Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office

Health Preservation in Chinese Medicine

Health Preservation in Chinese Medicine

According to the theories of Chinese medicine, health preservation means preserving body condition to maintain good health, prevent diseases and prolong life. The key concept of health preservation in Chinese medicine is "preventing disease before its occurrence". Here are some basic principles and methods of health preservation.

Adapt to the nature

•Adapting to various geographical environment

For example, in warm and humid environment, drinking herbal tea can help clear heat and eliminate dampness.

•Adapting to seasonal changes

For example, prevent heat stroke in summer and prevent getting cold in winter.

Exercise regularly

•Suitable and regular exercises can strengthen the body constitution, regulate the vitality of human being and improve physical and mental health.

Maintain a healthy diet

•Pay attention to food hygiene

For example, food should be washed clean before cooking.

•Precautions and avoidance of certain food

For example, mutton should not be eaten when having a flu.

•A balanced diet

•Do have suitable amount of food at regular time

Maintain a healthy mental state

•One should avoid emotional ups and downs and learn to maintain a balanced state of mind. Some helpful practices include: listening to light music and maintaining an optimistic attitude.

Maintain a healthy sex life

•One should maintain a healthy sex life to avoid the excessive use of kidney-essence which may lead to poor health or premature ageing.

Strengthening body resistance to diseases

•Food tonics for preservation of health, e.g. drinking green bean soup in summer can prevent heat stroke and drinking mutton soup in winter can help keep out the cold.

•Tonic treatment for preservation of health, e.g. older persons, people recovering from serious illness and women after giving birth could take some tonic medicines so as to strengthen the body and prevent disease.

Older persons: slow down ageing
People recovering from serious illness: maintaining vitality
Women after giving birth: Replenishing qi and blood

•Massage treatment for preservation of health, e.g. one could alleviate the tiredness of eyes and protect eyesight by massaging the acupoints around the eyes.

Prevent infectious diseases

•Keeping away from the sources of infectious diseases.

•Chinese medicines may be used to prevent infectious diseases.

Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office
Department of Health
Website: www.cmro.gov.hk