We often say that there are differences between men and women, and this distinction is evident not only in many aspects of life but also in health preservation.Men are prone to Qi deficiency, while women are more susceptible to blood deficiency; therefore, men should focus on supplementing Qi, and women should emphasize nourishing blood.Only by grasping the fundamentals of health preservation for both genders can the body become healthier and life happier.
When Qi is chaotic, illness arises; when Qi is deficient, symptoms occur; when Qi is cut off, death follows.The “Nan Jing” states: Qi is the root of human life; if it is cut off, the branches and leaves wither.Commonly, people refer to death as “cutting off Qi,” indicating that a person lives on a breath of Qi; when a person dies, Qi disperses.When the body’s Qi declines, Qi and blood do not flow smoothly, Yin and Yang are imbalanced, and all diseases invade.Men’s Qi deficiency often refers to kidney Qi deficiency, commonly known as kidney deficiency.
Today’s men indulge in drinking, smoking, staying up late, and excessive desires without restraint. Once Qi is disturbed, they ignore it, dragging it out, leading to fatty liver, diabetes, hypertension, prostatitis, heart disease, and more.Ultimately, a man reaches middle age yet suffers from Qi deficiency and kidney deficiency, burdened with numerous ailments:1. Early Symptoms of Qi DeficiencyShortness of breath, fatigue, frequent sweating, dizziness, dry eyes, bitter mouth, sore lower back, weak legs, constipation or diarrhea, yellow and painful urination, low libido, cold hands and feet, obesity with cold intolerance, poor appetite, restless sleep, etc.2. Qi Deficiency SymptomsShortness of breath, chest tightness, overall weakness, mental fatigue, headaches, irritability, dizziness, tinnitus, upper abdominal fullness, lower abdominal heaviness, urgency and frequency of urination, painful urination, erectile dysfunction, insomnia, hair loss, and disordered thinking.
One principle is to remember to supplement Qi for Qi deficiency, and the second method is to consume porridge and perform moxibustion.1. Drinking PorridgePorridge may seem simple, but it contains profound wisdom for health preservation.For Qi deficiency, it is recommended to have He Di Porridge.Lotus root is a treasure; the root and rhizome have the effect of stimulating appetite and aiding digestion; lotus seed heart can clear heart fire; lotus leaves can clear heat and cool the blood, lowering blood lipids; while He Di can generate original Qi and supplement the Qi of the spleen and stomach.
He Di is the middle part of the lotus; ithas the effect of clearing heart fire from the lotus seed heart above and supplementing the Qi of the spleen and stomach from the lotus root below, making it ideal for cooking porridge for those with Qi deficiency.2. MoxibustionMoxibustion can warm Yang, supplement Qi, and strengthen the body while expelling evil, thus achieving health preservation and disease prevention.Daily moxibustion onthe Spleen Shu (Pishu) point, Zusanli (ST36), Qihai (CV6), and Shanzhong (CV17) pointsis recommended. These four points are major Qi supplementing points, and daily moxibustion can help replenish Qi.
Qi and blood are the source of life; for women, nourishing blood is a lifelong priority.From a physiological perspective, women are prone to blood deficiency, as often stated in TCM: a certain woman suffers from both Qi and blood deficiency, which is commonly seen as someone being Qi deficient.In TCM, women are fundamentally focused on nourishing blood.If blood nourishment is neglected, symptoms such as pale lips, slightly yellow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, and dull hair may easily occur, which are symptoms of anemia.
If you suffer from severe anemia, you may experience premature aging, such as early graying, wrinkles, and tooth loss.In contrast, women with abundant Qi and blood appear younger, with smooth skin and rosy complexions, which we refer to as “white with a hint of red” and “skin like凝脂 (ningzhi, like condensed fat).”1. Lotus Seed and Longan Soup30 grams each of lotus seeds and longan flesh, 20 grams of red dates, and appropriate amount of rock sugar. Soak the lotus seeds, remove the skins and hearts, wash them clean, and cook them together with the cleaned longan flesh and red dates in a clay pot with an appropriate amount of water until the lotus seeds are soft, then add rock sugar to taste.
This recipe has the effects of nourishing heart blood and strengthening the spleen and stomach, suitable for treating anemia, fatigue, neurasthenia, palpitations, forgetfulness, and restless sleep.Drink the soup with lotus seeds, red dates, and longan flesh before bed, 1-2 times a week.2. Goji Berries and Red Dates with Boiled Eggs20 grams of goji berries, 10 red dates, and 2 eggs, cooked together. After the eggs are cooked, remove the shells and cook for another 10 minutes. Eat the eggs and drink the soup, once daily or every other day.This recipe has the effects of replenishing deficiency, benefiting Qi and blood, and strengthening the spleen and stomach.It can treat anemia and is also used for regulating weak constitution, dizziness, forgetfulness, and vision decline.
3. MoxibustionQi and blood are the rulers of a woman’s beauty; when a woman has sufficient Qi and blood, dullness and wrinkles will naturally stay away.TCM believes:Qi is Yang and is the driving force, while blood is Yin and is the foundation.When Qi flows, blood flows; when Qi is deficient, blood is also deficient; when Qi is stagnant, blood is also stagnant; if the spleen Qi is deficient, blood loses its regulation and overflows; if Qi fire is excessive, it forces blood to move erratically and leak.
In treatment,supplementing Qi and regulating blood, promoting Qi and invigorating blood, and benefiting Qi while preventing lossare all applications of this theory (“Xue Zheng Lun”).The main function of moxibustion is to dispel cold and dampness, invigorate blood and resolve stasis; hence, TCM often states:Moxibustion and women are a natural pair.With sufficient Qi and blood, all diseases are eliminated. Improve lifestyle habits, pay attention to dietary nutrition, and let your Qi and blood flourish~4. Yuanqi PowderThe Dongjitang Yuanqi Powder is made from red beans, red rice, peanuts, black beans, black rice, black sesame, goji berries, yam, and walnut kernels.
Red rice, red beans, red peanuts, and goji berries are paired with black beans, black rice, black sesame, yam, and walnut kernels for a more comprehensive nutrition profile, with effects of balancing liver and kidney, preventing aging, lowering lipids and sugars, and enhancing immunity.Warm Reminder: Qi and blood are like a couple; harmony is fundamental.When Qi and blood are balanced, menstruation can return to normal, spots can fade, hair loss can decrease, skin can become smooth, hands and feet can be warm, the body can be energetic, complexion can be rosy, and one can become increasingly youthful!
[More great products available at Dongjitang Health Goods Store]
Written by: Mai Ya ErPhotography: Ge DaProofread by: Qing Dai