This public account is hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you have not followed us yet, please click the blue “Yunnan TCM” above to follow.
There is a famous saying in TCM: “When the righteous qi is preserved within, evil cannot invade.” Only when the balance of Yin and Yang in our body is achieved can the righteous qi exist properly. So how can we ensure the balance of Yin and Yang in the body? We can pay attention to the following eight aspects.
Follow Seasonal Changes
In daily life, one should adjust their routines according to the seasonal climate changes. Following the principles of health preservation in spring (growth), summer (expansion), autumn (harvest), and winter (storage), one should regulate their daily activities, maintain a regular diet, and sleep on time. Combine this with the 24-hour cycle of organ function to enhance immunity from the details of daily life.
Regulate Emotions
The mental state is an internal environmental factor of the body. A stable internal environment helps the righteous qi to be retained in the body for a long time, naturally enhancing immunity. The TCM principle of “tranquility and emptiness” emphasizes that people should maintain a peaceful mindset, treat everything with equanimity, avoid being overly calculative, and not create difficulties for others or themselves, thus avoiding the influence of negative emotions such as anxiety and tension.
Moderate Diet
Many people have a misconception about health preservation: “What can I eat to strengthen my weak spleen and stomach?” In fact, a balanced and regular diet, avoiding both hunger and overeating, and not being picky about food is the best way to regulate the spleen and stomach. The principle of eating should emphasize the balance of Yin and Yang. Dietary choices should be meticulous, from cooking methods to ingredient selection, and should align with seasonal changes, possibly incorporating TCM herbal dishes for better regulation.
Maintain Regular Exercise
There are many forms of exercise; some people enjoy running and jumping rope, while some women prefer yoga and dancing, and some men like to lift weights at the gym. Many may ask: “Which type of exercise is more beneficial to health?” In fact, your body will quietly tell you the answer. Any exercise that leaves you feeling relaxed and can be sustained over the long term is beneficial to health.
In ancient times, exercise was referred to as guiding movements. Eight-section brocade (Ba Duan Jin), Yi Jin Jing, Five Animal Frolics, and Tai Chi are all suitable forms of guiding movements for people of all ages. Set a small exercise goal for yourself, and by consistently accumulating over the years, your body will be exercised, and immunity will naturally improve.
It is important to emphasize that the goal of TCM exercise is not merely to lose weight for body shape, but more to pursue a balance of body and mind. During exercise, attention should be paid to the connection between man and nature. For example, many exercises begin facing the rising sun in the east, symbolizing the start of life for the day. While exercising, focus on breathing (吐纳) and relaxation of body and mind, as the cultivation of vital energy (精气神) is the most important.
Foot Soaking
Also known as foot baths, this can be combined with corresponding herbal washes and is a commonly used method for health preservation. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, dispelling dampness and toxins, calming the heart and mind, and can enhance blood circulation and metabolism, achieving health preservation.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is one of the external treatment methods in TCM, commonly used to prevent and treat various pains caused by cold pathogens in the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs. Applying moxibustion to specific acupuncture points can harmonize qi and blood, regulate meridians, nourish organs, and enhance immunity. Moxibustion primarily relies on the warming stimulation of specific body areas, which can enhance local blood and lymph circulation. The temperature generated by moxibustion or the smoke from traditional moxibustion creates a specific stress state in the body, mobilizing and activating the body’s potential, thus enhancing the immune system and improving immunity.
As stated in the “Bian Que Heart Book”: “When a person is free from illness, regularly moxibustion on the Guanyuan (关元), Qihai (气海), Mingmen (命门), and Zhongwan (中脘) points can lead to longevity, even if one does not achieve immortality.” Moxibustion not only has excellent health-preserving effects but is also easy to perform at home. Each session should last 10-20 minutes, selecting one acupuncture point at a time, and changing to another point the next day. Drink warm water before and after moxibustion, and avoid performing it directly after meals, intense exercise, or bathing. If treating diseases, it should be done under the guidance of a physician.
Self-Massage
Self-massage is also a great method of health preservation in TCM. Doing it for ten minutes daily and maintaining it over the long term can yield good results. Below are several effective self-massage points from the perspective of the organs:
Neiguan (内关) Point: Located on the palm side of the forearm, on the line connecting the Quze (曲泽) and Daling (大陵) points, 2 inches above the wrist crease, between the tendons of the palmaris longus and the radial flexor of the wrist. It is commonly used to treat angina, myocarditis, arrhythmia, gastritis, and hysteria.
Taixi (太溪) Point: Located on the inner side of the foot, in the depression between the inner ankle and the Achilles tendon. It is commonly used to prevent and treat toothaches, throat swelling, asthma, bronchitis, cold hands and feet, arthritis, and rheumatic pain.
Zusani (足三里) Point: Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 3 inches below the knee. It is used for gastrointestinal disorders, lower limb paralysis, mental disorders, surgical conditions, and deficiency syndromes. It can be pressed with the thumb or a massage stick, and can also be combined with moxibustion. Since the calf muscles are thick, more pressure can be applied compared to the previous two points, but be mindful of the sensation of soreness and coordinate with breathing.
Hegu (合谷) Point:Located on the back of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal bone. It can be used for emergency pain relief for various pain conditions, as well as for symptoms like motion sickness and nausea.
Guanyuan (关元) Point:Located in the lower abdomen, on the midline, 3 inches below the navel. It is suitable for the treatment and health preservation of reproductive system diseases. Combining it with moxibustion enhances its health benefits.
Zhongwan (中脘) Point:Located at the midpoint of the line connecting the lower end of the sternum and the navel. This point is primarily used for digestive system diseases, such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, borborygmus, acid reflux, vomiting, constipation, and jaundice. It is also effective for general stomach issues, loss of appetite, dizziness, tinnitus, acne, fatigue, and neurasthenia. Massaging this point half an hour after meals is more effective, and the pressure should not be too strong to avoid nausea or pain.
TCM Herbal Regulation
In addition to home regulation, one can seek professional treatment at a TCM hospital. Based on individual constitution, appropriate treatment plans can be selected, including herbal decoctions, pills, pastes, granules, and prescription herbal dishes. Acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, physiotherapy, and tui na (Chinese therapeutic massage) can also be used to enhance immunity and maintain a healthy body.
Author: Mo Peng (Rocket Army Characteristic Medical Center)Copyright StatementThis article is selected from the China Traditional Chinese Medicine News,edited and recommended for publication by Yunnan TCM, copyright belongs to the original author.Editor丨Ma Rou
