In modern life, as living conditions improve, the variety of foods also increases. Many people still hold the belief that being able to eat is a blessing. With a plethora of delicacies constantly tempting you, those around you indulge in excessive eating and drinking, leading to uncontrolled diets becoming a major cause of obesity.
Is losing weight necessary?
For this question, the answer is certainly yes, losing weight is necessary, and very much so! Why? Firstly, excess body fat affects your figure negatively, impacting aesthetics and tarnishing the impression you leave on others. More importantly than appearance is the fact that body weight directly reflects our health status, serving as a sensitive and direct indicator.
Even a slight weight gain increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, commonly referred to as the “three highs,” meaning you are more likely to become part of the “three highs” population. Clearly, being afflicted with these “three highs” poses a significant risk to your health!
While losing weight is crucial, many people are unaware of how to lose weight healthily. Numerous women attempt various methods such as dieting, weight-loss pills, and more, but solely resorting to dieting or taking weight-loss pills will only worsen their physical condition. Today, let’s introduce a healthy and effective weight-loss method recommended by traditional Chinese medicine, known as “acupoint moxibustion.” Among the twelve meridians in our body, there are numerous acupoints conducive to weight loss. Let’s focus on one of the key weight-loss acupoints on the Triple Burner Meridian today: the Xiawan acupoint. Why does frequent moxibustion on Xiawan aid in weight loss? The principle is quite simple; regular moxibustion on the Xiawan acupoint has the effect of dispelling dampness and heat, controlling appetite, thereby achieving the goal of healthy weight loss. Let’s delve deeper into this prominent weight-loss acupoint on the Triple Burner Meridian.
Interpretation of Acupoints
Xiawan, an acupuncture point name originating from the “Jia-Yi Jing” (A & B Acupuncture Classics), is a crucial acupoint on the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. “Xiawan” signifies the dissipation and consumption of stagnant heavy water moisture from the cold abyss, which upon reaching this acupoint is dispersed and transformed into nourishing rain, eventually forming lakes on the earth’s surface. From the name, it is evident that Xiawan is heavily linked to the body’s water moisture.
Where is the Xiawan acupoint located?
This acupoint is situated on the outer side of the arm, at the midpoint of a line connecting Qingle Yuan and Naohui acupoints.
How is the Xiawan acupoint recorded in literature?
The “Jia-Yi Jing” records it as follows: “Headache, sudden neck and back discomfort, Xiawan is the primary acupoint.” The “Zhen-Jiu Zi-Sheng Jing” describes it as: “Neck pain, Xiawan, labyrinth yin.” The “Zhen-Jiu Da-Cheng” states: “Treats wind arthralgia, stiff neck, swelling pain, chills, fever, headache, epilepsy.”
Primary Functions of the Acupoint
The Xiawan acupoint possesses the functions of clearing heat, calming the mind, activating collaterals, and relieving pain. It is suitable for treating headaches, strong neck discomfort, arm pain, toothache, epilepsy, in conjunction with Jianliang, Jianxie, Naohui, Qingle Yuan for treating shoulder and arm pain, upper limb dysfunction, and shoulder periarthritis, among other ailments. Additionally, this acupoint effectively treats qi depression and is essential in the “beautifying and weight loss” process.
In this fast-paced era of work and life, many people often experience symptoms of stagnant qi, such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and feelings of unease due to excessive stress or improper diet. According to traditional Chinese medicine, stagnant qi is primarily caused by melancholy, gloominess, and emotional discomfort, which indicates an unhealthy emotional state. Many individuals around us suffer from issues like stones, food stagnation, blood stasis, leading to stagnant qi.
When qi stagnates in a specific area of the body, it manifests as distention, pain, with the most common being chest fullness, rib pain, belching, and abdominal distension. Xiawan acupoint is particularly adept at treating qi stagnation and phlegm dampness conditions. As qi stagnation primarily pertains to the upper body, Xiawan acts as a crucial acupoint for resolving stagnations in the Triple Burner Meridian. Regular massage or moxibustion on this acupoint can regulate the qi flow in the Triple Burner Meridian, thus moderating the central lung function in the upper body. When the functions of the heart and lungs are regulated, breathing naturally improves, and symptoms of chest tightness and sluggish qi circulation diminish.
I believe many overweight individuals have experienced feeling hungry shortly after a meal, leading to excessive snacking and an unhealthy cycle that results in more body fat accumulation. In reality, susceptibility to hunger, according to traditional Chinese medicine, is largely due to excessive stomach fire. Excessive stomach fire can lead to various diseases and harms, one of the more common being increased hunger.
As we are well aware, the primary function of our stomach is to digest food, breaking it down into a paste-like substance for absorption in the small intestine. Under normal circumstances, our stomach efficiently regulates the pace of digestion, completing the process in approximately 4 hours before our next meal. However, when stomach fire is excessive, digestion speeds up, concluding prematurely, leaving the stomach empty and causing intense hunger.
In such cases, we can control our appetite by moxibustion on the Xiawan acupoint. Why? Because “Xiawan” represents dissolving and consuming, “wan” signifies shallow water, hence Xiawan acupoint acts as a spot with the function of dispelling dampness and heat. Regular moxibustion on this acupoint effectively eliminates excessive stomach heat; with the elimination of stomach fire, our body does not experience frequent hunger pangs. When our eating habits are balanced, and our diet is regulated, weight gain can be avoided naturally.
