As we get older, many people have this feeling: even without doing heavy work, they always feel exhausted all over; there's tightness in the chest, like a heavy stone is pressing down; sometimes there are unexplained stabbing pains on the body, with no appetite for meals and restless sleep. In fact, this is mostly due to "stagnation" in the body. To suffer less and make the body stronger and healthier, the key is to thoroughly clear out these three types of stagnation.

First, Qi Stagnation

Qi is the driving force of the body. It not only propels blood through the blood vessels but also regulates the distribution of fluids within the body. When Qi becomes stagnant, it is like a blocked water pipe at home—water cannot flow, and the body’s energy cannot keep up. People in this condition often feel tightness in the chest, lack energy, feel listless all day, have no appetite for anything, and toss and turn at night, easily waking up even after finally falling asleep. The liver is responsible for regulating Qi flow, so addressing Qi stagnation involves soothing the liver. One can try modified **Chaihu Shugan San** (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder).

Next, blood stasis

Blood needs to flow smoothly within the body. However, as people age, the body’s Yang Qi gradually weakens, making it easier for cold and dampness to invade. Blood coagulates when exposed to cold, slowly forming blood stasis. Those with blood stasis often have rough skin to the touch, dark or even purplish lips, dull and pale-looking nails, declining memory—sometimes forgetting things immediately after mentioning them—and most notably, experience fixed, stabbing pain in certain areas of the body. In such cases, one can try modified **Xuefu Zhuyu Tang** (Blood House Stasis-Expelling Decoction) to dissolve stagnant blood and restore smooth blood flow.

Finally, phlegm stasis

Spleen Deficiency Generates Phlegm. The spleen is responsible for transporting and transforming dampness—it’s like the drainage pump at home. If the spleen’s strength is weak, water-dampness cannot be properly expelled and gradually turns into phlegm. This phlegm isn’t just the kind that can be coughed up from the throat; it also causes trouble inside the body, sticking to the spleen and stomach, preventing them from functioning properly. Food that is eaten cannot be digested, and it also blocks the pathways of qi. People with heavy phlegm-dampness often feel so tired they don’t want to move. Even after sleeping all afternoon, they still feel listless upon waking, with a foggy head, a persistent sticky phlegm in the throat that can neither be fully coughed up nor swallowed down, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. To regulate this condition, you can try modified Ping Wei San.

The content of this article is for informational and educational purposes only. If you are truly feeling unwell, do not tough it out on your own—promptly seek advice from a professional doctor. When it comes to medication, be cautious and never take drugs casually by yourself. After all, everyone’s constitution is different; treatment must be tailored to the specific condition to be effective. Using medication incorrectly could potentially harm your health.