Qi stagnation and blood stasis refer to the pathological changes where the flow of Qi is obstructed, leading to blood circulation issues, resulting in the coexistence of Qi stagnation and blood stasis. The symptoms of Qi stagnation and blood stasis should be analyzed separately for Qi stagnation and blood stasis, and dietary therapy can be used for treatment.
Symptoms of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Symptoms leaning towards Qi stagnation: chest tightness with a tendency to sigh, pain and distension in the flanks, stomach, and abdomen, belching, a sensation of obstruction in the throat, introverted personality, depression, narrow-mindedness, abdominal pain and diarrhea easily triggered by emotional fluctuations, breast and lower abdominal pain in women, dark tongue color, wiry pulse, etc.
Symptoms leaning towards blood stasis: dark purple lips and nails, skin with purple spots or roughness, localized stabbing or cramping pain that is fixed, or palpable masses, facial pigmentation, dark circles under the eyes, chloasma, painful menstruation in women with dark purple blood containing clots, or amenorrhea, purple or dark tongue with purple spots, congested veins under the tongue, choppy pulse, etc.
Laboratory examination references: microvascular distortion, congestion, localized tissue ischemia or bleeding, increased blood viscosity, elevated venous pressure, localized congestion, bleeding, edema, adhesion changes, imaging examinations such as B-ultrasound and X-rays showing increased local density, decreased immune function, etc.
1. Feeling weak when speaking or lacking Qi, often feeling fatigued and reluctant to talk;
2. Pale or dull complexion;
3. Frequent palpitations, chest tightness, or intermittent chest pain, dark lips, purple tongue;
4. Symptoms such as stabbing pain in the flanks, jaundice, poor appetite, abdominal distension;
Health preservation methods for blood stasis constitution: symptoms and health preservation methods for Qi stagnation and blood stasis
5. Limbs easily feel numb, or even painful, hands and feet feel cold or hot;
6. Women experience lower abdominal pain before or during menstruation, with a reluctance to touch. Menstrual flow is scant or obstructed, gradually increasing, with dark purple blood containing clots; pain decreases or disappears after clots are expelled, accompanied by chest and rib pain before menstruation;
7. Men experience discomfort in the lower abdomen, perineum, or testicles, or have blood in urine or semen. Purple tongue or spots of stasis on the tongue;
8. Purple or dark tongue with stasis spots, deep and thin pulse.
Have you recently felt fatigued and cold, with cold limbs, pale lips, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, excessive blinking, weakness, nocturnal emissions in men, clear and thin vaginal discharge in women, frequent diarrhea, frequent urination, decreased libido, etc.? Yes, your body is tending towards a Yang deficiency constitution. People with Yang deficiency are usually sensitive to cold, have cold hands and feet, and sweat easily; they prefer warm foods, feel lethargic, and sleep excessively. Yang deficiency constitution can be nurtured. What are the methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution? Let’s explore this question together.
Methods for Nurturing Yang Deficiency Constitution:
1. Physical exercise: Since “movement generates Yang,” individuals with Yang deficiency should strengthen physical exercise throughout the year, persisting daily with 1-2 sessions. Specific activities depend on physical strength, such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, Five Animal Frolics, Eight Pieces of Brocade, internal exercises, workplace exercises, ball activities, and various dance activities. Sunbathing and air bathing can also strengthen Yang. In terms of Qigong, consistently practice strengthening exercises, standing postures, health exercises, and longevity exercises.
2. Environmental adjustment: Such individuals have poor adaptability to temperature changes; even slight cooling can make them feel cold. Therefore, in the harsh winter, they should “avoid cold and seek warmth”; in spring and summer, they should focus on nurturing Yang Qi. “Do not be averse to the sun”; it has been pointed out that if one can take 20 to 30 sunbaths in summer, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, it can significantly enhance the ability to adapt to the severe cold of winter. In summer, Yang Qi tends to the surface of the body, and pores open; those with Yang deficiency should not sleep outdoors or be directly blown by fans while sleeping. In air-conditioned rooms, care should be taken not to have too large a temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, and avoid staying too long in shaded areas, water pavilions, or breezy corridors. Neglecting summer cold prevention for immediate comfort can easily lead to conditions like numbness in hands and feet or facial paralysis, known in TCM as “wind bi” disease.
Health preservation for Yang deficiency: analysis of methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution
The above are practical and effective methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution. It is essential to analyze specific situations when choosing methods for nurturing Yang deficiency, and if necessary, consult a professional health expert for advice.
What are the foods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution?
Only by understanding the foods for nurturing Yang deficiency can one achieve reasonable dietary habits in daily life and realize health preservation effects. What specific foods are recommended for nurturing Yang deficiency? Here are the expert recommendations for us to explore together.
Neutral foods: jujubes, apples, etc.;
The above are common foods for nurturing Yang deficiency. Due to individual preferences, everyone can choose suitable foods based on their actual situation to ensure health.
Professional interpretation of the principles of health preservation for Yang deficiency constitution
Now is the coldest season of the year—winter. What are the principles of health preservation for Yang deficiency constitution? Here are specific suggestions from experts for us to explore together and see what advice we can gain to achieve healthy living.
Common foods that can tonify Yang include lamb, pig stomach, chicken, hairtail fish, dog meat, sparrow meat, venison, yellow eel, shrimp (lobster, prawns, river shrimp, etc.), sword beans, walnuts, chestnuts, leeks, and fennel. These foods can nourish the five organs, replenish essence, and strengthen the constitution.
Individuals with Yang deficiency have poor adaptability to temperature changes. In severe winter, they should avoid cold and seek warmth, taking appropriate health measures. They can also follow the principle of nurturing Yang in spring and summer, focusing on diet and herbs to assist in nurturing Yang Qi, and can persist in air bathing or sunbathing. It is advisable to live in houses facing south and not to sleep outdoors or in places with large temperature differences to avoid wind and cold diseases. In terms of exercise, choose suitable activities based on physical strength, such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, Five Animal Frolics, Eight Pieces of Brocade, and various ball sports.
Health preservation for Yang deficiency: analysis of methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution
The above is an analysis of the principles of health preservation for Yang deficiency. Experts point out that following the correct principles can yield better results. If one can find a suitable health preservation plan, then health issues need not be a concern.
What are the specific health dishes for Yang deficiency constitution?
Choosing suitable health dishes for Yang deficiency can help everyone actively restore health. What specific health dishes are recommended for Yang deficiency? Here are specific suggestions from experts for us to understand in detail and see which dishes are effective for your health preservation.
Health dishes for Yang deficiency constitution:
Du Zhong (Eucommia) Black Bean Beef Soup
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that beef is sweet and neutral, entering the spleen and stomach meridians, and has the effects of tonifying the spleen and stomach, benefiting Qi and blood, strengthening bones, and reducing edema. Du Zhong black bean beef soup is made from various warming and tonifying ingredients stewed with beef. For those with Yang deficiency, consuming it once a week in winter can warm the body, dispel cold, promote circulation, nourish the spleen and stomach, tonify the heart and kidneys, nourish the liver and blood, strengthen bones, and enhance the constitution.
Health preservation for Yang deficiency: analysis of methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution
Ginseng Walnut Lamb Soup
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that lamb is sweet and warm, entering the spleen and kidney meridians, and has the effects of dispelling dampness, avoiding cold, assisting Yang Qi, tonifying deficiency, and benefiting the kidneys and spleen, warming the stomach and intestines. In TCM, it is said, “Ginseng tonifies Qi, lamb tonifies form,” thus, those with Yang deficiency can appropriately consume ginseng walnut lamb soup in cold seasons to tonify Yang and nourish Yin.
The above health dishes for Yang deficiency constitution have been validated through practice. When choosing health dishes for Yang deficiency, it is essential to consider one’s actual situation. Only by selecting the most suitable health dishes can one maximize health restoration.
Expert explanation of the causes of Yang deficiency constitution
It is crucial to understand the causes of Yang deficiency constitution. Only by correctly recognizing the causes can we find suitable methods for nurturing this constitution. So, what are the causes of Yang deficiency? Here is a detailed introduction from experts for us to analyze.
Causes of Yang deficiency:
1. It is inevitable for everyone; as you age, entering old age, your Yang Qi will gradually decline. The essence of life is Yang Qi; when Yang Qi is extinguished, life ceases.
Health preservation for Yang deficiency: analysis of methods for nurturing Yang deficiency constitution
The health preservation principles for Qi deficiency constitution mainly focus on tonifying Qi and nourishing Qi. Since Qi deficiency often leads to blood stasis, the following three acupuncture points that can benefit Qi and invigorate blood circulation are selected to tonify Qi while promoting blood flow.
Guanyuan: Located 3 cun (4 finger breadths) below the navel, Guanyuan point has the function of nurturing the source and benefiting the lower jiao. It can be used for treating dysmenorrhea, dizziness, and neurasthenia caused by Qi deficiency. Operation: Use the palm to press and rub the Guanyuan point. The shaking method involves placing the palms crossed over the Guanyuan point with slight pressure, then quickly moving the crossed hands up and down in small amplitudes. This can be done anytime and anywhere. Note not to apply excessive force; pressing should only create a sensation of soreness and distension in the area.
Qihai: The Qihai point is located on the midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun (about 3 finger breadths) below the navel. This point is like the ocean of Qi, hence the name Qihai. This point has the function of nurturing original Qi, benefiting Yang, and promoting longevity. Operation: Moxibustion, using a moxa stick to rotate and apply moxibustion on the point until the skin turns red.
Zusanli: The Zusanli point is located four finger breadths below the outer knee eye, at the edge of the tibia. Zusanli is a major point for strengthening the body and mind. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that massaging Zusanli can regulate the immune system, tonify Qi, and promote circulation. Operation method: Apply pressure with the thumb on the Zusanli point, pressing down vertically and then kneading. 10-15 minutes is appropriate.
Analysis of acupuncture points for Qi deficiency constitution
The combination of Xuehai, Guanyuan, and Zusanli can treat symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue associated with Qi deficiency. Long-term persistence in massage can enhance the constitution.