The Huangdi Neijing: Unveiling the Origins of All Human Diseases

“The beginning of all diseases arises from dryness, dampness, cold, heat, wind, rain, yin, yang, emotions, diet, and living environment.”

“All diseases arise from qi. Anger causes qi to rise, joy causes qi to relax, sadness causes qi to dissipate, fear causes qi to descend, cold causes qi to contract, heat causes qi to leak, shock causes qi to become chaotic, overwork causes qi to deplete, and overthinking causes qi to stagnate.”

The Huangdi Neijing succinctly summarizes the origins of all human diseases. The following text summarizes five major causes based on this legendary medical text.

Originating from Climate

Beware of Air Conditioning and Heating“Originating from wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire” means that external climate can lead to diseases.In the past, “wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire” were purely natural, but now times have changed. This “wind” includes not only natural wind but also fans. “Cold” includes not only natural cold but also air conditioning and refrigeration. Air conditioning and refrigeration also lead to dryness, as the air becomes dry under these conditions. This “dampness” may also have modern causes, and “fire” includes heating, etc. Therefore, there are not only natural factors but also human factors that cannot be ignored in health. Many diseases now arise slowly in air-conditioned environments.The Neijing explains clearly why it gets hot: during hot weather, yang qi disperses, and this dispersal brings out the internal yin and cold. Humans need to consume grains, and the environment cannot guarantee ideal conditions at all times, so there will be internal yin and cold. What force can disperse this yin and cold? The forces of heaven and earth, in summer.When summer arrives, everyone’s pores open, and the weather is hot, so people need to engage in appropriate labor. Although it is said not to overwork, some labor is necessary; exercise is needed. This leads to sweating, which opens the body’s channels and eliminates many hidden dangers. This is the body’s self-adjustment; heat is naturally needed, and the body also needs heat. At this time, yang qi disperses outward, bringing out internal issues, and people need to “follow” the natural order.Thus, the Neijing states that during the three months of summer, one should not dislike the sun. Although we often dislike the sun in summer, the Neijing clearly tells us not to hate the sun; this is called “following” because we need the sun.However, many people set their air conditioning too low, causing the temperature to drop significantly. Where does the yang qi go? It goes inward instead of outward. This is called “going against” the natural order, which leads to disaster.Originating from Yin and Yang

What does it mean to originate from yin and yang? The most visible yin and yang today are male and female, with males representing yang and females representing yin. Yin and yang is a significant issue.Why does the Neijing mention the origin of diseases from yin and yang? The greatest yin and yang is the relationship between men and women. What is the most significant relationship between men and women? Marriage. Many diseases arise from marital issues. “The way of yin and yang begins with the couple,” as Confucius said.Traditional Chinese medicine states: “When yin is balanced and yang is secret, the spirit is treated; when yin and yang are separated, the essence and qi are lost.” Harmony between yin and yang means harmony between husband and wife. How many couples today do not argue? Many couples are either blaming each other or harboring suspicions. When the husband goes out, the wife cannot sit still at home; they are not supporting each other but resenting each other, leading to disharmony in yin and yang.Disharmony in yin and yang is a significant factor in the emergence of diseases. Many diseases actually arise from this path. The Neijing points out that “originating from yin and yang” addresses this issue. If the couple is not well, yin and yang are not well, and if yin and yang are not harmonious, then the children born in such an unbalanced environment cannot be healthy.Now, many parents bring their children to see doctors repeatedly. Whether in traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine, after treatment, the issues recur. Where is the root cause? It lies with the parents, in the yin and yang. This is something that everyone needs to pay close attention to.A harmonious family is a harmonious yin and yang, and “when yin is balanced and yang is secret,” the spirit can be treated, and the body can be healthy. If this is not managed well, no amount of health supplements will help, and no oral solutions will work.Originating from Emotions

Originating from emotions means originating from feelings and thoughts, which greatly affect health. What are feelings and thoughts?“Heaven has five elements governing five positions, leading to cold, heat, dryness, dampness, and wind; humans have five organs transforming five qi, leading to joy, anger, sadness, thought, and fear.” Why must humans follow yin and yang? Because humans and heaven and earth are a whole. Human emotions are actually similar to the six qi of heaven and earth: “wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire.” Therefore, excessive or insufficient emotions can affect health. “Cold, heat, dryness, dampness, and wind” are external five elements that can cause diseases; “joy, anger, thought, worry, and fear” are internal five elements that can also cause diseases.Wang Shiren Wang Fengyi, an elderly man from Northeast China, passed away in 1937. He was an illiterate farmer but was remarkable and had profound insights.In his teachings, he emphasized a significant theory: studying the relationship between our emotions, our nature, our psychological behavior, and diseases. Our psychological behavior directly affects health; at least fifty percent of diseases are caused by unhealthy psychological behavior. Wang Fengyi summarized unhealthy psychological behaviors into five points:First is resentment, a tendency to complain about others.Second is hatred.Third is annoyance, being easily irritated.Fourth is anger, being prone to anger.Fifth is worry.Hatred harms the “heart,” and there is a decisive relationship between circulatory system diseases and hatred.Annoyance affects the respiratory system, particularly the lungs.Anger affects the liver system, including the liver and gallbladder. Anger encompasses suppressed anger, frustration, and rage; strokes in traditional Chinese medicine also belong to the liver system.Worry, especially among women, often leads to kidney issues and reproductive system problems; this factor directly harms the kidneys.Originating from Diet

Diet includes issues of food quantity and drink quantity, especially among those who drink alcohol, “deep feelings lead to excessive drinking,” which is harmful to the body.This includes “cold and warm without moderation,” consuming large amounts of raw and frozen foods, which is detrimental. Nowadays, many foods are frozen, which can damage a person’s yang qi. Yang qi is crucial for life; do not waste it. Even if you try to replenish it, you cannot if you keep harming it.Another issue is the balance of meat and vegetables. Our physiology indicates that the intestines and teeth of herbivores differ from those of carnivores, which is an objective indicator. Carnivores have sharp teeth, while herbivores have flat teeth. We have thirty-two teeth, twenty-eight of which are flat, and four are sharp; this indicates how much meat and how much vegetables we should consume.Originating from Living Environment

The living environment also significantly impacts health; the environment is essentially feng shui. In the past, this was considered superstition, which is absolutely incorrect. Is there feng shui? Certainly.As long as there is traditional Chinese medicine, there is feng shui; both discuss the five elements. How to take in qi, the orientation of doors and windows, and what qi to absorb is about yin and yang and the five elements, with no superstition involved. The human body is a small universe, and the human body embodies the five elements; the five elements in the human body are different, so the harmony of the living environment’s yin and yang and the compatibility of the five elements will affect the mind and body of the people living in that environment.Sleep is crucial. Sleep in life is essentially a process of replenishing yang qi. We just mentioned that yang qi is the root of life; how is yang qi replenished? There are many ways to deplete yang qi, such as movement and all forms of thought. Every action depletes yang qi. There are many ways to deplete yang qi, but few ways to replenish it, almost solely through sleep.Thus, sleep is almost the only way to nourish yang qi. Is it important? It is the only way to nourish life. Therefore, sleep is extremely important; everyone should not take it lightly.A major secret is to sleep early. Why sleep early? The living environment must have “timing,” and sleep must have “timing.” Why is timing important? Because the yang qi of heaven and earth is hidden at this time, and humans also need to hide. We say spring brings life, summer brings growth, autumn brings harvest, and winter brings storage; the best state for the human body to store is sleep. In sleep, one can cultivate essence and gather strength, and yang qi can receive good nourishment, allowing life to continue to develop.Traditional Chinese medicine states that the kidneys govern the bones, and the marrow produces blood. Blood production occurs in the bone marrow system, which is governed by the kidneys. When do the kidneys work? In winter, specifically from nine o’clock at night to three o’clock in the morning, when the kidneys are on duty, blood is produced. Under what conditions do the kidneys work? The kidneys work when the body is in a state of storage and sleep. It is emphasized that during this period, one must sleep; when sleeping, the kidneys can govern the bones, produce marrow, and generate blood, allowing yang qi to be replenished.If one does not sleep during this time and misses it, then sorry, once you miss this opportunity, it is gone. Of course, even if you sleep for eight hours, your eight hours are not the same as mine. Modern people are accustomed to nightlife, which is clearly contrary to the natural order. I hope everyone truly considers their health and adjusts their sleep patterns to “gain the way and receive heavenly assistance.”We are busy; what to do? We can wake up a little earlier to work. If that is not possible, then use your weekends to sleep early; sleep at nine o’clock, which compensates for the five weekdays of sleep deprivation with two days of rest.If those two days of rest lead to staying up until three or four o’clock and then sleeping until eleven or twelve o’clock, that is even worse. So this is a very important issue.The Huangdi Neijing: The Secret to Staying YoungThe Huangdi Neijing states: “In ancient times, people lived to be a hundred years old in both spring and autumn, completing their natural lifespan.” It is said that in ancient times, the people of Ge Tian could all live to be a hundred years old. The elderly had white hair and youthful faces, fully enjoying the lifespan granted by heaven.If you want to stay young, let’s see how the ancients practiced health preservation.1. Physical Labor Without FatigueThe Huangdi Neijing states: “Eating and drinking in moderation, maintaining regular habits, and not overworking, thus the body and spirit can coexist, completing their natural lifespan.”Ancient health practitioners believed that the body and spirit are interdependent.As the saying goes, “the body relies on the spirit to exist, and the spirit needs the body to survive.” To nurture both “body and spirit,” one must coordinate “movement and stillness.” “Stillness” helps cultivate original qi, while “movement” allows original qi to circulate better.Maintaining good living habits, appropriate and timely dietary practices, and consistent effective physical exercise can keep the spirit vibrant, allowing the body to grow younger. It is not difficult to find that elderly people in rural areas are often more robust and live longer than those in cities.This is due to rural life, which helps them maintain good labor habits. Regular physical labor prevents them from easily feeling fatigued.True qi is balanced and regulated, leading to a naturally long life.2. A Calm Heart Without FearThe Huangdi Neijing states: “Joy leads to harmonious qi and clear intentions, and the protective qi flows smoothly.”A peaceful mindset, free from worries about gains and losses, maintains a positive and optimistic attitude.Physiological activities in the body can then operate according to natural laws. In contrast, those who are constantly burdened with worries and live in fear rarely achieve longevity.The path of health preservation in traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes “nurturing the heart and regulating the spirit.” This aligns with the saying in the Huangdi Neijing: “A calm heart is free from fear.” A calm heart is characterized by joy and laughter. Joyful emotions and cheerful laughter surpass all health supplements.Buddhism teaches: all things are created by the mind, and wherever one resides, there is happiness. A stable mind, free from fear, allows one to be carefree and unburdened.3. Complete Virtue Without DangerThe Huangdi Neijing states: “Those who can live to be a hundred years old and remain agile without showing signs of aging do so because their virtues are complete and not dangerous.”This means that some people can live to be a hundred years old, remaining agile and not appearing old, due to their complete moral cultivation.Ancient people regarded “virtue” as the foundation of existence. Confucius said: “Those with great virtue will surely attain longevity.” This means that individuals with noble moral cultivation often grow younger as they age.Confucius’s saying “the virtuous live long” actually contains medical principles.Sun Simiao proposed in the Qianjin Yaofang: “When one’s nature is good, all diseases will not arise, and disasters and calamities will have no cause; this is the great principle of health preservation.” Cultivating virtue can regulate one’s temperament. It maintains one’s original qi from within, leading to longevity.The essence of complete virtue can be summarized in eight words:Good nature, benevolence, contentment, and tolerance.Being humble and courteous, respecting others while maintaining oneself can help us avoid worries and protect the body and spirit from harm, thus promoting longevity.4. A Calm Will and Few DesiresThe Huangdi Neijing states: “Tranquility and emptiness lead to true qi, and the spirit is kept within; how can diseases arise?”This means that when a person’s spirit is tranquil and free from desires, true qi will remain within the body. When the spirit is kept within and not dissipated, how can diseases invade?To stay young, one must learn to control their desires.Li Duyuan, a health practitioner from the Qing Dynasty, understood the path of desire moderation well. He advocated for a lifestyle that includes:Simple diet to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach;Simple desires to keep the mind clear;Speaking less to help regulate breath;Maintaining simple relationships to keep oneself pure;Avoiding indulgence in alcohol and lust to maintain a clear mind;Reducing worries to eliminate troubles.In everything, just reduce a little, and you will benefit a little.Everything tastes sweet, and whatever you wear is comfortable; life is simple and satisfying.

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