Water-nourishing Hanmu in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Concepts and Treatment Methods

Zi Shui Han Mu is a conditioning method in the Five Elements Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It refers to nourishing liver yin (mu water) by replenishing kidney yin (nourishing water), thereby balancing the relationship between the liver and kidneys and improving symptoms such as yin deficiency and excessive fire, dizziness and dizziness. The main content includes: 1) Theoretical basis (the mutual relationship between the five elements); 2) Applicable symptoms (hyperactivity of liver yang, insomnia and dreaminess, etc.); 3) Conditioning methods (TCM, diet therapy, acupoint massage); 4) Common drugs and products. The following will expand one by one.

1. Theoretical basis of water-rich culverts

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "kidney belongs to water and liver belongs to wood", and kidney yin is the root of liver yin. If the kidney yin is insufficient (water deficiency), the liver wood cannot be nourished, which will lead to excessive liver yang, resulting in symptoms such as irritability, tinnitus, and dry eyes. This theory originated from the "water produces wood" relationship in the "Huangdi Neijing". Zhang Jingyue, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, further proposed the treatment method of "tonifying the kidneys means nourishing the liver." The core of Zi Shui Han Mu is to indirectly suppress liver fire through kidney-yin-tonifying drugs such as Rehmannia glutinosa and Cornus officinalis.

2. Applicable symptoms of water culverts

This method is often used in sub-healthy people with liver and kidney yin deficiency. Typical symptoms include: 1) dizziness and headache; 2) insomnia and dreaminess; 3) hot flashes and night sweats; 4) blurred vision. Hypertension and menopausal syndrome in modern medicine may also be related to this. However, it should be noted that people with yang deficiency or damp-heat constitution should not use it blindly and need to be treated by a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner based on syndrome differentiation.

3. Methods for conditioning water-rich culverts

1)Chinese medicine prescription: Liuwei Dihuang Pills and Qiju Dihuang Pills are classic prescriptions; 2)Diet therapy: Black sesame, wolfberry, mulberry and other ingredients can assist in cooking; 3)acupressure: Press Taixi point (kidney meridian) and Taichong point (liver meridian) for 3-5 minutes every day. It takes 2-3 months to take effect.

4. Summary and matters needing attention

Zi Shui Han Mu embodies the idea of "preventing disease" in traditional Chinese medicine, which emphasizes the coordinated regulation of the liver and kidneys. Daily medicine and food can be combined with adjustments to lifestyle habits, but over-reliance on a single method must be avoided. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended to take medication under the guidance of a professional physician and in conjunction with physical identification.

Quote sources:1. The Five Elements Theory of "The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic" 2. "The Complete Book of Jingyue" by Zhang Jingyue of the Ming Dynasty 3. For modern applications, please refer to the 2020 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" 4. Manufacturer information comes from the public data of the State Food and Drug Administration