many other holistic healing methods, TCVM not only serves to cure ailments, but also focuses on maintaining health and understanding the causes of diseases. What can cause health problems in our animal friends?

Prof. TCM Li Wu: As with humans, the way animals live is crucial. In order to activate the meridians, animals need plenty of exercise in the fresh air, sunlight and a balanced diet. However, too great a difference between the temperature in the room and the temperature outside should be avoided. This causes too much moisture to build up in the body, which in turn can lead to joint problems.

"The Organ Clock for Pets" explains the activity and rest times of the most important organs, acupressure and healing massages and gives tips for feeding your furry friends according to the five-element theory. What is special about the treatment of dogs, cats and horses?

Dr. med. vet. Dorina Lux: The special thing about treating dogs, cats and horses using TCVM is that it is a holistic healing method. This means that it is not just the physical symptoms of an animal that are treated, as is usually the case in Western medicine, but always the unity of body, soul and spirit. In our pets too, physical symptoms often have their origin in inadequate nutrition and stress. In veterinary medicine, we understand the latter to mean any condition that contradicts the natural needs of an animal. For dogs as pack animals, for example, this means a lack of contact with other animals; for cats as almost exclusively carnivores, this means too many plant components in their diet; and for horses as steppe animals, the lack of opportunity for movement in some types of housing, to name just a few examples.

Just like humans, animals are part of the cosmic processes and the laws that go with them. What is the significance of the organ clock and why can it be applied to the often different biorhythms of animals?

Prof. TCM Li Wu: Today's domestic animals have been created through breeding over several generations. Through domestication, the biorhythm of animals has adapted significantly to that of humans. This is why the organ clock can also be used for our domestic animals. However, we must stress that the wild character of animals has not disappeared, it has simply been pushed into the background.

While Western medicine views feed as a source of various nutrients and suggests specific diets based on this depending on the symptoms, the TCVM looks at feeding from a different perspective. What characterizes the diet based on the five elements?

Dr. Natalie Lauer: In TCM, the central question is: "What energetic properties must be supplied to the body through nutrition in order to keep or bring the Qi into balance?" Chinese teachings assign specific taste and temperature properties as well as one of the five elements to each food. In addition, they are characterized by either Yang or Yin. An ideal meal consists of a balanced mixture of Yin and Yang elements and contains ingredients from all five elements. It is characterized by taste, thermal and visual contrasts, among other things. In this way, all functional areas are nourished and organ function remains in balance.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) is a complex system and is based not only on nutrition but also on herbal medicine, Qi Gong, acupuncture and the massage techniques acupressure and Tuina Anmo. What should animal lovers pay attention to if they want to use these gentle healing methods for their four-legged friends?

Dr. med. vet. Dorina Lux: As mentioned above, TCVM is a holistic medicine whose goal is to harmonize and heal the entire individual, i.e. body, mind and soul. This goal is best achieved by combining different treatment methods. For example, a TCVM treatment often consists of acupuncture, a specially adapted diet and Chinese medicinal herbs. Even if I, as the owner, treat my animal myself, I should ideally combine diet, medicinal plants and acupressure in order to support my animal in the best possible way.

Book tip:
Prof. TCM Univ. Yunnan Li Wu / Dr. Natalie Lauer / Dr. med. vet. Dorina Lux: The organ clock for pets. Gently treat dogs and cats with TCM. With extra: TCM applications for horses. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition March 2022, paperback, 13.5 x 21.5 cm, 175 pages, 16.95 euros (D) / 17.50 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-620-9

Link recommendations:
More information about the book “The Organ Clock for Pets”
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about author Prof. TCM Univ. Yunnan Li Wu
More about author Dr. Natalie Lauer
More about author Dr. med. vet. Dorina Lux
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