In the previous issue, we learned about the preparatory care for women with Qi deficiency constitution. Today, Dr. Li Hongying from the Preventive Medicine Center will continue to guide you on how women with a harmonious constitution should prepare for pregnancy.
What is a harmonious constitution?
A harmonious constitution is characterized by sufficient innate endowment and proper postnatal care, with abundant Qi and blood, strong kidney Qi, a robust physique, a radiant complexion, abundant energy, an optimistic personality, good sleep, healthy appetite, and strong adaptability. Individuals with this constitution are less prone to illness, which is often referred to as a healthy constitution.
What are the characteristics of a harmonious constitution?
1. The balance of Yin, Yang, Qi, and blood, with a moderate body shape, rosy complexion, and abundant energy as the main features.
2. A radiant complexion and skin, thick and shiny hair, bright eyes, a moist nose, good sense of smell, rosy lips, resistance to fatigue, abundant energy, tolerance to cold and heat, good sleep, normal appetite, and regular bowel movements.
3. A gentle and cheerful personality, with fewer illnesses and strong adaptability to both natural and social environments.
What are the causes of a harmonious constitution?
1. Good innate genes.
2. A favorable postnatal environment: good health practices, healthy lifestyle habits, and a positive mindset. A balanced diet, regular daily routine, adequate sleep, and moderate exercise.
How can we prepare for pregnancy?
The Preventive Medicine Center provides you with some tips for preparation.
PART 1
Internal Nourishment
01
Diet Recommendations
Eat a variety of foods, with grains as the mainstay, combining coarse and fine grains; consume more vegetables, fruits, and tubers; regularly eat moderate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and lean meat. Avoid fatty, rich, and cold foods such as cream, fatty pork, ice cream, and cold drinks.
02
Internal Use of Chinese Medicine
Select Chinese herbs for conditioning based on the patient’s specific situation.
03
Recommended Medicinal Dishes
Chen Pi Duck
Ingredients:1 duck, 10g Chen Pi (dried tangerine peel), 30g Shan Yao (Chinese yam), appropriate amounts of pepper, cooking wine, salt, scallions, ginger, and monosodium glutamate.Preparation:Clean the duck, remove feathers and entrails, and boil until cooked. Bring the original broth to a boil, add cooking wine, salt, soy sauce, scallions, ginger, and pepper, and mix well. Place the duck in the broth, add shredded Chen Pi and sliced Shan Yao, and simmer for another 15 minutes.Effects:Strengthens the spleen, stimulates appetite, and replenishes deficiency; suitable for individuals with a harmonious constitution as a dietary supplement.Consumption:Eat the soup and meat together.
Fu Ling (Poria) and Da Zao (Red Dates) Yam Porridge
Ingredients:20g Fu Ling (Poria), 10g Da Zao (red dates), 30g Shan Yao (Chinese yam), 50g japonica rice, 5g Gou Qi Zi (goji berries), 30g malt.Preparation:Wash the ingredients, grind Fu Ling finely, pit the Da Zao, boil the malt in water, then add the japonica rice and bring to a boil. Add Fu Ling, Da Zao, and Shan Yao, and simmer until the porridge is cooked. Finally, add Gou Qi Zi.Effects:Strengthens the spleen and nourishes the stomach.
PART 2
External TCM Treatments
Acupoints such as Zu San Li (ST36), San Yin Jiao (SP6), and Guan Yuan (CV4) can be selected for massage and moxibustion.
Massage technique: Use the thumb or the tip of the middle finger to press the acupoint, performing gentle circular motions until a sensation of soreness and distension is felt, for 2-3 minutes. Perform this 1-2 times daily.
Moxibustion can be adjusted according to individual conditions.
PART 3
Exercise for Health
You can choose different exercise methods based on personal preference. Traditional fitness methods such as Tai Chi and Ba Duan Jin are recommended, while yoga is particularly suitable for women, as it balances movement and stillness, harmonizing the internal and external, promoting flexibility, and facilitating the smooth flow of Qi and blood, as well as regulating the organs.
Note: This is a health guide for women preparing for pregnancy and is not suitable for pregnant women.
Introduction to the Preventive Medicine Center
The Preventive Medicine Center of Ganzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is a provincial key clinical specialty, a national project for the construction of TCM preventive health care and rehabilitation capabilities, and a base for TCM culture education at both provincial and municipal levels. It is also the chair unit of the TCM Preventive Medicine Professional Committee of the Ganzhou TCM Association.
The center has established the “Qian Pai Health” preventive medicine service system, integrating health, lifestyle, and public welfare, and has developed five services: health check-ups, sub-health conditioning, constitution conditioning, chronic disease management, and preventive care.
It targets sub-health conditions such as insomnia, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, gastrointestinal dysfunction, susceptibility to colds, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as individuals with Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency, Yin deficiency, and phlegm-dampness constitutions; chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, and cerebral arteriosclerosis. Based on each individual’s constitution and health status, it provides professional and systematic health guidance through Chinese medicine, medicinal pastes, herbal teas, and dietary therapy, as well as various traditional TCM therapies for comprehensive conditioning.
Department Address:
West Jin Road Branch: 3rd Floor, Guoyi Hall, No. 24 West Jin Road, Preventive Medicine Center
Phone: 0797-8109131
Fushou Road Branch: 2nd Floor, Xiao Ai Home, No. 6 Fushou Road, Preventive Medicine Center
Phone: 0797-8109130
Physician Introduction
·Li Hongying·
Master of Medicine, attending TCM physician. Specializes in treating infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, perimenopausal syndrome, dysmenorrhea, menstrual disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease, HPV infection, excessive sweating, insomnia, and women’s sub-health conditioning, constitution conditioning, and postpartum care.
Consultation Hours: Monday to Friday all day, Sunday morning
Contributed by: Preventive Medicine Center, Li Hongying
