The spleen governs transportation, transformation and health preservation: health practice under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "the spleen governs transportation and transformation", that is, the spleen is responsible for digesting and absorbing the essence of water and grains and distributing them throughout the body. It is the source of qi and blood biochemistry. This function directly affects the body's energy metabolism, immunity and water-moisture balance, so health care needs to focus on strengthening the spleen. The main contents include:diet conditioning(such as eating regularly and choosing easily digestible foods),living habits(Avoid overexertion and exercise moderately),Emotional management(reduce overthinking) andComplementary therapy(Such as moxibustion, medicated diet). Among them, diet and emotion are the key, and the rest are auxiliary means.

Dietary conditioning: the basis for strengthening the spleen

The spleen likes dryness and hates dampness, and its transportation and transformation functions depend on a reasonable intake of food. Health advice:Timing and quantitativeWhen eating, avoid overeating; eat more yellow foods such as millet, yams, and pumpkins (yellow enters the spleen according to the Five Elements Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine); eat less raw, cold, and greasy foods to avoid aggravating spleen dampness. For example, "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that yam "replenishes kidney qi and strengthens the spleen and stomach." Modern pharmacology has also confirmed that it contains amylase that can aid digestion. In addition, it can be combined with dampness-reducing ingredients such as Poria cocos and coix seed, such as Sishen Decoction (Poria cocos, lotus seeds, gorgon seeds, yam), which is a classic spleen-strengthening prescription.

Lifestyle Habits and Exercise: Supporting the Movement and Transformation of the Spleen

Sitting for a long time can damage the spleen. Moderate exercise can promote the circulation of qi and blood and enhance the spleen's transportation and transformation ability. Recommendedgentle exerciseSuch as Baduanjin, walking, especially the "single lift to regulate the spleen and stomach" movement (the third posture of Baduanjin) can directly stimulate the spleen and stomach meridians. At the same time, avoid staying up late, because the peak time of the spleen meridian is 9-11 a.m., which is suitable for light physical activities or nutritional supplements. Zhang Jingyue, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, emphasized in "Jingyue Complete Book": "Fatigue damages the spleen." Modern research also shows that excessive fatigue can reduce the activity of digestive enzymes.

Emotion and auxiliary therapy: consolidating the effect of strengthening the spleen

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "thinking damages the spleen", and long-term anxiety and excessive thinking will inhibit spleen function. PassableMeditation, deep breathingTo regulate emotions, if necessary, use herbs such as roses and tangerine peel to soothe the liver and regulate qi (dispersing liver qi helps the spleen transport and transform). External treatment methods such as moxibustion at Zusanli and Zhongwan points can warm and replenish spleen yang. Research from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine shows that moxibustion at Zusanli can increase serum gastrin levels and indirectly enhance digestive function (data from "Chinese Acupuncture" 2018). Common spleen-strengthening products on the market, such as Jiangzhong Brand Jianweixiaoshi Tablets (containing hawthorn and malt), Tongrentang Shenling Atractylodes Powder, etc., need to be used based on syndrome differentiation.

Summary: Systematic conditioning and long-term persistence

The spleen governs transportation and transformation, which is the core link of health preservation and requires a multi-pronged approach including diet, exercise, and emotions. In daily life, you can learn from the principle of "eating in moderation and living in regularity" in "Huangdi Neijing", combined with the method of physical selection. For example, those with spleen deficiency and severe dampness should focus on removing dampness (coix seed porridge), while those with qi stagnation should add qi-regulating ingredients (tangerine peel tea). It should be noted that strengthening the spleen in traditional Chinese medicine is a gradual process. If the symptoms are severe (such as long-term diarrhea, loss of appetite), you should seek medical treatment. Product usage reference: Jianweixiaoshi Tablets (Jiangzhong Pharmaceutical) and Shenling Baizhu Pills (Tongrentang) are both based on classic prescriptions, but they are not alternative treatments.

Quote sources:

1. "Huangdi Neijing·Suwen"-Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. "Compendium of Materia Medica" Li Shizhen - records of the efficacy of yam
3. Zhang Jingyue in "The Complete Book of Jingyue" - Discussion on spleen damage due to fatigue
4. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine "Chinese Acupuncture" 2018 - Moxibustion Zusanli Research Data