In times of peace, people always hope to live longer and healthier, so the concept of “nourishment” is increasingly accepted by the public, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We draw on the wisdom of ancient health practices from the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) and use methods such as zhongyao (Chinese herbal medicine), tuina (massage), cupping, and qigong to regulate the body. If we think a little deeper, what exactly are we nourishing?
The term “sheng” refers to life, survival, and growth; while “yang” means to maintain, regulate, and supplement. TCM nourishment refers to various methods of nurturing life, enhancing physical constitution, and preventing diseases, thereby achieving longevity. In summary, nourishment means maintaining life. Guided by traditional TCM theories, it follows the laws of yin-yang and the five elements to scientifically regulate the body and maintain health and vitality. Mental nourishment refers to methods that cultivate the mind and regulate emotions, thereby achieving the goals of maintaining health, reducing diseases, and prolonging life. Chinese nourishment emphasizes harmony with nature, believing that one’s daily activities should align with the natural environment and seasonal changes, actively adjusting oneself to maintain balance with nature and avoid external pathogens. TCM nourishment includes a rich variety of techniques such as dietary therapy, herbal therapy, acupuncture, massage, and qigong.
[1] The Primary Focus of Nourishment is Qi and Blood
The most important aspect of human health is “qi” and “blood”. The Huangdi Neijing Suwen states: “What a person possesses is blood and qi.” The Jingyue Quanshu states: “Human beings have yin and yang, which is blood and qi. Yang governs qi, hence when qi is abundant, the spirit is vigorous; yin governs blood, hence when blood is plentiful, the body is strong. Life depends on this.” The sages said: “When qi and blood are abundant, no diseases arise.” All diseases in the body stem from issues with qi and blood. From minor ailments like fever and cold to major issues like tumors and thrombosis, the primary cause of these diseases is the stagnation or deficiency of qi and blood.
Western medicine states that the human body requires various nutrients, while TCM emphasizes that the most essential needs are qi and blood. It can be said that the body is nourished by qi and blood; when qi flows, blood flows, and when qi stagnates, blood clots. Sufficient qi and blood, flowing smoothly, lead to health and longevity; otherwise, one is prone to illness. As long as qi and blood are harmonious, the body will naturally not have problems. Therefore, we say that the most important aspect of nourishment is to cultivate qi and blood. When qi and blood are flowing smoothly, the body remains healthy, and diseases do not arise; when qi and blood are unregulated, strange diseases emerge, causing great suffering. All health issues stem from the stagnation or deficiency of qi and blood; all bodily issues must be addressed by ensuring the smooth flow and replenishment of qi and blood.
The five organs and six bowels, bones and meridians, as well as hair and skin, all depend on the nourishment of qi and blood. Without qi and blood, there is no life. As long as we ensure the smooth flow of qi and blood, diseases will not arise; as long as we replenish qi and blood, the body’s self-healing ability will automatically activate and take effect.
Nourishing qi and blood can be divided into two aspects: one is supplementation, which involves methods such as sleep, herbs, and food to replenish sufficient qi and blood; sufficient qi and blood are the foundation of health. The second is circulation; merely supplementing qi and blood is not enough; they must also be transported to all parts of the body; otherwise, it is futile. One of the four great masters of the Jin and Yuan dynasties, Zhang Zihe, said, “The circulation of qi and blood is precious,” which conveys this meaning. How can we replenish qi and blood?
Nowadays, people often mistakenly believe that simply eating nutritious foods equates to replenishing nutrients and achieving health. However, this is not the case; each person’s constitution is different, and the foods and supplements needed for nourishment naturally vary. Additionally, the natural elements of wind, cold, dryness, and heat, as well as human emotions such as joy, anger, and sorrow, can all affect the flow of qi and blood, disrupting their normal operation and leading to organ dysfunction and disease.
[2] Nourishment Emphasizes Smooth Meridians
So, what should we do to ensure the smooth flow of qi and blood without reversal? This must start from the meridians. We know that the channels for the flow of qi and blood are the meridians; if qi and blood do not flow smoothly, they will become blocked. At this time, the most important thing is to unblock the obstructed meridians. Therefore, a key term in TCM is “smoothing the meridians.”
Meridians have the ability to balance yin and yang and nourish the entire body. The Huangdi Neijing states: “The meridians are what can determine life and death, address all diseases, and regulate deficiency and excess; they must not be obstructed.” Thus, the study of meridians holds a supreme position in TCM.
Meridians in the body function like the internet. The meridians are hidden within the body, controlling the governance of various organs; the collaterals are small branches of the meridians, connecting to the surface of the body. Although they are invisible and intangible, they resemble a vast internet. Acupuncture points are like stations on this network, and qi and blood are the trains that run between these stations, always displaying a “no stop” sign. Once they stop, only a doctor can act as the network administrator.
Specifically, the functions of the meridians are as follows:
(1) Connecting the entire body: The meridians link the internal organs, limbs, facial features, skin, flesh, tendons, and bones. Only when each pathway is unobstructed can the body maintain balance and unity, allowing for normal activity.
(2) Circulating qi and blood: Qi and blood must also be transported through the meridians to nourish the entire body, both internally and externally. This is the second function of the meridians. Every person’s life depends on qi and blood, and the meridians are the channels for their flow. Only by using the meridian system to transport qi, blood, and other nutrients throughout the body can one maintain normal physiological and psychological activities.
(3) Body’s barrier: External diseases often invade the body from the surface and gradually develop inward, starting from the skin. The meridians connect to the skin, allowing qi and blood to flow to the surface, forming a solid wall like bricks and tiles. Whenever external enemies invade, the meridians play a crucial role in resisting external pathogens and protecting the body.
(4) Reflecting internal diseases: Some diseases arise from within. The saying “disease enters through the mouth” indicates that consuming unclean food can disrupt the normal flow of qi and blood, leading to illness. Such internal diseases first manifest as abnormal qi and blood in the organs, which then reflect on the corresponding acupuncture points through the meridians. Therefore, acupuncture points can also reflect internal issues, a concept in TCM known as “knowing the inside from the outside.”
(5) Regulating qi and blood: The human body has great potential; for instance, only 1/3 of the liver is working, and only 1/7 of the heart is functioning. If they encounter problems, the first step is to stimulate and mobilize the body’s potential. According to TCM theory, the organs and the qi and blood in the meridians are interconnected. If there are issues with the organs, one can adjust the deficiency or excess of qi and blood by stimulating the meridians and acupuncture points. This is also why methods like acupuncture, massage, and qigong can treat internal diseases. We know that the mouth not only serves to eat but can also introduce bacteria, becoming a pathway for disease infection. Similarly, the meridians can transport qi and blood and perform the aforementioned functions, but once the body is ill, they also become the route for disease to progress from the outside in. However, as long as we understand their flow patterns, we can use this knowledge to prevent the progression of diseases. It is like knowing the enemy’s marching route in advance, allowing us to prepare defenses.
[3] Nourishment Values Organ Balance
In addition to qi and blood, the organs are also crucial. If a person works excessively, is overly fatigued, or lives irregularly, they will inevitably experience qi and blood deficiency, which will lead to insufficient energy and power for the five organs and six bowels. To maintain normal life activities, the organs must operate beyond their capacity. For a day or two, this may not be a problem, but over time, damage will occur, leading to blocked meridians and weakened organ function, resulting in a chaotic internal environment. At that point, our body lacks the strength to clear internal toxins and the ability to resist external pathogenic factors, making illness a predictable outcome.
The Huangdi Neijing Suwen states: “Humans are born from the qi of heaven and earth, and the laws of the four seasons are established.” Traditional Chinese medicine believes that when the righteous qi is present within, evil cannot invade; when evil qi gathers, the qi must be deficient; all diseases arise from qi. How to nourish qi? By using the essence of natural substances to nourish the body’s righteous qi.
The five organs and six bowels are the hardware of the human body. The organs have yin and yang distinctions; the five organs belong to the interior and are thus yin, while the six bowels belong to the exterior and are thus yang. The five organs refer to the heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. They have the functions of transforming and storing essence and qi, as well as housing the spirit and will. Although their physiological functions differ, the various physiological functions of the five organs are interdependent and mutually restrictive, maintaining the coordinated balance of physiological activities. For more TCM health information, please follow Yiyitongxiu. The six bowels refer to the gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, and sanjiao (triple burner). Their common function is to receive, digest, and excrete waste.
The various physiological functions of the five organs and six bowels are interdependent and mutually restrictive, maintaining the coordinated balance of physiological activities in the body. Generally, even when diseases occur, the body can cope adequately. Of course, not all diseases can be cured by the body alone; some require medication, surgery, or psychological interventions. In most cases, external pathogenic factors and medications play a role in the occurrence and treatment of diseases, but the primary role is played by the body itself. TCM believes: “When the righteous qi is present within, evil cannot invade.” If the righteous qi in the body is sufficient, evil qi will not disrupt the balance of yin and yang within.
The collaborative ability of the organs determines the extent of the body’s self-repair potential. From a nourishment perspective, coordinating the organs is achieved through a series of health-promoting measures. How to coordinate? On one hand, it is necessary to strengthen the collaborative function of the organs and enhance the vitality of the body’s metabolism; on the other hand, it is essential to “correct deviations”. When there is occasional disharmony among the organs, timely adjustments should be made to correct deviations. TCM refers to this as “supporting the righteous and solidifying the foundation,” emphasizing the importance of the body’s self-repair ability and using various methods to restore and promote this ability.
From a modern perspective, the so-called self-repair ability of the body refers to the regenerative capacity of the organ tissues. Many diseases, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and heart disease, have multifactorial, non-specific, and hidden pathogenic factors. They may be undetectable or, if detected, lack specific treatments. At this point, we can apply various methods to promote the body’s self-repair ability and restore and enhance cellular regeneration, thereby balancing organ tissues and restoring physiological functions.
In summary, TCM nourishment involves three key aspects: regulating qi and blood, nourishing the organs, and unblocking the meridians.All five organs and six bowels require the nourishment of qi and blood and the smooth flow of the meridians to function normally; sufficient qi and blood depend on healthy organs to provide. Therefore, the foundation of health lies in qi and blood. To achieve good health, one must ensure sufficient qi and blood, unblocked meridians, and balanced organs.
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