Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation Concepts ABC
The *Huangdi Neijing* compiles the health wisdom of pre-Qin philosophers, exploring longevity from a medical perspective and establishing numerous theories and methods.
Natural View: "Harmony between Heaven and Humanity." Humans must align with natural laws to maintain normal physiological functions. "Opposing nature brings disasters; following it ensures no illness—this is true Dao." Adapt to seasonal changes: nurture in spring, nourish growth in summer, collect in autumn, store in winter. Follow the principles of nurturing yang in spring and summer, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter—using natural laws to nourish natural life, achieving unity between humans and nature.
Prevention View: "The wise do not treat existing illness but prevent future illness; they do not manage chaos after it arises but prevent it beforehand. Treating illness after it forms, managing chaos after it happens, is like digging a well when thirsty or forging weapons when fighting—too late!" This emphasizes preventive healthcare. "Avoid external pathogens at the right time; live peacefully and calmly, let true qi flow freely; guard your spirit internally—how could illness arise?" Avoid external evils (six exogenous pathogenic factors) and internal emotional disturbances to achieve prevention before illness.
Movement and Stillness View: "Be able to move and still, and you will live long." Advocate holistic cultivation of body and spirit, adapting to seasonal changes. In spring: "go to bed late and rise early, walk widely in the courtyard"; in summer: "go to bed late and rise early, never tire of the sun"; in autumn: "go to bed early and rise early, rise with chickens"; in winter: "go to bed early and rise late, wait for sunlight."
Food Therapy View: "Food is paramount for the people." Advocate "eating in moderation" to preserve the postnatal source—the spleen and stomach. As stated: "Overeating harms the spleen and stomach." Damage to the spleen and stomach compromises the source of transformation, making one prone to illness. Caution: carefully balance the five flavors; avoid bias.