Many people often feel their immunity is poor, suffering from minor ailments every now and then? You might want to pay more attention, as it could be a sign of insufficient Yang Qi in your body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Yang Qi is like a protective shield for our body, helping to block out external pathogenic factors like wind and cold. Moreover, Yang Qi warms the internal organs and even reaches into the joints and bones within the body. When Yang Qi is sufficient, immunity naturally becomes stronger, and one suffers less from illnesses.

To maintain good health, remember these three Yang-boosting "valves." The Sanfu days (dog days of summer) are when Yang Qi is at its peak. During this time, massaging or applying moxibustion to these points can help boost Yang Qi, enhance immunity, and expel cold-dampness from the joints. Now, let's take a look at what these three points are.

First, let's talk about the Shenque acupoint.

The Shenque acupoint is located at the center of the navel, directly corresponding to the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are the source of Qi and blood production, generating Qi, blood, and Yang energy to nourish the entire body. Therefore, regular moxibustion at the Shenque acupoint can promote the functioning of the spleen and stomach, allowing Qi, blood, and Yang energy to flourish. Additionally, the Shenque acupoint is internally connected to the true Yang and serves as the foundation of primordial Qi. For those who often feel cold in the lower abdomen, have poor digestion, experience abdominal cold pain, cannot tolerate cold drinks, suffer from frequent diarrhea, or even face related health issues, moxibustion at the Shenque acupoint can be tried for adjustment.

Next, let's discuss the Dazhui acupoint.

The Dazhui acupoint is a point through which all Yang meridians in the body pass, and it lies on the Governor Vessel, which is known as the "Sea of Yang Energy." This acupoint can awaken Yang energy and expel cold from the body. Regular moxibustion at the Dazhui acupoint can stimulate Yang energy in the Yang meridians, serving to relieve exterior symptoms and disperse cold. In daily life, if one accidentally catches a cold, experiences tension and dull pain in the head, nasal congestion, or clear runny nose, moxibustion at the Dazhui acupoint can also help by promoting Yang energy, dispelling cold, and boosting immunity.

Finally, let's talk about the Guanyuan acupoint.

The Guanyuan acupoint helps tonify kidney yang. Kidney yang is the root of the body's overall yang qi; when kidney yang is sufficient, it can nourish the yang qi of all the other organs and viscera. In other words, when kidney yang is adequate, the yang qi throughout the body naturally becomes sufficient as well. Therefore, the Guanyuan acupoint works by tonifying kidney yang to mobilize the yang qi throughout the entire body. Furthermore, the Guanyuan acupoint is a major health preservation point on our body. Regular rubbing and moxibustion at this point can help regulate issues such as cold intolerance, cold hands and feet, frequent urge to urinate, and even improve irregular menstruation in women and certain male-related concerns.

If you feel like your yang energy is insufficient and experience minor health issues frequently, you might want to try stimulating these three acupoints. However, please note that if you have symptoms of yin deficiency with internal heat, or suffer from excess heat or damp-heat in your body, moxibustion on these acupoints may not be suitable. That’s all for today’s sharing. This article is for educational purposes only. If you’re truly feeling unwell, don’t tough it out—be sure to consult a healthcare professional. See you next time!