The manifestation of the heart’s blood vessels in health preservation

The heart governs blood vessels, which is one of the core concepts of traditional Chinese medicine theory. It means that the heart controls blood circulation and nourishes the whole body through the movement of qi and blood. In health preservation, this theory is reflected inProtect the heart, regulate qi and blood, and dredge meridiansThree major directions. Heart protection is the foundation, and heart function needs to be maintained through diet, emotion, and exercise; regulating qi and blood is the key, involving replenishing qi, activating blood, and balancing yin and yang; dredging the meridians is an auxiliary, and promoting circulation through massage, moxibustion, and other methods. The three complement each other and work together to maintain cardiovascular health.

Protecting the Heart: The First Task of Health Care

The heart is the power source for blood circulation, so protecting the heart requiresDiet, work and rest, emotionsGet started. The diet should be light and less greasy, and you can eat red dates, longan and other blood-enhancing ingredients in moderation; your work and rest should be regular to avoid staying up late and draining your heart and blood; keep your emotions calm and avoid being disturbed by great joys or sorrows. The Classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine "Huangdi Neijing" mentions that "Tranquility and emptiness lead to true energy", emphasizing the benefits of a stable mentality to the heart. Modern research has also confirmed that long-term stress can cause blood vessels to constrict and increase the burden on the heart.

Regulating Qi and Blood: The Key to Maintaining Circulation

Sufficient qi and blood are the prerequisite for smooth blood vessels. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "qi is the commander of blood", which can be passed throughDiet therapy, exercise, acupoint stimulationRecuperate. For example, medicinal materials such as astragalus and angelica can replenish qi and activate blood; gentle exercises such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin can promote the flow of qi and blood; massaging the Neiguan point (2 inches above the wrist crease) can help relieve heart palpitations. Sun Simiao, the king of medicine in the Tang Dynasty, recorded in "Qianjin Prescription": "If Qi and blood are harmonious, all diseases will not occur", pointing out the importance of harmonizing Qi and blood.

Opening the meridians: a way to assist blood circulation

Meridians are the channels through which qi and blood circulate. Dredging the meridians can indirectly strengthen the function of the heart in controlling blood vessels. Available every dayMoxibustion, tapping, foot soakingand other methods to stimulate the meridians. For example, moxibustion at the Xinshu point (1.5 inches from the fifth thoracic vertebrae on the back) can warm and unblock the heart yang; tapping the heart meridian on the inside of the arm (from the armpit to the little finger) can relieve chest tightness; adding safflower to the feet before going to bed can induce blood flow downwards. Li Shizhen, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, emphasized in "A Study of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians" that "the unblocked meridians will lead to the safety of the internal organs", indicating the close connection between the meridians and the functions of the internal organs.

Summary: The overall view of heart and blood health maintenance

The heart governs the health needs of blood vesselsSystematic and personalizedimplementation. Protecting the heart is the foundation, regulating qi and blood is the core, and dredging the meridians is the supplement. All three are indispensable. Modern people can combine traditional Chinese medicine theory with living habits, such as choosing health products containing Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng (Tongrentang's "Salvia miltiorrhiza dropping pills"), or using blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing prescriptions under the guidance of a doctor. It should be noted that the health regimen needs to vary from person to person. Patients with severe cardiovascular diseases should follow the doctor's advice and should not blindly adjust themselves.

Quote sources:
1. "Huangdi Neijing·Suwen" - basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine
2. "A Thousand Gold Prescription" - Sun Simiao (Medical Scientist of Tang Dynasty)
3. "A Study of the Eight Meridians of Qijing" - Li Shizhen (Ming Dynasty Medical Scientist)
4. Modern cardiovascular research literature (2021 issue of "Chinese Journal of Circulation")