In modern society, we often say: I am depressed when something happens. Is this depressing trend a sign that qi stagnation constitution has become a common social phenomenon?
How to define qi stagnation constitution? Qi stagnation constitution is a physical state characterized by introversion, instability, melancholy, fragility, sensitivity and paranoia due to long-term emotional stagnation and qi stagnation.
What is qi activity? "Qi-moving machine" is the movement of Qi. The ascending and descending movement of qi is the basis of human life activities. If the ascending and descending movement of Qi stops, it means the termination of life activities. Therefore, it is very important to smooth and adjust the airflow. The coordination and balance between the ascending, descending, entering and exiting movements of qi is called the smooth flow of qi. On the contrary, the fluctuation of qi is out of balance, so we call it qi disorder.
Different from several types of physique characterized by objective physiological characteristics, qi stagnation physique is mainly manifested in psychological state and personality characteristics.
Generally speaking, such people are introverted, unstable, changeable and willful. And melancholy, fragile, indecisive, stubborn, sensitive, suspicious and neurotic. They always have a sad face, always bored, unhappy and melancholy.
People with the same qi stagnation constitution will also have fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, or the qi movement will be blocked, causing pain. I am out of breath and often like to sigh. Sighing always feels particularly comfortable. Some people have poor qi, poor qi, ups and downs, and burps. Call several times in a row when it is full. Some people always feel that there is something blocked in this place of the throat, and they have a foreign body sensation, so they can't swallow it or spit it out. There are also the main manifestations of breast pain, either unable to sleep or always awake. My appetite has also dropped. For men, qi stagnation constitution can easily lead to impotence.
There are also palpitations, non-stop heartbeat, poor memory and forgetfulness. Some people also show excessive phlegm, dry stool, thin stool and normal urination. Let's look at the tongue again. The tongue is red and the fur is thin and white. The pulse is thin and thin. People with qi stagnation constitution have an outstanding performance in adapting to the external environment, that is, they immediately produce emotional reactions when they are slightly stimulated. So I especially don't like rainy weather.
The formation of qi stagnation constitution is usually due to mental and emotional stimulation and injury. Excessive sadness can lead to qi stagnation.
Although qi stagnation constitution is more focused on people's psychology, it is also caused by emotional sadness, but it is not equal to depression. There are differences and definitions between the two. Depression is a mental illness. Qi stagnation constitution is more of a state of qi and blood, which is physical. However, qi stagnation is indeed a hotbed of depression. If qi stagnation is at this end of the overpass, then depression is at the other end of the overpass. Step by step, it is very close, but if you realize the problem and turn around and adjust it in time, depression will go further and further.
The key to regulating qi stagnation lies in liver care. Our liver qi has a series of physiological functions, such as dredging, dredging, ascending and discharging. In ancient times, the function of relieving qi of wood was compared with that of wood, which belonged to wood in the five elements. The function of the liver governing the discharge is mainly manifested in regulating spirit and mood. If this function of the liver is normal, the human body can better coordinate its own spiritual and emotional activities, showing cheerful, comfortable and witty; If it cannot be relieved, it will be manifested as depression, sentimentality, want to cry without tears, belching, breathlessness, chest tightness and so on. Excessive catharsis is manifested as excitement, such as irritability, dizziness and pain, insomnia and dreaminess. Therefore, the disorder of liver meridian drainage will cause qi stagnation. Generally speaking, people with qi stagnation should soothe the liver and regulate qi, live a quiet and active life and participate in group sports.
In emotional adjustment, we should cultivate optimism, avoid narcissism, be cheerful and full of "positive energy", so that qi and blood can be harmonious and blood can circulate, which is very helpful to improve the physical condition of qi stagnation.
As we said before, the "liver" of the human body plays an important role in regulating emotions. Therefore, people with qi stagnation should eat more foods with the function of soothing the liver and promoting qi. You should eat more foods such as day lily, kelp, hawthorn, roses, etc., which can promote qi circulation and relieve depression, and help digestion and wake up. You can also eat more vegetables and nutritious fish, lean meat, milk and bean products, as well as Allium macrostemon, lettuce, bergamot, orange, orange peel, barley, fennel and sorghum peel. Citrus has obvious effect of regulating qi and relieving depression, and you can also eat or drink lemon tea. For those who have no drinking taboos, you can drink a small amount of alcohol to promote the smooth operation of qi and blood. Avoid spicy, coffee, strong tea and other irritating products, and eat less greasy and sweet food.
Among them, day lily is the first choice for people with qi stagnation constitution, which can regulate qi and relieve depression, declare depression and soothe the nerves. However, fresh day lily contains a kind of "colchicine" substance. Although non-toxic, it is toxic when it is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and oxidized into colchicine in the body. Therefore, when eating fresh products, don't eat more every time. You should first blanch fresh daylily with boiling water and destroy colchicine before eating.
In daily life, learn to be the master of emotions, and don't let seasons and weather affect your mood. Strengthening sunshine and light is the first way to be happy, so we should strengthen sunshine, ensure sleep, pay attention to rest, do more relaxing activities, make more friends and cultivate hobbies. Wu Shang, a medical scientist in the Qing Dynasty, said: It is better to take medicine than to watch flowers to relieve boredom and listen to music to relieve anxiety.
Physical exercise can also dredge the channels and collaterals, regulate qi activity, and achieve good health care effect. People with qi stagnation should try to increase outdoor activities and insist on a lot of exercise. The exercise modes of people with qi stagnation constitution mainly include high-intensity and heavy-load exercise and physical entertainment games. High-intensity and heavy-load sports are good venting sports, such as running, mountaineering, swimming, ball games, martial arts and so on. It has the functions of invigorating qi and blood, soothing the liver and regulating qi, stimulating appetite and improving sleep. It is the best way to learn a certain technical sport consciously, practice regularly and experience the fun of physical exercise from improving the technical level. Sports and entertainment games have the functions of relaxing, promoting interpersonal communication, distracting attention, stimulating interest and rationalizing qi-flowing, such as playing chess, playing cards, qigong, yoga, meditation and relaxation training. It should be both exciting and quiet.
People with qi stagnation can also recuperate their bodies through acupoint massage. The acupoints that you can choose to massage are: Zhongshan, Zhongyu, Shenque and Qihai on Renmai; Neiguan and Shi Xia on the pericardium meridian; Ququan and Qimen on the Liver Meridian; Sun, Moon and Yangling Spring on the Gallbladder Meridian; Shu Fei and Ganshu on the bladder meridian and Yongquan point on the kidney meridian.
Regular massage of Qihai point has the function of relaxing qi, and Qihai point produces yang, which is sufficient, moist and rising, and has the function of nourishing and clearing the orifices. Therefore, Qihai point is especially suitable for people with qi stagnation constitution who tend to focus on qi stagnation. If the qi stagnation constitution is biased towards middle jiao qi stagnation, Yanglingquan can be selected as the acupoint. Yanglingquan is located in the depression below the fibula capitulum. Yanglingquan is an acupoint on the gallbladder meridian, which has the function of soothing the liver and benefiting the gallbladder. It is most suitable for chest pain and hypochondriac pain caused by bad luck. We can massage and poke Yangling Spring three times a day for 15 minutes each time, or use moxa stick moxibustion 10 ~ 20 minutes. If Taichong and Ququan points of gallbladder meridian and liver meridian are selected at the same time, the effect of soothing liver and regulating qi will be better.
If qi stagnation is serious and medicine is needed, you can choose Chaihu Gu Jialong Oyster Decoction, a classic prescription in Treatise on Febrile Diseases. The recipe uses Bupleurum root 12g, keel 9g, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, ginger, prepared lead, ginseng, cassia twig (peeled), Poria, Pinellia ternata, rhubarb (cut), oyster (boiled) and jujube 6g. Because lead Dan is poisonous, we changed it into a spiritual magnet for calming nerves in important towns. This soup is very suitable for people with qi stagnation constitution who tend to suffer from lower energizer, but it must be noted that this prescription should be used under the guidance of Chinese medicine.
Vilander, a foreign psychiatrist, once pointed out that when people suffer mental pain, it means that their health will be damaged for at least five years. This shows that depressed mental state is not only harmful to health, but also leads to some diseases happening ahead of time and aging coming ahead of time. Each of us will encounter a period of depression, but we must adjust our mentality in time and not fall into pain.
This article is excerpted from Wang Qi's "Handbook for the Use of Nine Constitutions" and has been revised.