English
According to Chinese philosophy, jing (essence) forms the basis for the whole body. Stored in the kidneys, jing serves as the “deposited capital” for all kinds of physiological functions.
For example, conception is made possible by the power of jing, maturing is the blossoming of jing, and ageing reflects the weakening of jing.
Every metabolic activity consumes jing, and we can either nourish or deplete it through behaviour and lifestyle. When we’re young, more jing is generated than consumed and the excess is stored in the kidneys,
An abundance of kidney jing promotes vitality and ensures the body’s resistance. Over time, we stop producing excess jing and consume the reserves in the kidneys. The decline leads to weakness and is responsible for the body’s natural ageing process.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes regular and harmonious life habits help store sufficient jing in the kidneys. People should attentively take care of physical and mental aspects at different life stages by actively adapting to the natural environment so as to keep an optimal physiological state. This is an holistic approach to health and well-being.
Due to these concepts, there are some dos and don’ts in Chinese daily life. Firstly, eating a variety of food is important.
What is eaten should correspond to individual needs, seasonal changes, and the balance of food energies. This means eating food with a balance of cool and hot properties.
It’s recommended to sleep at the yin-predominant time (night) while waking up at the yang-predominant time (morning). A proper way to sleep is lying in an easterly direction, which helps to nourish the yang-most part of the body (the head) and is believed to refresh the mind.
Exercise regularly but to a moderate degree, as overdoing it can impair the liver and kidneys since they rule the tendons and bones. It’s also said that over-using the brain causes damage to the heart and spleen.
In TCM, clothing is not just for keeping warm, but also to protect against external pathogens. Elderly people should always wear at least one layer, since their relative physical weakness means they’re vulnerable to external invasion.
Young people or children should wear fewer layers, as this can train them in cold resistance, which makes the skin and subcutaneous tissues firmer and smoother.
Lastly, living spaces should be comfortable, energetic and inspire creativity so it can interact with the inhabitant’s chi (energy). If the living space makes a person feel depressed and lethargic, people can seek advice from an expert in fung shui to restore harmony.
A wide variety of living approaches were developed by ancient sages in china. These have been handed down in the Yang Sheng Fa (Principles for Nourishing Life), which literally means knowing how to maintain and protect health, prevent disease and live a better life.
The Chinese practices encompass not just medical healing, but a way of multi-layered, integrated living.
Before taking any medicine, consult your TCM or medical practitioner
Rose Tse and Angela Collingwood
info@shen-nong.com
Edited by Suzanne Harrison suzanne.harrison@scmp.com
Published: June 26, 2006
Source: South China Morning Post
