The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal life and should not be harmed. Once damaged, recovery can be slow and difficult.
Here are some methods for daily spleen and stomach care for your reference.
方 法
1. Rub the Dai Mai (Belt Vessel).
The spleen governs transportation and transformation; if the spleen and stomach are weak, they will not function effectively, leading to stagnation of dampness in the body. Rubbing the Dai Mai can strengthen the spleen yang and invigorate the yang energy of the gallbladder meridian on both sides of the abdomen, quickly dispersing the accumulated dampness in the lower abdomen.If you feel that the pressure from rubbing the Dai Mai is insufficient, you can also use a fist to tap. This method is also very effective for treating constipation, providing immediate results!
2. Climb Mountains.
As stated in the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), “The qi of grains connects to the spleen.” Please note that in traditional Chinese characters, the character for valley (谷) is different from that for grain (毂), and they should not be confused! The Tang dynasty physician Wang Bing explained that “the valley is empty, thus the spleen receives and absorbs.”In modern terms, climbing mountains not only exercises the muscles and bones, causing one to sweat—this is also a good method to eliminate internal dampness—but it also allows the spleen to connect with the qi of heaven and earth, the qi of the valleys. This reflects the profound philosophy of our ancestors, encapsulating the idea of harmony between humanity and nature in Chinese culture!
3. Toe Raises.
This involves standing on your toes with your heels raised as high as possible. The stomach meridian passes through the second and third toes, and the source point of the stomach meridian is located at the joints of the toes. For those with weak gastrointestinal function, regularly exercising the toes can be beneficial.You can walk on your toes or try standing on your toes for about ten minutes. Remember to raise your toes as high as possible for better results!
4. Abdominal Pushing Technique.
Most chronic diseases can be addressed through this method. The three impurities in the body (waste water, waste gas, and feces) can be expelled through this technique, and these three impurities are the main culprits behind illness.Thus, the ancients often said, “The great way is extremely simple.” Once the principle is understood, solving the problem becomes easier. There are countless methods to solve problems, but that pertains to the realm of “technique”!
5. Kneeling Technique.
This method can guide qi and blood downward, allowing them to flow into the stomach meridian. Therefore, it greatly benefits the function of the stomach. Of course, the benefits of this technique extend beyond this point, but I won’t elaborate here; if you practice it for a while, you will understand.
6. Spinal Pinching Technique.
In simple terms, this involves pinching along the spine from the tailbone to the neck. When pinching, there is no need to focus on acupoints, as the sides of the spine are where the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and the Bladder Meridian of the Foot Taiyang pass. Pinching the spine can provide comprehensive health benefits, strengthening the spleen and stomach, regulating the body’s qi, and clearing the meridians.I personally prefer to rub my daughter’s spine and its sides instead of strictly pinching, as it is more convenient and can be adjusted in intensity. Just rub until she feels warm.So I remind everyone that in all matters, there are no fixed methods. Whether it is health preservation or work, one should first understand the “way” and then seek the “technique”. There is no need to be overly rigid!
7. Saliva Swallowing for Health.
Saliva is actually the best medicine for strengthening the spleen and stomach. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that saliva can “moisten the five organs, beautify the skin, strengthen the teeth, enhance bones, promote qi and blood, and prolong life.” Laozi from the Spring and Autumn period believed that while elixirs are good, one’s own saliva is even more important. The ancient health preservation scholar Tao Hongjing also said, “Those who consume the jade spring can prolong life and eliminate hundreds of diseases.”
8. Stretching Muscles.
The liver, spleen, and kidney meridians all pass through the thighs, so stretching these muscles is very effective for regulating these three meridians. Personally, I find that the supine stretching method is the most effective!Diet RecommendationsFried rice and crispy rice. According to the theory of the five elements, yellow corresponds to the spleen, so fried rice that is golden brown and crispy rice are both beneficial for strengthening the spleen.These two foods have a common characteristic: they are both slightly burnt, and according to Daoist medicine, burnt foods are also beneficial for the spleen. Therefore, you might want to give these a try, as they are recommended by many Daoist physicians.
Moxibustion Therapy1Moxibustion on the Umbilicus.The umbilicus, also known as Shenque (Spirit Gate) point, is the connection point of the umbilical cord and a key point on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). The fetus relies on the umbilical cord for nutrition in the womb, similar to how a stem provides nourishment; it is the only pathway for nutrient absorption. We can also understand it as a crucial point connecting the innate and acquired aspects of the human body.The so-called Shenque refers to the place where the original spirit enters and resides, holding a very important position. In fact, the Shenque point in the body is also the gateway for the heart and kidney to communicate; the heart houses the spirit, and the kidney stores will, both of which are vital aspects of the five organs.The heart belongs to fire, and the kidney belongs to water; if water and fire cannot communicate and harmonize, it will lead to an imbalance of yin and yang, resulting in various diseases.The Shenque point at the navel is the core of the abdomen, and it has excellent regulating effects on abdominal diseases, such as early morning diarrhea, chronic diarrhea, and post-urinary retention, among others.Modern individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency often have spleen yang deficiency, and moxibustion is one of the best methods to raise yang. Therefore, moxibustion on the Shenque can help regulate spleen yang deficiency.Directly moxibustion on the umbilicus (Shenque point) involves using three or five-year-old moxa to moxibustion directly above the navel.During leisure time or while bored on a trip, try pressing the Shenque point with your finger; the effect may not be as good as moxibustion, but with long-term persistence, it will also yield good results.
2Moxibustion on Zusanli (Stomach 36).Zusanli is a major point on the stomach meridian. Moxibustion for ten minutes daily will surely promote longevity.Of course, acupuncture can also be used instead of moxibustion. The saying “Needle must be at three miles, moxibustion must be at Guanyuan” refers to this principle.