The Importance of Brain Health in Health Preservation
TCM holds that "the brain is the abode of the soul," a place where essence and spirit concentrate intensely. Vision, hearing, smell, sensation, thinking, memory—all depend on the brain’s function. This underscores the brain’s critical importance as a vital organ and the core of life. Brain health is key to overall wellness. Major methods include:
1. Cultivating Essence to Strengthen the Brain. The brain is the sea of marrow; the kidneys govern essence and generate marrow. When kidney essence is abundant, the marrow sea is full—accumulating essence strengthens the brain. The method of accumulating essence lies in sexual restraint. Ming Dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue said: "Those who cherish health must protect their essence. Abundant essence leads to vigorous qi, strong qi ensures full spirit, full spirit brings physical health, healthy body means fewer illnesses, strong spirit and qi make one stronger with age—all rooted in essence."
2. Strengthening the Brain with Qigong. Practicing qigong correctly fully harnesses the subjective initiative of intention, greatly stimulating the body’s self-regulatory functions for brain and body health. Numerous qigong forms aim to replenish and strengthen the brain. It is best to practice under guidance from a qualified qigong master.
3. Nurturing the Spirit to Protect the Brain. The brain stores spirit. A cheerful spirit protects the brain; tension and unrest harm it. Nurturing the spirit requires moral cultivation. Being broad-minded, calm, desiring little, free from greed and ambition, enjoying life, helping others—benefits brain health. Conversely, narrow-mindedness, constant calculation, emotional volatility, leading to organ and blood imbalance—harms health. Thus, brain health demands attention to this aspect.
4. Nourishing the Brain with Food and Medicines. Analyzing ancient and modern brain-nourishing formulas, most focus on tonifying liver and kidneys, enriching essence and blood (e.g., Cornus officinalis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygonum multiflorum, Lycium barbarum, Cuscuta chinensis, Schisandra chinensis, Eucommia ulmoides, Achyranthes bidentata, Angelica sinensis), strengthening vital energy and activating blood (e.g., Astragalus membranaceus, Ginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza), and clearing turbidity and opening orifices (e.g., Calamus, Polygala, Poria, Alisma). Clinical use must follow syndrome differentiation principles, tailoring formulations appropriately. Additionally, foods like sesame and animal brains can be used for nourishment.
5. Preventing and Protecting the Brain. Clinical reports indicate that Alzheimer’s disease prevalence reaches 10% among those over 65, with a rising trend. Research shows patients’ brain tissue exhibits significantly increased aluminum deposits, often accompanied by iron-deficiency anemia. Prevention includes reducing use of aluminum cookware, especially avoiding long-term storage of acidic, alkaline, or salty foods and dishes in aluminum containers.
6. Hand Exercises for Brain Health. All sports benefit health, but few are direct. Calligraphy, painting, tai chi, however, share the features of hand-brain coordination and full concentration. Hand-brain connection is closest. China’s fitness ball exercise (two small balls constantly rotating in the hand) emphasizes hand-brain coordination, offering excellent brain health benefits.