The way of harmony in traditional Chinese medicine health care: balancing yin and yang, following nature

Traditional Chinese medicine health care emphasizes that "harmony" is the core of health, and advocates achieving the unity of body and mind by adjusting the balance of yin and yang, complying with the laws of the four seasons, harmonizing emotions, reasonable diet and exercise. The main content can be divided into four parts:The balance of yin and yang is the foundation,Following nature is the principle,Emotional harmony is the key,Food and daily life are the guarantee. Among them, the balance of yin and yang runs throughout, while emotional management is often ignored but is crucial.

Balance of yin and yang: the foundation of good health

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that human health depends on the dynamic balance of yin and yang. "Huangdi Neijing" states that "yin balances yang secretly, and the spirit is the cure", that is, if yin and yang are coordinated, all diseases will not occur. For example, staying up late (depleting yin) can easily lead to excessive internal heat (yang hyperactivity), which can be adjusted by going to bed early (nourishing yin) or drinking chrysanthemum tea (clearing yang). Daily observation of tongue coating (white means cold, yellow means heat) can be used to simply judge the imbalance state, and then adjust it through diet therapy or acupoint massage (such as Yongquan point to nourish yin, Dazhui point to nourish yang).

Follow Nature: The Wisdom of Maintaining Health in Four Seasons

Spring birth, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage are the time laws of traditional Chinese medicine. It is advisable to stretch liver qi in spring (eat more green leafy vegetables), prevent heatstroke and dampness in summer (appropriate amount of ginger and jujube tea), moisturize dryness in autumn (lily and tremella soup), and warm and nourish in winter (mutton soup).Violation of seasonFor example, being greedy for cold in winter can easily damage kidney yang and cause joint pain. The famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing emphasized in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" that "man and nature are in harmony", and modern research has also confirmed that seasonal changes can affect the immune system (such as the high incidence of colds in winter).

Emotional Harmony: The Neglected Key to Health

Excessive emotions will directly damage the internal organs - "anger hurts the liver, happiness hurts sadness, and thinking hurts the spleen." The Song Dynasty's "Health Preservation Collection" records that "always keep silent to nourish your vitality and think less to nourish your mind." It is recommended to relieve stress through meditation, calligraphy, etc. Modern people can regulate their emotions through "five-note therapy" (Jiaoyin soothes the liver, Zhengyin nourishes the heart) or presses the Taichong point (relieves depression). from Beijing Tong Ren TangXiaoyaowan(Soothes the Liver and Strengthens the Spleen) is a classic emotional conditioning prescription.

The practical integration of harmonious health care

Combining the above principles, you can formulate a personalized plan: tap the meridians in the morning (to raise Yang), take a nap at noon (to nourish Yin), have a half-full dinner (to protect the spleen and stomach), and soak your feet in hot water before going to bed (to induce fire and return to Yuan). Products such asGubentang mugwort foot bath bag(Warming the meridians and dispersing cold),Dong'e donkey-hide gelatin(Nourishing yin and nourishing blood) are all auxiliary tools. Remember that maintaining good health requires perseverance. Wan Quanquan, a doctor in the Ming Dynasty, said: "Preserving health is like shepherding sheep. If you are anxious, you will lose it, but if you are slow, you will gain it." The ultimate goal is to achieve a state of life that "brings harmony" as mentioned in "The Doctrine of the Mean".

Quote sources:

1. "The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic" (Warring States to Han Dynasty, author unknown) - the core classic of Yin and Yang theory

2. "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" by Zhang Zhongjing (Eastern Han Dynasty) - health maintenance and disease prevention and treatment in the four seasons

3. "Health Preservation Class Compilation" Zhou Shouzhong (Song Dynasty) - Emotional care literature

4. Wanquan's "Four Essentials of Health Preservation" (Ming Dynasty) - Practice Methodology of Health Preservation