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Source: China Traditional Chinese Medicine News
Author: Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Lu Weimin
As the saying goes, “During the minor cold, the temperature can drop to freezing, making one shiver.” This indicates the severity of the cold during the minor cold season, and in the north, there is even a saying that “minor cold is worse than major cold.” Recently, many people have experienced this: no matter how thickly they dress, their hands and feet remain cold, and they are prone to diarrhea or cough, feeling lethargic. What is the reason for this? It is likely due to insufficient Yang energy.
The Suwen: Theory of Vital Energy states: “Yang energy nourishes the spirit when refined, and softens the tendons when gentle.” TCM believes that Yang energy has the functions of warming and nourishing all body tissues, maintaining organ function, resisting external pathogens, regulating Qi transformation, and maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang. When Yang energy is deficient, the body’s resistance to disease decreases, leading to a higher incidence of chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and other diseases in winter.
Manifestations of Yang Deficiency
Poor Appetite
Individuals with Yang deficiency often experience poor appetite and weak digestive ability. This is because insufficient Yang energy leads to a decline in the spleen and stomach’s ability to transform and transport food. Patients should develop good eating habits to nourish the Qi of the spleen and stomach, allowing Yang energy to gradually increase.
Cold Sensitivity
People with sufficient Yang energy usually have warm hands and feet. If Yang energy is deficient, it cannot promote the warming of Qi and blood to the extremities, causing the hands and feet, which are farther from the heart, to feel cold and be more sensitive to cold than others.
Poor Spirit and Easy Fatigue
When Yang energy is deficient, the vitality of life activities decreases, leading to symptoms such as lethargy, easy fatigue, dizziness, and a pale complexion.
Decreased Immunity
Yang energy and immunity are interrelated. When Yang energy is abundant, it builds a strong barrier for the body. Conversely, if Yang energy is deficient, immunity decreases, and the body’s ability to resist external pathogens weakens, affecting health.
8 Methods of TCM to Protect Yang Energy
As we enter the cold winter season, nature is in a state of “Yin predominance and Yang decline,” and the human body is no exception. At this time, the focus of health preservation is on “consolidating Yang and treating cold,” which means supporting the body’s Yang energy to dispel cold and enhance resistance, allowing certain chronic diseases, especially those that easily relapse or worsen after exposure to cold in winter, to recover. So how can we warm and tonify Yang energy? Here are some effective methods to protect Yang.
Editor: Wang DiReviewer: Zhu Luyun
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