The constitution is crucial for women! Many women experience various physiological and psychological discomforts due to constitutional issues, and despite trying numerous methods to regulate their constitution, they often hit a wall due to the lack of suitable paths. So, how should women regulate their constitution? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the first choice!
Blood stasis (xue yu) refers to a type of syndrome in TCM diagnosis. It indicates poor blood circulation and the presence of stagnant blood. Blood stasis syndrome can be seen in many diseases. Symptoms of blood stasis include pain that feels like being pricked or cut, localized pain that resists pressure, often worsening at night. If there are masses on the surface of the body, they appear dark purple; if they are within the abdomen, they are hard and immovable, also known as scar accumulation (ba ji). Recurrent bleeding may occur, with dark purple color, or black stools resembling tar. Women often experience amenorrhea. The tongue may appear dark purple, or show spots of stasis, and the pulse is thin and rough. In summary, the characteristics include pain, purple color, stasis, masses, and roughness. How to regulate blood stasis constitution?
1. Dietary Regulation:
For individuals with blood stasis constitution, it is best to avoid foods that are not suitable and can affect blood circulation, such as astringent, cold, and frozen foods, as these can impact blood circulation. In daily life, one should eat less of these foods and instead consume more foods that invigorate blood circulation and dispel stasis, such as pork and carrots, which are excellent choices.
Additionally, it is important to minimize the intake of foods that cool the blood and stop bleeding, as these foods can exacerbate the symptoms of blood stasis constitution.
2. Medicinal Regulation:
TCM emphasizes symptomatic treatment. For patients with blood stasis constitution, it is essential to regularly use some blood-invigorating tonics, such as Di Huang (Rehmannia), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanax), and commonly used formulas like Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) and Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction) can be administered to patients with blood stasis constitution.
However, when taking these so-called tonics, moderation is key; excessive consumption can lead to more stasis and hinder the expulsion of stagnant blood.
3. Psychological Regulation:
Research indicates that a person’s mental health can significantly affect physical health. Individuals with blood stasis constitution may experience emotional disturbances due to impaired blood circulation. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain an optimistic attitude and face life’s challenges positively.
4. Health Preservation Regulation:
TCM is profound, and techniques such as acupuncture, guasha, and tui na can effectively invigorate blood circulation and are beneficial for patients with blood stasis constitution.
Moreover, TCM has many specific techniques for regulation, so if one wishes to use TCM to regulate blood stasis constitution, it is advisable to visit a reputable TCM hospital and avoid seeking unqualified practitioners.
5. Exercise Regulation:
Exercise is the best way to maintain health, and for individuals with blood stasis constitution, moderate exercise can enhance cardiopulmonary function.
This promotes blood circulation and significantly aids in improving constitution. However, for individuals with blood stasis constitution, exercise should not be too intense; it is best to choose aerobic exercises, such as walking, jogging, and swimming, which are excellent options.
In the “Huangdi Neijing” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), it is stated that to achieve health and longevity, one must “eat and drink in moderation”; the text elaborates that excessive flavors can harm the five organs, and the nature of tobacco and alcohol is fierce, easily depleting the vital energy that sustains life.
Modern medicine has proven that excessive tobacco and alcohol can damage many organs in the body, leading to over 180 common difficult diseases. To fundamentally solve the problem, one must manage their diet and occasionally fast.
Similar situations abound. In Daoist health preservation methods, a common point mentioned is “abstaining from grains”. However, it is evident that eating less, to about 70-80% full is indeed beneficial for health.