🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Perhaps everyone has experienced dizziness at some point. Beyond illness-related causes, many don’t understand why they feel dizzy. Dr. Wang Linpeng, head of the Acupuncture Department at Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, explains from a TCM perspective that bad habits are the main cause of dizziness.
First, diet: You might not realize that consuming too much greasy food can lead to dizziness. Overindulging in rich, fatty foods damages the spleen and stomach. According to TCM, the spleen and stomach normally allow clear qi to ascend and turbid qi to descend. Greasy foods impair this normal function. Furthermore, rich foods easily generate dampness and phlegm, both contributing to dizziness.
Second, with accelerated lifestyles, many people—especially young adults—habitually stay up late, which is also a reason for daytime dizziness. "Liver Yang Rising" refers to dizziness caused by disrupted yin-yang balance due to lack of nighttime rest. Additionally, those already deficient in yin who stay up late experience brain activity during rest periods, making dizziness more likely. TCM holds that the liver governs the smooth flow of qi and is closely related to blood, qi, and yin-yang balance. If liver function is impaired, dizziness may result. Regarding the liver, TCM also mentions "Liver Yang Hyperactivity," primarily manifesting in emotional disturbances. If someone feels unhappy or angry, liver yang rises, disrupting balance, making dizziness unsurprising.
Moreover, depressed or gloomy emotions also disrupt the normal movement of qi, leading to dizziness and blurred vision. Thus, to avoid persistent dizziness, one must eliminate bad habits and maintain good emotional health. Dr. Wang concludes that dizziness is merely a symptom, categorized as either excess or deficiency. The aforementioned conditions—liver yang hyperactivity and stagnant qi—are considered excess patterns. Those prone to "arousing liver fire" should drink more chrysanthemum tea and mung bean soup. For fruits, consider watermelon and pears to help clear heat. Vegetables should include bitter melon and celery. For deficiency patterns caused by qi or blood deficiency—common among women—consume more peanuts, Goji berries, ginseng, and black chicken. For frequent dizziness, Dr. Wang recommends the following dietary prescriptions: Shan Yao Yu Rou Porridge: Combine 60 grams of Chinese yam, 30 grams of raw rehmannia, 15 grams of Cornus officinalis, and 100 grams of rice, then cook and eat. Wu Ji Yi Mi Porridge: Use one black chicken and 50 grams of Job's tears, stewed lightly. Alternatively, use 500 grams of chicken and 50 grams of Polygonum multiflorum, stewed gently and consumed regularly. Hong Zao Nu Mi Zhou: Use 10 jujubes, 30 grams of Goji berries, appropriate glutinous rice, and a little rock sugar, boil into porridge, and consume regularly.