Standards of Health According to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Overall Balance and Harmony

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s definition of health emphasizes"Balance of yin and yang", "fullness of qi and blood", "harmony of internal organs", believes that health is the harmonious unity of body, spirit and natural environment. The main content is divided into four aspects: first, normal physiological functions (such as diet, sleep, and bowel movements); second, emotional stability (harmony of seven emotions); third, adaptation to external changes (response between heaven and man); fourth, disease prevention (preventing disease). Among them,balance of yin and yangIt is the core, the movement of qi and blood is the key, and the functions of the internal organs are the foundation.

Balance of yin and yang: the foundation of health

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the primary criterion for health isDynamic balance of yin and yang. Yin represents the material basis (such as blood, body fluid), and yang represents functional activities (such as body temperature, metabolism). If yin and yang are out of balance, symptoms such as intolerance to cold (yang deficiency) or dryness and heat (yin deficiency) will occur. For example, the "Huangdi Neijing" mentions that "yin balances yang secretly, and the spirit is the cure", emphasizing the need to maintain balance through dietary adjustments (for example, those with yang deficiency should eat more warming foods) and regular work and rest (avoid staying up late to consume yin). The famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing also pointed out in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" that diseases are mostly caused by imbalance of yin and yang.

Full Qi and blood: the driving force of life activities

Qi and blood are the material basis for maintaining physiological functions.angryPromote blood circulation and resist external evils,bloodNourishes the internal organs and meridians. Insufficient Qi and blood can lead to fatigue and paleness, while Qi stagnation and blood stasis can cause pain. Traditional Chinese Medicine advocates the adoption ofBaduanjin, Tai ChiExercise to promote the circulation of qi and blood, or consume food and medicinal ingredients such as red dates and angelica to replenish qi and blood. Li Shizhen, a physician in the Ming Dynasty, recorded a variety of medicinal materials for replenishing qi and blood in "Compendium of Materia Medica", such as astragalus to replenish qi and donkey-hide gelatin to replenish blood. Modern manufacturers such asDong'e donkey-hide gelatinThe donkey hide gelatin products produced are based on this theory.

Zang-Fu Harmony: The Key to Functional Coordination

The five internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys) each perform their own duties and influence each other. For example, the spleen governs transportation and transformation, and if its function is weakened, it will lead to loss of appetite; the liver governs dispersion, and emotional depression can easily lead to stagnation of liver qi. Traditional Chinese Medicine passedTreatment based on syndrome differentiationAdjust the functions of the internal organs, such as using Xiaoyao Powder to soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen. Modern Chinese patent medicines such asTong Ren Tang’s Xiaoyao PillsJust use this method. In addition, the "Difficult Sutra" states that "the five internal organs all cause coughing", indicating that health requires overall conditioning, not a single organ.

Summary: Health is a dynamic holistic view

The health standards of traditional Chinese medicine areMulti-dimensional and preventive, which emphasizes maintaining balance through daily conditioning (diet, emotions, and exercise) rather than just focusing on disease treatment. The famous doctor Hua Tuo once said that "the human body wants to work, but it should not use its extreme ears", reminding the importance of moderate activities. Modern Chinese patent medicines such asYunnan Baiyaohealth care series,GuangyuyuanGuilingji, etc. are all developed based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. The core of health lies in "preventing disease", that is, following the laws of nature and maintaining physical and mental harmony.

Quote sources:1. "The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor" (from the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty, the author is unknown) 2. "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" (Zhang Zhongjing of the Eastern Han Dynasty) 3. "Compendium of Materia Medica" (Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty) 4. Manufacturer's products: Dong'e Ejiao, Tongrentang, Yunnan Baiyao, Guangyuyuan (all well-known brands of Chinese pharmaceutical companies)