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Zhou Tian Yi Fu Xi Long Zu
Follow the Dao, not the person
Follow wisdom, not knowledge
Follow intention, not words
Follow application, not learning
Ignite the small sun within your heart
Zhou Tian Yi
Yin is cold, Yang is hot; Yin is blood, Yang is Qi; When Yin and Yang are balanced, all diseases disappear.
A tree’s most important part is its roots. When the leaves turn yellow, it is hard to find the cause from above. By looking down at the roots, you can see if it has too much or too little water, if it has pests, or if the soil needs loosening. You will understand immediately.
For a person, the most important aspect is Qi and blood. If a certain part of the body is uncomfortable, one should not only focus on that area but look for the cause in Qi and blood. When Qi and blood are balanced, pain will naturally disappear. If you treat the head for headaches and the feet for foot pain without addressing the root cause of Qi and blood, you may find yourself running around in vain.
Why is that? Because Qi and blood are flowing, and diseases are also moving.
Imagine the body as a barrel, the disease as the water inside the barrel, and Qi and blood as the wooden planks that make up the barrel. From birth to death, diseases lurk in our bodies like water in a barrel. What we need to do is keep the diseases hidden and not let them flow out.Those who live long do so because they keep their barrel full of water; those who die young do so because their barrel has only a little water and it leaks out.Please note:The capacity of a barrel is not determined by the longest plank but by the shortest one.
A person’s lifespan is not determined by the strongest part of their body but by the weakest part.
A sixty-year-old actor has been hospitalized for over three months, and his condition is severe. Initially, he only had trouble biting his tongue while eating, but it later developed into an inability to lift his arms above his head. The hospital diagnosed him with myasthenia gravis. He has been tormented by illness to the point of being unrecognizable. His eyelids droop, and he sits weakly on the hospital bed, speaking with great difficulty, making it hard to hear what he says.
His wife said:“His heart is very good; the doctor said he could live for another 50 years based on his heart; Look at his blood pressure, it is also very normal.”
Upon carefully reviewing the medical report, it is true that many of this actor’s indicators are very good, even better than many young people can achieve. However, the unfortunate reality is that the health of the body is not determined by those good indicators but by the worst one among them. When I checked his pulse, it was clear that his spleen and stomach were severely deficient, and the great Qi in his chest had begun to sink. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal health and the source of Qi and blood transformation. If the spleen and stomach are damaged, Qi and blood will be severely imbalanced; when Qi and blood are imbalanced, the wooden planks in the body will be uneven in length; when the planks are uneven, water will leak out from the shorter planks. Unfortunately, it was as predicted, and not long after, we heard that the actor had passed away.
If 99% of a person’s body is healthy, but 1% has a serious problem, then that person’s health will be determined by that worst 1%. The quality of the body does not depend on how good the good parts are but on how bad the bad parts are. Therefore, the principle of health preservation is to seek balance in the body, and the key to body balance is the balance of Qi and blood. When Qi and blood are balanced, even if the good parts of the body are not very prominent, the bad parts will improve. Thus, your weaknesses will become strengths.
In practice, I have encountered various patients. Some appear strong and healthy, seemingly without any issues, but upon taking their pulse and examining their tongue, problems are revealed; their Qi and blood are extremely imbalanced. These individuals generally belong to the category of Yang excess and Yin deficiency.
There was a patient in his fifties, muscular and energetic, who claimed he could swim 2000 meters in one go and play basketball without taking a break. One would think such a person is very healthy! However, this is not the case, as what we see are merely the long boards of his body; the short board remains hidden. Indeed, upon checking his pulse, it was found that he had Yin deficiency and excessive internal heat. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that he had been suffering from diabetes for three years. His short board was in the pancreas, and if he did not find a way to lengthen that short board, his long boards would be of no use, and his lifespan could be imagined.
We often see such individuals around us; they appear strong and healthy, yet one day they suddenly fall ill and are hospitalized, only to pass away within a few days. Meanwhile, some people frequently visit hospitals, seemingly plagued by various ailments, yet they live long lives. The reason is that the former have long boards and short boards, while the latter have neither long nor short boards. When the body is balanced, longevity naturally follows.
When the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth are harmonious, all industries begin to prosper; when the Qi and blood of the human body are balanced, various diseases will gradually improve. When the Qi and blood of the heart gradually balance, frequent palpitations, anxiety, and chest tightness will gradually disappear, and heart disease will slowly improve; when the Qi and blood of the intestines and stomach gradually balance, conditions like enteritis and gastric ulcers will also gradually improve; when the Qi and blood of the liver balance, liver diseases will gradually improve…
Therefore, Qi and blood are the center of health preservation, and balance is the principle of Qi and blood. When Qi and blood are balanced, the weak can achieve longevity; if Qi and blood are imbalanced, even a strong person may die suddenly.
Yin and Yang in the human body mainly manifest in two aspects: one is cold and heat, and the other is Qi and blood. Cold is Yin, heat is Yang; blood is Yin, Qi is Yang. Only when Yin and Yang are balanced can cold and heat be balanced, and Qi and blood flow smoothly. Thus, when Yin and Yang are adjusted, all diseases disappear.
What is Qi?
Qi is the most fundamental element of life; everyone lives on a breath of Qi. Whether a person is sick can be seen from their complexion, which reflects the Qi and blood within the body. The heavenly physician has a saying about observation diagnosis. What is observed? It is the complexion. Qi is the manifestation of the body’s internal Qi on the surface; color is the manifestation of the blood within the body on the surface.
If a person’s Qi is about to disperse, it indicates that their life is nearing its end. The heavenly physician says: “The life and death of a person depend entirely on Qi; when Qi gathers, there is life; when Qi disperses, there is death.”
One day, I met a deeply skilled acupuncturist who said that to determine whether a person can be saved, one only needs to insert a needle to find out. He said: “If a person’s life state is stable, the needle will feel tight when inserted; if a person is about to die, the needle will feel like it is inserted into tofu, loose and slack, indicating that their Qi is about to disperse and cannot gather together.” Thus, the “Nanjing” states: “Qi is the foundation of a person.”
In the human body, Qi, as described in the “Neijing,” is called “Ren Qi,” which consists of three parts: first, the innate Qi from the Great Zhou Tian. This Qi mainly comes from the essence of the parents’ reproduction, also known as Jing Qi, which is the foundation of all Qi in the body, akin to the original stock in the stock market.
Second, the Qi from the water and grains of the Small Zhou Tian. This Qi mainly comes from food. Various foods contain the energy of Qi; for example, a red apple’s red skin is a transformation of solar energy; a sweet potato’s yellow color is a transformation of earth energy… The heavenly physician emphasizes the properties and channels of medicines, and the same applies to food. What is the nature of food? It is the Qi of food. It is divided into four types, also known as the Four Qi: cold, hot, warm, and cool. When people consume these foods containing the Four Qi, they will transform the Qi from the food in the spleen and stomach, which acts as a great furnace, into the Qi within the body. Since this Qi comes from food and grains, it is also called “Gu Qi.”
The innate essence from the Great Zhou Tian is only a small initial investment, and no further investment is made, so I often use the original stock in stock investment as a metaphor. Although this original stock is only a little, it has enormous potential for appreciation. Just think about it, that little essence can eventually grow into a large person.
Gu Qi, unlike the innate essence, can be continuously generated. I often compare it to a stock that is continuously issued. You see, some stocks rise so high because they are constantly financing and issuing new shares. If a person does not have a continuous supply of Gu Qi, they will quickly die; if a company does not have capital to continuously issue new shares, it will go bankrupt.
Another type of Qi comes from the clear Qi of nature, which is the external Great Zhou Tian Qi, and it relies on the lung’s breathing function and the kidney’s Qi intake function to be absorbed into the body. Clear Qi enters the body with breathing and must not be interrupted. The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “Man is born of the earth and hangs his life on the heavens; the union of heaven and earth Qi is called man.” After inheriting the essence, a life is born. But can this life grow into an adult? This depends on the weather and the earth’s Qi. A person absorbs earth Qi from grains and weather Qi from nature; only when the Qi of heaven and earth is harmoniously unified within the body can life grow. Why is it said that life hangs on the heavens? Just think about it, a person can live without eating grains for ten days or half a month, but without breathing the air from the heavens, they may not live for even ten minutes. This is what it means to hang life on the heavens.
What is blood?
If Qi is the foundation of life, then blood is the support of that foundation. The heavenly physician says: “Qi is the commander of blood, and blood is the mother of Qi.” Qi is Yang, active, and warming; blood is Yin, passive, and nourishing.
Qi and blood are like a loving couple; they are different yet interdependent, living together in the family of the body.
As the husband, Qi determines the direction of the entire family, providing warmth and support like sunlight; during stormy nights, he stands up to shield his wife and children from the wind and rain.
As the wife, blood is like the moon, gentle and nurturing, unconditionally nourishing the family; when the husband encounters trouble, she will help without hesitation. Thus, Qi cannot exist without blood, and blood cannot exist without Qi. Qi can generate blood, circulate blood, and contain blood; blood can generate Qi, nourish Qi, and carry Qi.
A good family is based on harmonious relationships between spouses, just as a healthy body requires balanced Qi and blood. If the couple is not harmonious, the family will face constant troubles; if Qi and blood are imbalanced, whether Qi deficiency or blood deficiency, various diseases will follow. The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “When Qi and blood are out of harmony, all diseases arise and change.”
Is insufficient Qi and blood the reason for aging? There are many methods to tonify Qi and nourish blood.
Qi and blood are the foundation of life; the biggest difference between the living and the dead is Qi and blood. Do you see Qi and blood in the dead? No! It can be said without exaggeration that no one with insufficient Qi and blood will live long! The saying “to cut off Qi” indicates the death of an organism; without Qi, there is no life. So, is this Qi important?
Insufficient Qi and blood correspond to Qi deficiency and blood deficiency in heavenly medicine. The result of insufficient Qi and blood leads to the decline of organ function, causing premature aging.
Qi deficiency manifests as cold limbs, spontaneous sweating, dizziness, tinnitus, mental fatigue, weakness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and delayed development.
Blood deficiency can be seen as pale complexion, dry skin, brittle hair, cracked nails, blurred vision, numbness in hands and feet, insomnia with vivid dreams, forgetfulness, palpitations, and mental confusion.
If we compare the human body to a growing plant, Qi is the sunlight, and blood is the rain; both work together to help the body thrive. Once Qi and blood are insufficient, the body’s functions will collapse comprehensively.
Qi is the commander of blood, meaning Qi can generate blood, circulate blood, and control blood.
Qi can generate blood: The process of blood formation cannot be separated from Qi transformation. Whether it is the transformation of food into refined essence, refined essence into nutritive Qi and body fluids, or the transformation of essence into blood, all require the action of Qi. When Qi is abundant, blood is sufficient; when Qi is deficient, it affects blood formation, leading to blood deficiency.
Qi can control blood: Qi has a controlling effect on blood, ensuring it circulates within the vessels without overflowing. The controlling effect of Qi is mainly realized by the Qi of the spleen. If the spleen Qi is deficient, it cannot control blood, leading to various bleeding disorders, known as “Qi cannot contain blood.”
Qi can circulate blood: The circulation of blood in the vessels relies on the push of Qi; hence, “When Qi moves, blood moves; when Qi stagnates, blood clots.” The heart Qi’s propulsion, the lung Qi’s dispersal, and the liver Qi’s regulation are all closely related to blood circulation. Any dysfunction in any link can lead to poor blood flow.
Blood is the mother of Qi: Blood is the carrier of Qi and also the source of Qi’s nourishment. Therefore, Qi cannot exist alone without blood. Clinically, blood deficiency can lead to a lack of nourishment for Qi, resulting in Qi deficiency as well.
When blood is lost, Qi has no support, and thus Qi also dissipates.
It can be seen that Qi and blood are closely related, interlinked, and inseparable. Therefore, when we tonify Qi, we must not forget to nourish blood; when we nourish blood, we must not forget to tonify Qi.
Zhou Tian Yi has wonderful methods for tonifying Qi and nourishing blood.
(1) Sixteen methods to tonify Qi
Secret herbs to tonify Qi: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria), Huang Jing (Polygonatum), Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) etc.
Chinese medicine to tonify Qi: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Pill), Shi Quan Da Bu Gao (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Paste), Gui Pi Wan (Restore the Spleen Pill), Shen Ling Bai Zhu Wan (Ginseng and Atractylodes Pill) etc.
Moxibustion to tonify Qi: Zu San Li (St36), Shen Que (Ren8), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Pi Shu (Bl20), Qi Hai (Ren6), Bai Hui (Du20), Fei Shu (Bl13) etc.
Acupuncture to tonify Qi: Zu San Li (St36), Bai Hui (Du20), San Yin Jiao (Sp6), Qi Hai (Ren6), Guan Yuan (Ren4), Pi Shu (Bl20), Fei Shu (Bl13) etc.
Herbal tea to tonify Qi: 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.
Medicinal dishes to tonify Qi: Huang Qi Xin Fei Tang (Astragalus and Heart Chicken Soup), Ren Shen Stewed with Hen, Dang Shen Stewed with Pork Ribs etc.
Medicinal wine to tonify Qi: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Ling Zhi (Reishi), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Gou Qi Zi (Goji) etc. soaked in wine.
Diet to tonify Qi: Sea cucumber, eggs, red dates, cow and sheep placenta, Qian Shi (Euryale), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) etc.
Exercise to tonify Qi: Qigong, Tai Chi, Dao Yin, martial arts, fitness exercises, and appropriate activities.
Life habits to tonify Qi: Regular daily routine, balance work and rest, maintain a balanced mindset etc.
Massage to tonify Qi: Massage Zu San Li (St36), Guan Yuan (Ren4), abdominal massage, and spine kneading etc.
Treating diseases to tonify Qi: Treat diseases early and thoroughly, do not delay, to prevent prolonged illness from depleting Qi.
Post-illness tonification: After major illnesses or surgeries, timely adjustment is needed to restore deficiencies and prevent Qi deficiency.
Techniques to tonify Qi: Breathing exercises, focusing on the Dantian, maintaining a balanced diet, and moderation in all things.
(2) Zhou Tian Yi’s sixteen methods to nourish blood
Secret herbs to nourish blood: Dang Gui (Angelica), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Gou Qi Zi (Goji) etc.
Chinese medicine to nourish blood: Shi Quan Da Bu Gao (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Paste), Gui Pi Wan (Restore the Spleen Pill), Fu Fang E Jiao Jiang (Compound E Jiao Paste), Dang Gui Bu Xue Gao (Angelica Blood Nourishing Paste) etc.
Diet to nourish blood: Longan, old hen, red dates, egg yolk, pig liver, lean meat, fish etc.
Life habits to nourish blood: Regular lifestyle, balance work and rest, balanced nutrition, cooking with iron pots, avoid strong tea.
Conserving blood: Avoid prolonged viewing that harms blood, prolonged thinking that depletes blood, excessive labor that damages blood, and external injuries that cause bleeding.
Treating diseases to nourish blood: Prevent and treat bleeding, kidney failure, aplastic anemia, excessive menstruation, and uterine bleeding.
Western medicine to nourish blood: Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, ferrous fumarate etc.
Intravenous nourishment: Plasma, whole blood, Shen Mai injection etc.
Post-surgery nourishment: After major illnesses, surgeries, childbirth, or abortion, one should nourish Qi and blood.
Medicinal wine to nourish blood: Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui (Angelica), Ren Shen (Ginseng), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), Gou Qi Zi (Goji) etc. soaked in wine.
Herbal tea to nourish blood: Dang Gui Longan Tea, Gou Qi Black Sesame Tea, Suan Zao Ren Tea etc.
Medicinal dishes to nourish blood: Huang Qi Dang Gui Stewed Old Hen, Dang Gui Lamb Soup etc.
Acupuncture to nourish blood: Zu San Li (St36), San Yin Jiao (Sp6), Pi Shu (Bl20), Xue Hai (Sp10), Ge Shu (Bl17) etc.
Moxibustion to nourish blood: Zu San Li (St36), San Yin Jiao (Sp6), Shen Que (Ren8), Zhong Wan (Ren12), Xue Hai (Sp10) etc.
Thread embedding to nourish blood: Zu San Li (St36), Shen Shu (Bl23), Pi Shu (Bl20), Gan Shu (Bl18) etc.
(3) How to adjust insufficient Qi and blood in daily life
1. Exercise regularly
Some people do not have a good habit of exercising and spend long periods sitting or being still. Lack of exercise can easily obstruct the normal flow of Qi and blood, so regular exercise can effectively promote smoother circulation of Qi and blood, which is especially important for improving Qi stagnation and blood stasis.
2. Ensure sufficient sleep
There is a saying: “Food supplementation is not as good as sleep supplementation.” Compared to dietary therapy, sleep therapy is more convenient and simple, so it is essential to maintain a good sleep habit.
Because the period from 11 PM to around 2 AM is crucial for the metabolism and repair of various organs in the body. Only during deep sleep can the organs better regulate their functions, which is also an important way to promote the generation of fresh blood. If one stays up late during this time, it will deplete Qi and blood, leading to insufficient Qi and blood over time.
Regarding cancer:
Cancer terrifies many people, but it is not entirely impossible to escape its clutches. Recently, the American “Network Medicine Doctor” website published a summary of “cancer symptoms that men and women often overlook” by experts from the American Cancer Society, reminding everyone to catch the subtle signs of cancer. Surveys show that compared to late-stage patients with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%-30%, early-stage cancer patients can achieve a 5-year survival rate of up to 70%-95% with proper treatment.
Symptoms of lung cancer and liver cancer: No fever for five years
People with this symptom should be cautious of liver and lung cancer. Not having a fever may seem like good health, but it actually indicates very poor immunity and declining bodily functions, with no response to pathogenic factors.
Symptoms of lung cancer and liver cancer: Waking up frequently at night
Waking up frequently between 1 AM and 3 AM may indicate liver cancer, while waking up between 3 AM and 5 AM may indicate lung cancer. This usually occurs 2 to 3 years before diagnosis!
Breast cancer symptoms: Noticeably different sizes of the two breasts
Those with noticeably different breast sizes, who often get angry or have emotional distress during their menstrual cycle, may not only develop this disease but also ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids. (Prevention is better than treatment; for the health of friends around you, please take 3-5 seconds to share this in your circle of friends.)
Additionally, women with blood deficiency and dryness who feel heat in their palms during menstruation may be misdiagnosed as having excessive lung fire, and taking medications to clear lung fire may lead to breast cancer.
Colon cancer symptoms: Dry stools with blood
Those with long-term dry stools, especially with blood, and increased frequency of bowel movements, sometimes passing mucus, should ensure their stools become softer, using diet and Chinese medicine for adjustment.
Long-term dry stools can cause friction in the intestines, and if they irritate a tumor, it can accelerate tumor growth!
Others:
Anyone who has not had acne for two years (even after eating a lot of spicy food); those who are not hungry at regular intervals; those whose athlete’s foot suddenly stops itching; those who feel their skin is hot but have normal body temperature; those whose skin feels tight but lacks elasticity; those who have low-grade fever every afternoon; those with red veins in the eyes; those whose faces turn pale or dark should be cautious. It is best to check early; even if nothing is found, one should take good care of themselves, as tumors may not be detectable at an early stage. Of course, not all of these are cancer, but it is wise to take care of oneself.
PS: Everyone has cancer cells in their body; as long as your immune function is strong, there is no problem. Therefore, cancer is like a spring; if you are weak, it becomes strong! Actively cultivating good habits plays a far greater role in cancer prevention than treatment!
[Signs Before Major Illnesses]
The editor teaches you some simple methods to identify subtle changes in the body.
∽Morning篇∽
Dizziness: Waking up feeling dizzy may indicate cervical spondylosis or high blood viscosity.
Intense hunger pangs: Waking up between 4-5 AM with intense hunger pangs and fatigue that only disappears after breakfast may indicate a tendency towards diabetes.
Bad breath: This may indicate problems with the stomach or liver, or periodontal disease.
Ammonia-like smell in the mouth: Pay extra attention to kidney health.
A gray ring around the cornea: This may indicate heart problems, especially in men aged 30-50, who should contact a doctor immediately.
Flushed face: This may be related to heart disease or high blood pressure.
Nausea: Excluding pregnancy, if this occurs every morning, it may indicate chronic gastritis.
∽Daytime篇∽
Upper abdominal pain after eating greasy food, radiating to the right shoulder: This may indicate liver and gallbladder disease.
Increased appetite but weight loss: This may indicate hyperthyroidism.
No appetite, nausea at the sight of greasy food, and easy fatigue: This may indicate hepatitis.
Frequent acid reflux, bloating, or abdominal pain after meals: This indicates food stagnation; one should eat more fresh vegetables and maintain a light, easily digestible diet.
Slow nail growth, lack of luster, and yellowing/thickening: This may indicate lymphatic system issues.
Prominent veins on the back of the hands: This phenomenon may occur with age, but it may also indicate heart disease.
Moist palms: Sweating in the palms during excessive excitement or tension may indicate thyroid abnormalities if it occurs frequently.
Enlarged or newly formed moles: Be cautious of skin cancer.
Red spots on the skin not caused by friction: This may be a precursor to liver disease.
Frequent leg cramps waking you up: This may indicate calcium deficiency or arteriosclerosis.
Among these signs, men and women should pay attention to different aspects, but there are 13 signs that everyone should be aware of:
Men should pay attention to:
1. Changes in the testicles. Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 20-39. The American Cancer Society recommends that men self-examine their testicles monthly for changes in size, noticeable swelling or shrinkage, lumps in the scrotum, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. If there is a feeling of heaviness that persists for more than a week, they should see a doctor for diagnosis. This is a typical precursor to testicular cancer and requires blood tests and scrotal ultrasound.
2. Urination issues. As men age, urinary issues become more common, with frequent urination, urgency, or incomplete urination being common. If symptoms worsen, especially with a strong urgency to urinate, one should be cautious of prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam will inform whether there is prostate enlargement, which is a major symptom of prostate cancer.
Women should pay attention to:
1. Abdominal bloating. Many women think bloating is very common and do not take it seriously. However, this may be a symptom of ovarian cancer. Liu Jun Tian, director of the Tumor Prevention Medicine Center at Tianjin Cancer Hospital, explains that persistent abdominal swelling, pressure, pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, and difficulty eating or feeling full quickly for several weeks may indicate ovarian cancer.
2. Irregular bleeding. American oncologist Dr. Daly states that abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles and blood in urine or stool is often overlooked by women. These may be significant signs of common gynecological cancers—endometrial cancer, with at least 3/4 of women with this sign later diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Blood in stool may indicate colon cancer.
Both men and women should pay attention to:
1. Breast lumps. Breast cancer is not exclusive to women; men should also actively prevent it. If women notice redness or lumps in their breast, they should be particularly cautious. “Especially if a rash appears on the breast and persists for several weeks, it must be checked.” Oncologist Dr. Hannah Linden states. Additionally, for non-lactating women, if the nipple retracts and often discharges fluid, this is also a bad sign. For men, if the skin of the breast wrinkles, the nipple retracts or is asymmetrical, or if the breast becomes red and swollen with lumps, these are signs of inflammation and may indicate breast cancer. Dr. Liu Jun Tian further explains that these breast lumps are generally painless but gradually enlarge.
2. Pain. The American Cancer Society states that as people age, bodily pain increases. However, if pain occurs in a specific area without an apparent cause and lasts for more than a week, one should seek to identify the cause, as unexplained pain may be a sign of cancer. For example, persistent abdominal pain may indicate colon cancer, chest pain may be caused by lung cancer, and bone pain may indicate cancer metastasis. Dr. Liu Jun Tian points out that pancreatic cancer manifests as persistent dull or cramping pain in the upper abdomen, around the navel or right upper abdomen, which may be intermittent or continuous and usually worsens, radiating to the back.
3. Changes in lymph nodes. Dr. Linden states that regardless of the body part, especially if lymph nodes in the armpit or neck become enlarged, one should not take it lightly. If lymph nodes continue to enlarge for more than a month, it may indicate breast cancer or brain cancer.
4. Fever. Fever is generally caused by flu, pneumonia, or other infections; however, unexplained fever may be a dangerous sign. The American Cancer Society states that when cancer spreads to other organs, it usually causes fever. Lymphoma, leukemia, and other blood cancers also have fever symptoms. Xu Zhijian, director of the Cancer Prevention Department at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, adds that lymphoma in the early to mid-stages may present as persistent low-grade fever, with a temperature around 38 degrees Celsius, which may spike when combined with infection. Necessary examinations include chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
5. Unexplained weight loss. Losing weight without effort is indeed pleasing, but if one loses 10% of their weight within a month without increasing exercise or decreasing food intake, they should seek medical attention. Rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, and recurrent diarrhea and constipation are common symptoms of lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, and colon cancer; for women, it may also indicate hyperthyroidism.
6. Persistent abdominal pain accompanied by depression. Dr. Leonardo Lichtenfeld from the American Cancer Society states that if abdominal pain persists and is accompanied by depressive symptoms, it may indicate pancreatic cancer. Experts have found a significant relationship between depression and pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms include jaundice or abnormally gray stools.
7. Fatigue. Generally speaking, feeling fatigued is a sign that cancer has developed, but for leukemia, colon cancer, and stomach cancer, fatigue may occur even in the early stages of the disease. What distinguishes cancer-related fatigue from ordinary fatigue? Experts from the American Cancer Society state that ordinary fatigue disappears after resting, while cancer-related fatigue persists regardless of rest.
8. Persistent cough. Dr. Ranita Michery from Georgetown University Medical Center states that if a persistent cough occurs without apparent cause for more than 3-4 weeks, one should see a doctor, as it may indicate lung cancer or throat cancer.
9. Difficulty swallowing. Dr. Lichtenfeld states that long-term difficulty swallowing may indicate throat cancer, esophageal cancer, or stomach cancer, and one should undergo X-ray chest examinations or gastroscopy as soon as possible. Difficulty swallowing generally refers to pain behind the sternum when eating, a feeling of something stuck in the esophagus, and some may feel that food moves slowly down the esophagus or even gets stuck.
10. Skin changes. Dr. Mary Daly, an oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, warns that sudden lumps or pigmentation changes in the skin may indicate skin cancer. If such changes persist for several weeks, one should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, regardless of age, if the skin suddenly bleeds or shows abnormal peeling, one should see a doctor.
11. Abnormal bleeding. Dr. Michery states that blood in the stool, aside from hemorrhoids, is likely a symptom of colon cancer, and necessary colon cancer screening should be performed. Dr. Chen Shan, chief physician of the Urology Department at Beijing Tongren Hospital, also reminds that for middle-aged and elderly individuals over 40, aside from women during menstruation, if there is painless blood in urine or difficulty urinating, one should be cautious of bladder cancer or kidney cancer. In addition to blood in the stool, if the tumor grows near the anus, it may also cause changes in stool shape, increased frequency, or even difficulty in defecation.
12. Oral changes. The American Cancer Society points out that smokers should pay special attention to white patches appearing on the mouth and tongue, as these may be precursors to oral cancer—oral leukoplakia.
13. Indigestion. Men (especially older men) and women (excluding during pregnancy) who experience prolonged unexplained indigestion may be symptoms of esophageal cancer, throat cancer, or stomach cancer.
The secret to cancer prevention is very simple:
A) Develop good habits, quit smoking, and limit alcohol. The World Health Organization predicts that if people stop smoking, cancer rates will decrease by one-third within five years; secondly, do not drink excessively. Smoking and drinking are highly acidic substances, and long-term smoking and drinking can easily lead to an acidic constitution.
B) Avoid excessive consumption of salty and spicy foods, and do not eat overly hot, cold, expired, or spoiled foods; elderly or weak individuals or those with certain hereditary diseases should consume some anti-cancer foods and high-alkaline foods to maintain a good mental state.
C) Maintain a good mindset to cope with stress, balance work and rest, and avoid excessive fatigue. It is evident that stress is a significant cancer trigger; heavenly medicine believes that stress leads to overwork and weakness, resulting in decreased immune function, endocrine disorders, and metabolic disturbances, leading to the accumulation of acidic substances in the body; stress can also cause mental tension, leading to Qi stagnation, blood stasis, and internal heat.
D) Strengthen physical exercise to enhance physical fitness, exercise more in the sun, and sweating can help expel acidic substances from the body, preventing the formation of an acidic constitution.
E) Maintain a regular lifestyle; irregular habits, such as singing karaoke all night, playing mahjong, or staying out late, can exacerbate the acidic constitution and increase the risk of cancer. One should develop good habits to maintain a weak alkaline constitution and keep various cancer diseases at bay.
F) Avoid consuming contaminated foods, such as polluted water, crops, poultry, fish, eggs, and moldy foods; eat green organic foods to prevent diseases from entering through the mouth.
Finally:
Over thousands of years, heavenly medicine has become increasingly mythologized and has faced attacks from extreme scientific rationalists who label it as pseudoscience. People describe heavenly medicine as: national medicine, vast and profound, ensuring health without question. Unfortunately, concepts like Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, the Seven Emotions, the Eight Principles of Diagnosis, Qi and Blood, Fluids, Deficiency and Excess, Cold and Heat, Generation and Control, Organs and Meridians, are difficult to understand and cannot be popularized… Therefore, few understand heavenly medicine, and even fewer use it. Ordinary people know very little about heavenly medicine, and some scholars who speak about it seem to do so to display their knowledge.
Here, you must assume you are an ancient person with limited understanding of nature; abandon your existing medical knowledge. Of course, for those who nitpick, I will also validate with modern scientific knowledge.
1. Yin-Yang
What is Yin-Yang? Modern people have studied the theory of Yin-Yang so deeply that it has become increasingly distant from ordinary people. If you were an ancient person, you would notice the sun and the moon in the sky. The sun has attributes of daytime, brightness, and warmth, while the moon has attributes of night, dimness, and coldness. What about the things on the ground, in the world, and in nature? They need to be classified.
Let’s play a game. One person holds a flag with the word “sun” on it, and another holds a flag with the word “moon.” In the middle stands a commander. The commander poses a question, and then asks the soldiers below to walk to the moon flag if they think it has “moon” attributes, or to the sun flag if they think it has “sun” attributes. Over time, people created the terms Yin and Yang. Now you see, Yin is a flag with the word “moon,” and Yang is a flag with the word “sun.” There are many such characters in Chinese, for example, “队” (team) is a character that represents a flag bearer followed by a group of people.
It turns out that Yin and Yang are just two definitions:
Anything with “moon” and its extended attributes is “Yin.” Anything with “sun” and its extended attributes is “Yang.” Having definitions alone is not enough; the key is whether they can lead to correct conclusions. Let’s reason: during the day, when the temperature rises, you can see water vapor rising in the fields; at night, when the temperature drops, water droplets condense on the leaves. Thus, we have above as Yang and below as Yin; water vapor as Yang and water droplets as Yin. This leads to the understanding that light is Yang and heavy is Yin. Through such extensions, we can analyze both sides of every matter, leading to concepts like “up and down,” “left and right,” “east and west,” “south and north,” “in and out,” “male and female,” “ruler and subject,” “parent and child,” “husband and wife,” “good and bad,” “pain and itch,” “movement and stillness,” etc. (Almost all these familiar pairs have Yang in front and Yin behind, possibly reflecting the patriarchal society.)
Whether these inferred attributes are correct needs verification. Ancient people verified them through years of practical experience, inheriting the correct ones and discarding the incorrect ones. Of course, some may have been limited by conditions and could not prove their errors. For example, regarding “south and north,” ancient people only knew that the south was hot and the north was cold. But if we consider the situation in the southern hemisphere today, we know that it is the opposite. However, this does not hinder our use of the Yin-Yang attributes of “south and north,” but we must be aware of the limitations; when in the southern hemisphere, remember to reverse it.
Not only practical experience can verify Yin-Yang, but modern science can also verify it. Take water vapor and water droplets as an example; thermodynamics proves that water vapor at the same temperature contains more heat than water droplets. This heat is called latent heat; when water vapor turns into water droplets, this heat is released to the outside, while when water droplets turn into water vapor, they absorb the same amount of heat from the outside.
Look at the common uses of Yin-Yang in heavenly medicine: discussing the body’s upper and lower, exterior and interior, front and back, Qi and blood; discussing environmental dryness and dampness, heat and cold, wind and rain; discussing emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Of course, there are many more; it would take a page to list them all.
Reasoning: Above is Yang, below is Yin.
Proof: The human head weighs less than 2% of the body but consumes 20% of the oxygen (the data may not be very precise, as this is a casual writing, so do not quote it). Chemical knowledge tells us that consuming oxygen generates heat, which is a basic attribute of Yang, so above being Yang fits the basic definition.
Reasoning: The surface is Yang, the interior is Yin.
Proof: The surface of the human body is concentrated with 80% of capillaries. We know that capillaries provide nutrients to cells; the more capillaries there are, the stronger the metabolism (oxidation) in that area.
Some say modern medicine proves that the liver is the most metabolically active organ. I agree, but the liver’s metabolism is mainly reduction, which absorbs heat. This heat can be calculated using modern chemical knowledge. Since this is a popular science article, I will not delve deeper.
Some also say that the surface temperature of the human body is lower than the internal temperature, so the interior should be Yang and the surface should be Yin. Here’s an example: in winter, in the north, there is a habit of having a heated wall. The temperature of the heated wall is higher than that of the indoor air, so the surface is Yang and the interior is Yin; however, someone measured the indoor temperature and then measured the wall temperature outside, saying the wall temperature was lower than the indoor temperature, thus concluding that the interior is Yang and the surface is Yin. The error here is mixing the Yin-Yang attributes of one thing with those of two other things.
Similarly, we can easily deduce the Yin-Yang attributes of other things. It is important to note the concept of “Qi and blood.” Qi is often dismissed in modern science as something non-existent, which reflects ignorance of ancient people’s understanding of nature. Ancient people referred to all things that are invisible and intangible but can be felt as “Qi.” With modern knowledge, we can understand that there are two things that are invisible and intangible but can be felt: 1. Air, 2. Energy.
“Qi and blood” is blood with energy; in modern terms, it is moving blood. In other words, moving blood is Yang, while stagnant blood is Yin. When you read the “Neijing,” when you encounter “Qi,” if it cannot be explained by air, it can be well explained by energy. If you have the “Neijing” at hand, I would quote a few passages.
From this, we can see that heavenly medicine studies living people—those who are alive, while Western medicine believes there is no difference between the living and the dead; when a person dies, not a single molecule is lost. Heavenly medicine observes the Yin-Yang attributes of the living person, where the trunk is Yin and the spirit is Yang. The term “spirit” is used here because people have deeply misunderstood these two words, and it is necessary to clarify to prevent extreme scientific rationalists from making absurd claims.
Spirit, the heavenly spirit that brings forth all things. — “Shuowen”
Brightness, the combination of Yin and Yang.
“Spirit” is the combination of the heavenly spirit and the Yin-Yang, which is life. I have made efforts to find the ancient term for “life,” but have not found it. In ancient times, “life” was just “birth,” and “命” (ming) was just “fate,” and they were never used together. It was modern people (the earliest seems to be in the Ming Dynasty) who combined “spirit” and “brightness” into “life.” We can also find answers from the phrases containing the word “spirit,” such as: spirit energy, spirit expression, spirit state, spirit, concentrating spirit, laboring spirit, focusing spirit… Here, “spirit” is a description of vitality. Heavenly medicine has “the heart governs the spirit,” and now we can understand why “the heart governs the spirit,” as it means “the heart governs life.” I particularly resent modern people (including many masters of traditional Chinese medicine) who confuse “spirit” with “wisdom.”
“The heart governs life” is easy to understand, right? You must say “yes.” But wait, you are imagining the “heart” here as the heart organ of Western medicine. Although the heart also controls life, that is a coincidental understanding. The following will explain what the “heart” in heavenly medicine is.
2. The Five Elements
Throughout the long process of evolution, humanity gradually recognized nature. As early as the era of primates, they knew that trees and fruits could satisfy hunger; water could quench thirst and cleanse; land is the foundation, with trees growing on it and water flowing on it. As time passed, humans discovered fire. Fire brought warmth and light to humanity. By the Stone Age, humans learned to use tools. Tools were continuously updated, first stone tools, then bronze tools, and later iron tools. Heavenly medicine was born during the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. At that time, humanity’s understanding of nature was quite superficial, and in modern terms, it was a necessity for life and production. Wood and water are essential for life, while fire and tools are essential for production. Of course, modern people no longer eat raw things, and fire has also become a necessity for life. Trees and fruits can have thousands of varieties, but their commonality is to satisfy hunger; water can quench thirst and cleanse, but fruits can also quench thirst, while cleansing is irreplaceable; fire brings warmth and light to humanity, and also provides the means for smelting copper and iron. Since all tools were made of metal at that time, “metal” became synonymous with tools, a means to improve efficiency, in modern terms, it represents labor productivity. Land is the foundation, with trees growing on it, water flowing on it, fire burning in the soil (in earthen stoves), and metal being smelted from the soil, so earth is the mother of the Five Elements, occupying the central position.
Why do people today struggle to understand the “Five Elements”? It is because they view the “Five Elements” as five types of matter. However, ancient people saw the essence of things through phenomena, finding the commonalities and individualities of different matters, and then summarizing and categorizing them. Modern people have more knowledge, but also more threads of reasoning, often failing to see the essence of things.
In fact, the “Five Elements” do not refer to material but to functions. If we must tie it to material, only “earth” counts. Using modern concepts to summarize definitions:
Wood: can satisfy hunger, providing energy to the body;
Water: can cleanse and moisten;
Fire: heat, energy;
Metal: labor, processing;
Earth: the foundation.
In nature, watering grows wood, burning wood produces fire, extinguishing fire leaves earth, smelting earth produces metal (tools), and digging wells yields water. Ancient people believed that humans are part of nature, and the laws of nature are also the laws of humans. This is the unity of heaven and man. In this concept of unity, modern people have some misunderstandings. People often interpret “unity” as merging, while ancient people understood “unity” as a collective agreement, meaning different people but the same statement. The unity of heaven and man means that regardless of whether it is heaven or human, the laws are the same, rather than considering humans and heaven together. It can be said that “the unity of heaven and man” is a hypothesis, and based on this hypothesis, it is deduced that humans also have Five Elements, and their operational laws are similar to those of the Five Elements in nature. If the hypothesis is correct, then the result may be correct; if the hypothesis is wrong, then the result is wrong. Ancient people did not have the deep understanding of the human body that we have today; they could only verify through extensive practice. Now we can verify it at the cellular and molecular levels.
Using modern science, we can think of food as earth, which is a foundation, absorbed with the help of water (moistening), becoming the body’s energy “wood” (sugars, fats, proteins, etc.). Energy enters cells, oxidizing to produce heat “fire,” and the waste after metabolism “earth” is carried back by water (cleansing), while useful substances “metal” are retained, becoming the processors for the next cycle. This process is the metabolic process recognized by modern science. In fact, not only the unity of heaven and man but also the unity of the human body and human cells. Readers can verify this themselves.
Humans have Five Elements, so there should be corresponding organs to perform the corresponding functions. Thus, we have the Five Organs. This is why there are only five organs and not as many as actual organs in the body. People often joke: “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Heavenly medicine is clear: the chicken came first, while Western medicine believes the egg came first. Western medicine dissects an organ and then studies its function; the deeper the research, the more functions are discovered, leading to a bottleneck in Western medicine research. The question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, will be explored in the next section.
The Five Elements correspond to the Five Organs: Earth organ: related to dietary nutrition; Water organ: related to excretion and moistening; Wood organ: related to energy; Fire organ: related to energy; Metal organ: participates in and assists other organs.
To aid memory, ancient people created corresponding characters: the earth organ is the spleen; the water organ is the kidney; the wood organ is the liver; the fire organ is the heart; the metal organ is the lung. This is where “heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney” has not yet matched with the organs of the human body.As humanity progressed, people gradually understood the functions of certain organs, and thus named the organs with corresponding names.It is essential to recognize that the Five Organs include the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney organs, but the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney organs are not the entirety of the Five Organs.For example, the kidney organ belongs to the water organ, but the water organ is not just the kidney organ; sweat glands also belong to the water organ.If we look at it from the cellular and molecular levels, then the reverse osmosis of the cell wall belongs to the water organ.Here, I have been using the term water organ, while ancient people had already created the character “腎” (kidney).Why not use it? Because in the past century, Western medicine has appropriated the term “腎,” leading people to associate “腎” only with the anatomical kidney organ.To distinguish between the water organ’s kidney and the anatomical kidney, in this article, the Five Organs will be referred to as heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney, while the anatomical organs will be referred to as heart organ, liver organ, spleen organ, lung organ, and kidney organ.
Using the knowledge modern people possess, we can analyze that the spleen should be part of the digestive system, which is relatively simple; the kidney, besides the urinary system, should also include part of the blood system; the liver is part of the digestive system plus part of the blood system; the heart is the blood system; the lung is the respiratory system plus the blood system. Why is the lung metal both the respiratory system and the blood system? The lung metal represents labor and processing, just like a person moving firewood from the wood room to the kitchen to cook; this person represents the lung metal. In the blood of the human body, there are also such transporters—hemoglobin. It moves “Qi” from the lung organ to various parts of the body, releasing it and then returning to the lung organ to move again. If a person’s hemoglobin decreases (anemia), their complexion will be pale, referred to as having no color. Thus, the “Neijing” states: “The lung color is white.”
Returning to the first section on Yin-Yang, the last question is: Why is the heart not the heart organ? There are two reasons: one is that there is a better explanation, and the other is how to explain it for lower organisms that do not have a heart. The better explanation is that the heart here is the original meaning of the heart—energy. The heart governs spirit means energy determines life; without energy, there is no life. Sometimes you will hear about excessive heart Yang, which does not refer to the heart organ but indicates excessive metabolism. Such individuals have a red complexion, are not afraid of the cold, and have many bumps on their faces (because the metabolic waste cannot be removed in time).
3. The Meridians
The importance of meridians in heavenly medicine cannot be overstated. However, to date, meridians have not been found, and this “finding” includes all currently available physical and chemical methods, leading many to doubt their existence. Here, I cannot say I have found the meridians, but I can point out the misconceptions people have while searching for them.
To fully describe meridians, they should be divided into two parts: one is the acupoints, and the other is the information channels connecting these acupoints to the body—the meridian lines. Acupoints may not be visible, but they can be felt, and this has become an undeniable fact recognized by everyone. Therefore, I will not discuss acupoints but will focus on meridian lines.
The meridian lines are mnemonic lines created by ancient people. To be precise, the meridian lines we use today are mnemonic lines created after the Song Dynasty.
Why use the Song Dynasty as a dividing point? This is because the Song Dynasty had a bronze acupuncture model with meridian lines marked on it.
In the “Neijing,” the “Meridian Theory” states:
The Yellow Emperor asked: “The appearance of the meridians has different colors, green, yellow, red, white, and black; what is the reason for this?” Qi Bo replied: “The meridians have constant colors, while the collaterals change constantly. The Emperor asked: “What is the constant color of the meridians?” Qi Bo said: “The heart is red, the lung is white, the liver is green, the spleen is yellow, and the kidney is black; all correspond to the colors of their meridians.” The Emperor asked: “Do the Yin and Yang of the collaterals also correspond to their meridians?” Qi Bo said: “The colors of the Yin collaterals correspond to their meridians, while the colors of the Yang collaterals change constantly, following the four seasons. When there is more cold, it condenses and becomes blue-black; when there is more heat, it becomes yellow-red. These are all constant colors, referred to as no disease. When all five colors are present, it indicates cold and heat. The Emperor said: “Good.”
The Emperor asked, “The collaterals can be seen, and the colors are different: green, yellow, red, white, and black.” This indicates that meridians are visible and have colors, rather than being something that cannot be found, as people understand today. The color of the meridian is fixed; the color of the collateral changes. When it is cold, it becomes blue-black due to condensation; when it is hot, it becomes yellow-red due to moisture. In winter, we see our limbs turn blue-black due to blood vessel contraction, while in summer, they become rosy due to blood vessel dilation.
First, let’s look at the period before the Song Dynasty. In the “Neijing,” it states, “The Sun collaterals have 365 acupoints.” This means that the acupoints of the human body are linked to the Sun collaterals; additionally, the “Neijing” states, “Spring Qi is in the meridians, summer Qi is in the collaterals, long summer Qi is in the muscles, autumn Qi is in the skin, and winter Qi is in the bone marrow, connecting to the Five Organs.” In the previous section on pulse, it has already been mentioned that “Qi” is the information that directs the autonomous contraction and expansion of blood vessels. Heavenly medicine has the saying that Qi reaches blood. In spring, Qi reaches the meridians; in summer, Qi reaches the collaterals; in long summer, Qi reaches the muscles; in autumn, Qi reaches the skin; and in winter, Qi returns to the bone marrow. The route of Qi is: skin connects to muscles, muscles connect to collaterals, collaterals connect to meridians. This indicates that meridians are located between muscles and blood vessels.
Next, let’s look at how pathogenic factors invade. The “Neijing” also states: “Now, when pathogens invade the skin and hair, they enter the collaterals, linger and do not leave, blocking and obstructing, unable to enter the meridians, overflowing into the great collaterals, causing strange diseases.” It is now clear that meridians are located between muscles and vessels. Specifically: skin—muscles—collaterals—great collaterals—meridians—vessels—blood.
This is what the “Neijing” tells us about meridians.
If we use modern knowledge for comparison, it is not difficult to find that “collaterals” refer to capillaries, while “meridians” refer to microvessels. Ancient people could not see capillaries and microvessels, but they established the concept of meridians through analogies with nature. (This again proves the importance and correctness of analogies in heavenly medicine.) Western medicine discovered capillaries and microvessels only after the invention of the microscope, thousands of years later than heavenly medicine. Furthermore, from a literal perspective, “collaterals” refers to the edges of fabric that are intertwined, like the remnants of the warp threads left after weaving. Therefore, both from the descriptions in ancient texts and from a literal perspective, it indicates that meridians are capillaries and microvessels.
Next, let’s look at the functions of the “Neijing” regarding meridians.
The Emperor said: “In spring, the weather begins to open, the earth’s Qi begins to leak, the frost melts, and water flows through the meridians, so human Qi is in the vessels. In summer, the meridians are full, Qi overflows, entering the collaterals to receive blood, and the skin is filled. In long summer, the meridians and collaterals are full, overflowing into the muscles. In autumn, the weather begins to collect, the pores close, and the skin tightens. In winter, it covers and hides, and blood and Qi are in the center, entering the bone marrow, connecting to the Five Organs. Therefore, pathogenic Qi often enters with the seasonal Qi and blood, and its changes cannot be measured, but it must be expelled from the meridian Qi; once the pathogenic Qi is removed, chaotic Qi does not arise.
Among them, “the meridians are full, Qi overflows, entering the collaterals to receive blood, and the skin is filled” and “the meridians and collaterals are full, overflowing into the muscles” directly point out the relationship between meridians and Qi and blood.
So why do the current meridians differ greatly from the ancient meridians? This can be attributed to the Song Dynasty acupuncture model. Since there are hundreds of acupoints on the human body, learning, memorizing, and locating them is very inconvenient, so people need to categorize and summarize. As mentioned in the previous section, ancient people used “meridian” for classification, so they categorized them into 12 types based on organ functions, three Yin and three Yang, and upper (hand) and lower (foot). The remaining ones were placed into the extraordinary meridians. For example, “Foot Taiyin Lung Meridian” actually refers to “Foot Taiyin Lung category.” These acupoints are scattered throughout the human body, making it very inconvenient to learn and memorize, so the best method is to connect similar acupoints with different colors using lines. In this case, the Song bronze model was born. This method of memory and location is used in many modern industries. For example, in the electronics industry, designers will print a wiring diagram that shows connection points, connection numbers, and connections, and then a guide line will connect from point 1 to the last point in order. Thus, the current meridians are virtual meridian lines created for learning, memorizing, and locating, which are artificial mnemonic lines. The following proof also indicates that the current meridians do not exist.
Proof: Assume that the current meridians exist and are very important. If the meridians are severely damaged, it would endanger life.
According to the Song bronze model’s meridian lines, they are distributed on the surface of the human body, connecting various acupoints, and are point-to-point connections. This means that if one part of the meridian is cut, the entire meridian will be blocked. As we all know, the surface (including muscles) of the human body is the most vulnerable to injury; once injured, it will simultaneously damage the meridians, and if the meridians are so important that their injury leads to life-threatening situations, then the lifespan of such individuals would be greatly shortened. According to evolutionary theory, such organisms would struggle to survive and reproduce. Because they would die too easily. Therefore, our assumption is incorrect. In other words, the current meridians do not exist.
By now, it should be clear about the situation of meridians, which is that modern people have confused the classification of “meridian” with the meridian of “meridian,” leading to the forgetting of the original meaning of meridians.
Zhou Tian Yi
Zhou Tian Shen Wei
Zhou Tian Mi Yao Ju
Zhou Tian Pan
Zhou Tian Tian Wei
