In life, Western medicine always gives people the feeling of "treating the head for a headache and the feet for a footache", while traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is different. Even parts of the body that seem unrelated can be relieved through TCM massage, so today I will explain in detail how TCM uses massage to improve appetite by stimulating the Ran Gu acupoint.
Reasons for Loss of Appetite
1. Excessive fatigue
It can cause insufficient blood supply to the stomach wall, resulting in weakened stomach digestive function.
2. Irregular eating habits
The stomach is often in a state of hunger, which can lead to damage to the stomach mucosa and loss of appetite over time.
3. Emotional stress
In today's fast-paced and competitive society, people easily experience insomnia, anxiety, and other stressful emotions, leading to the disruption of gastric secretions and loss of appetite.
4. Pregnancy
In the early stages of pregnancy, or due to the side effects of oral contraceptives, loss of appetite or vomiting may occur.
5. Alcohol and smoking
Alcohol can damage the taste buds on the tongue and directly damage the gastric mucosa. If suffering from ulcer disease or chronic gastritis, excessive drinking can worsen the condition and even cause gastric and duodenal perforation. The harm of smoke to the gastric mucosa is not less than that of alcohol, and smoking can also cause chronic gastritis.
6. Cold and raw foods
Frequent consumption of cold and raw foods, especially before bed, can easily lead to stomach coldness, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
TCM Teaches You How to Massage the Ran Gu Acupoint to Improve Appetite
Ran Gu, also known as "burning grain", refers to the burning and digestion of food that we eat. The Ran Gu acupoint enhances the function of the spleen and stomach, promoting better digestion of food in the stomach. Massaging the Ran Gu acupoint can quickly stimulate hunger and also treat discomfort after overeating, making it a dual-regulating technique. In short, daily massage of the Ran Gu acupoint can increase appetite and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Massaging the Ran Gu acupoint requires some skill: First, accurately locate the acupoint and press it firmly with the thumb, then release the pressure immediately. When pressing the acupoint, there will be a strong sense of soreness and swelling around the acupoint and even along the entire kidney meridian in the leg. However, as the fingers relax, the soreness and swelling will quickly subside. After the soreness and swelling subside, repeat the process 10-20 times. Both Ran Gu acupoints on the feet should be massaged. If you are doing self-massage, both acupoints can be massaged simultaneously.
Location of the Ran Gu Acupoint
The Ran Gu acupoint is the key acupoint for inducing hunger in the human body. It is located on the inner side of our feet, in the middle of the arch, slightly forward. You can feel a gap between the bones, and this is the Ran Gu acupoint. "Ran" means "burning" in Chinese, and "Gu" indicates that the acupoint is located between the tibia and the big bone in the front of the ankle, with the vital energy deeply embedded in this position.
