Although it is already autumn, we are still in the heat of summer, so we can continue to focus on nourishing Yang. I wonder if everyone has been proactive about this, but there is a group of friends who are quite troubled. Their bodies are clearly cold, especially in the lower jiao (lower abdomen), experiencing symptoms such as cold pain in the abdomen, borborygmi and diarrhea, abdominal distension and constipation, frequent nighttime urination, soreness and cold pain in the lower back and knees, and joint swelling and pain. They need to warm Yang, but whether it is through applying Sanfu Plaster, moxibustion, sunbathing, or using some warming dietary therapies, they will experience heat symptoms, such as oral ulcers, excessive eye discharge, swollen gums, sore throat, irritability, dizziness, and so on.
This is referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as “Shang Re Xia Han Zheng” (上热下寒证), which means the simultaneous occurrence of heat above and cold below.
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The human body has three jiao: the upper jiao (shang jiao) includes the heart and lungs, which are associated with fire. Normally, it should operate from top to bottom, warming the lower body; the lower jiao (xia jiao) includes the kidneys, large and small intestines, and bladder, which are associated with water. Normally, it should flow from bottom to top, nourishing the upper body; the middle jiao (zhong jiao) includes the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys, serving as the hub for the flow between the upper and lower. Normally, the fire from above should descend, and the water from below should ascend, achieving a balance of Yin and Yang. However, if various factors prevent the fire from descending and the water from ascending, it leads to an imbalance of heat above and cold below.
Currently, many people experience this condition of heat above and cold below. Many acute and chronic diseases arise from this, such as oral ulcers, acne on the face, sore throat, chalazion, tonsillitis, swollen gums, chronic diarrhea, frequent urination, hypertension, chronic gastritis, soreness and cold pain in the lower back and knees, joint swelling and pain, insomnia, palpitations, and so on. Friends with these issues can self-assess whether they have the problem of heat above and cold below, to identify the underlying issues of their diseases, which is essential for proper body regulation.
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So how can we regulate heat above and cold below? Although heat above and cold below is a cause in itself, it is also an effect. There are many reasons for the formation of this pattern, including kidney Yang deficiency, spleen Qi deficiency, spleen and kidney Yang deficiency, middle jiao obstruction, liver Yang hyperactivity, liver fire rising, liver Yin damage, excess heat in the lungs and stomach, and gallbladder heat stagnation, among others. Don’t be confused! The purpose of listing these causes is to guide everyone’s TCM thinking; an effect is often not caused by a single reason. Many causes, whether individually or in combination, can lead to the same effect. This is also the complexity of TCM.
Therefore, if you can find a reliable TCM practitioner to conduct a detailed differentiation and develop a precise regulation plan, that would be ideal. However, we can also do some self-regulation at home.
If it is an acute condition, we can use the method of guiding fire downwards to draw the heat from the upper jiao downwards, warming the lower jiao.
Here, I recommend applying Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia rutaecarpa) to the Yongquan (涌泉) point on the soles of the feet.
This method was invented by the Ming dynasty physician Li Shizhen and recorded in his work “Bencao Gangmu” (本草纲目), stating: “Wu Zhu Yu is spicy and hot, capable of dispersing and warming; it can dry and firm, thus the conditions it treats all take advantage of its ability to disperse cold, warm the interior, dry dampness, and resolve depression. For those with sores in the throat and mouth, mix Wu Zhu Yu powder with vinegar and apply to the soles of the feet, and they will recover overnight. Although its nature is hot, it can guide heat downwards, which aligns with the treatment principle, and it is said that Wu Zhu Yu’s nature does not ascend but descends. Some people treat children with chickenpox by chewing one or two Wu Zhu Yu seeds and applying it, which also takes advantage of its dispersing properties.”
Specific method:Grind Wu Zhu Yu into powder, mix with a little vinegar to form a paste, take an appropriate amount and apply it to the center of the soles of the feet, then cover with a layer of plastic wrap to secure it,leave it on for 6-8 hours overnight, and remove it in the morning.
Wu Zhu Yu is hot in nature, adept at warming kidney Yang, and warming the lower jiao. When the lower jiao is warmed, the kidney water will naturally flow upwards, cooling the fire of the upper jiao. Its spicy flavor allows it to move throughout the body, and it can also descend, pulling the upward heat evil downwards to warm the lower jiao, thus restoring the balance of water and fire, achieving Yin and Yang harmony.
This method is safe, simple, and effective.
In fact, when we have TCM thinking and understand its principles, we can invent some simple and practical methods ourselves, such as combining Wu Zhu Yu with Ai Rong (mugwort) and Rou Gui (cinnamon) to apply to the Yongquan point. Can we do that? Of course! Can we use the navel patch invented by Mr. Nan Huai-Chin (which is made by grinding longan flesh, Sichuan pepper, and Ai Rong into powder and applying it to the navel)? Of course! And the simplest method, can we do moxibustion on the Yongquan point? Certainly! Whatever method is convenient for you can be used.
If it is a chronic disease, or if there are no symptoms but there is still a situation of heat above and cold below, I suggest using standing meditation to regulate. Standing meditation is about surrendering oneself to the universe; just standing there connects you to the earth and sky, which have immense energy and high-level wisdom. Regardless of which organ is imbalanced, it can gradually restore balance in the energy of the universe. I previously introduced the Qi Huang standing meditation technique, and everyone can practice it.
Refer to: The Secret to Regulating All Chronic Diseases and Sub-health by Absorbing the Qi of Heaven and Earth (Animated GIF, Video Demonstration)
In daily life, you can also combine abdominal massage to smooth the Qi mechanism of the middle jiao, allowing for better interaction between the upper and lower.
Refer to: Ancient Method of Abdominal Massage, 20 Minutes a Day to Strengthen Spleen and Stomach Qi, Relieve Constipation, Insomnia, Obesity, and More!
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Heat above and cold below is caused by organ disharmony, which in turn is often due to many unhealthy lifestyle habits. For example, staying up late can damage the Yin of the liver and kidneys, rich and heavy foods can reduce the spleen and stomach’s ability to transform, leading to middle jiao obstruction, negative emotions and stress can cause liver Qi stagnation, disrupting the overall Qi flow, and cold foods and environments can harm spleen Yang and kidney Yang, etc. We can self-examine. In short, to truly regulate the many issues in the body, restore health, and maintain health, good lifestyle habits are a prerequisite. Only by recognizing these underlying causes can health be in our own hands.
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