Staying up late doesn't affect young people, but leaves older people feeling drained? This is actually due to insufficient Yang Qi!
Staying up late doesn't affect young people, but leaves older people feeling drained? This is actually due to insufficient Yang Qi!Have you experienced this change: effortlessly staying up late in your youth with abundant energy, but now feeling exhausted from even slight exertion? Many people have similar questions: "Doctor, why am I feeling increasingly weak? I could handle a busy workload before, but now I catch a cold from the air conditioning, and even minor exertion causes back pain. What's wrong?" Don't worry, you're not alone! This is likely caused by "insufficient Yang Qi
Staying up late doesn't affect young people, but leaves older people feeling drained? This is actually due to insufficient Yang Qi!
Have you experienced this change: effortlessly staying up late in your youth with abundant energy, but now feeling exhausted from even slight exertion? Many people have similar questions: "Doctor, why am I feeling increasingly weak? I could handle a busy workload before, but now I catch a cold from the air conditioning, and even minor exertion causes back pain. What's wrong?" Don't worry, you're not alone! This is likely caused by "insufficient Yang Qi." This article will delve into the significant importance of Yang Qi to the human body and introduce four classic methods to replenish Yang Qi, helping you restore Yang Qi circulation and boost your immunity. This article is based on authoritative medical information and personal opinions, and is exclusively premiered on Toutiao for 72 hours. References and screenshots are included at the end. For easier reading, some plot elements are fictionalized, aiming to popularize health knowledge. Please consult a doctor offline if you experience any discomfort.
I. What Exactly is Insufficient Yang Qi?
Yang Qi, simply put, is your body's internal "little sun" that gives you vitality. It is responsible for warming the body, promoting blood circulation, and strengthening the immune system. Imagine someone with sufficient Yang Qi as a vibrant sun, full of energy; while someone with insufficient Yang Qi is like a cold house in winter, damp and chilly, prone to various problems.
II. Common Manifestations of Insufficient Yang Qi
You likely don't need to search Baidu to determine if you have insufficient Yang Qi. Here are some common symptoms:
1. Cold Hands and Feet: Cold feet in sandals during summer, and still feeling freezing even with two pairs of socks in winter? This is a typical manifestation of insufficient Yang Qi.
2. Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling exhausted even after 8 hours of sleep, like you're stuck to the bed? This suggests insufficient Yang Qi, hindering your ability to fully "recharge."
3. Prone to Illness: Catching colds every seasonal change, experiencing stomach aches after eating cold food, and significantly decreased immunity? This indicates your body lacks the ability to fight off diseases, and insufficient Yang Qi is the culprit.
4. Fear of Cold and Wind: Shivering in an air-conditioned room, even when dressed warmer than others? This is also a typical symptom of insufficient Yang Qi.
Someone might ask, "Doctor, is this related to age?" The answer is yes! As we age, Yang Qi is more easily lost, which is closely related to poor lifestyle habits such as staying up late, prolonged sitting, and irregular diet. Scientific research shows that after the age of 40, the body's metabolism gradually declines, and the "Yang Qi power plant"the kidneysalso begins to weaken. If Yang Qi is not replenished in time, the body is easily "powerless"!
III. The Importance of Replenishing Yang Qi: The Body's "Superhero"
If the human body is likened to a city, Yang Qi is the city's "heating center." It not only maintains body temperature but also provides "emergency rescue" during critical moments. For example, when you catch a cold, Yang Qi immediately activates "battle mode" to expel the cold pathogen. However, with insufficient Yang Qi, the cold pathogen will "set up camp" in the body, leading to aggravated symptoms and prolonged duration.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an old saying: "With Yang Qi within, a hundred diseases cannot invade." This is not mysticism but a reflection of science! People with sufficient Yang Qi naturally have strong immunity. Modern medical research has also found that people with Yang deficiency are more susceptible to colds, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases. People with sufficient Yang Qi not only have strong resistance to cold and disease but also have better mental states. Therefore, the older you get, the more important it is to replenish Yang Qi!
Replenishing Yang Qi does not mean blindly taking so-called "aphrodisiacs," but rather through scientific methods to reignite the body's "little sun."
IV. Four Simple and Effective Methods to Replenish Yang Qi
Replenishing Yang Qi is not mysterious and doesn't require expensive supplements. The following four methods are simple, easy to implement, and highly effective:
1. Dietary Therapy: Starting with "Internal Heat"
TCM believes that "for Yang deficiency, warm tonification is the priority." This means eating more warm foods, such as:
- Ginger: Ginger is a popular choice for replenishing Yang Qi. Boil it in water or soup, especially in the early stages of a cold, a bowl of ginger soup can effectively dispel cold.
- Mutton: Drinking mutton soup in winter is a traditional way to replenish Yang Qi, warming the stomach and enhancing cold resistance.
- Walnuts: Walnuts not only nourish the brain but also nourish the kidneys and aid Yang Qi. Consuming two or three daily is both healthy and delicious.
It's important to note that replenishing Yang Qi is a gradual process and should not be rushed. Don't expect to significantly increase Yang Qi by eating a large amount of mutton in one sitting.
2. Regulating Daily Life: Adjusting Your Routine to Save Yang Qi
For many people, insufficient Yang Qi stems from staying up late and prolonged sitting. Yang Qi most fears "staying up late." 11 PM to 1 AM is the golden time for liver and gallbladder repair, but you're busy scrolling through your phone or playing games? This directly leads to the loss of Yang Qi!
Here are some suggestions:
- Early to Bed, Early to Rise: Go to bed before 10 PM every day to allow sufficient time for Yang Qi to "recharge."
- More Exercise: Prolonged sitting slows down blood circulation, like clogging the flow of Yang Qi. A 30-minute walk daily is simple and effective.
- Moxibustion + Foot Soaking: Moxibustion is an effective TCM method for replenishing Yang Qi, especially suitable for those with cold hands and feet and lumbar and knee soreness. Soaking your feet before bed, with added mugwort, is both warming and sleep-inducing.
3. Emotional Management: Igniting the "Heart Fire"
Replenishing Yang Qi is not only related to the body but also closely related to mental health. TCM believes that "joy hurts the heart," and long-term anxiety and depression accelerate the loss of Yang Qi. Therefore, learning to regulate emotions is crucial:
- Less Anger: Anger consumes a lot of Yang Qi. When encountering upsetting things, take deep breaths or exercise to release negative emotions.
- More Happiness: Laughter is the best medicine. Studies have shown that laughter promotes the activity of immune cells, indirectly boosting Yang Qi.
4. TCM Treatment: Four Classic Herbs, Good Helpers for Replenishing Yang Qi
TCM has many classic prescriptions for replenishing Yang Qi, such as Sishen Tang and Jinkui Shenqi Wan. The following four herbs are particularly classic:
- Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Fuzi): Can "restore Yang Qi and rescue the dying," especially suitable for people invaded by cold pathogens.
- Cinnamomum cassia (Rougui): Warms the middle energizer and replenishes Yang Qi, especially suitable for women with Yang deficiency.
- Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi): Replenishes Qi and elevates Yang Qi, an "expert" in enhancing immunity.
- Eucommia ulmoides (Du Zhong): Replenishes kidney Yang Qi and strengthens muscles and bones, suitable for people with lumbar and knee soreness.
However, it should be noted that taking TCM medication must be under the guidance of a professional doctor. Do not self-medicate.
V. Conclusion: Replenishing Yang Qi is a Long-Term Battle, Gradual Progress is Most Important!
You might ask, "Doctor, is it still possible to replenish Yang Qi now?" The answer is yes! Although insufficient Yang Qi is a chronic problem, you can completely regain vitality through dietary therapy, exercise, and conditioning. Remember, replenishing Yang Qi is not a matter of overnight but a long-term habit-building process. The older you are, the more you should cherish yourself, and don't wait until your body sends a warning before regretting it!
References:
- Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Press
- The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon
- World Health Organization (WHO): Research on healthy lifestyles
- The Lancet: The relationship between Yang deficiency constitution and immunity
(Insert screenshots of references here)
Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])