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In the busy city life, Xiao Li's example may not be uncommon. As a programmer, staying up late has become the norm, eating irregularly, and often feeling physically tired and hot-headed.
During a chance physical examination, the doctor told him that this could be a manifestation of "hot at the top and cold at the bottom", a state of imbalance between yin and yang. Xiao Li's confusion reflects a common health misconception among modern people – many people's lifestyles have reversed the ideal state of the human body, that is, the natural distribution of yin and yang.
The importance of yin and yang balance
Yin and Yang, the core concept of Chinese medicine, has its roots in ancient Chinese philosophy. Simply put, yin and yang represent all the relative, complementary forces in nature and in the human body.
Ideally, the yin and yang of the human body should be balanced, with yin at the top and yang at the bottom, forming a harmonious energy cycle. This is not just a theoretical model, in fact, the balance of yin and yang directly affects our physiological function and health.
The fast-paced nature of modern life, irregular eating habits, and high-pressure work environments often cause this balance to be upset. For example, staying up late for a long time will deplete the body's yin fluid, resulting in yin deficiency and fire, which is manifested as internal heat.
At this time, the person will feel symptoms such as dry mouth, insomnia, and dreams. On the contrary, due to the influence of lifestyle habits, the lower part of the body is often too cold, such as cold abdomen, cold hands and feet. The imbalance of yin and yang can not only cause various discomforts, but can also lead to more serious health problems in the long run.
Common yin and yang imbalances: hot at the top and cold at the bottom
Upper heat and lower cold refer to the appearance of "hot" symptoms such as mouth ulcers, sore throat, red and swollen eyes in the upper part of the human body, while the lower part is manifested as "cold" symptoms such as cold hands and feet, edema of the lower limbs, and diarrhea. This condition is seen in Chinese medicine as a typical manifestation of an imbalance of yin and yang. The reason for this is that many common habits in life can be triggers.
Sitting still for a long time, such as office work, will lead to poor blood circulation in the lower body, and cold and cold cohesion; The upper body is prone to heat accumulation in the eyes and head due to frequent use of electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones.
Unreasonable eating habits, such as excessive intake of spicy and greasy foods, will increase the body's internal heat, while ignoring the intake of vegetables and fruits will reduce the yin fluid in the body, making yin and yang more unbalanced.
Adjustment methods from the perspective of TCM
TCM treatment for yin and yang imbalances focuses on harmonizing the body's internal environment, using a combination of herbs and lifestyle adjustments. In view of the symptoms of upper heat and lower cold, Chinese medicine believes that it is mainly caused by the lack of Zhongqi (mainly referring to the qi of the spleen and stomach) and the weakness of kidney yang. The spleen is the foundation of the day after tomorrow, the source of qi and blood biochemistry, and a strong spleen is healthy;
The kidney is the innate foundation, which contains the essence and generates the essence, and is the main source of yang energy in the human body. In treatment, Buzhong Yiqi decoction is one of the commonly used prescriptions, the main ingredients include ginseng, atractylodes, poria cocos and licorice, these herbs work together to effectively enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, improve the body's vitality and central qi, and thus promote the balance of yin and yang.
When the kidney yang is insufficient, you can use ingredients such as cinnamon and aconite, which are especially suitable for warming and replenishing the kidney yang and improving the cold symptoms of the lower body.
Diet and lifestyle adjustments
Diet plays an extremely important role in regulating the balance of yin and yang. For individuals with a hot upper body and a lower cold individual, the recommended diet is to favor light, rich in negative foods, such as tofu, watermelon, bitter gourd, etc., which can help clear internal heat and increase yin fluid in the body.
The intake of spicy and greasy foods should be reduced, as such foods tend to increase the body's calories and exacerbate the imbalance of yin and yang. Lifestyle adjustments are equally important.
It is recommended to add a moderate amount of physical activities, such as tai chi, yoga, etc., which can help to tone the body and enhance blood circulation, while also reducing psychological stress and promoting mental relaxation. A regular schedule is essential to maintain the normal function of the spleen and stomach, and adequate sleep should be ensured at night to support the repair of the kidneys and the recovery of kidney yang.
As a common Chinese herbal formula, Sijunzi Tang is composed of ginseng, atractylodes, poria cocos and licorice, which can effectively promote the health of the spleen and stomach and increase the balance of yin and yang in the body. This decoction not only improves the body's energy state, but also helps the overall yin and yang to reach a more harmonious state by enhancing the functioning of the digestive system.
epilogue
Yin and Yang balance is an extremely important concept in TCM theory, which is not only related to our physical health, but also affects mental and emotional stability. Through the above methods of adjustment and prevention, everyone can strive to achieve the ideal state of health of "yin on top and yang on bottom".
Every choice in our lives, whether it's diet, rest, or emotional management, affects the balance of yin and yang in our body. Understanding and applying this knowledge will not only help us stay away from disease, but also guide us towards a healthier and more harmonious life.
In this process, we need not only medical guidance, but also our own perseverance and efforts, and finally achieve comprehensive physical and mental health and true happiness in life.