In the world of TCM, every detail of the human body is like a mysterious signal that conveys the secret of health or disease. Among them, the proverb "fart is the mirror of the spleen, the waist is the mirror of the kidney, and the hypochondria is the mirror of the liver" is like the light of ancient wisdom, illuminating our understanding of the function of the viscera. It reveals the subtle and profound connection between specific parts and the viscera, and also provides us with a unique perspective on health.
"Farts are the mirror of the spleen": the "barometer" of the intestine
In TCM theory, the spleen is the "acquired nature" of the human body, responsible for converting food into nutrients while eliminating waste and unwanted components. This process produces gases, some of which are excreted from the body through exhaust. When a person frequently feels the need to pass gas and feels relaxed after passing gas, but not doing so leads to discomfort such as abdominal distension and bowel sounds, it may indicate a problem with the spleen's motor function.
Abnormalities in spleen movement are often closely related to emotional factors, such as liver and spleen disharmony. In this condition, people may experience symptoms such as bloating, difficulty passing gas, unformed stools, irregular frequency of bowel movements, etc. More concerningly, the smell of exhaust may also be a "weather vane" for health. If the gas smells fishy or rotten eggs, it may be related to bleeding in the digestive tract, infection, or a high-protein diet. Like a mirror, the frequency, smell and accompanying symptoms of farts are silently reflecting the health of the spleen.
"Waist as the mirror of the kidneys": the "health signal light" of the kidneys
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the waist is where the kidneys are located, which is known as the "house of the kidneys", and the state of the waist directly reflects the health of the kidneys. When the kidneys are full of energy, the waist will feel strong and powerful; However, if the kidneys are deficient, the waist will lose nourishment, and symptoms such as soreness in the waist and knees, low back pain, and cold back will appear. Kidney deficiency can also lead to premature aging, such as early gray hair, loose teeth, tinnitus and memory loss.
The discomfort in the lower back is like a "distress signal" from the kidneys, reminding us to pay attention to the profit and loss of kidney essence. Just like the root system of a tree, the abundance of kidney essence directly affects the health of the whole body. The soreness and pain in the lower back is not only a local discomfort, but also a direct reflection of the health of the kidneys.
"Liver Mirror": The "Emotional Display" of Liver Qi
In traditional Chinese medicine, the area that extends from the armpit to the base of the ribs is called the flank rib, which is the main path of the liver meridian and also reflects the state of the liver qi. The discomfort in the flank area is often related to the poor flow of liver qi. The left flank corresponds to the ascending path of the liver qi, while the right flank rib is the necessary place for the descending of the lung qi. The poor liver qi will not only lead to digestive disorders in the spleen and stomach, but also affect the transmission and decline of lung qi, thus causing uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, dull pain, and burning pain in the flank area.
The discomfort of the flank is like an emotional "display" of liver qi, and when the liver qi is stagnant or not smooth, there will be obvious discomfort in the flank. This discomfort is not only a physical pain, but also a direct manifestation of emotional stress on the body. Just like the blockage of a river, the sluggishness of Liver Qi can trigger a series of chain reactions that affect the healthy balance of the entire body.
How to nourish the spleen, kidneys and liver? Modern Revelations of the Wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine
1. Nourish the spleen: Start with diet and lifestyle habits
The spleen is closely related to the heart, liver, stomach and kidneys, and once the spleen is deficient or damaged, it may lead to digestive problems such as bloating and diarrhea. For people with a weak spleen and stomach, eating habits are crucial. Irritating foods such as coffee, chili peppers, liquor, cold drinks, ice cream, and watermelon should be avoided. At the same time, regulating the spleen and stomach requires developing healthy lifestyle habits, including maintaining a balanced diet, regular meals, and adequate sleep. If spleen deficiency causes obvious uncomfortable symptoms, it is recommended to seek the help of a professional TCM practitioner and use acupuncture, massage, Chinese medicine prescriptions and other methods for conditioning.
2. Nourish the kidneys: distinguish yin and yang, and regulate them accurately
In traditional Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered to be the root of life and are responsible for growth, development and reproduction. Insufficient kidney sperm may lead to problems such as low back pain, frequent urination, urgency, and sexual dysfunction. Before nourishing the kidneys, it is necessary to distinguish yin and yang before starting to avoid inappropriate supplements. Kidney Yang deficiency is mainly due to fear of "cold", and its typical symptoms include frequent urination, pale or dark complexion, waist and knee pain, lack of energy, cold hands and feet, cold and wind, etc. The treatment of kidney yang deficiency usually uses hot traditional Chinese medicines, such as cinnamon and deer antler velvet, which have the effect of warming and replenishing kidney yang. Kidney yin deficiency is mainly caused by fear of "heat", and its typical symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats, and may also be accompanied by a burning sensation in the hands and feet. For kidney yin deficiency, Chinese medicine often uses a tonic method to treat it, usually using rehmannia drugs, such as Liuwei Dihuang pills, which are specifically used to nourish kidney yin.
3. Nourish the liver: Start with diet and lifestyle
The liver is the body's largest detoxification organ, and for the sake of our health, we are under tremendous "work pressure" every day. If not taken care of, fatty liver can develop at mild level, and may lead to hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. To nourish the liver, we should start with diet, first avoid alcohol, don't think that moderate amounts are fine, studies have shown that even if you only drink a drop of alcohol, the damage to the body is irreversible. Secondly, it is necessary to eat less high-fat and high-cholesterol foods to avoid increasing the burden on the liver and leading to an increased risk of fatty liver. Processed meats, cooked foods, sausages, etc., contain nitrites and other chemicals, which may increase the risk of liver cancer, and it is not recommended to eat more. In short, to maintain liver health, you should reduce or avoid foods that hurt the liver, adopt a balanced diet, maintain a moderate weight, avoid alcohol, and have regular physical examinations to ensure that the liver maintains normal function.
Don't be misled: these 4 "good habits" may not be healthy
1. Eat and drink hot: the "invisible damage" of high temperatures
The mucous membranes of the mouth and esophagus are relatively fragile and susceptible to injury. Frequent mucosal cell repair processes have the potential to increase the risk of cancer. For the oral and esophageal mucosa, the optimal food temperature is usually between 10-40°C, while food above 50°C may cause a risk of burns. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has long classified high-temperature beverages above 65°C as a Group 2A carcinogen. Just like applying piping hot water to the skin, the damage to the mucous membranes caused by high temperatures is obvious.
2. Drink fruit juice for vitamin C: the "sweet trap" of sugar
Fruit juices do contain vitamin C, but they also contain a lot of sugar. Frequent consumption of high-sugar fruit juices may lead to weight gain, blood sugar fluctuations, dental problems, and even an increased risk of fatty liver disease. The best way to do this is to eat plenty of fresh fruit to get your natural vitamin C and dietary fiber. Just like looking for nutrients in sugar water, the high sugar content of fruit juice may belie its health value.
3. Losing weight by not eating staple foods: the "price" of unbalanced nutrition
While reducing your intake of staple foods may lead to short-term weight loss, it is not a healthy way to lose weight. Skipping staple foods for a long time may lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the body and affect the normal function of the body. Just like searching for water in the desert, skipping staple foods can plunge your body into a nutritional "drought".
4. The sooner you exercise, the better: the "timing pitfall" of morning exercise
Wang Lingshu, director of the rehabilitation department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that morning exercise is not always better. In the morning, when the sun has not yet risen, the dust in the air is usually at the level of a person's breathing. It is only after the sun rises that the dust in the air gradually settles to the ground as the temperature rises. Therefore, it may be more beneficial to wait until the sun rises and the temperature rises to exercise and breathe fresh air. Like running in a fog, a premature morning workout may cause your body to inhale more dust and pollutants.
Healthy living starts with the details
The wisdom of Chinese medicine tells us that every detail of the human body can be a "signal light" for health. By observing the changes in the "fart", "waist" and "flank", we can better understand the function of our internal organs. At the same time, to nourish the spleen, kidneys, and liver, you also need to start with your daily diet and living habits to avoid being misled by some seemingly healthy "good habits". Only in this way can we truly take care of our health and make every part of our body vibrant.