In recent years, the concept of health preservation through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gradually gained popularity, with more and more people choosing TCM methods to nourish their bodies. So what specific methods does TCM offer for health preservation, and how should we implement them? 1. TCM Health Preservation: The Key is Preventing Disease Before It Occurs
It is said that TCM health preservation is particularly effective, mainly because TCM plays a leading role in preventing disease before it occurs.
“Preventing disease before it occurs” refers to the state of suboptimal health, which is often discussed in modern terms. The famous physician Bian Que from the Spring and Autumn period stated, “The best doctors treat disease before it occurs,” meaning that the top doctors can begin treatment and maintenance before the patient becomes ill, achieving the goal of “preventing disease before it occurs.”
Thus, preventing disease can be understood as regulating the body’s suboptimal health state and taking preventive measures before diseases occur and develop.
2. Comprehensive Regulation to Reject Suboptimal Health
The fundamental principle of TCM is the correspondence between heaven and humanity, thus TCM has an inherent advantage in preventing disease before it occurs. Based on TCM principles, the specific methods for regulating suboptimal health are as follows:
1Living Regulation
As the ancient saying goes, “Follow the four seasons, and maintain regular living habits,” meaning that each season has different climatic characteristics, and the corresponding living schedule should also vary.
01. Spring:Wake up at 6:30 AM and sleep by 10 PM
In spring, the body’s Yang energy gradually emerges, so it is essential to protect this Yang energy. It is recommended to wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, and the best bedtime is not later than 10 PM.
02. Summer:Go to bed late and wake up early
As the saying goes, “Spring brings life, summer promotes growth,” during summer, the Yang energy in the body is fully developed and very vigorous, so compared to spring, one can wake up a bit earlier and go to bed a little later to allow the Yang energy to accumulate.
03. Autumn: Sleep early and wake up early
In autumn, the atmosphere becomes more severe, and cold gradually dominates. To avoid wind and cold, the living schedule in autumn should be earlier than in summer, waking up early and sleeping early.
04. Winter: Wake up after sunrise
Winter is the season of storage, and during winter, we need to conserve Yang energy and nourish Yin. Therefore, it is best to wake up after sunrise in winter.
2Emotional Regulation
With the development of the economy, the incidence of chronic depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders has gradually increased, making emotional regulation extremely important for modern individuals.
From the perspective of TCM, to achieve longevity, one must maintain “smoothness.” This smoothness has two meanings: first, the gastrointestinal tract must be unobstructed, meaning normal appetite and smooth excretion; second, emotions must remain stable and peaceful, filled with joy, to achieve the goal of longevity.
TCM also states, “The seven emotions can cause internal injury,” meaning that emotions can both cause and cure diseases. Poor mood, frequent depression, irritability, and significant emotional fluctuations can adversely affect the circulation of Qi and blood in the body, negatively impacting health; whereas a peaceful mindset can nourish the organs and has good health-preserving effects.
3Dietary Regulation
In TCM, it is said that food and medicine share the same source, and many daily foods can effectively improve suboptimal health.
Dietary regulation should be adjusted according to individual constitution and seasonal changes; different seasons require different dietary focuses.
01. Spring
In spring, the liver fire is relatively strong, and people are more prone to anger. It is suitable to eat foods like black fungus, yam, mulberries, and codonopsis to reduce liver fire while nourishing the liver and moistening Yin.
02. Summer
In summer, the heart fire is strong, and it is necessary to consume foods that nourish the heart and reduce heart fire.
Moreover, summer’s hot weather can lead to excessive consumption of cold foods, damaging the body’s Spleen Yang, resulting in symptoms like diarrhea and coldness; thus, another focus of summer diet is to “nourish Yang,” replenish internal Yang energy, and dispel coldness.
Additionally, due to increased sweating in summer, attention should be paid to replenishing fluids and salts.
03. Autumn
In autumn, Yang energy begins to store, and wind and cold gradually take precedence. Therefore, the dietary focus should be on “consolidation,” suitable for consuming sour foods that have astringent effects, while avoiding spicy foods like Sichuan pepper, garlic, and ginger.
Moreover, autumn is relatively dry, so dietary focus should also be on nourishing Yin and replenishing lung Qi. Foods like tremella, snow pears, and lily bulbs are excellent for moistening dryness and nourishing the lungs, making them very suitable for autumn consumption.
04. Winter
Winter is the season of storage, and during this time, it is necessary to appropriately supplement warming foods, such as beef and lamb, to protect internal Yang energy and resist the cold.
Additionally, in winter, it is also important to nourish Yin and replenish Yin fluids to maintain the balance of Yin and Yang. It is recommended to consume more white radish in winter, which helps clear the intestines, regulate Qi, and clear heat and phlegm, thus having a good effect on the adjustment of the Spleen and Stomach.
4Herbal Regulation
Utilizing the properties of Chinese herbs can correct imbalances of Yin and Yang, as well as deficiencies and excesses in the body, effectively improving suboptimal health.
However, it is important to note that each person’s constitution is different, and the suitable herbal regulation methods will also vary.
In TCM, human constitution is classified into nine different types, with most people having a mixed constitution, exhibiting characteristics of multiple types, making it difficult to self-assess. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a professional TCM physician for constitution assessment and herbal prescriptions, and not to self-medicate with herbs.
5Exercise Regulation
Exercise regulation in TCM is also known as “Gongfa regulation,” with methods such as Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics), Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and Tai Chi being excellent exercise therapies that align well with human characteristics, being neither overly strenuous nor ineffective for strengthening the body.
Among them, Wu Qin Xi is a fitness routine created based on simulating animal behaviors, with movements that align very well with human physiological states.
Moreover, practicing Wu Qin Xi promotes the functioning of the respiratory and digestive systems, contributing positively to overall health. It is hoped that everyone can take the opportunity to learn it.
三、Meridian Tapping Exercises for Health Preservation and Disease Prevention
1Palms Clapping
Clap your palms together like you usually do, about a hundred times. After a hundred claps, you can rub your palms together to promote the circulation of Qi and blood.
2Back of Hands Tapping
Tap the back of each hand about a hundred times.
By tapping the back of the hands, discomfort in the cervical and lumbar vertebrae can be alleviated, contributing to spinal health.
3Palms Hitting Each Other
Hit the palms against each other a hundred times.
The principle is simple: the universe’s development follows a simple rule, which is the essence of Chinese culture and philosophy. The simplest truths can often be expressed in just a few words. The saying “True transmission is one sentence, false transmission is a thousand volumes” reflects this.
The simplest truths are often the most profound. In this state of simplicity, one does not seek to achieve great power or cure diseases; rather, the body and mind naturally adjust. The most profound truths are the simplest and most ordinary truths. Transforming the complex into the simple is the highest wisdom.
“The way is simple” is the wisdom of living. In life, one should simplify complex matters, which requires wisdom and determination. Those who understand this wisdom will find peace and joy in simplicity.
In life, simplicity is not a lack of material wealth but a freedom of spirit; it is not an emptiness of life but a purity of heart. The highest truths are often the simplest. One must learn to live simply, act simply, and let go of selfish desires.
Life is a long struggle; some may smile at the beginning, while others may win in the end. Try to smile, try to look back, relax yourself, and do not force or become despondent. Live simply, follow your heart, and be the best version of yourself. Even if life is tough, as long as you keep moving forward, your unique scenery will eventually appear.
Life is not easy; it depends on how you live it. Your situation depends on your mindset. When your mindset changes, your situation will also change. The more you demand from life, the more complicated it becomes. Conversely, the less you demand, the easier it is to be satisfied and happy.
In conclusion, the best life is a simple life. A cup of tea, a table, a quiet place, and a peaceful heart. However, a simple life requires great effort to enjoy it without worries. Life is essentially perfect; the imperfection lies in our mindset. Those who do not know how to appreciate will turn everything into flaws.
This action is beneficial for symptoms like kidney deficiency and frequent nighttime urination, aiding the health of the urinary and reproductive systems.
4Interlocking Fingers
The fingertips represent the body’s joints such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. Tapping the ten fingers together can effectively regulate symptoms of arthritis and other joint discomforts.
5Tiger Mouth Tapping
Tap the tiger mouth area of both hands a hundred times.
The left tiger mouth represents the Spleen, while the right represents the Liver. Tapping the tiger mouth can effectively regulate symptoms of liver Qi stagnation and Spleen deficiency, as well as irritability.
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