Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

1. Constitution Regulation

TCM constitution theory holds that constitution, as an important manifestation of human life activities, is closely related to health and diseases. Constitution determines our health, susceptibility to certain diseases, reaction patterns after illness, treatment effects, and prognosis. Therefore, applying TCM constitution classification theory, identifying constitution types based on the reaction states and characteristics of different constitution types, adopting classified management methods, formulating prevention and treatment principles "according to individual differences", and selecting corresponding prevention, treatment, and health preservation methods for constitution regulation are of great significance for achieving personalized and targeted preventive health care.

Nine TCM Constitutions

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

2. Dietary Health Preservation

Dietary health preservation, referred to as "food nourishment" for short, refers to activities of reasonably ingesting food under the guidance of TCM theory to nourish the body, maintain health, strengthen the body, and prolong life. "Food nourishment" was first recorded in Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic).

The reason why food can preserve health and treat diseases is determined by its inherent properties. These properties were summarized by ancient physicians through long-term practice and understanding of food, and are closely combined with TCM basic theories such as yin-yang, zang-fu organs, meridians, and treatment. The properties of food mainly include nature, taste, meridian tropism, ascending-descending and floating-sinking, etc.

• "Nature" refers to the four properties of food: cold, cool, warm, and hot, which are called "four natures" or "four qi" in TCM. The four nature attributes of food were summarized by the ancients based on the reactions produced when food acts on the human body. All foods suitable for hot constitutions or syndromes belong to cold-cool foods. For example, watermelon can be used for fever and thirst; duck pears can be used for cough with yellow phlegm, indicating that these two foods have cold-cool nature. On the contrary, all foods suitable for cold constitutions or syndromes belong to warm or hot foods. For example, dried ginger can be used for cold intolerance and abdominal pain; ginger and green onions can be used for wind-cold colds, indicating their warm-hot nature.

• "Taste" refers to the five basic tastes: pungent, sweet, bitter, sour, and salty. In addition, there are astringent and light tastes, but they are generally collectively called the five tastes. The determination of the five tastes is, on the one hand, obtained through taste, reflecting the true taste of food. For example, sugar is sweet (sweet taste), garlic is spicy (pungent taste), vinegar is sour (sour taste), and bitter herbs are bitter (bitter taste). On the other hand, it is summarized through the reactions of food acting on the human body, so foods with the same taste usually have the same effects. Ben Cao Bei Yao (Essentials of Materia Medica) records: "Sour taste can astringe and consolidate; bitter taste can purge, dry, and firm; sweet taste can tonify and relieve; pungent taste can disperse, moisten, and circulate freely; salty taste can descend and soften hard masses; light taste can unblock orifices and promote diuresis—these are the functions of the five tastes."

Meridian tropism refers to the selective effect of food on certain parts of the body, that is, it mainly exerts obvious effects on certain zang-fu organs and their meridians, while having little or no effect on other meridians. For example, duck pears and watermelon are both cold foods. Although they both have the effect of clearing heat, their meridian tropisms are different: duck pears are more inclined to clear lung heat, while watermelon is more inclined to clear stomach heat. Another example is lotus seeds and scallops, both of which are tonic foods: lotus seeds are good at tonifying the heart, while scallops tonify the kidney. Therefore, when using food for conditioning, we should comprehensively consider its various properties and select appropriate diets targetedly.

There are four main principles of dietary health preservation:

① "Harmonize the five tastes": That is, do not be partial to any taste, ensure reasonable collocation and comprehensive nutrition.

② "Exercise moderation": That is, neither overeat nor starve; only moderate food intake can achieve health preservation effects.

③ Pay attention to food hygiene to prevent diseases from entering through the mouth.

④ Adapt to the time and individual.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

3. Traditional Exercise

Exercising through traditional sports methods to activate tendons and bones, regulate breath, calm the mind to smooth meridians, dredge qi and blood, and harmonize zang-fu organs, so as to enhance physical fitness and prolong life—this health preservation method is called exercise health preservation, also known as traditional fitness techniques. "Movement ensures health" is a traditional view of health preservation and fitness of the Chinese nation. As early as thousands of years ago, sports have been widely used as an important means of fitness and disease prevention.

There are three main characteristics of traditional health preservation exercises:

① Guide health preservation exercises with TCM medical theory.

② Emphasize the harmonious unity of focusing the mind (concentrating thoughts), regulating breath (adjusting breathing), and moving the body (physical exercise).

③ Integrate daoyin (guidance), qigong, martial arts, and medical theory.

The purpose of exercise health preservation is to improve fitness through exercise, so it is necessary to grasp the intensity of exercise. Too little exercise will not achieve the purpose of training or fitness; too much exercise will exceed the body's tolerance limit, and instead damage the body due to overwork. Exercising the body is not an overnight thing, but requires constant persistence. Only with perseverance can we achieve fitness effects. Exercise health preservation is not only physical exercise, but also exercise of will and perseverance.

Picture of Five-Animal Games

At present, the popularized and promoted traditional fitness exercises include: Tai Chi / Yijinjing (Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic) / Five-Animal Games / Six-Word Formula / Baduanjin (Eight-Section Brocade).

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

4. Meridian Health Care

Acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina (massage), acupoint application, etc., are important TCM treatment methods under the guidance of meridian theory, and also important health care measures and methods in TCM health preservation. Using acupuncture, moxibustion, tuina, acupoint application, etc., for health preservation and strengthening the body is one of the characteristics of TCM health preservation methods.

Acupuncture therapy can only be performed by those with corresponding practicing qualifications.

Moxibustion, tuina, and application adjust meridian qi and blood through different methods according to the theory of meridians and acupoints, so as to smooth nutrient and defensive qi, harmonize zang-fu organs, and achieve the purpose of enhancing physical fitness, preventing and treating diseases. Those who maintain health and prolong life through these methods belong to the category of health preservation, which are called health-preserving moxibustion, tuina, and application. Although health-preserving moxibustion, tuina, and application have different methods, their basic points are the same: they are all based on TCM meridian theory, take adjusting meridians and stimulating acupoints as basic means, and stimulate the operation of nutrient and defensive qi, so as to balance yin and yang and nourish zang-fu organs.

① Health-Preserving Moxibustion

Performing moxibustion on certain specific acupoints of the body to harmonize qi and blood, regulate meridians, nourish zang-fu organs, and prolong life—this health preservation method is called health-preserving moxibustion. Moxibustion generally uses moxa. Moxa is a warm, pungent, and yang-heat medicine. It is bitter, slightly warm, non-toxic, and mainly used for moxibustion to treat various diseases. It is a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, and old moxa is preferred for moxibustion. When ignited, its heat is long-lasting and penetrating, and the warm feeling directly reaches the deep layers of muscles. Once moxibustion is stopped, there is no residual feeling, which is incomparable with other substances. Therefore, moxa is an ideal raw material for moxibustion.

For example: Regular moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) can invigorate the spleen and stomach, promote digestion and absorption, and strengthen the body. Middle-aged and elderly people who often perform moxibustion at Zusanli can also prevent stroke, with anti-aging and strengthening effects. Moxibustion method: Both moxa sticks and moxa cones can be used, and the time is controlled at 5-10 minutes. Modern research has proved that moxibustion at Zusanli can indeed improve human immune function and have a certain impact on the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems.

② Tuina (Massage)

Known as "Anqiao" in ancient times, it is one of the traditional health preservation methods in China. The health preservation method that uses hand and finger skills to massage certain parts or acupoints of the human body to achieve prevention and health care purposes is called health-preserving tuina.

Health-preserving tuina mainly promotes overall metabolism through local stimulation of the body, thereby adjusting the coordination and unity of various functions of the human body, maintaining the relative balance of yin and yang of the body, enhancing the body's natural disease resistance, and achieving the effects of relaxing tendons and activating blood circulation, fitness, and disease prevention. Representative health-preserving tuina methods are as follows:

A) Warm the Eyes

Specific method: Rub both hands until hot, then place the palms over the eyes—this is warming the eyes. Repeat this three times. Then gently press the eyeballs with the index, middle, and ring fingers, and hold for a moment. It is advisable to warm the eyes at dawn. Function: Nourish the eyes and improve eyesight. Regular practice can make the eyes bright and energetic without diseases.

B) Massage the Ears

Specific method: Press the ear canals with both palms, then suddenly release, repeating more than ten times. Then massage the auricles from top to bottom 20 times with the thumbs and index fingers of both hands. Then massage the earlobes 30 times in the same way until the ears feel warm. Function: Regular practice can enhance hearing and refresh the mind.

C) Massage the Abdomen

Specific method: Press the palm on the abdomen, massage clockwise and then counterclockwise 20 times each. It can be done either standing or lying down. It can be performed after meals or before going to bed. Function: Massaging the abdomen after meals helps digestion and absorption; massaging before going to bed can invigorate the spleen and stomach, aid digestion, and have a sedative effect.

D) Massage Yongquan (KI1)

Specific method: Massage Yongquan acupoint on the right foot with the left thumb; massage the left foot with the right hand. During massage, rub repeatedly 30-50 times until the sole feels warm. This method is suitable for before going to bed or after waking up. Function: Regular massage of Yongquan has the effects of regulating the liver, invigorating the spleen, soothing sleep, and strengthening the body.

③ Acupoint Application

Known as Tianjiu (natural moxibustion), Zijiu (self-moxibustion), or Lengjiu (cold moxibustion) in ancient times, it is a unique treatment method in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on TCM meridian theory, acupoint application grinds medicines into fine powder, mixes them into a paste with water, vinegar, wine, egg white, honey, vegetable oil, medicinal liquid, etc., or makes ointments, pills, or cakes with solidified oils (such as petrolatum), yellow wax, jujube paste, etc., which are then directly applied to acupoints to treat diseases.

Acupoint application is widely used in disease prevention and health care, with a large number of clinical reports. For the prevention and health care of weak people, TCM often selects medicines that tonify the kidney and spleen, soothe the liver and nourish the lung, replenish qi and activate blood circulation, warm the meridians and dredge collaterals, and applies them to strengthening acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Back-Shu acupoints, and Zusanli (ST36), so as to enhance the body's healthy qi, improve disease resistance, and prevent diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

5. Medicinal Health Preservation

Medicines with anti-aging effects are called longevity-prolonging medicines. The method of using such medicines to delay aging and strengthen the body is medicinal health preservation. The specific application of medicinal health preservation focuses on two aspects: tonification and purgation. When used properly, it can play a role in prolonging life to a certain extent.

There are many traditional Chinese medicines with longevity-prolonging effects, which have tonic effects and can also treat diseases. They can be used in prescriptions or taken alone. For example:

① Qi-tonifying medicines: Such as ginseng, astragalus, poria cocos, Chinese yam, coix seeds.

② Blood-nourishing medicines: Such as prepared rehmannia root, polygonum multiflorum, longan pulp, donkey-hide gelatin, placenta hominis.

③ Yin-nourishing medicines: Such as wolfberry fruit, polygonatum odoratum, polygonatum sibiricum, mulberry fruit, ligustrum lucidum.

④ Yang-tonifying medicines: Such as cuscutae semen, deer antler, cistanche deserticola, eucommia ulmoides.

Famous "prescriptions" for prolonging life are also recorded in herbal medicines and medical works of past dynasties. For example:

① Spleen-invigorating and qi-tonifying prescriptions: Renshen Guben Wan (Ginseng Consolidating Origin Pill) from Yang Sheng Bi Yong Fang (Essential Prescriptions for Health Preservation), Da Fuling Wan (Large Poria Pill) from Sheng Ji Zong Lu (Comprehensive Record of Sage's Prescriptions), Zisheng Wan (Life-Nourishing Pill) from Lan Tai Gui Fan (Standards of the Imperial Library), Bazhen Gao (Eight-Treasure Cake) from Wai Ke Zheng Zong (Orthodox External Medicine).

② Kidney-invigorating prescriptions: Peng Zu Yan Nian Bai Zi Ren Wan (Peng Zu's Longevity Platycladus Seed Pill) from Qian Jin Yi Fang (Supplements to the Invaluable Prescriptions), Wu Ma San (Black Sesame Powder) from Qian Jin Yi Fang, He Shou Wu Wan (Polygonum Multiflorum Pill) from Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang (Taiping Holy Benevolence Prescriptions), Gou Qi Zi Wan (Wolfberry Pill) from Sheng Ji Zong Lu.

However, medicines are not omnipotent, but only an auxiliary health preservation measure. In the application process, we must pay attention to the following principles: do not take tonics blindly, avoid excessive partiality in tonification, conduct syndrome differentiation for tonification, purge when excessive, avoid injury to healthy qi during purgation, and use medicines gently.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

6. Daily Life Conditioning

① Harmonize with nature: Emphasize the harmony between humans and nature.

② Regular daily life: Work at sunrise and rest at sunset.

③ Moderate work and rest.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

7. Entertainment Health Preservation

Various entertainment activities, such as playing the qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, raising flowers, birds, fish, traveling, art appreciation, etc., can nourish the spirit, prevent diseases, and strengthen the body. Health preservation experts of past dynasties advocated traveling and appreciating flowers, birds, and fish. Monasteries, temples, and Taoist abbeys of Taoism and Buddhism are mostly built in places with beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains and rivers, so as to absorb the fresh qi of mountains and rivers and cultivate one's moral character.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

8. Mental Health Preservation

Mental health preservation refers to nourishing the mind and regulating emotions under the guidance of the holistic concept of "correspondence between heaven and humans". Methods of regulating the mind include calming the mind, establishing aspirations and cultivating virtue, cultivating one's moral character, being cheerful and optimistic, regulating emotions, and maintaining psychological balance. Health preservation experts believe that the key to quiet cultivation lies in nourishing the mind—a view advocated by Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and TCM. Confucianism emphasizes correcting the mind, Buddhism emphasizes clarifying the mind, and Taoism emphasizes refining the mind—all of which are related to the study of mind cultivation.