Methods to regulate Yang Qi

Yang Qi is a term in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the functions of warming and nourishing tissues and organs, maintaining physiological functions, solidifying and protecting the body surface, and filling the Qi of the whole body. Due to different dispersion parts, its specific functions and names are also different. The following are the methods I compiled to regulate Yang Qi. I hope it will be helpful to everyone.

Fuyang should be understood as the function of maintaining, enhancing, and regulating Yang Qi. It is a collective name for a series of treatments aimed at correcting the quantitative deficiencies and qualitative (functional) disuse of Yang Qi; it uses a variety of treatments under the guidance of examining syndromes, seeking causes, and treating syndromes based on syndrome differentiation to restore Yang Qi. Method for normal qi transformation function.

Yang Qi is the key to the occurrence and development of edema. If Yang is deficient, the warm Qi will not be able to transform, and water will overflow and become edema. "What is cold is warmed", when Yang Qi is strong, water and dampness are transformed. Therefore, Zhongjing makes good use of the method of warming and supporting the yang energy of the organs to treat edema. This is also the main treatment principle for three-yin diseases and is the key embodiment of Zhongjing's method of supporting yang.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that yin and yang are the foundation of human beings, and the role of yang is particularly important. "Suwen·Qi Qi Tongtian Lun" says: "Yang Qi is like the sky and the sun. If it loses its place, life will be shortened and it will not flourish." "Yang Qi is solid, although there are evil spirits, it can't harm it." Yang Qi is like the red sun. It warms the body like the warm earth. If Yang Qi is strong, the body will be both physically and spiritually. If Yang Qi is depleted, life will be shortened. Therefore, clinical practice should focus on supporting Yang Qi on the basis of syndrome differentiation. "If Yang exists, life will occur; if Yang fails, death will occur."

Zhang Zhongjing has a profound understanding of the pathogenesis, development and outcome of the body's Yang Qi damage. Discussion on the causes of deficiency and loss of Yang Qi: either due to exogenous Yin-cold, Yang Qi is damaged; or the body's Yang is deficient, resulting in internal deficiency and cold; or mistreatment and mistreatment, depletion of Yang Qi. In terms of treatment, Zhongjing mostly uses the method of unblocking and supporting yang qi to assist its function, or warming and supporting yang qi to assist its function. This idea of ​​supporting Yang Qi runs through Zhongjing’s theory.

Among the 398 articles in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", 123 cases were mistreated due to sweating, vomiting, and infertility. Among them, 75 cases were obviously related to yang damage, and Aconite was used for 23 prescriptions (times). The essence of the Six Meridians Syndrome Differentiation System he founded is a set of syndrome differentiation methods that use the deficiency, excess, and decline of Yang Qi to determine the transmission, development and prognosis of the Six Meridians. Therefore, some scholars believe that the syndrome differentiation of the Six Meridians can be regarded as a complete set of syndrome differentiation theories for protecting Yang Qi. Here, the author only discusses and analyzes Zhongjing’s use of Fuyang method to differentiate and treat edema.

The relationship between Yang Qi and edema disease

Zhongjing said that edema is water vapor, and set up a special chapter on water vapor disease in "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber". "A patient with edema has silkworms lying under his eyes, a fresh face, and a weak pulse", "the limbs, head and face are swollen and will not heal for a long time", etc. describe the symptoms of edema. Moreover, water-qi disease can be divided into Feng Shui, Pi Shui, Zheng Shui, Shi Water, and Yellow Sweat, as well as water from the five internal organs. At the same time, according to the relationship between water, Qi, and blood, it can also be divided into Qi, water, and blood. .

"Suwen: Different Treatise on Meridians" says: "Drinking into the stomach, overflowing essence and Qi, upwards to the spleen, spleen and dissipation of essence, upwards to the lungs, unblocking water channels, downwards to the bladder. Water Essence The Four Cloths and Five Classics run in parallel. "Zhongjing Fa Chong's "Nei Jing" believes that water does not move on its own, but depends on Qi. Edema is a pathological manifestation of abnormal gasification and water metabolism in the whole body. The pathogenesis of edema is dysfunction of the lungs, failure of the spleen to transfer and transport, failure of the kidneys to open and close, poor transfer and transport of the triple energizer, insufficiency of gasification in the bladder, and water and dampness retention and overflowing throughout the body.

Just as "Jingyue Quanshu·Swelling" points out: "All symptoms such as edema are related diseases of the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Covering water is a yin evil, so it originates in the kidneys and is hydrated. It is related to Qi, so it is located in the lungs. Water is only afraid of earth, so it is controlled by the spleen. If the lungs are deficient, the Qi will not transform into essence but will turn into water. If the spleen is deficient, the earth will not control water and will instead suppress it. If the kidneys are deficient, the water will have no control and act recklessly. . ”

The key to the qi transformation of water-liquid metabolism lies in Yang Qi. Yan Yonghe of the Song Dynasty believed: "Edema is a disease, all caused by the lack of true Yang." If the Yang Qi is weak, the Qi transformation will be weak, causing the water to be unable to metabolize and circulate normally, and will remain outside the meridians and overflow the skin. Cause edema. Water is a yin evil that needs to be transformed into yang, so it is treated with warm medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine attaches great importance to the function of kidney yang and has formed a relatively systematic syndrome differentiation and treatment system for edema characterized by supporting yang. In "Jing Ji Tu Hua", the word "fu" is explained as "protect, help, and govern". Fu Yang should be understood as having the meaning of maintaining, maintaining, supporting, managing and regulating Yang Qi. Therefore, Fuyang should be understood as the function of maintaining, enhancing, and regulating Yang Qi. It is a collective name for a series of treatments that are used to correct the quantitative deficiency and qualitative (functional) deficiency of Yang Qi; it is the use of a variety of treatments under the guidance of examining syndromes, seeking causes, and treating syndromes based on syndrome differentiation to restore Yang Qi. Method for normal qi transformation function.

Zhongjing used the Yang-supporting method to treat edema and open up the Yang-qi to help its function.

This method mainly targets the blockage of external evils, the combination of Qi and blood, and the obstruction of Qi movement. The treatment method is for Yang Qi to be suppressed and functions to be limited. "Suwen·Yin and Yang Yingxiang Dalun": "Yin flavor comes out of the lower orifices, and yang energy comes out of the upper orifices", "Yang is outside, and yin is the messenger." When yang energy reaches the outside of the body, the body and mind will be harmonious. If the body is solid outside, it will defend against evil spirits. Whether Yang Qi reaches the surface of the muscles or converges inside depends on the changes in Qi mechanisms. Only when the body moves up and down normally and Yang Qi is transported to all directions, can it perform various functions such as warming, pushing, gasification, defense, and fixation. "Su Wen·Liu Wei Zhi Da Lun" says: "If the incoming and outgoing are eliminated, the divine mechanism will be destroyed; if the breath is raised or lowered, the Qi will be isolated and in danger." Once the Qi and blood are stagnant, the camp and the body will not be adjusted, the Qi mechanism will lose control, and the flow will be blocked. , Yang Qi is suppressed, and diseases will occur. Under the guidance of this theory, the author summarizes Zhongjing's treatment method as follows.

Method of dispersing water to relieve yang and eliminate evil

This type of method is caused by Yang Qi being restrained by external evils. The Yang Qi is supported to induce sweating to eliminate evil, disperse water and reduce swelling, and relieve stagnation by clearing away the stagnation. The Yang Qi makes the Wei Yang flow through, making it powerful to resist evil, in order to rectify and eliminate evil. "Jingui Yaolue: Combined Treatment of Water-Qi Diseases and Pulse Syndrome" says: "Those who have water will have swelling above the waist and will be cured by sweating." "Water, sweating will be enough. If the pulse is heavy, it is appropriate to use Ephedra and Fuzi Decoction; "Xingzi Decoction" is suitable for patients who suffer from incompatibility between the Ying and Wei, external evils attack the surface, the lungs are not properly regulated, and the joints are not properly treated, causing water to overflow the skin and the whole body to become swollen. It unblocks and supports yang qi, and relieves the lungs and disperses water.

“Aversion to wind, swollen body all over, floating pulse, no thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, no severe fever.” Use Yue Mai Tang to relieve yang qi and disperse water to clear away heat. For example, if Feng Shui has superficial deficiency, and the syndrome is "floating pulse, heavy body, sweating and bad wind", Fangji Huangqi Decoction can treat this. This is caused by Feng Shui superficial deficiency and weak interstitial management, so Fangji Huangqi Decoction can be used to replenish qi and solidify the exterior. , diuresis and dehumidification. If the skin water shows "thrilling movements of the limbs", it means that the water and gas are competing with each other, which is caused by the deficiency of spleen and lung qi, the water-dampness in the interior, and the suppression of yang qi. To prevent Ji Fuling Decoction from opening up yang and transforming qi, it can be treated by dividing the exterior and interior.

The method of clearing yang and removing blood stasis and moving water

Physiologically, water and blood belong to the same yin, and they rely on each other to move and grow in each other. Under pathological conditions, water disease can cause blood stasis, and blood stasis can cause edema. If edema lasts for a long time, water and dampness will stop gathering. Firstly, long-term illness will enter the collaterals, resulting in unfavorable Qi movement and poor blood flow, resulting in blood stasis; secondly, the Yang Qi of the internal organs will be damaged, and the blood will lose its warmth and flow and become stagnant. On the contrary, "if the pulse is blocked, the blood will not flow" and "if the blood is unfavorable, there will be water". Blood stasis and blockage can aggravate edema. Blood stasis blocks the lungs, unable to regulate water channels, and water accumulates in the upper burner, causing swelling. Blood stasis blocks the kidneys, causing loss of warmth, imbalance of qi, and accumulation of water and dampness, resulting in swelling.

When Zhongjing discussed the sequence of edema and blood stasis, he said that "blood division" refers to the mutual accumulation of water and blood stasis, which is deep and difficult to pass through, so it is difficult to treat; "qi division" refers to the blockage of qi by water and fluid. Tao is shallow and easy to travel, so it is easy to treat. Its treatment is to unblock yang and remove blood stasis, promote water and reduce swelling, and Danggui and Shaoyao Powder is often used in clinical practice. If blood stasis and water accumulate in the bladder, Taohe Chengqi Decoction should be used to unblock yang and remove blood stasis.

The method of dredging Yang and improving water flow

Qi can push water and liquid to move, "Qi moves and water moves as well." The transportation of water into sweat, urine, etc. and then excreted from the body all depends on the rise and fall of Qi. "Reading Medical Essays: Theory of Lifting and Exiting" says: "Without lifting, there is no lifting, and without lifting, there is no lifting. Lifting, descending, and exit are the hubs of each other." The coordination and balance of the lifting and exiting of qi is important to ensure the normal progress of life. link.

Only the dispersion and transfer of spleen qi, the regulation of water channels of lung qi, the dispersion of liver qi, the transpiration and gasification of essence qi in the kidneys, and the tonifying and promoting of triple energizer can the water be mixed. When the movement of Qi up and down is normal, the process of body fluid transmission and excretion can be smooth. On the contrary, there will be metabolic disorders, which will lead to water flooding. According to Article 96 of "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", if there is "palpitations in the heart and difficulty in urination", Zhongjing said that this is caused by poor qi movement, abnormality of the triple energizer, and internal cessation of water drinking. Therefore, Xiaochaihu Decoction should be used to clear the yang and relieve the phlegm. Scutellaria baicalensis is used to prevent the disadvantages of condensation in cold drinks, and Poria cocos is added to dilute the water.

Warming and supporting Yang Qi to help it function

This method is mainly aimed at the treatment of deficiency of Yang Qi in the organs and insufficient warming Qi. "Suwen·Yin and Yang Should Be Symmetrical Theory": "Yang deficiency leads to Yin excess" and "Yang deficiency leads to coldness". "Su Wen Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun" says: "All diseases are clear and cold, and all belong to cold." Yang Qi is the key to the occurrence and development of edema. If Yang is deficient, the warm Qi will not be able to transform, and the water will be cold. Overflow of fluid is swelling. "What is cold is warmed", Yang Qi is strong and water and dampness are transformed.

Therefore, Zhongjing makes good use of the method of warming and supporting the yang energy of the organs to treat edema. This is also the main treatment principle for three-yin diseases and is the key embodiment of Zhongjing's method of supporting yang.

The method of warming the lungs and diluting water

The lungs are the source of water. The lungs regulate the water channels by spreading, purifying and descending, and play a role in clearing and regulating the transmission, circulation and excretion of water in the body. Regulatory function to maintain the body's water-fluid metabolic balance. If the lungs are deficient and cold, unable to express or purge, or are incapable of purifying and descending, it can cause the lungs to malfunction in regulating water passages, leading to obstacles in the transport of water and fluids, which cannot be discharged from the body in time, causing accumulation of water and dampness, and the overflow of the skin is edema. Zhongjing followed the principle of "what is above, so overcome it" and adopted the method of warming the lungs, dispersing cold, diluting water and reducing swelling.

Article 40 of "Treatise on Febrile Diseases": "For those with unresolved typhoid fever, water vapor in the heart... or difficulty in urinating, fullness in the lower abdomen, or asthma, Xiaoqinglong Decoction is the main treatment." It is pungent and warm. Ephedra warms and releases lung qi, induces sweating and promotes diuresis; cinnamon twig warms yang and transforms into drink; dried ginger warms the internal fluid and transforms water, lowers indigestion and harmonizes the stomach; peony and cinnamon twig harmonize the body and mind, and Schisandra chinensis astringes the lungs and protects health, and licorice harmonizes and warms the blood. It can relieve lung qi and transform drinking water into water. If the exterior is cold and the interior is deficient, use Mahuang Fuzi Decoction to warm the yang and dispel the cold, clear the lungs and diuresis.

Method of warming the spleen and diluting water

"Suwen Zhizhenyao Dalun" states: "All dampness, swelling and fullness belong to the spleen." This shows the importance of the spleen in edema. The spleen is the middle state of water. It is responsible for transporting water and dampness. It is an internal organ of Taiyin dampness and earth. It likes dryness and hates dampness. If the sun typhoid causes colds and the method of vomiting is misused, it will damage the spleen yang, or it will also affect the heart yang. Fire will not generate earth. , causing spleen yang to become more deficient, water-dampness does not change, water-qi rushes up, and the heart is full, the qi rushes up to the chest, dizziness occurs, and the pulse is heavy and tight. "Medical Classics Yu Lun" says: "The spleen is the soil of the body, and its body is always wet, so it uses yang. For example, the wet soil is a place where the sun does not shine, and it cannot produce all living things." The treatment is to warm the yang and strengthen the spleen, and to diuretic and eliminate water. For evil, give Linggui Shugan Decoction. And if you "stop drinking, palpitation, sweating, no thirst, difficulty in urination", use Poria cocos and licorice decoction to warm the middle and dissolve the drink, which can relieve yang and diuresis.

Method of warming the kidneys and diluting water

The kidney is a water organ and is an important organ for regulating hydrolysis and metabolism. The movement of water depends on the promotion of Yang Qi, and Kidney Yang is the source of Yang Qi throughout the body. Fundamentally, the movement of water is closely related to the rise and fall of kidney yang. Kidney qi opens from yang and combines from yin. Water is the ultimate yin. If yin is strong, yang will be weak. If kidney yang is weak and the door is closed unfavorably, water and dampness will stop gathering, and overflow will cause swelling. The pathogenesis of edema focuses on the spleen, lungs, and kidneys, but the key lies in the kidneys.

Article 316 of "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" "Shaoyin disease...difficulty urinating, heavy and painful limbs, and lower back pain". This is caused by long-term deficiency of Shaoyin and kidney yang, severe yang deficiency, coldness, and water vapor. If it does not change, it will fight with the yin and cold energy and overflow the whole body, causing illness. Therefore, Zhongjing summarized its pathogenesis by saying "this means there is water qi", and used Zhenwu Decoction to warm the kidney yang and promote water qi. Pao Fuzi is pungent and hot, nourishes the fire of Mingmen and warms the kidneys and helps yang. Poria cocos and Atractylodes exfoliate and diuretic, nourishing the soil and treating water. Ginger warms the body and transforms into drinks. Peony peony helps urinate and remove moisture. If the kidney qi is insufficient, Shenqi pills can be given to warm the kidneys and transform qi, so that qi turns into water and flows.

The method of warming the bladder and diluting water

"Suwen·Linglan Secret Code": "The bladder is the official of the state capital. The body fluid is stored in it, and it can be released when it is qi-transformed." It governs the transformation of qi, interacts with the kidneys externally and internally, and helps the kidneys to transpire water vapor. If the sun is diseased and the external evils are not resolved, they enter the fu organs along the meridians, and the yang qi in the bladder is blocked and the qi transformation is unfavorable, resulting in water accumulation in the lower burner, resulting in the syndrome of water accumulation in the sun. Some scholars have summarized a number of main symptoms based on the relevant articles of "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", including thirst, quenching thirst, polydipsia, thirst for water, difficulty in urinating or less urination, pain in the lower abdomen, palpitations, and thirst for water. Vomiting upon entry, floating or rapid pulse, slight fever in the body, etc. are all symptoms of external symptoms and internal water accumulation. If the Qi transformation is lost, the bladder will not be excreted smoothly and may even become closed. Therefore, Zhongjingzhi uses the method of invigorating the Qi transformation of the bladder to diuretic, and also to relieve external pathogens and dispel evil. Wuling Powder is used to unblock the Yang, transform Qi and diuretic.

In short, edema can occur alone or in combination with other diseases. Zhongjing attaches great importance to the warming and gasification effect of Yang Qi, and believes that the rise and fall of Yang Qi is the key to the pathogenesis, development, and prognosis of edema. In clinical treatment, the method of supporting yang should be used. If the yang is suppressed, it can be helped to unblock it. If the yang is deficient, it can be warmed and energized. Corresponding treatment methods should be adopted according to the nature of the disease and the different organs. If yang deficiency is accompanied by water-drinking dampness, simple warming and tonic are often difficult to achieve, then it should be combined with the method of diluting water and promoting yang, which combines dredging and tonic; if yang deficiency is accompanied by stasis and stasis, then it should be combined with the method of removing blood stasis and promoting yang; if the treatment is incorrect, Treatment, when Yang Qi is declining, treatment should focus on first aid to restore Yang, and clinical symptoms should be applied flexibly.

Extended reading:

What are the symptoms of insufficient Yang Qi in the body

1. Will be afraid of cold

This is the comparison of insufficient Yang Qi This is a common symptom. If the yang energy in our body is insufficient, our ability to adapt to changes in the external environment will be weakened, especially during the seasonal changes, which will become more obvious.

2. Mental deterioration

If a person’s mental state is very good, it means that the person’s yang energy is relatively sufficient, but the mental state seems to be poor, then It means that there is insufficient yang energy in the body, which leads to symptoms of laziness and poor mental state.

3. Digestive ability becomes worse.

Insufficient yang energy will also affect the digestive system of our body!

How to improve the insufficient yang energy in the body?

1. Exercise conditioning

Proper exercise can effectively help us replenish our yang energy and regulate the balance of yin and yang in our bodies! If the Yang Qi in the body is sufficient, then the resistance will naturally improve. Therefore, the best way for people who are afraid of cold is to do more exercise.

2. Sleep conditioning

People who often don’t get enough sleep seem to be very lethargic. This is caused by insufficient yang energy in the body, and sleep is also a way to replenish yang energy. A good way to get angry.

3. Mental conditioning

Insufficient yang energy will also affect your mood, especially if you are in a state of depression for a long time, it will only make your yang energy worse. Insufficient, so at this time you have to adjust your own emotions appropriately to reduce the lack of yang energy!

4. Dietary conditioning

If you have insufficient yang energy, you should always eat more yang-tonifying ingredients, such as dog meat, yellow beef, dried shrimps, clams, black sesame seeds, leeks, mustard greens, and walnuts. Foods that nourish yang such as benevolence and benevolence.

Dietary recommendation: Bu Yang Mutton Soup

Ingredients to prepare: cinnamon, epimedium, and astragalus. Just prepare enough for 3-5 people.

The best and fastest way to improve yang energy is to exercise more

Physical exercise is very important, because "kinetic energy generates yang". Walking, jogging, doing exercises, flying kites, playing ball, etc. are all acceptable. It is necessary to increase outdoor activities and see more sunlight, so that the body is in direct contact with nature, and the Yang Qi is mobilized to travel through the muscles and perform the function of protecting the body, especially to increase the ability to resist cold. Among people with yang deficiency, there are significantly more women than men. This is related to the lifestyle habits of men who generally like to exercise more than women. If it is insufficient, you can take dietary supplements

For people with yang deficiency, dietary supplements are the main method and the fastest-acting method. Foods that can replenish yang include leeks, longan, mutton, dog meat, walnut kernels, dried ginger, pepper, etc. In summer, most people will eat less or not eat these foods for fear of getting angry. For those with yang deficiency, eating these foods appropriately will be of great help to the cold physique. Pay attention to keeping warm

People with Yang deficiency should pay attention to keeping their joints, waist and abdomen, neck and back, and feet warm even in summer. Women should try not to wear bare shoulders, knees, navel, or waist in air-conditioned rooms. clothes. Unless the weather is extremely hot and seriously affects sleep and rest, air conditioning is generally used sparingly or not. In addition, for those with yang deficiency, when the four seasons change, it is appropriate to cover up in spring, but not to freeze in autumn. Can be supplemented by medicine

When the yang energy is relatively weak but does not reach the disease index, you can take some traditional Chinese medicine for health care. For example, Aizhiren, locust, Eucommia ulmoides, cinnamon, Rehmannia glutinosa, ginseng, astragalus, etc. Patients who are usually afraid of colds and prone to colds can use Buzhong Yiqi Decoction composed of ginseng, astragalus, angelica, tangerine peel, cohosh, bupleurum, Atractylodes, and Zhigancao as the main prescription. Adding saposhnikovia, dried ginger and other treatments can benefit qi and yang, enhance immune function, and reduce the occurrence of colds.

If you suffer from low back pain and excessive nocturia due to Yang Qi deficiency, you can make soup with locust, eucommia, lean pork and walnuts. It is delicious, can improve your physical condition, and can also cure diseases. However, it should be noted that the yang cannot be replenished too much. Yin and yang balance each other. While replenishing the yang, the yin cannot be harmed at the same time. If you experience symptoms such as dry mouth, internal heat, or sore throat when taking supplements, you should stop taking the yang-tonifying drugs. Don't stay up late

Staying up late is very harmful to Yang Qi.

Because Yang Qi is always mobilized above, outside, on the head, face, and five sense organs, and cannot be hidden, cultivated, or adjusted. When staying up late, basically every activity must mobilize the body's yang energy to work. Therefore, Yang Qi is severely damaged. Usually if you don't go to bed after 12 o'clock in the evening, you will stay up late. Of course, you should not go to bed later than 11pm in winter. Appropriate exposure to the sun

In fact, if you want to replenish the yang energy in the human body, the most direct way is to bask in the sun. Maybe the sun in summer is hotter, which many people are disgusted with, and now it has entered late autumn. Season, the current sunshine is still relatively mild. Some people may think that frequent sun exposure will tan the skin. In fact, proper exposure to the sun has certain benefits for the body, and is conducive to replenishing the yang energy in the body, so I want to supplement it. People with yang energy may wish to go outdoors for more walks at appropriate times. This can also effectively replenish the yang energy in the body and remove moisture from the body.