Do you know that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes treating winter diseases in summer? "San Fu Tie" is a good method used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat winter diseases in summer. As the San Fu days approach, various traditional Chinese medicine hospitals across the country will launch treatments using San Fu Tie. Do you know the principles behind the treatment of San Fu Tie? There are also some considerations when using San Fu Tie for certain individuals.
【The Principles Behind the Treatment of San Fu Tie】
San Fu Tie, also known as "Tian Jiu," originated from the Qing Dynasty and was first recorded in Zhang Lu's "Zhang Shi Yi Tong" during the Qing Dynasty. In modern times, San Fu Tie is based on the ancient theory of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer, nourishing Yin in autumn and winter." By applying medicinal patches to specific acupoints, San Fu Tie adjusts the balance of Yin and Yang in the body, allowing some chronic diseases to recover.
Common San Fu Tie patches on the market today are usually in the form of ointments. According to ancient methods, they should be applied to specific acupoints on the back during the first day of each Fu period in the summer of the lunar calendar. San Fu Tie is one of the representative methods for treating winter diseases. It is recorded that it can treat and prevent certain diseases that occur in winter (such as rhinitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and asthma). Depending on the different diseases, four patches are usually applied to different locations on the back.
San Fu Tie embodies the concept of "treating diseases before they occur" in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the characteristics of the seasons and the principles of "treating winter diseases in summer" in traditional Chinese medicine, San Fu Tie combines Tian Jiu, meridians, and Chinese herbal medicine. Natural Chinese herbs are used to prepare ointments that are applied to corresponding acupoints on the body, enhancing the body's Yang energy and immune function, achieving the goal of treating diseases and nurturing health.
At the same time, the application of acupoint patches in San Fu Tie is also an important method in traditional Chinese medicine for preventing and treating diseases. It is based on the principle of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer" in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. It takes advantage of the high temperature in summer, the abundance of Yang energy in the body's meridians, and the vigorous flow of Qi and blood on the body's surface. By orally taking or externally applying certain herbal medicines, it adjusts the balance of Yin and Yang in the body, allowing some chronic diseases to recover.
Therefore, "treating winter diseases in summer with San Fu Tie" embodies the holistic concept of harmony between humans and nature in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the concept of focusing on disease prevention.
【Foods to Avoid After Applying San Fu Tie】
Firstly, avoid foods that cause heat, such as Chinese leeks, ginger, pepper, lamb, and dog meat;
Secondly, avoid foods that cause wind, such as shrimp, crab, goose, eggs, and edible fern;
Thirdly, avoid foods that cause damp-heat, such as malt sugar, glutinous rice, and pork;
Fourthly, avoid foods that cause cold accumulation, such as watermelon, pear, persimmon, and other raw and cold foods;
Fifthly, avoid foods that promote blood flow, such as chili and pepper;
Sixthly, avoid foods that cause Qi stagnation, such as lamb, lotus seeds, and Euryale ferox;
Seventhly, avoid certain foods that are commonly used, such as konjac, taro, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and leek.
【Five Types of People Unsuitable for San Fu Tie】
Although San Fu Tie can improve immunity and prevent some diseases from recurring in winter, it is not suitable for everyone and does not have therapeutic effects on all diseases. Some of the Chinese herbal medicines used in San Fu Tie have strong irritant effects on the skin. Therefore, pregnant women, elderly and weak individuals, people with skin allergies, and those in the acute phase of illness should use San Fu Tie with caution or avoid it. So, who are the unsuitable individuals for San Fu Tie?
Firstly, it is not suitable for individuals who are allergic to the medications used in San Fu Tie. It is also not recommended for individuals with severe skin diseases, such as skin blisters, abscesses, or skin damage. Individuals in the acute phase of certain diseases, such as acute pharyngitis, fever, jaundice, hemoptysis, or acute exacerbation of chronic asthma, should also refrain from using San Fu Tie. Individuals with feverish diseases, excessive Yin deficiency, or serious cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases should also avoid or not recommend the use of San Fu Tie.
Secondly, pregnant women or women during their menstrual period should not use San Fu Tie. Most external medications may not be safe for pregnant women, and it is advisable to delay the application during menstruation when there is a heavier amount of bleeding.
Thirdly, children under the age of 2 should not undergo San Fu Tie treatment. The skin of children under the age of 2 is too delicate to tolerate the irritation of the medication. In addition, because young children do not know how to express their discomfort, it can affect the safety of the treatment.
Fourthly, it is not recommended for individuals with diabetes or those with severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It may cause skin ulcers and infections, so San Fu Tie or acupoint injection treatments are generally not recommended.
Fifthly, it is not recommended during the acute phase of a disease. In addition, the duration of wearing San Fu Tie is generally 6 hours for adults and 1-2 hours for children. If there is unbearable itching, burning, or pain on the skin after application, the ointment should be removed immediately. Scratching should be avoided, and self-recovery is generally possible. If there is redness, swelling, blisters, or other reactions on the skin, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.
