First, Qi is the foundation and motive force of life activities.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that qi is the most basic element in the material world, and everything in the universe is produced by the movement and change of qi. People are no exception. Huangdi Neijing holds that qi is also the basic substance that constitutes the human body, and uses the movement and change of qi to explain various life phenomena of the body.
Zhang Jingyue, a famous medical scientist in the Ming Dynasty in China, said: "The way of life chemistry is based on qi, and everything in the world can't be helped ... people's life depends on this qi." Huangdi Neijing also said: "The sky is qi, the earth is shape, and the shape and the gas feel each other, and everything changes." These are all very clear. He explained that qi is the basis of human life activities, and everything depends on qi for biochemistry and existence. It is precisely because qi is the root and motive force of life activities that the famous work of the Song Dynasty, Sheng Ji Zong Lu, put forward the view that "everything is strong and old, and qi rises and falls", holding that "people are in shape, proud of qi, and take qi as a disease". Liu, a great medical scientist, has repeatedly emphasized the great significance of qi in preventing diseases and prolonging life, and pointed out that qi is the root of the rise and fall of human body. He said: "An old friend, influenced by heaven and earth, changed his life. It is based on the birth of shape, the birth of spirit and the birth of God. Modeling inflatable, gas consumption is sick. God stands beside Qi, and Qi accepts God's existence. " This fully shows that qi is the power and foundation of human life, which is full of the whole body and runs endlessly, which is related to human health and longevity. As the saying goes, "the three treasures of the human body are essence, qi and spirit", which means that nothing is more important to people than essence, qi and spirit. However, because qi is the foundation of biochemistry, both essence and spirit depend on qi. Health preservation must be based on regulating qi. Li Dongyuan, a great medical scientist, clearly pointed out in Proverbs on Spleen and Stomach, that essence, qi and God are mainly qi, that is, "Qi is the father of God, essence is the son of Qi, and the root of the spirit of Qi is also great! Concentrate, concentrate, be quiet, and by the way, be a heaven and man. " The "heaven and man" here refers to real people, people who cultivate truth and gain enlightenment, that is, people with the highest level of health preservation. The reason is that he can correctly grasp and apply the relationship between essence, qi and spirit, cultivate essence with his own true qi, and gradually accumulate essence to achieve the perfection of man's master-God. If he can calm his mind again and control the relaxation of his spirit, he will become a man who practices truth and gains enlightenment. In addition, one of the masterpieces of health care, Health Care Skin Language, also said: "Although life can be seen in heaven and earth, it can last for a long time." This is also the great significance of qi in life activities and health preservation.
Second, the classification and function of qi.
Because the source and distribution of qi are different, its functions are different, so there are various names, mainly the following:
(1) vitality. That is, the innate qi is the most important and basic qi in the human body and the driving force of life activities, so it is also called vitality. Primitive energy mainly comes from innate essence, which can stimulate and promote the functional activities of viscera. If the vitality is sufficient, the viscera function is vigorous, the disease resistance is strong, the body is healthy and less sick; On the other hand, if the congenital endowment is insufficient, or because of long-term illness and strain, there will be many diseases and symptoms. What people often say at ordinary times is the severity of the lesion, because it is the fundamental qi of people.
(2) Zongqi. It is a combination of natural clear qi inhaled by the lung and Shui Gu essence transported by the spleen and stomach in the chest. The strength of people's breath, voice and language is related to the rise and fall of clan spirit. Also, because the ancestral qi runs in the heart pulse to promote qi and blood, the movement of qi and blood, the coldness of limbs and the mobility are also related to the ancestral qi.
(3) defend qi. It is the Yang Qi in the kidney, but it can only play its role by relying on the continuous nourishment of Shui Gu, whose spleen and stomach are metaplastic in the middle jiao, and the use of defending qi must rely on the declaration of lung qi. The main function of defending qi is to warm the viscera. Moisturize fur; Defend muscle surface, resist external evil, open and close sweat pores, and regulate body temperature. If the defensive qi is insufficient, it can be seen that the skin is dry, the hair is tarnished, or it is easy to get cold, or the exterior is deficient and sweating, and the body fluid is self-draining.
(4) camp gas. Camp has two meanings: operation and nutrition. Qi Ying is mainly produced by the subtle Shui Gu of spleen and stomach, which is a delicate and nutritious substance in Shui Gu Qi. Camp in meridians is an important part of blood, which runs all over the body and plays its nutritional role.
Qi is in the body and belongs to the whole function. For example, if it is local, the five internal organs have their own qi, but they are interdependent and interrelated, which is an inseparable whole, and its overall generation is based on stomach qi. For example, Zhang Jingyue said: "Those who cover stomach qi are also healthy, and they also say that people are healthy, that is, because of stomach qi." The qi of the five zang-organs mainly summarizes the functions of the five zang-organs, for example, the heart qi can activate blood, the spleen qi controls the absorption and digestion of the human body, and the liver can store blood and control excretion. In addition, there are qi in meridians and qi in six fu organs. And each has its own function.
Qi has many influences on life, mainly manifested in:
(1) Defend the muscle surface against external evils;
The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic says: "Righteousness exists inside, and evil cannot be done", which means that as long as righteousness is enriched in the body, external evil cannot invade the human body. Huangdi Neijing also said: "Pathogens gather and the qi is weak", which means that pathogens invade the human body because the healthy qi is weak. All these show that if the human body is healthy, it can resist the invasion of external evils. If the qi is weak, exogenous pathogens are easy to commit.
(2) heating the human body and keeping the body temperature:
To maintain normal body temperature, the human body mainly depends on the warmth of qi. If the warmth of qi is out of balance, there will be four symptoms: tepid, cold-fearing and cold-fearing.
(3) The solid absorbs body fluids to avoid overflowing:
Temper can control the prevalence of blood and prevent blood from overflowing blood vessels; Wei qi controls the opening and closing of sweat pores and regulates sweat according to human needs; Kidney-qi can control urine or * * * and make it excreted regularly. If qi deficiency is not solid, there will be symptoms such as bleeding, hyperhidrosis and enuresis.
(4) Stimulate, push and run body fluids:
The physiological activities, blood circulation and the use of body fluids of various zang-fu organs and meridians of the human body all depend on the stimulation and promotion of qi. If qi deficiency can't promote them, the functions of viscera and meridians will decline, or diseases such as blood stasis and body fluid retention will occur.
To sum up, qi is very important for human life activities. If you want to prolong life, you must pay attention to supplementing human qi and blood.
So, what are the commonly used tonics?
(1) Ginseng. Ginseng has been regarded as a precious tonic since ancient times. Many elderly and infirm patients who have not recovered from a long illness may be saved from a "dead end" if they often drink a cup of ginseng chicken soup. Therefore, the ancients said that it had the function of saving the day and bringing it back to life, and gave it nice names such as "Fairy", "Shencao" and "Longevity Grass".
At present, modern science has revealed to people the mystery of ginseng's panacea of "reviving the dead", "anti-aging" and "nourishing the heart and calming the nerves", because ginseng contains ginsenoside, ginseng polysaccharide and other main active components. Ginsenoside is the main component of improving people's mental and physical labor ability, anti-fatigue, improving the efficiency of thinking activities, protecting the heart, improving myocardial metabolism, reducing blood sugar 1 and delaying aging. Ginseng polysaccharide is an effective component to improve immunity, enhance the body's defense against harmful * *, and resist tumor.
Ginseng, Araliaceae, is sweet, slightly bitter and warm in nature, and has the effects of invigorating vitality, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, strengthening body constitution, benefiting qi and prolonging life. But according to the different processing methods, it can be divided into red ginseng, sun-dried ginseng, sugar ginseng and ginseng beard. Although they all have the effect of invigorating qi, each has its own advantages.
Sun-dried ginseng: mild in nature, tepid and not dry, which can not only replenish qi, but also produce fluid. It is suitable for strengthening body resistance, eliminating pathogenic factors, and enhancing physical fitness and disease resistance.
Ginseng Rubra: It is vigorous in invigorating qi, warm and dry in nature, good at tonifying yang, and suitable for emergency treatment of yang.
Sugar kidney: the most peaceful, relatively ineffective, suitable for strengthening the spleen and benefiting the lungs.
Ginseng beard: red ginseng beard is the most common, and its performance is similar to that of red ginseng, but its function is smaller and milder.
Wild ginseng: tepid and not dry, which greatly supplements vitality. It is the superior product of ginseng, but it is rarely used because of its few resources and high value.
Ginseng can be used in a variety of ways: it can be stewed and cooked with slow fire for more than an hour, so as to fry the effective components of ginseng and ensure the curative effect. The dosage is generally 3 ~ 9 grams; It can be swallowed or chewed, that is, ginseng is dried and ground into fine powder, and the dosage is about 10g each time, so that the dosage is small, the medicine can be saved, but a certain curative effect can be guaranteed; You can also soak in wine, that is, chop ginseng or other medicinal materials and soak them in good rice wine. You can usually drink it after one month, two or three spoonfuls each time, twice a day. If you want to make wine, you can use ginseng instead, and make wine with flour and rice, two or three spoonfuls at a time and two or three times a day.
Because ginseng is more expensive, it should be preserved, such as mildew, moth-eaten, deterioration. Usually should be stored in a cool and dry place; Or put it in a wooden box or appliance filled with lime and seal the mouth tightly.
American ginseng: American ginseng has been a nourishing treasure for thousands of years. American ginseng, also called American ginseng, is mainly produced in the United States and Canada. Sweet, slightly bitter, cool in nature, can replenish qi and nourish yin, clear fire and produce fluid, and is a good product for nourishing health. Anyone who wants to use ginseng but can't stand its temperature can use it. If American ginseng is replaced by adult ginseng, the power of nourishing yin will be enhanced, and people who are tired and weak, thirsty and sweaty during strenuous activities can take it. It is a good product for sports health care. If this product is used with walnuts, it has excellent brain-strengthening effect, which makes people puzzled and can prevent stroke. Opera and singers often drink it, which is beneficial to voice health care.
The administration method of this product is mainly as follows: grinding into fine powder, taking it for three to five minutes each time, taking it with warm water, or decocting it for five minutes to one yuan each time, decocting it with slow fire instead of tea, or taking it with other decocted medicinal juices.
But this product is not suitable for people with yang deficiency and cold constitution. Usually it should be mildew-proof and moth-proof, placed in a cool and dry place, or sealed after drying.
(2) Dangshen. The root of codonopsis pilosula, a platycodon grandiflorum plant, is used as medicine, which is sweet and has the functions of tonifying the middle energizer, invigorating qi, nourishing blood and promoting fluid production. Although it has the same effect as ginseng, but its strength is weak, it is often used as a substitute for ginseng in clinic to treat qi deficiency syndrome. According to modern research, this product has a strong effect, which can enhance the body's resistance, increase red blood cells and reduce white blood cells; It can also dilate peripheral blood vessels, lower blood pressure and inhibit the pressor effect of adrenal gland.
The dosage of this product is generally 3 grams to 9 grams, and it can also be used when it is seriously ill or acute 15 grams to more than 30 grams.
(3) astragalus. The root of medicine is an important tonic, which can replenish the whole body's qi. Shennong's materia medica is listed as top grade, and the roots of leguminous plants such as Astragalus membranaceus and Astragalus membranaceus in Inner Mongolia are used as medicine. It is sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature, which helps to defend qi. It is a good product for warming, strengthening and health care, and has the effects of strengthening the skin, strengthening the exterior and interior, invigorating the middle qi, ascending the clear qi, supporting the sore poison and facilitating urination. According to modern research and clinical application, the drug really has the functions of strengthening the heart, protecting the liver and exciting the central nervous system. If a large dose of Astragalus membranaceus (30-60g) is used, it has the functions of lowering blood pressure, diuresis, increasing plasma protein and reducing urine protein, so it is often used for patients with hypertension and kidney disease with yang deficiency, and the effect is good. If it is compatible with Angelica sinensis, it can obviously accelerate the electrophoresis of red blood cells in rats and restore them to the level of young rats, which shows that the compatibility of Angelica sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus has the effect of making "old" red blood cells tend to be young and is beneficial to anti-aging. The dosage of Astragalus membranaceus is 3g ~ 9g, and it can be 30g ~ 120g in case of serious illness or need. However, it is not suitable for those with chest tightness and bloating, exterior-interior excess and excessive internal heat.
(4) Atractylodes macrocephala. Atractylodes macrocephala is a compositae plant, its rhizome is bitter, sweet and warm, and it has the functions of invigorating spleen and qi, eliminating dampness and promoting diuresis, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating. It is a commonly used medicine for deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach, spontaneous sweating and fetal movement during pregnancy. According to modern research, this product can make gastrointestinal secretion exuberant, increase peristalsis, accelerate blood circulation when entering the blood, and also have the functions of lowering blood sugar and diuresis. "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" said: "Long-term use will prolong life without hunger", so it can be seen that taking Atractylodes macrocephala regularly can prolong life.
Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens qi, tends to strengthen spleen, and tonifies middle energizer to make it angry, which is suitable for nourishing blood and treating deficiency; Codonopsis pilosula and ginseng tonify qi, tend to tonify spleen and lung, and are suitable for tonifying deficiency and emergency.
The dosage is generally 5 ~ 10g, and it can be used to about 15 ~ 30g in case of serious illness or need. Atractylodes macrocephala should not be eaten with peaches, plums, sparrows and herrings.
(5) Polygonatum. The rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum, a Liliaceae plant, has the functions of invigorating spleen, moistening lung, tonifying kidney, nourishing essence, strengthening bones and muscles, blackening hair and resisting aging. For example, "Rihuazi Materia Medica" said: "Make up five strains and seven injuries, help bones and muscles, stop hunger, resist cold and heat, benefit the spleen and stomach, moisten the heart and lungs, and take nine steaming and nine dryness alone to keep food on the surface." The famous doctor listed Polygonatum as the top grade, calling it "main tonic, invigorating qi, expelling wind and dampness, five internal organs, long-term administration, intelligence improvement and longevity." It can be seen that people have regarded Polygonatum sibiricum as a good medicine for nourishing and strengthening and prolonging life since ancient times, and it has the reputation of "immortal surplus grain" and "immortal rice". Modern research shows that Polygonatum can enhance myocardial contractility, increase coronary artery flow, improve myocardial nutrition, prevent aortic atherosclerosis and fatty liver infiltration, improve immunity and promote hematopoiesis. Lowering blood sugar and so on.
Because of its warm nature, Polygonatum sibiricum is suitable for long-term use and nursed back to health when it is sick. Previous experience suggests that Polygonatum sibiricum can replace Shenqi for reference. This product is steamed with chicken, used for cooked chicken, and can tonify spleen and stomach; Stewed pork can be eaten with honey or rock sugar, which can replenish deficiency and moisten lung; Steam with water, the dosage is 9- 15g, and the oral fresh food is 30-60g.
Stomach fullness caused by excessive phlegm-dampness, loss of appetite and diarrhea caused by spleen-stomach yang deficiency are contraindications. In addition, this product should not be eaten too much or taken too much, so as not to affect the digestion of the spleen and stomach and cause bloating.
(6) licorice. Also known as pink grass, its roots and rhizomes are used as medicine, which is sweet and has the functions of strengthening the spleen and regulating the stomach. It can be used for diseases such as diet loss, mental fatigue and limb weakness caused by spleen and stomach qi deficiency. It can also tonify heart qi and be used for palpitation, shortness of breath, pulse stagnation and other symptoms caused by guilty conscience; It can also relieve pain, and can be used for acute pain of muscle and blood vessel contracture; What is important is that Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch can clear away heat and toxic materials, relieve various drug poisoning such as detoxification and liver protection 1, and treat viral hepatitis 1. In addition, licorice can reconcile various drugs, reduce the violent effects of some drugs, ease their properties and protect stomach qi. There is also raw licorice that can moisten the lungs and is effective for sore throat and cough caused by lung heat. Modern research has proved that this product is a smooth expectorant, which can reduce throat mucosa after oral administration and is suitable for throat inflammation. It is also proved that Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch has inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be used for.
Honey-baked licorice root is called baked licorice root, which is suitable for tonifying middle energizer and benefiting qi. Raw licorice is suitable for clearing away heat and toxic materials; Grass bud can cure urethral pain and is suitable for gonorrhea. The dosage of this product is generally 1 ~ 10g, but it is not suitable for people with wet spleen and stomach and vomiting. Don't take a large amount for a long time, too much will cause edema and high blood pressure. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch against Euphorbia, Kansui, Daphne genkwa and seaweed.
(7) Schisandra chinensis. As the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, a Magnoliaceae plant, it is named after its sour, pungent, sweet, bitter and salty taste. It can astringe lung, relieve asthma, nourish kidney, astringe essence, stop sweating and diarrhea, and quench thirst. Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica is listed as the top grade, which reads "benefiting qi, relieving cough and reversing qi, fatigue and weakness, tonifying deficiency, strengthening yin and benefiting men and essence." Sun Simiao, the king of medicine, said, "Take Schisandra chinensis regularly in May to tonify the five internal organs. When I met Xia Yue in summer, I felt sleepy and weak, and I had no gas to move. Using astragalus, ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus, I add less phellodendron bark to make people feel refreshed and my feet are full of strength. " "I often eat Schisandra chinensis in June, which benefits the lungs, nourishes the source in the upper body and tonifies the kidney in the lower body." It can be seen that Schisandra chinensis has a good nourishing and fitness function, and it can enhance people's physical strength if taken regularly. The results of modern research show that Schisandra chinensis, similar to ginseng, has the function of "adaptogen", which can enhance the body's defense ability against nonspecific * * *, enhance the body's conditioned reflex function, improve the working ability of the cerebral cortex, and have an exciting effect on the respiratory center; It can regulate cardiovascular system and pathophysiological function, and improve blood circulation in pathological state; It can improve the vision of normal people and patients with eye diseases and expand their horizons; It also has a good influence on listening; It can also improve the discrimination ability of skin receptors; It can also regulate the secretion of gastric juice; In addition, it has antitussive, expectorant and bacteriostatic effects; It is a widely used tonic and strong medicine.
The dosage of this product is generally 1.5 ~ 9g, but symptoms such as hyperactivity of kidney-yang, excess heat of lung, phlegm retention, restless liver-fire, and initial rash are prohibited.
(8) Pseudostellaria heterophylla. Also known as children's ginseng, it is a good medicinal tonic. Its effect of invigorating qi is similar to that of ginseng and codonopsis pilosula, but the effect is poor. Can be used for anorexia, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath and other symptoms caused by spleen and stomach qi deficiency. Although the power of invigorating qi is not as good as that of Codonopsis pilosula, the power of promoting fluid production is stronger than that of Codonopsis pilosula, and it can be used instead of American ginseng.
Radix Pseudostellariae is decocted in water, 9-30g per dose, and taken orally; When summer is hot, you can use 15g Radix Pseudostellariae and Mume, and appropriate amount of rock sugar or white sugar * * * boiled water instead of tea, which has the functions of benefiting qi, promoting fluid production and quenching thirst.
(9) Poria cocos. The dried sclerotia of Poria cocos, a polyporaceae plant, is sweet, light and flat in nature, which can strengthen the spleen, promote diuresis, improve intelligence and soothe the nerves, tonify but not astringent, benefit but not fierce, and can not only strengthen the body resistance, but also eliminate evil spirits. The ancients called it "top grade fairy medicine". Modern pharmacological studies have found that pachyman, the main effective component of Poria cocos, is a non-specific immune enhancer, which can not only improve the body's disease resistance, but also have a strong anti-cancer effect. Poria cocos also contains pachymic acid, protein, lecithin, ergosterol and histidine. Lecithin is a tonic of nervous system, which shows that there is scientific basis for the ancients to say that Poria cocos can "protect brain" and "improve intelligence". Experimental research also proves that Poria cocos has the functions of lowering blood sugar, resisting ulcer and diuresis. As an anti-aging drug, the ancients often used Poria cocos and Rhizoma Atractylodis in combination. For example, in the classic prescription, they said, "blackening hair and retaining color, strengthening bones and muscles, clearing eyes and ears, removing ethos, moistening skin, and taking it lightly for a long time." It is recorded in medical books that this product is used together with Radix Angelicae Dahuricae to make ointment and facial fat. Long-term use of this product can prevent aging and wrinkles, make the face bright and pleasant, and has certain effects. In addition, The Complete Collection of Bai Bing Fangdan contains: Fine grinding with white poria cocos, mixing with white honey, applying it every night, and washing it in the morning, which can moisturize and beautify the face and remove dark spots.
Decocting: Poria cocos 9 ~ 15g, Poria cocos peel 15 ~ 30g, Poria cocos Shenmu 15 ~ 30g. This product should not be used by people with yin deficiency and exhaustion of body fluids, and it should also be used with caution by those with nocturnal emission.
These are some commonly used qi tonics, but because qi is different from Wei Qi, Zong Qi, Yang Qi, Yuan Qi, Five Zang Qi, and Meridian Qi, we should treat it according to syndrome differentiation when using qi tonics. The following are some common diseases of qi deficiency:
General qi deficiency: general weakness, listlessness, shortness of breath, laziness, low speech, spontaneous sweating, fear of movement, pale tongue, fat and tender, weak pulse.
Lung qi deficiency: shortness of breath, shortness of breath, laziness, low voice and other symptoms, as well as cough and expectoration.
Deficiency of heart qi: shortness of breath, palpitation, mental fatigue and other symptoms are prominent, with symptoms such as pulse knot formation, delay or counting, but weakness, irritability and so on.
Qi deficiency of spleen and stomach: sallow complexion, mental fatigue, listlessness of limbs, loss of appetite and other prominent symptoms, often accompanied by abdominal distension, indigestion, loose stool, stagnation of middle qi, proctoptosis, frequent urination and other symptoms.
Deficiency of kidney qi: dull complexion, dizziness, tinnitus and deafness, manifested by soreness of waist and knees, loose stools, sexual dysfunction, pale and wet tongue, and weakness of feet and pulse.
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Remind you: This prescription for invigorating qi comes from the Internet, please follow the doctor's advice before using it.