Blood is the lifeblood

Chapter 2 To keep in good health, nourish Qi and blood first——Qi and blood are the "lifeblood" of the human body (1)
The essence of life lies in "Qi"

[Qi and Blood Health Sutra] The human body, like the universe, is a tangible thing formed by the qi of the five elements, and maintains its vitality and vitality by the orderly circulation of qi between viscera and organs.Therefore, if the qi is smooth, the body is safe; when the qi is present, the person is present.

Is Chinese medicine better or Western medicine better?This issue has been debated for more than a day.I have to admit that in the field of science, language has never been as glamorous as it is in the field of literature. In the face of facts, it has to bow its head and lose.

The fact I want to say is this: traditional Chinese medicine has withstood the test for thousands of years, and famous doctors have emerged in large numbers, such as Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Huangfu Mi in the Western Jin Dynasty, Sun Simiao in the Tang Dynasty, Wang Qingren in the Qing Dynasty, and so on.The treatment methods are also diverse and unique.Even now, Chinese medicine can cure many difficult and miscellaneous diseases that cannot be solved by Western medicine.

For many years, Ms. Wang has been living under the shadow of a strange disease. She has long-term irregular menstruation, sometimes once a month, sometimes every two months, and sometimes every three to five months. The lady went to see a western doctor, who made many dangerous guesses and conducted a comprehensive examination, but the test results proved that the uterus was well developed, the kidney function was sound, and there was no gynecological inflammation.So the conclusion given by the doctor is: no disease.

On the one hand, holding the Western medicine test certificate that she was "not sick", on the other hand, thinking about the "abnormal" state for many years, Ms. Wang was at a loss, and she came to the Chinese medicine clinic full of doubts.After looking around, the doctor told her that it was the result of too much cold and imbalance of Qi and blood.

At first, Ms. Wang was skeptical, thinking: Qi is invisible and intangible, who knows the truth?

But since I can't find a more suitable method, I would rather believe it. After drinking six doses of traditional Chinese medicine, Ms. Wang's complexion is obviously much better. If she persists like this, Ms. Wang's long-standing problem is finally solved. Good friend" returned to the normal track, and she became a "normal" woman.

What does this show?This shows that traditional Chinese medicine has a very strong vitality, and this vitality comes from the fact that it has found the engine that the human body maintains its vitality-qi!

When we say that a person is full of vitality, we always say that he is full of vigor; when we describe a person who is weak, we say that he is dying; when we judge a person's life or death, we decide by panting and dying; Qi Shen'er... All of these things are inseparable from the word "Qi".Like Ms. Wang's condition, in clinical practice, many unexplainable diseases are caused by "Qi".

We cannot help asking, what is Qi?Where does it come from?Prosperity depends on what?

Qi is essentially a philosophical concept. "Qi" can be found everywhere in pre-Qin writings. For example, in "Zhuangzi", it is said that "the life of a person is the gathering of qi. The gathering is life, and the dispersion is death." "Mencius "There is "qi, the filling of the body", "Xunzi" has "treatment of qi and health preservation", and "Yellow Emperor Yinfu Jing" also has "the control of separation is in qi". These are the important basis of the theory of "qi" in traditional Chinese medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that human beings are born of qi, ranging from the entire universe to a small organ of the human body. In essence, they are all tangible things formed by the condensation of invisible qi. In the "Huangdi Neijing", "Suwen·Yin and Yang Yingxiang Dalun" said: "Clear yang is the sky, and turbid yin is the earth." Clear yang and turbid yin are two forms of qi, so yin and yang can not only produce heaven and earth, but also all things, including human beings.

The human body not only grows because of Qi, but also grows because of Qi.We know that the human body is a constantly circulating sports field, and the substance that promotes this movement is what we call qi.For example, wind is something we cannot see, but how can we judge its existence?By the swaying of the branches, by the ripples of the water, that is to say, by the movement of the wind itself.

The same is true for the Qi in the human body.The function of qi needs to be realized through the movement of qi, that is, the qi movement referred to in traditional Chinese medicine, which mainly includes four types of ascending, descending, exiting, and entering. These four movements are carried out in the viscera, meridians, tissues, and organs of the human body. Promotes circulation in the body.To put it simply, Qi can promote the internal circulation of the human body in the following ways:

(1) Promoting effect.Including the promotion of the entire growth and development process of the human body, as well as the promotion of the work of the internal organs.For example, we say that the liver has the qi of the liver, the lungs have the qi of the lungs, and the kidneys have the qi of the kidneys. This means that the physiological functions and activities of the five internal organs, six fu organs, body, official orifices, blood, and body fluids must be carried out under the impetus of qi. .If qi is deficient, the driving force will be weak, and the functions of viscera will be weakened, and symptoms such as indigestion and chest tightness will appear.

(2) Warming effect.The most important role of this function is to regulate the body temperature and assist the physiological activities of various viscera, tissues, organs and meridians.We may have this feeling. If we sit for a long time without exercising, we will feel cold hands and feet; if we do not stretch our limbs for a long time, we will feel cold around the waist. This is fundamentally caused by poor Qi flow.

(3) Defensive effect.Some people get sick easily or are easily infected by bacteria, while some people can be safe and sound even if they encounter the most severe influenza. The difference lies in the size of their resistance.The key to determining a person's resistance is the adequacy of Qi.A person who is full of energy is equivalent to having a talisman against external evils. The body itself has a strong resistance, and the disease will naturally be unable to do anything to him.

(4) Immobilization effect.This refers to maintaining the relative stability of the visceral organs.We know that the human body contains many large and small organs. Although these organs are complicated, they have their own fixed positions and functions, and this order is maintained entirely by Qi.At the same time, the excretion of sweat, urine, etc. also has certain rules. If Qi is not in charge and unified, they will be excreted at will, disrupting the normal metabolism of the human body.For example, night sweats are a manifestation of qi deficiency.

In addition, the most prominent contribution of qi to the human body is also manifested in its various effects on blood.Qi is yang, blood is yin, and the two are closely related. Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying since ancient times that "when qi moves, blood moves, and when qi stagnates, blood stasis".

In short, qi is the engine that maintains the circulation in the body. With the existence of qi, the various parts in the body can operate in an orderly manner, and the body, a big machine, can maintain health.Therefore, to love yourself and your health, you must start from knowing the "qi mechanism"!
Yang Qi is the source of human vitality

[Qi and Blood Health Sutra] The harmony of the universe and the health of the human body are inseparable from the support of Yang Qi. Without Yang Qi, flowers will not bloom, leaves will not grow, animals will not prosper, and people will not be healthy.

In life, I don’t know if you have noticed such a phenomenon. To describe a girl as cheerful and lively, we often say that she is very sunny and use "sunshine girl" to describe her.When describing a boy as strong and handsome, he would call it "masculine".This fully shows how close the relationship between yang and health is.

For all things in the universe, Yang, what kind of power is it?
Speaking of the magic power of yang, there is such a well-known short story in "A Dream of Red Mansions".

"Dream of Red Mansions" No.30 once.One day, Shi Xiangyun, a rich lady, went out for a walk with her maid, Cuilu.Shi Xiangyun has a bold and cheerful personality, but also has a lot of knowledge; Cui Ling is an innocent and lovely girl.It was summer, they walked to the pool, saw the lotus leaves rippling with the breeze, smelled the fragrance, couldn't help but stopped there.Cui Ling said, "Why hasn't the lotus bloomed yet?"

Xiangyun said: "The time has not yet come. Everything in the world is born from the transformation of yin and yang. When the yang qi arrives, the lotus will bloom."

Cui Ling asked puzzledly: "What about yin and yang, which have no shadow or form? Why don't I understand anything?"

Xiangyun said to her: "Where does yin and yang have shadows and shapes? They are just qi. Everything in the sky and earth is produced by yin and yang. For example, the sky is yang, the earth is yin; the sun is yang, and the moon is yin. "

Cui Hui became curious and asked, "Could it be that flowers, grass, insects, etc., also have yin and yang?"

Xiangyun continued: "Of course there is. Everything has yin and yang. For example, the front of a leaf is called yang, and the back is called yin."

Cui Hui became more and more interested, and said: "Now I understand, men are Yang and women are Yin; animals are the same, males are Yang and females are Yin..."

Although the above little story has elements of ridicule, it illustrates the great role of Yang Qi from one side. The reason why the lotus did not bloom is because the season is not here and the Yang Qi is not enough. The same is true for the human body, without the support and maintenance of Yang Qi. , it also withers.Therefore, for all living things, Yang Qi is a positive force.

"Yang and Yin" are purely oriental concepts, or concepts derived from Chinese native culture.In medicine, only oriental medicine (generally referring to Chinese medicine) has the theory of yin and yang."Yang" in Chinese medicine has many and broad meanings. In a narrow sense, it refers to the part of the body that maintains the vigorous energy of the human body; Yang Qi is the materialized state of this part in the imagination of the human brain. In fact, it can only be felt and perceived, and cannot be touched or measured. of; also vary from person to person. The "Huangdi Neijing" said, "If the sky and the sun lose their place, they will lose their life expectancy." It means: "Yang Qi is like the sun in the sky, giving light and warmth to nature. Without it, all things cannot survive. If there is no Yang Qi in the human body, the body will lose the vitality of metabolism, and there will be darkness, so life will stop.”

According to the theory of yin and yang in "Book of Changes", we are inspired that yang is the driving force and source of life.If we want to live a long and healthy life, we must persevere in maintaining and prolonging our yang qi, and resist the growth of yin qi, so that yang qi is always in a vigorous state.This is the true meaning of health preservation told us by the mysterious and wise book "Book of Changes".

How to protect the Yang Qi in our body?
Tonifying yang qi is mainly to invigorate the kidney, warm the kidney, keep warm, remove cold or adjust yin: the kidney is the yang of the whole body, just like a ball of fire in the human body, warming and illuminating the whole body.The innate essence actually represents the innate "kidney".The kidney is the root of a person, just like the roots of a big tree. Only by fertilizing and loosening the soil from the roots can it grow vigorously. Only when the roots absorb nutrients continuously can they be firmly rooted in the earth.Even if the big tree is blown off, as long as there are roots, it will still grow new branches and new leaves.The same is true for human beings. As long as we keep our kidneys, that is, keep our roots, we will always be healthy and full of vitality.

What needs to be reminded is that the "kidney" in Chinese medicine is a general concept.In terms of the concept of Western medicine, it includes not only the kidneys, but also the heart and lungs; that is to say, it generally refers to the organs and tissues that directly provide the transport power for nutrients.To invigorate the kidney qi is to supplement the functions and mutual coordination of these organs and tissues.

Insufficiency of kidney qi can be roughly divided into two types: yang deficiency and yin deficiency.Those with yang deficiency tend to have a cold constitution, poor digestive system and endocrine system: they are prone to symptoms such as weight loss, chills, low blood pressure, neurasthenia, and blood circulation dysfunction.People with yin deficiency tend to have a hot constitution, and there are also people who alternate between hot and cold. The general immune system and endocrine system are not good: they are prone to liver fire, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and endocrine disorders.

Of course, there are certain essentials to maintain yang qi, the first is to maintain true yang according to the season.Throughout the year, yang qi also has its own rules of activity. From winter to spring, yang qi begins to grow. From spring to summer, yang qi is at its peak. This is called yang growing and yin disappearing. Then we should seize the spring In summer, raise the sun well and get more sun.Because our human yang energy is closely connected with the yang energy in the sky, the sun above our heads is the cheapest and most effective way to nourish yang.

Maintaining yang qi also requires us to learn how to eat, how to eat food that maintains yang qi, and how to adjust cold and heat.The specific content will be explained in detail in the chapter on nourishing qi and blood through diet.

Another important aspect of maintaining Yang Qi is to adjust our mentality.Humans have seven emotions: joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock, which correspond to our heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys.The seven emotions are also divided into yin and yang, because joy belongs to yang, and sadness belongs to yin, so if we are happy and happy every day, we will nourish yang invisibly.If we are always pessimistic, depressed, and unhappy, it is tantamount to damaging our own yang energy.Therefore, we must live happily every day and maintain an optimistic attitude, which will give us yang energy from the seven emotions.

Protecting the kidneys, getting more exposure to the sun, and having more fun is the simplest way to defend Yang Qi. It is easy to do, but it is difficult to persist. Everyone must persevere. Don’t fish for three days and spend two days drying the net.

Blood is the "iron rice bowl" that organs cannot live without

[Qi and Blood Health Sutra] People are like iron and rice is steel. If you don't eat a meal, you will feel hungry.The internal organs can't bear the pain of starvation, and the blood is the food for the internal organs. Only when they are full can they work energetically.Therefore, the focus of health preservation is to nourish blood, and blood energy is a good man just now.

"Bloody vigor" is a commonly used idiom, and the explanation in the idiom dictionary is used to describe "young people are full of energy".

The idiom "Fang Gang of Blood Qi" comes from "The Analects of Confucius Ji Shi". Confucius said: "A gentleman has three precepts: when he is young, his blood Qi is not fixed, and the abstinence lies in his sex; , the blood qi is weakened, and the abstinence is obtained." Zhu Xi said in "The Analects of Confucius": "Blood qi, the shape of the body is for the living, and the blood is yin and the qi is yang."This shows that "blood" and "qi" are two parallel substances.

Why should the blood be placed before the breath?What role does blood play in the human body?

Yan Yan is an editor of a certain fashion magazine. Recently, in order to catch up with the manuscript, colleagues responded to the call of the editor-in-chief and did not hesitate to turn on the lights to fight at night. Many colleagues collapsed from exhaustion. Only Yan Yan remained calm and refreshed of.Asked about the secret of her invincibility, Yan Yan was not hesitant to teach her. She said that when she was a child in the countryside, she heard her grandma teach her: people are iron and rice are steel, and blood will flourish only when you are full of food and drink.Yanyan then remembered her grandma's words, no matter how busy or tired she is, or how bad her mood is, she will eat like a princess.

In the end, Yan Yan told everyone: the food is delicious, the blood is prosperous, the organs are strong, and the body is naturally healthy.

After listening to Yan Yan's words, everyone realized that the organs of the body also need to eat, and the organs will "strike" if they are not full.

Chinese medicine believes that the standard of a person's health is sufficient energy and blood.The organs of the human body are just like people. They also have an appetite and need to eat. Only when the stomach is full can they work and work.And the food of viscera is qi and blood.

When the various organs in the body can eat and drink enough every day, they will be full of energy and work well.And when the total blood volume of the human body is not enough, the food for the organs is not enough, and they can't eat enough. Although they are still functioning, they are prone to fatigue, weakness, and resistance decline, and what is often called "sub-health" appears. state.Over time, due to insufficient blood supply to various organs, various diseases will be caused.

When the blood supply to the heart is insufficient, there will be palpitation, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. At this time, if you really want to rest, you will be lazy, there will be short pauses, the heartbeat will become slower and slower, and the heart will start to hurt.This is to remind you that it is hungry or tired, and you ignore it, or you just gave it some vasodilation drugs, but the root cause has not been found.When the ischemic symptoms are further aggravated and the blood vessels cannot be filled, it will cause occlusion, myocardial infarction, and finally endanger life.

Insufficient blood supply to the brain, dizziness and memory loss in mild cases, and shriveled and blocked blood vessels in the distal end due to insufficient blood supply in severe cases, followed by cerebral ischemia and cerebral infarction. Over time, the brain began to become "thin". Brain atrophy and Alzheimer's disease also began to occur.

The blood supply to the liver is insufficient, and its working ability begins to decline. As a "human body chemical factory", before eating a catty of meat, it can be converted into the energy needed by the human body, but now it can only convert 7 taels, and the remaining 3 taels are good for more The form of fat is discarded in the liver, forming fatty liver; or it accumulates in the blood vessels to form plaque.

(End of this chapter)