In recent years, many people have asked me: What is the most important aspect of health preservation? My answer is four words: Yin-Yang Balance.
Everything in the world can ultimately be divided into two categories: one is Yin, and the other is Yang. Yin and Yang are two opposing energies; one is positive and the other negative, one is left and the other right, one is up and the other down, one is front and the other back, mutually restraining and interdependent. It is precisely because Yin and Yang are opposing yet interdependent that we have heaven and earth, sun and moon, and male and female.
The human body, though complex, fundamentally consists of only two types of energy: one is Yin and the other is Yang. The continuous changes of these two energies give rise to human life, aging, illness, and death.
The Huangdi Neijing states: “Yin and Yang are the principles of heaven and earth, the framework of all things, the parents of change, the source of life and death, and the abode of the spirit. To treat illness, one must seek the root.” This extensive text of the Huangdi Neijing, comprising over a hundred thousand words, essentially discusses Yin and Yang.
A person’s life is inseparable from birth, aging, illness, and death. What is birth? Birth is the temporary unification of Yin and Yang energies within the body. What is aging? Aging is the continuous change and decline of Yin and Yang within the body. What is illness? Illness is the imbalance of Yin and Yang energies within the body. What is death? Death is the disintegration of this unified state of Yin and Yang.
What is life? Life is a balanced state formed by the contradictory energies of Yin and Yang, where the positive pole is Yang and the negative pole is Yin. Only with Yin-Yang Balance can a person exist. The Huangdi Neijing states, “The root of life is based on Yin and Yang.” In the world, heaven above represents Yang, earth below represents Yin, and humans in between pursue Yin-Yang Balance. Therefore, life is a state of neither high nor low, a balance of Yin and Yang. If this balance is completely disrupted, life will end. What state follows the end of life? It is the separation of Yin and Yang. At the crematorium, one can observe this phenomenon of Yin and Yang separation: the Yang energy transforms into wisps of smoke drifting into the sky, while the Yin energy becomes ashes buried underground, and a person, who once stood with the sky above and earth below, disappears from the world.
Life is a state of internal stability, and this stability depends on the balance of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are like the two weights on a balance scale; only when they are equal does the scale remain stable. Once Yin and Yang are imbalanced, the scale tilts to one side, breaking the balance, and the person becomes ill. Therefore, to achieve long-term health, one must constantly maintain Yin-Yang Balance. What is health preservation? It is the nurturing of Yin and Yang; only with harmonious Yin and Yang can we live a life free from illness.
Sixteen Methods for Nourishing Qi in TCM
1. Herbal Qi Nourishment: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria), Huang Jing (Polygonatum), Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), etc.
2. Patent Medicines for Qi Nourishment: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Pill), Shi Quan Da Bu Gao (All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Ointment), Gui Pi Wan (Restore the Spleen Pill), Shen Ling Bai Zhu Wan (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Pill), etc.
3. Moxibustion for Qi Nourishment: Zu San Li (St36), Shen Que (Ren8), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Spleen Shu (BL20), Qi Hai (Ren6), Bai Hui (GV20), Fei Shu (BL13), etc.
4. Acupuncture for Qi Nourishment: Zu San Li (St36), Bai Hui (GV20), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Qi Hai (Ren6), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Spleen Shu (BL20), Fei Shu (BL13), etc.
5. Injection for Qi Nourishment: Huang Qi Injection at Zu San Li (St36). Placenta Injection at San Yin Jiao (SP6), etc.
6. Infusion for Qi Nourishment: Huang Qi Injection, Shen Mai Injection, Dan Shen Injection, etc.
7. Medicinal Tea for Qi Nourishment: Ren Shen Ling Zhi Cha (Ginseng and Reishi Tea), Huang Qi Gou Qi Cha (Astragalus and Goji Tea), Xi Yang Shen Mai Dong Cha (American Ginseng and Ophiopogon Tea), etc.
8. Medicinal Cuisine for Qi Nourishment: Huang Qi Xin Fei Tang (Astragalus and Heart-Lung Soup), Ren Shen Dun Mu Ji (Ginseng Stewed Mother Chicken), Dang Shen Dun Pai Gu (Codonopsis Stewed Pork Ribs), etc.
9. Medicinal Wine for Qi Nourishment: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Ling Zhi (Reishi), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), etc. soaked in wine.
10. Dietary Qi Nourishment: Hai Shen (Sea Cucumber), eggs, Hong Zao (Red Dates), cow and sheep placenta, Qian Shi (Euryale), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Lian Zi (Lotus Seed), etc.
11. Exercise for Qi Nourishment: Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Dao Yin, martial arts, fitness exercises, and appropriate activities.
12. Lifestyle for Qi Nourishment: Regular daily routine, balance between work and rest, and maintaining a balanced mindset.
13. Massage for Qi Nourishment: Massage Zu San Li (St36), Guan Yuan (Ren4), abdominal massage, and back pinching.
14. Disease Treatment for Qi Nourishment: Treat diseases early and thoroughly, do not delay, to prevent prolonged Qi deficiency.
15. Post-Illness Qi Nourishment: After major illnesses or surgeries, timely adjustment of deficiencies is necessary to prevent Qi deficiency.
16. Techniques for Qi Nourishment: Breathing exercises, focusing on the lower dantian, moderate hunger and cold, and maintaining moderation in all things.
Sixteen Methods for Nourishing Blood in TCM
1. Herbal Blood Nourishment: Dang Gui (Angelica), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), A Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Huang Qi (Astragalus), etc.
2. Patent Medicines for Blood Nourishment: Shi Quan Da Bu Gao (All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Ointment), Gui Pi Wan (Restore the Spleen Pill), Fu Fang A Jiao Jiang (Compound Donkey-hide Gelatin Syrup), Dang Gui Bu Xue Gao (Angelica Blood Nourishing Ointment), etc.
3. Dietary Blood Nourishment: Gui Yuan (Longan), old hen, Hong Zao (Red Dates), egg yolk, pig liver, lean meat, fish, etc.
4. Lifestyle Blood Nourishment: Regular lifestyle, balance between work and rest, balanced nutrition, cooking with iron pots, and avoiding strong tea.
5. Conservation for Blood Nourishment: Avoid prolonged viewing which harms blood, excessive thinking which depletes blood, overwork which damages blood, and external injuries causing bleeding.
6. Disease Treatment for Blood Nourishment: Prevention and treatment of bleeding, kidney failure, aplastic anemia, excessive menstruation, and metrorrhagia.
7. Western Medicine for Blood Nourishment: Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, ferrous fumarate, etc.
8. Infusion for Blood Nourishment: Plasma, whole blood, Shen Mai Injection, etc.
9. Post-Surgery Blood Nourishment: After major illnesses, surgeries, childbirth, or abortion, blood and Qi should be nourished.
10. Medicinal Wine for Blood Nourishment: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui (Angelica), Ren Shen (Ginseng), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), etc. soaked in wine.
11. Medicinal Tea for Blood Nourishment: Dang Gui Gui Yuan Cha (Angelica and Longan Tea), Gou Qi Hei Zhi Ma Cha (Goji and Black Sesame Tea), Suan Zao Ren Cha (Sour Jujube Seed Tea), etc.
12. Medicinal Cuisine for Blood Nourishment: Huang Qi Dang Gui Dun Lao Mu Ji (Astragalus and Angelica Stewed Old Hen), Dang Gui Yang Rou Tang (Angelica and Lamb Soup), etc.
13. Acupuncture for Blood Nourishment: Zu San Li (St36), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Spleen Shu (BL20), Xue Hai (SP10), Ge Shu (BL17), etc.
14. Moxibustion for Blood Nourishment: Zu San Li (St36), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Shen Que (Ren8), Xue Hai (SP10), etc.
15. Thread Embedding for Blood Nourishment: Zu San Li (St36), Shen Shu (BL23), Spleen Shu (BL20), Gan Shu (BL18), etc.
16. Injection for Blood Nourishment: Placenta, Dang Gui (Angelica), Huang Qi (Astragalus), B12 Injection at Zu San Li (St36), San Yin Jiao (SP6), etc.
Sixteen Methods for Nourishing Yin in TCM
1. Herbal Yin Nourishment: Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Sha Shen (Adenophora), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), Tian Dong (Asparagus), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), etc.
2. Patent Medicines for Yin Nourishment: Liang Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill), Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (Ophiopogon Rehmannia Pill), Yang Yin Qing Fei Wan (Nourish Yin and Clear Lung Pill), etc.
3. Acupuncture for Yin Nourishment: Tai Xi (KD3), Zhao Hai (KD6), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Shen Shu (BL23), etc.
4. Moxibustion for Yin Nourishment: San Yin Jiao (SP6), Shen Shu (BL23), Gan Shu (BL18), etc.
5. Dietary Yin Nourishment: autumn pears, honey, vegetables and fruits, Bai He (Lily), Yin Er (Tremella), etc.
6. Lifestyle Yin Nourishment: tapping teeth and swallowing saliva, rubbing the Yong Quan (KD1) point, keeping warm, and drinking more.
7. Damage Control for Yin Nourishment: reduce sunflower seed consumption, avoid wind and sun exposure, quit smoking, and moderate sexual activity.
8. Humidity for Yin Nourishment: hang wet towels or clothes indoors, place water basins indoors, and use humidifiers.
9. Medicinal Wine for Yin Nourishment: Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Bai He (Lily), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), etc. soaked in wine.
10. Medicinal Tea for Yin Nourishment: Bai He (Lily), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Tian Dong (Asparagus), Sha Shen (Adenophora), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum) tea.
11. Medicinal Cuisine for Yin Nourishment: Yin Er Bai He Tang (Tremella and Lily Soup), Gou Qi Dun Jia Yu (Goji Stewed Soft-Shelled Turtle), Hei Zhi Ma You (Black Sesame Oil), etc.
12. Disease Treatment for Yin Nourishment: diabetes, hyperthyroidism, recurrent heat, menopausal syndrome, etc. should focus on nourishing Yin.
13. Regional Yin Nourishment: the dryness of the northwest easily harms Yin, while the humidity of the southeast can reduce moisture evaporation and protect Yin.
14. Autumn and Winter Yin Nourishment: the dry climate in autumn and winter leads to excessive moisture evaporation, thus Yin should be nourished and protected.
15. Fluid Supplementation for Yin Nourishment: acute dehydration, dry mouth, and reduced urination can be rapidly improved with infusion.
16. Urgent Yin Preservation: in TCM treatment of warm diseases, using laxatives to reduce fever protects Yin and prevents true Yin deficiency.
Sixteen Methods for Nourishing Yang in TCM
1. Herbal Yang Nourishment: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Fu Zi (Aconite), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda), Cong Rong (Cistanche), Lu Rong (Deer Antler), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), etc.
2. Patent Medicines for Yang Nourishment: Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill), Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite and Ginseng Pill), Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan (Moxa and Aconite Womb-Warming Pill), etc.
3. Acupuncture for Yang Nourishment: Qi Hai (Ren6), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Zu San Li (St36), Bai Hui (GV20), Ming Men (GV4), etc.
4. Moxibustion for Yang Nourishment: Shen Que (Ren8), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Qi Hai (Ren6), Da Zhui (GV14), Ming Men (GV4), Yong Quan (KD1), etc.
5. Dietary Yang Nourishment: beef, lamb, dog meat, scallions, ginger, longan, sparrow eggs, deer meat, leeks, etc.
6. Exercise for Yang Nourishment: Qi Gong, Tai Chi, labor exercises, athletics, martial arts, and other activities that generate Yang.
7. Bathing for Yang Nourishment: using Chuan Cao Wu (Aconite), Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fu Zi (Aconite), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) in baths.
8. Disease Prevention for Yang Nourishment: prevention and treatment of dysmenorrhea, chronic bronchitis, hypothyroidism, rheumatism, chronic diarrhea, and other cold diseases.
9. Cold Prevention for Yang Nourishment: avoid excessive cold exposure, personal protection, and warmth to reduce Yang energy loss.
10. Heated Bed for Yang Nourishment: sleeping on a heated bed is beneficial for those with a cold constitution and the elderly.
11. Medicinal Wine for Yang Nourishment: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda), Lu Rong (Deer Antler), etc. soaked in wine can nourish Yang.
12. Medicinal Cuisine for Yang Nourishment: Ren Shen Dang Gui Huang Qi Dun Lao Mu Ji (Ginseng, Angelica, and Astragalus Stewed Old Hen), Dang Gui Fu Zi Yang Rou Tang (Angelica and Aconite Lamb Soup), etc.
13. Medicinal Tea for Yang Nourishment: Ren Shen Cha (Ginseng Tea), Jiang Hong Cha (Ginger Black Tea), Gou Qi Cha (Goji Tea), Cong Rong Cha (Cistanche Tea), etc.
14. Acupoint Application for Yang Nourishment: Fei Shu (BL13), Shen Que (Ren8), Ming Men (GV4), Fei Shu (BL13), etc. for Yang protection.
15. Cupping for Yang Nourishment: Da Zhui (GV14), Shen Que (Ren8), Ming Men (GV4), Fei Shu (BL13), etc. for removing cold and protecting Yang.
16. Spring and Summer Yang Protection: in spring and summer, Yang is on the surface of the body, while internal organs may lack Yang energy, thus precautions against cold are necessary.
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