When watching ancient costume dramas, we often hear the term “Five Strains and Seven Injuries,” and then the characters in the drama show signs of illness, such as pale complexion and coughing up blood. So, what does “Five Strains and Seven Injuries” actually mean?
This term involves the strain of the five viscera (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys) and the harm caused by the seven emotions (joy, anger, grief, worry, fear, surprise, thought), often used to describe a weak constitution and a state of frequent illness. In fact, behind the “Five Strains and Seven Injuries” is a rich connotation, with various reasons for its formation, which can easily be overlooked in daily life and accumulate over time to “cause illness through overwork.” Paying attention to daily life details, being moderate, will make life healthier and more enjoyable.
Specifically, the “Five Strains” come from overwork or improper emotional management, leading to damage to the functions of the body’s five viscera. As recorded in the “Plain Questions · Discourse on the Five Qi of Xuan Ming,” prolonged use of the eyes, lying down, sitting still, standing, and walking can each damage the blood, qi, flesh, bone, and tendons, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and rest.
For example, prolonged staring at screens or reading not only strains the eyes but may also damage blood and qi, leading to symptoms like pale complexion, dizziness; long periods of sitting still can affect spleen and stomach functions, causing muscle relaxation and weakness in the limbs; prolonged standing may hinder the circulation of blood and qi, affecting bone health; excessive walking may harm tendons and bones, causing soreness. Over-bed rest can slow down the circulation of qi and blood, causing symptoms of qi deficiency.
As for the “Seven Injuries,” they refer to excessive emotional reactions, such as overeating damaging the spleen, excessive anger harming the liver, all of which are detrimental to physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important to moderate activities like viewing, lying, sitting, standing, walking in daily life, maintaining balance, and avoiding excess; this is the correct way to maintain health.
For the recuperation of the “Five Strains and Seven Injuries,” traditional Chinese medicine provides some prescriptions, such as making pills from specific herbs or dietary therapies, aimed at nourishing the body and restoring health. However, it is important to focus on prevention in daily life, make reasonable arrangements for work and rest, manage emotions, to achieve physical and mental harmony.
In summary, understanding and valuing the “Five” and “Seven,” taking active measures in daily life, are crucial for maintaining good health.
