Wrinkles from Low Qi and Blood? Try this powerful move to boost qi, clear blood stasis, and fight aging.
The originally smooth forehead begins to develop wrinkles. When smiling, fine lines around the corners of the eyes cannot be concealed. Even without expression, the nasolabial folds on both sides of the nose won't disappear. Wrinkles are not just a symbol of aging, but also an expression of bodily condition. Traditional Chinese medicine says, "All diseases start from within and manifest on the outside," meaning the internal functions of the organs, whether good or bad, will show on the face. Qi management expert Master Bai Yin says that the internal qi and blood will reflect on the face; every appearance of a wrinkle is proof of deficiency in internal qi and blood.
why we do it
At the age of 35, Yang Qi decline leads to wrinkles.
In the Yellow Emperor’ Classic of Internal Medicine, it is mentioned that after women reach the age of 35, the Yangming meridian declines. This can lead to changes in complexion such as darkening and yellowing, the appearance of spots, wrinkles, and hair loss. By the age of 42, all three Yang meridians further decline, resulting in even darker and sallower complexion, along with the onset of white hair.
For men, the aging process is slightly slower than that of women. After the age of 40, kidney Qi starts to decline, which may lead to hair loss and loosening of teeth. By the age of 48, yang Qi declines significantly and may struggle to reach the head, leading to a complexion that appears sallow and hair that turns grey at the temples.
Traditional Chinese medicine says "the face reflects the health of the internal organs." For people with insufficient yang Qi, the organs lack energy, and Qi and blood cannot nourish the facial muscles and skin. This leads to dryness and the appearance of wrinkles on the face. The cause of facial aging, whether due to Yangming meridian, Three Yang meridians, or kidney Qi deficiency, is simply insufficient yang Qi in the body.
For example, if a woman's Yangming meridian (which includes the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians) declines, the function of the spleen and stomach will diminish. Since the spleen is the source of Qi and blood transformation, if the spleen and stomach are not functioning well, the production of Qi and blood decreases, nutrients are not absorbed effectively by the body, and the skin is not nourished. Such individuals not only exhibit a yellow complexion and wrinkles, but also commonly experience symptoms like palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia with frequent dreaming, and constipation.
At the age of 42, organ functions decline.
Master Bai Yin points out that the complexion and wrinkles on the face are related to the function of our internal organs. When the body lacks yang Qi and is deficient in Qi and blood, the energy of the organs will be insufficient, causing their functions to decline. This can lead to a sallow complexion, dullness, and the appearance of wrinkles, making a person look older.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that "the head is the gathering place of all yang." For instance, the Three Yang meridians refer to the Hand Three Yang and Foot Three Yang meridians, which all traverse the head and face, corresponding to the Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder, Gallbladder, and Triple Burner organs, collectively known as the six fu organs. After the age of 42, if all Three Yang meridians decline, it indicates a decline in the functions of these six fu organs, affecting digestion, absorption, and excretion abilities.
For example, the Triple Burner meridian governs the overall Qi of the body and is equivalent to the endocrine system in Western medicine. Master Bai Yin mentions that facial aging is related to endocrine imbalance, but it is often difficult to pinpoint specific endocrine imbalances in a hospital setting. In such cases, seeking traditional Chinese medicine or practicing Qigong can help regulate the Triple Burner meridian, smoothing the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body for normal functioning.
Reversing aging by replenishing Qi and blood
Many modern people suffer to varying degrees from stagnation of Qi and blood. Mild cases result in poor sleep, digestive disorders, and poor complexion, while severe cases involve chronic illnesses requiring medication. Master Bai Yin suggests that when issues arise with Qi and blood, the focus should be on improving their circulation. Practicing Qigong is effective in regulating Qi and blood; once the correct method is identified, results are noticeable.
For instance, the Triple Burner meridian connects the upper body, including the head and face, to the lower body, including the breasts. Many gynaecological issues such as breast hyperplasia, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstruation are linked to blockages in the Triple Burner meridian preventing the proper flow of Qi. Regular practice of Triple Burner techniques can significantly improve Qi circulation and resolve stagnation.
Through Qigong practice, damaged organs can be repaired and regulated, gradually restoring their proper functions. Healthy organs will reflect positively on the face, reducing original roughness and wrinkles without external interventions. Aging, in fact, can be reversed through these methods.
Triple Burner Technique for Endocrine Imbalance
- Stand with feet parallel, knees bent.
- Slightly lower the head, begin to gather Qi from the lower abdomen with both hands, lifting upward until they are level with the chest, then turn the palms upwards and raise the head, extending the body upwards.
- Lift the heels of the rear foot, lower both hands down from the sides, and at the same time, slightly squat the body.
- Repeat this sequence 7 times.
