Six Viewpoints of TCM Health Preservation and Disease Prevention

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine brings together the health-preserving methods of various pre-Qin philosophers, explores health preservation and longevity from a medical perspective, and creates many health-preserving theories and methods.

View of Nature

"Harmony between man and nature". The human body must conform to the laws of nature in order to maintain normal life activities. “If you go against it, disasters will occur; if you follow it, no illness will arise. This is called obtaining the Tao.” According to the four seasons, we adopt the methods of nourishing health in spring, growing in summer, harvesting in autumn, and storing in winter, as well as nourishing yang in spring and summer, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter. That is, we use the way of nature to nourish nature and achieve the overall unity of man and nature.

Prevention and treatment concept

“A wise man does not treat an illness that has already occurred, but treats one that has not yet occurred; he does not treat a chaos that has already occurred, but treats one that has not yet occurred. To cure an illness after it has developed, to treat a chaos after it has already occurred, is like digging a well while worrying about food and clothing, or casting an awl while fighting; isn’t it too late?” This idea of ​​prevention is to prevent illness before it occurs. “Avoid the six evil spirits externally and avoid mental stimulation and emotional changes internally to prevent illness before it occurs. Be calm and empty, and the true energy will follow. Keep your spirit within, and you will never get sick.” Avoid the six evil spirits externally and avoid mental stimulation and emotional changes internally, so as to prevent illness before it occurs.

Will

"Will is what gathers the soul and spirit, adjusts to cold and heat, and regulates joy and anger." Give full play to the role of human will and combine it with seasonal characteristics to regulate spiritual will. "The three months of spring are called the time of growth and development, so that the mind can grow"; "The three months of summer are called the time of abundance and growth, so that the mind can be calm"; "The three months of autumn are called the time of peace and tranquility, so that the mind can be peaceful"; "The three months of winter are called the time of seclusion and storage, so that the mind can be hidden." In a nutshell, a person's spirit and will should be comfortable in spring, fulfilled in summer, stable in autumn, and hidden in winter, so as to maintain "no strange pain in the body, no loss of all things, inexhaustible vitality, a focused spirit, a not dispersed soul, no regret or anger, and the five internal organs are not affected by evil."

Essence and Qi

"If one's desires are endless and worries are endless, his essence and energy will be weakened and damaged, and the nourishment and dryness will be eliminated. Therefore, his spirit will leave and the disease will not be cured." The rise and fall of essence and energy determines the growth and aging process of the human body and is also the source of the body's resistance to disease. Therefore, to maintain good health one must be careful in sex and concentrate one's energy and mind.

Dynamic and static observation

"Being able to move and be still can lead to longevity." It advocates the cultivation of both body and spirit. According to the four seasons, take care of your body and regulate your mind. In spring, "sleep late and get up early, and walk around the yard"; in summer, "sleep late and get up early, and never get tired of the day"; in autumn, "sleep early and get up early, and wake up with the roosters"; in winter, "sleep early and get up late, and wait until the daylight comes."

Diet therapy

Food is the most important thing for people. Advocate "eating in moderation" to maintain the source of acquired spleen and stomach. Just like “eating too much will damage the spleen and stomach”, damaged spleen and stomach will lead to insufficient metabolism and easily cause all kinds of diseases. At the same time, people are advised to carefully blend the five flavors and avoid partiality. "Poisons attack evil, the five grains are nourishing, the five fruits are assisting, the five animals are beneficial, and the five vegetables are filling. Take them with the right flavors to replenish essence and qi." "Therefore, be careful to harmonize the five flavors, so that the bones are straight and the tendons are soft, the qi and blood flow, and the pores are tight. If you do this, your bones and qi will be refined, and if you follow the right path, you will have a long life."