Introduction: The modern concept of health preservation refers to active physical and mental maintenance activities aligned with the natural laws governing the human life process. "Preservation" denotes following the laws of life through moderate exercise, external care, and other means to allow bodily functions and the skin to rest and recuperate, thereby restoring normal physiological function—this constitutes the foundational level of health. "Cultivation" refers to broadening one’s horizons, enriching the mind, acquiring extensive knowledge, and cultivating moral character and personal integrity through conscious practice and self-improvement—thus enabling holistic rest and repair of body and mind, achieving mental tranquility and enhanced vitality. "Nourishment" refers to timely and appropriate regulation according to the principles of heaven and earth and the rhythms of the four seasons—using suitable dietary supplements to nourish and regulate the entire body, thereby promoting better health and longevity.
Introduction of TCM Health Preservation.
Introduction: In addition to regulating the balance of the five zang and six fu organs, qi and blood, meridians and collaterals, and yin and yang, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes health preservation and places "prevention first." The ancient classic Huangdi Neijing states: "The sage does not treat existing disease but prevents disease before it arises; does not treat disorder after it occurs but prevents it before it manifests." Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber) begins with: "The sage treats disease before it develops." Sun Simiao also remarked: "A sage physician treats disease before it arises; a renowned physician treats disease as it begins to develop; an ordinary physician treats disease once it is fully manifest."
Although Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber) is primarily a specialized works on miscellaneous diseases in China, it contains substantial content on health preservation—including emphasis on dietary therapy, advocacy of prevention, and attention to supportive health practices.
This paper discusses key preventive strategies—particularly prevention before disease onset—and highlights the classical principle of "careful vigilance and prudent caution." To maintain careful vigilance, one must first preserve vital qi (zheng qi), as fluctuations in vital qi closely correlate with physical strength. Furthermore, the text identifies three primary causes of disease: (1) pathogenic factors invading the channels and collaterals and transmitting inward to the zang-fu organs—constituting internal causes; (2) pathogens invading the skin and obstructing the limbs and nine orifices via impaired circulation of blood and qi—constituting external causes; and (3) improper sexual activity, emotional excesses, or trauma caused by knives, sticks, insects, or beasts.
When discussing health preservation, daily diet must be addressed. Aligning health with the Dao requires prioritizing "food" as the fundamental basis—this is its material foundation. Food must be consumed appropriately: people should follow nature’s course, maintain dietary moderation, balance work and rest, integrate movement and stillness, and preserve mental equilibrium. As inhabitants of heaven and earth, humans must abide by the natural laws governing life processes. For example, dividing the 24-hour day into three eight-hour segments—for eating, working, and resting/sleeping—accords with the natural alternation of yin and yang between day and night. Such natural law is indeed the supreme law: "Regulate according to yin-yang principles and numerical patterns of nature." One must adjust lifestyle in accordance with natural rhythms and physiological changes—such as adding or removing clothing with weather shifts, and adjusting diet and regimens according to the solar terms of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. This is the authentic path to health preservation.
Health preservation encompasses a broad scope and diverse methods. As the ancient saying goes: "Food is superior to medicine."
Medicated diet is a therapeutic dietary approach that combines medicinal herbs and food ingredients through cooking and processing. It integrates traditional Chinese medical theory with culinary expertise. Its principle is "incorporating medicine into food"—using medicinal substances as food while endowing food with medicinal properties; guiding medicine via food while enhancing food with herbal potency. Medicated diet thus offers both nutritional value and therapeutic benefits—capable of preventing and treating disease, promoting health, and extending lifespan.
Therefore, medicated diet differs both from conventional TCM prescriptions and from ordinary diets—it is a unique dietary modality combining therapeutic efficacy with palatability. It allows consumers to enjoy delicious meals while simultaneously receiving nourishment and therapeutic benefit. Consequently, the preparation and application of traditional Chinese medicated foods constitute both a science and an art.
Since the emergence of Chinese characters, oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions (inscriptions on bronze vessels) have already included Chinese characters for yao (medicine) and shan (food). The compound term "yao shan" (medicinal diet) — formed by combining the characters for medicine and food — first appears in the ancient text Hou Hanshu (The History of the Later Han Dynasty). These records confirm that the concept of medicinal food existed in China at least two thousand years ago. Even before the term "medicinal diet" was formally coined, ancient Chinese texts documented the preparation and application of such dietary therapies.
There are principles of health preservation, but no art of immortality. Birth, aging, decline, disease, and death constitute the natural order; apart from unavoidable natural and human-caused disasters, moderate and rational regulation enables one to achieve "harmony of yin and yang, tranquility of spirit." Attaining this state allows individuals to naturally avoid disease and enjoy health and longevity.
Introduction: The modern concept of health preservation refers to active physical and mental maintenance activities aligned with the natural laws governing the human life process. "Preservation" denotes following the laws of life through moderate exercise, external care, and other means to allow bodily functions and the skin to rest and recuperate, thereby restoring normal physiological function—this constitutes the foundational level of health. "Cultivation" refers to broadening one’s horizons, enriching the mind, acquiring extensive knowledge, and cultivating moral character and personal integrity through conscious practice and self-improvement—thus enabling holistic rest and repair of body and mind, achieving mental tranquility and enhanced vitality. "Nourishment" refers to timely and appropriate regulation according to the principles of heaven and earth and the rhythms of the four seasons—using suitable dietary supplements to nourish and regulate the entire body, thereby promoting better health and longevity.
Introduction: In addition to regulating the balance of the five zang and six fu organs, qi and blood, meridians and collaterals, and yin and yang, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes health preservation and places "prevention first." The ancient classic Huangdi Neijing states: "The sage does not treat existing disease but prevents disease before it arises; does not treat disorder after it occurs but prevents it before it manifests." Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber) begins with: "The sage treats disease before it develops." Sun Simiao also remarked: "A sage physician treats disease before it arises; a renowned physician treats disease as it begins to develop; an ordinary physician treats disease once it is fully manifest."
Since the emergence of Chinese characters, oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions (inscriptions on bronze vessels) have already included Chinese characters for yao (medicine) and shan (food). The compound term "yao shan" (medicinal diet) — formed by combining the characters for medicine and food — first appears in the ancient text Hou Hanshu (The History of the Later Han Dynasty). These records confirm that the concept of medicinal food existed in China at least two thousand years ago. Even before the term "medicinal diet" was formally coined, ancient Chinese texts documented the preparation and application of such dietary therapies.
