As the weather begins to warm up, many places are clearly feeling the arrival of spring. However, some friends start to sweat as soon as this season arrives; even a little movement causes excessive sweating. What is going on? This situation can be attributed to several possibilities, with the most common being Qi Deficiency. During this time, individuals with Kidney Essence Deficiency and those with Internal Damp-Heat may also experience similar symptoms. Today, we will discuss how individuals with Qi Deficiency should maintain their health in spring.
First, let’s review what Qi Deficiency is and what its manifestations are.
Qi Deficiency refers to insufficient Zheng Qi (正气) in the body, specifically a series of pathological changes and syndromes caused by insufficient Yuan Qi (元气). Qi is the most fundamental substance in the human body, formed by the combination of the essence of the kidneys, the Qi derived from the spleen and stomach’s absorption and transformation of food, and the clear Qi inhaled by the lungs. Qi exists in every corner of the body, promoting bodily functions, thus there are various types of Qi such as Zong Qi (宗气), Zhong Qi (中气), Yuan Qi (元气), Shen Qi (肾气), Pi Qi (脾气), Fei Qi (肺气), Gan Qi (肝气), Xin Qi (心气), and Wei Qi (卫气), distributed throughout the body. These types of Qi are responsible for promoting, warming, defending, consolidating, and transforming.
Therefore, once Qi is deficient, the abilities of Qi to promote, warm, defend, consolidate, and transform will decline, leading to reduced bodily functions, decreased resistance to diseases, and other issues.
◎ Eight-Year-Old Hand Drawing
The specific manifestations of Qi Deficiency include physical weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, weakness in the limbs, dizziness, sweating upon movement, and spontaneous sweating during the day.
Most importantly, let’s take a look at the tongue. The tongue of a person with Qi Deficiency will have tooth marks, which are indentations from the teeth, and the tongue may appear swollen with an increased amount of saliva!
Now, the question arises: what reactions can individuals with Qi Deficiency expect in spring?
First
People with Qi Deficiency tend to sweat more
In spring, as the Qi of the earth rises and flowers bloom, the Qi mechanism of the human body also undergoes changes. After a winter of dormancy, Yang Qi begins to emerge, and our body surface gradually opens up. However, for those with Qi Deficiency, the Wei Qi (卫气) is not solid, so when the Qi rises and emerges, and the consolidating power of the body surface is insufficient, sweat will easily be released, leading to frequent sweating.
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Thus, individuals with Qi Deficiency are prone to spontaneous sweating, and in spring, this can become more severe. A little movement or wearing slightly more clothing can lead to excessive sweating.
Secondly
People with Qi Deficiency are particularly sensitive to wind in spring
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, spring corresponds to the east and the liver, which belongs to wood. During this time, the wind is active, and spring has the most wind of all seasons. This creates a dilemma for those with Qi Deficiency, as the weather begins to warm, requiring lighter clothing, but the wind is still strong. For those who sweat easily, this can lead to being blown by the wind, necessitating more clothing. Therefore, I often say that individuals with Qi Deficiency should prepare more clothing and be ready to change frequently, which is one way to address this issue.
Third
People with Qi Deficiency are particularly prone to colds in spring
Due to continuous sweating, individuals with Qi Deficiency may find spring uncomfortable, as the weather fluctuates significantly. Some days may feel warm, while others are cold, and this cycle, combined with the constant invasion of wind pathogens, makes spring a challenging season for those with Qi Deficiency. Additionally, the warm and humid climate is conducive to the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, making colds more prevalent.
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Thus, as stated in the Huangdi Neijing, “When Zheng Qi is present, evil cannot invade” and “When evil Qi gathers, its Qi must be deficient”, indicating that if your Zheng Qi is insufficient, then evil Qi will take the opportunity to invade. This serves as a crucial reminder for those with Qi Deficiency.
Fourth
People with Qi Deficiency often experience weakness in their limbs during this time
In spring, many people wonder why they feel so lethargic and lack energy. They may feel sleepy and want to lie down. At this time, individuals may experience two sensations: if they feel constantly sleepy and cannot get up after sleeping for a long time, it may indicate blood deficiency, particularly more pronounced in blood deficiency; if they feel weakness in their limbs and are reluctant to move, it may indicate more severe Qi deficiency. However, Qi deficiency and blood deficiency are closely related, as Qi and blood mutually generate each other, and they often occur together, making it difficult to separate them.
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Thus, it is normal for people to feel a bit lazy in spring, but if one feels extremely weak, constantly wants to lie down, and experiences weakness in the limbs with slight movement, it is essential to consider whether it is Qi Deficiency.
Fifth
People with Qi Deficiency are prone to allergies in spring
A significant portion of individuals with allergic constitutions have Qi Deficiency, making them more susceptible to allergic rhinitis, skin allergies, and other symptoms during this season. In such cases, Traditional Chinese Medicine often aims to tonify the patient’s Zheng Qi to effectively alleviate allergic symptoms.
So, what should individuals with Qi Deficiency do at this time?
First
Appropriate exercise is crucial
The Huangdi Neijing states: “In the third month of spring, this is called ‘Fa Chen’, when heaven and earth are born together, and all things flourish. One should sleep early and rise early, walk widely in the courtyard, let the hair down and relax the body, allowing the spirit to flourish…” This means that in spring, as nature flourishes, people should align with the vibrant state of nature, sleep early and rise early, take morning walks, exercise, and relax their bodies, allowing their emotions to align with the burgeoning Qi of spring, which is the method of health preservation suitable for spring.
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Secondly
Diet to tonify the spleen
In spring, dietary choices should follow the advice of the great physician Sun Simiao from the Tang Dynasty: “Reduce sour and increase sweet to nourish the spleen Qi.” This means eating less sour food and more sweet food to nourish the liver and spleen, which is beneficial for disease prevention and health maintenance. The sweet flavor refers to the mild sweetness found in foods such as yam, pumpkin, sweet potato, glutinous rice, black rice, sorghum, millet, and oats. Chewing these grains carefully will reveal their mild sweetness, making them excellent foods for nourishing the spleen and tonifying Qi, particularly suitable for individuals with Qi Deficiency in spring.
Finally
Medicinal tonification of Qi
There are many formulas for tonifying Qi, such as Xiangsha Liujun Wan, Guipi Wan, and Buzhong Yiqi Wan. Here, I will introduce a formula called Yupingfeng San.
This formula, originating from the Song Dynasty, consists of three herbs: Fangfeng (防风), Zhi Huangqi (炙黄芪), and Baizhu (白术, stir-fried). It specifically addresses the symptoms of Qi Deficiency leading to a lack of consolidation, spontaneous sweating, susceptibility to wind pathogens, pale complexion, a pale tongue with thin white coating, and a floating weak pulse.
In this formula, Huangqi is sweet and warm, internally tonifying the Qi of the spleen and lungs, and externally consolidating the surface to stop sweating, serving as the monarch herb; Baizhu strengthens the spleen and tonifies Qi, assisting Huangqi to enhance the function of tonifying Qi and consolidating the surface, serving as the minister herb; while Fangfeng disperses wind pathogens and works with Huangqi and Baizhu to tonify Qi and expel pathogens. Huangqi and Fangfeng work together to consolidate the surface without retaining pathogens; Fangfeng and Huangqi work together to expel pathogens without harming Zheng Qi, embodying the principle of combining tonification with dispersal.
This formula is now available as a Chinese patent medicine, typically in granule form called Yupingfeng Granules, which can be easily dissolved in water for convenience, primarily used to address spontaneous sweating due to Qi Deficiency. The name of this formula metaphorically suggests a jade screen protecting you, and it is particularly suitable for various allergic reactions caused by Qi Deficiency, such as poor adaptation to temperature changes, sneezing due to climate changes, and skin allergies. Consistent use of this formula over time will yield good results.
Alright, dear friends, we have introduced the health preservation methods for individuals with Qi Deficiency in spring. This is just one approach; everyone can find suitable methods based on their own bodies. I believe that individuals with Qi Deficiency will safely navigate through this spring and their health will improve!
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