Supplementation refers to the consumption of foods or medicines that have the effect of nourishing or regulating the balance of Yin and Yang in the body, in order to strengthen the body, prevent and treat diseases, and prolong life.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has accumulated considerable experience in using food and medicine to regulate and nourish the human body. TCM believes that the human body, like all things in the universe, is always in a relatively dynamic state of balance. Once this balance is disrupted, and Yin and Yang become imbalanced, resulting in excess or deficiency, illness will occur. At this time, it is necessary to use various appropriate means, including taking certain medicines, foods, and other methods, to restore the dynamic balance between Yin and Yang. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) states: "When diagnosing illness, one must inquire about diet and living conditions," "To treat illness, one must seek its root cause," "Medicine is used to expel the disease, and food follows," "Humans rely on the five grains as their foundation," and "Heaven nourishes humans with the five qi, and earth nourishes humans with the five flavors." These quotations clearly indicate that food (including grains, vegetables, and fruits), like medicine, plays an indispensable role in treating and preventing diseases and maintaining the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang in the human body.
People's age, gender, and constitution vary, and therefore, the methods of tonification also differ. Some people are generally Yin deficient and should consume foods and medicines that nourish Yin, moisten the body, clear heat, and reduce fire, such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Adenophora stricta, and Polygonatum odoratum. Cold and cooling foods should be used with caution. Some people have an excess of Yang energy, so warming and drying foods should be used with caution. Infants and young children are considered to have "immature Yang constitutions" and are prone to Yang heat, so warming and tonifying foods should be used with caution. Postpartum women often experience Qi and blood deficiency and should pay attention to timely replenishment of Qi and blood. The elderly often have kidney deficiency and should tonify their kidneys and strengthen their constitution as needed.
In short, when people use food or medicine for conditioning and nourishment, they must consider the overall situation, taking into account the characteristics of the season, their own constitution, and the properties of the food and medicine, in order to achieve the fundamental goal of adjusting the body's Yin and Yang and restoring its dynamic balance. Violating this principle will not only be ineffective in conditioning and nourishing the body, but will also harm health.
Written by: Zhang Yong, founder of Shangyitang and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, who enjoys the trust and support of celebrities and the wealthy, specializing in the treatment of pain and urban ailments.
Column Title: Celebrity Physicians
The key to regulation and replenishment lies in balance.
April 21, 2021
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