Lower blood pressure

Author: Wang Qisheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal medicine and health preservation has a long history and profound roots. It is guided by TCM theory and based on traditional Chinese dietary therapy and health preservation methods. Through the practice of health preservation by practitioners and the general laboring people over generations, it has continuously been enriched and developed, gradually forming a relatively complete set of theories and methods. Especially in the aspect of syndrome differentiation and dietary prescription, it highlights the characteristics of herbal medicine health preservation, using dietary methods to correct the imbalances of zang-fu organ functions, restore their normalcy, enhance the body's immune function and resistance, making it a health-preserving diet advocated today that is both ancient and suitable for modern society. As early as the ancient times, humans began to accumulate knowledge on the use of herbal medicine for health preservation. The term "health preservation" first appeared in the Zhuangzi (Master Zhuang). The word "" (yǎng) means to maintain, nourish, cultivate, and care for. Herbal medicine health preservation is based on the laws of life development, employing various dietary health preservation methods to maintain the body, enhance physical fitness, prevent diseases, and promote health, thereby achieving the goals of delaying aging and prolonging life. Herbal medicine health preservation is one of the most focused cutting-edge topics in the world today, and the long-standing and highly effective TCM herbal medicine health preservation has become a treasure trove that people widely admire and place great hope in. To explore this treasure trove and absorb its essence is a leap forward in improving people's quality of life and extending human lifespan, holding great significance. The Eastern Han Dynasty medical practitioner Zhang Zhongjing, in his work Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases, proposed the views that maintaining the body should adapt to the changes of the four seasons, the temperature of food and drink, the moderate balance of the five flavors, and the use of food to prevent and treat diseases. He emphasized that "health preservation should prioritize dietary nourishment and regulation." For those with weaker constitutions, dietary health preservation should be given more attention in daily life. This is the TCM herbal medicine health preservation principle of syndrome differentiation and dietary prescription based on individual characteristics. Diseases pose a great threat to human health. The theory of TCM health preservation is to prevent diseases before they occur, as the occurrence of diseases can weaken the body's functions, deplete the body's essence and qi, and even endanger life. Appropriately selecting reasonable medicinal diets can maintain the body's vital qi, enhance the body's disease resistance. Whether one is healthy or not, the normalcy of the zang-fu organs is an indispensable condition for health and longevity. Cultivating the zang-fu organs is a key principle of TCM health preservation. Cultivating the zang-fu organs should prioritize dietary intake. A reasonable diet can provide nutrition to enhance health, prevent diseases, and achieve the goal of longevity. As the saying goes, "The foundation of well-being must rely on food," and "those who do not know the benefits of food cannot preserve life." A reasonable diet can expel pathogens and nourish the zang-fu organs, delight the spirit, and invigorate the mind to enrich qi and blood. The Suwen (Basic Questions) states, "Grains are for nourishment, fruits are for assistance, livestock are for benefit, vegetables are for replenishment. When their flavors are harmonized and taken together, they can enrich essence and qi." Herbal medicine health preservation has a long history, and under the guidance of TCM theory, it studies methods of using food to prevent and recover from diseases. First, food is processed through certain cooking methods to fully utilize its therapeutic and health-preserving effects. Second, appropriate herbs are added through technical processing to deliver therapeutic and health-preserving effects in the form of food, with the characteristic of being effective yet palatable. China has long held the belief that medicinal herbs and food are of the same origin, and it has broad practical significance. To ensure this valuable heritage thrives and flourishes, it is essential to apply modern scientific theories and technologies on the basis of exploration, organization, and inheritance, gradually clarifying the scientific nature of herbal medicine health preservation, and making this branch of TCM—herbal medicine health preservation dietary therapy—more perfect and developed. Looking ahead, this branch of TCM—herbal medicine health preservation dietary therapy—will continue to improve and adapt to the needs of modern life.