01 Introduction

In today’s world, more people are focusing on health preservation, with many older individuals favoring traditional herbal medicine. After the age of forty, the body’s vital yuanqi begins to weaken, and this decline accelerates after fifty. As yuanqi diminishes, so does the body’s resistance to illness and its ability to heal.

At this stage, expelling harmful pathogens becomes challenging, often leading to serious diseases. Hence, there’s a saying in the herbal medicine community: “There are no minor illnesses after fifty.” This means that any sickness at this age is likely to be significant.

As practitioners of life cultivation, it’s crucial to be vigilant about health after fifty. When yuanqi is low and resistance is poor, preventive measures become essential. Understanding health care, disease prevention, and chronic disease management is vital to maintaining our well-being.

02 What to Believe in Revitalization

Today, there’s a plethora of health information available through books and TV programs, each with its own perspective. But who is right? Is their knowledge infallible? No one can guarantee that.

Our understanding of the human body remains superficial. Take table salt, for example. It contains added iodine to prevent iodine deficiency, which causes goiter. However, recent research suggests that excessive iodine intake might be linked to certain malignant diseases. Although not confirmed, this highlights that previous health recommendations can be flawed.

This uncertainty isn’t limited to science but extends to traditional herbal medicine, which is divided into various schools of thought.

03 Schools of Thought in Herbal Medicine

01 Zunjing School (Classic-respecting School)

Founded by Huang Yuanyu, the Zunjing School, represented by Guo Yaning, focuses on “cultivating the middle earth, supporting yang, and suppressing yin.” They emphasize the spleen and stomach’s role and the balance of yuanqi.

02 Ziyin School (Yin-nourishing School)

This school believes “Yang is always in excess, Yin is always insufficient.” They use cold medicines to nourish Yin and reduce fire, regardless of the disease.

03 Huoshen School (Fire-spirit School)

Their core theory is “In emergencies, supporting Yang is the priority.” They use hot medicines to boost yang-qi, focusing on immediate rescue rather than long-term treatment.

04 Comparing the Schools

The traditional herbal medicine field is not limited to three schools of thoughts. We pick three here because they represent the right, the left, and the middle.

The Ziyin and Huoshen schools have opposing views but both have produced notable practitioners. New graduates from herbal medicine universities study various schools of thought, often leading to confusion.

The Ziyin School’s use of cold and laxative drugs can harm the spleen and stomach, yet it remains popular due to its quick results. Professional practitioners can diagnose and treat diseases rapidly, often seeing effects within days. However, the long-term damage to the spleen and stomach is a significant drawback.

For instance, Huang Yuanyu’s early use of bitter and cold medicine likely shortened his lifespan. The Ziyin School’s quick fixes often lead to earlier mortality, despite their immediate effectiveness.

The Huoshen School, known for saving critically ill patients, excels in emergency situations like heart disease and cerebral infarction. Their treatments are akin to emergency surgery, providing temporary relief. However, without subsequent moderate treatment, patients may still succumb to their original diseases.

For instance, the Huoshen School’s heavy use of aconite, a highly toxic ingredient, underscores their philosophy: prioritize raising yang-qi in emergencies. While effective in rescues, treating chronic diseases requires a balanced approach, adhering to the core principles of traditional herbal medicine.

(To be continued)