Stagnation of Qi and Blood Stasis is a term that immediately raises alertness, implying an underlying crisis within the body. This condition can lead to various diseases, even life-threatening ones. Therefore, paying attention to the symptoms and causes of Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis is essential for maintaining health.
People with a tendency for Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis often display characteristics of “blockage,” including stubborn headaches, emotional disturbances, cardiovascular diseases, digestive issues, and gynecological problems. Blood Stasis indicates obstruction in microcirculation, which is often a contributing factor to the difficulty in curing chronic diseases, hence the view that “long-term illness will lead to stasis.”
When the Qi stagnation is prominent, individuals may feel chest tightness, sigh frequently, experience bloating and pain in the sides, stomach, and abdomen, feel emotionally low, have an introverted personality, and easily suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhea due to emotional fluctuations. Women may experience breast tenderness, painful menstruation, or uterine fibroids. Severe Blood Stasis may manifest as dark lips and nail beds, purplish or rough skin, intense and localized pain, pigmentation on the face, abnormal menstruation, and a purplish tongue coating.
The formation of Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis is related to multiple factors: sustained emotional suppression, unhealthy dietary habits (such as high fat, high sugar, high salt, or dehydration), Qi deficiency and Yang deficiency constitution, vasoconstriction in cold environments, lack of exercise, and chronic inflammation, all of which can disrupt the circulation of Qi and Blood.
Adjusting Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis requires a multi-faceted approach. Chinese herbs like Bupleurum, Angelica, and Safflower, as well as traditional Chinese medicine like Musk Pill for Heart Health, can effectively promote Qi flow and activate blood circulation. Also, changing lifestyle habits is crucial: maintaining a light diet, limiting salt and sweets; quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption as they can exacerbate Blood Stasis; maintaining a positive attitude to prevent accelerated aging; regular exercise to enhance blood circulation; ensuring adequate sleep, drinking sufficient water daily, avoiding prolonged exposure to cold environments, and promoting overall Qi and Blood circulation through foot soaking.
In terms of diet, one should choose foods that promote Qi flow and blood circulation, such as garlic, ginger, peach kernel, and Chinese chives, while reducing salt intake and avoiding gas-producing foods. It is advised to steer clear of high-fat and overly sweet and greasy foods to prevent worsening the Blood Stasis condition.
In conclusion, recognizing the harm of Qi stagnation and Blood Stasis and taking corresponding measures for regulation is a necessary step in maintaining health. Through comprehensive adjustments, this condition can be effectively alleviated, and diseases can be prevented.
