Rebirth 1977 Great Era

Chapter 905 Warming the Kidneys and Unblocking the Meridians to Dispel the Gloom, Meridian Pills Protect the Nation (Two-in-One Chapter)
Folk remedies can be used to tonify the kidneys and warm the yang to reduce dark circles.

Black beans, due to their black color, are considered to nourish the kidneys and also have the effects of strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis, thus harmonizing the spleen and kidneys.

Pork kidneys are used in the traditional Chinese medicine practice of "like cures like," directly warming and tonifying kidney yang. Furthermore, the kidneys must be from native Chinese black-haired pigs; these are acceptable for medicinal use. English white Yorkshire pigs are not suitable.

Eucommia ulmoides is a medicinal herb that nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones, and enhances the warming and yang-tonifying effects.

The above three factors work together to address the root cause of kidney yang deficiency.

Classic formulas work together to warm and tonify the spleen and kidneys.

Fuzi Lizhong Decoction is used to warm the middle jiao, dispel cold, replenish qi, and strengthen the spleen, targeting spleen deficiency and cold.

Zhenwu Decoction is used to warm the Yang and promote diuresis, thus resolving the excess of kidney water.

When used together, the two formulas not only warm and tonify the fire of the gate of life to strengthen kidney yang, but also invigorate the spleen to control dampness, while improving skin pigmentation by promoting diuresis and removing blood stasis.

However, since it's a combination of different formulas, we can't use the original recipe; we need to make some additions, subtractions, and modifications.

Fang Yan thought for a moment, then picked up a pen and began writing down the recipe. To make it understandable, Fang Yan wrote:

Prepared aconite root 12g (decocted for 2 hours first): warms the kidneys and strengthens yang.

9g of dried ginger: helps aconite to restore yang and reverse adverse conditions.

Astragalus 30g: Greatly replenishes the Qi of the spleen and lungs, and raises blood pressure.

Atractylodes macrocephala 15g: Strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, rebuilding the "soil and water conservation system".

Poria cocos 20g: promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness, and helps to drain excess kidney water.

30g of Danshen: Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, reduces skin melanin (inhibits melanocyte-stimulating hormone).
Safflower 9g: Promotes blood circulation and menstruation, improves microcirculation (and promotes skin metabolism).
Prepared licorice root 9g: harmonizes the effects of other herbs and has corticosteroid-like effects.

Decoction: First decoct the aconite for 2 hours, then add the remaining herbs and decoct until reduced to 200ml.

Dosage: Take half the dose on an empty stomach in the morning (to mimic the diurnal rhythm of cortisol), and take the remaining half in the afternoon.

Black bean and pork kidney soup:
Take 50g of black beans, one pair of local black-haired pig kidneys, and 10g of Eucommia ulmoides, three times a week.

After writing down the prescription in dialect, he handed both the formula and the folk remedy to Comrade Hu.

Comrade Hu took it, glanced at the contents, and then asked the person in the dialect:

"Dr. Fang, could you explain this to me?"

I understand the dialect.

This is another time to use a metaphor to explain my thinking clearly.

Fang Yan thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then said:

"Your body is like a heating system."

"The kidneys are like the core of a heating system, a boiler that provides warmth and energy; the spleen is like a dam that controls the flow of water and can effectively regulate the body's moisture."

Fang Yan remembered that the other person worked in the Gobi Desert, and not knowing if the other person could understand him, he asked:

Do you understand what I'm saying?

"I can understand it." Comrade Hu nodded.

Fang Yan then continued:
"The root cause of your dark skin is the 'heating boiler,' which is a deficiency of kidney yang, resulting in an inability to supply heat properly. When heat is insufficient, the 'cold water,' or dampness, in the body will get out of control and overflow uncontrollably, like a dam breaking, with a large amount of water carrying silt settling everywhere. This overflowing dampness accumulates over a long period of time, eventually causing the skin to look as if it has been stained by 'water rust,' gradually turning black."

"As for your feeling of weakness and weight loss, it is also due to 'heating,' which means insufficient kidney yang."

"When this 'room,' that is, the body, does not receive enough heat, it will fall into a cold state."

"In such a low-temperature environment, the body cannot effectively convert ingested substances into energy. The operation speed of various 'machines,' that is, organs, will become sluggish, and their functions will gradually decline, eventually manifesting as physical weakness and gradual weight loss."

“You came into contact with this chemical substance, and we don’t care what it is, we consider it something that affects the boiler.”

"What we need to do now is to adjust it back."

"Hmm..." Comrade Hu nodded repeatedly when he heard this, and he understood what Fang Yan meant.

Everyone else understood what Comrade Hu's current situation was like.

While it may not be entirely accurate, I've roughly figured out the situation.

Fang Yan continued:

"Our treatment plan involves a three-step approach to repair the system."

"The first step is a folk remedy of black bean and pork kidney soup, which is a fuel supplement."

"Black beans are like high-quality coal because of their black color. According to the traditional Chinese medicine theory that 'black enters the kidneys,' eating black beans can replenish the firepower of the kidneys, which are like a 'heating boiler,' and enhance kidney function."

"At the same time, black beans also have a diuretic effect, just like unclogging a sewer, helping the body to expel excess water and maintain the body's fluid metabolism balance."

“The black-haired pig’s kidneys and kidneys are similar in shape. According to the traditional concept of ‘like cures like,’ it is like a custom-made part for the kidneys, which are like a ‘boiler.’”

"It has to be black-haired pigs?" Comrade Hu asked curiously, looking at the dots specifically marked on the prescription.

Fang Yan nodded:
"That's exactly what I wanted to say. Pork kidneys, especially those from local black pigs, are more compatible with the constitution of Chinese people and can better exert their nourishing effects. On the other hand, pork kidneys from imported pig breeds are less compatible with our bodies in terms of nutritional components and biological characteristics due to differences in growth environment and feeding methods, so their nourishing effects are relatively weaker."

"Oh...I understand!" Comrade Hu looked enlightened.

The other people from the China Academy of Engineering Physics were probably hearing this for the first time as well, and they all had expressions of astonishment.

Chairman Qian asked:
"So that means we Chinese should eat food that's best produced locally in China?"

Fang Yan nodded:
"That's right. It's not just food; medicinal herbs are also divided into specific producing areas. Different medicinal herbs have the best efficacy in their fixed producing areas. For example, foreign TCM doctors basically buy our domestic authentic medicinal herbs. The ones they grow themselves are not as effective as ours, or they are simply mutated and have no effect."

"Is that so?" Chairman Qian looked at the Vice Minister of Health.

The Vice Minister of Health nodded:

"Indeed, the export of Chinese medicinal herbs is also a source of foreign exchange earnings."

"The international demand is quite large."

"Will we have enough for ourselves?" Chairman Qian realized the problem.

The Deputy Minister of Health said somewhat uncertainly:
"Should be...enough?"

The dean said:

"I asked the medicine supplier for our hospital, and if other subordinate units don't have enough, they use medicine from non-originating regions. Internationally, they only use medicine from the original producing areas."

"That's actually enough."

Chairman Qian opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped himself.

"There's no other way, it's about earning foreign exchange..." The Vice Minister of Health smiled helplessly.

Chairman Qian did not reply, but spoke to the dialect:

"Dr. Fang, please continue!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan continued:
"Finally, the Eucommia ulmoides acts like steel bars, reinforcing the support structure of the kidney, which is like a boiler."

"It can strengthen the muscles and bones, stabilize the body's foundation, thereby preventing the leakage of the kidney's yang energy, reducing energy loss, and making the body's 'heating system' run more stably and efficiently."

"In terms of how to consume it, it is recommended to eat the above-mentioned ingredients three times a week. This regular intake is like adding a special fuel pack to the kidneys, the 'boiler,' to continuously replenish the body with energy, maintain kidney function, and keep the body in good condition."

"Based on medical records, this folk remedy can indeed repair your body system if taken consistently over a long period of time. However, considering your busy work schedule and limited time, in order to speed up the repair process, I have devised a second plan, which is to combine it with traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, like giving your system an emergency repair."

Fang Yan pointed to the prescription he had just written and explained to Comrade Hu:

"In this formula, aconite and dried ginger act like powerful accelerants."

"Aconite can quickly warm and replenish kidney yang, restarting your kidneys, which are like a 'heating boiler.' However, it contains toxins, so it needs to be decocted for two hours first, just like removing impurities from the fuel in advance to ensure safety and effectiveness. Also, I would like to remind you that you must not drink cold water after taking this medicine, otherwise you may be poisoned."

"Huh? Poisonous?" Comrade Hu was taken aback.

Fang Yan explained to him:

"This aconite contains aconitine, which hydrolyzes into less toxic monoester alkaloids when heated with water. Further hydrolysis produces even less toxic aconitine. However, when it comes into contact with cold water, some of it will revert to the highly toxic aconitine. That's why I don't let you drink cold water. You have to be careful about this. Although I prescribed processed aconite for your safety, it is still toxic."

After hearing this, Comrade Hu nodded seriously:
"Okay! I'll make a note of it!"

As he spoke, he took out a pen and quickly wrote a note on the form, then pointed to the following content and said:
"Please continue..."

Fang Yan glanced at the prescription and continued:
"The dried ginger assists the aconite to enhance its warming power, while the astragalus and atractylodes are like cement, which can strengthen your spleen, the 'dam'. The spleen is responsible for transporting and transforming water and dampness. When the spleen's function is enhanced, it can effectively prevent dampness from overflowing again and avoid the disorder of water metabolism in the body."

"Poria cocos acts like a drainage pump, specifically responsible for promoting diuresis and removing excess water from the body; Salvia miltiorrhiza or safflower act like a sludge removal vehicle, which can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, helping to clear the blood stasis in the body, and can also remove the melanin deposited in the skin, improving your skin's darkening condition."

"Prepared licorice root acts like a lubricant, coordinating the effects of various medicinal herbs in a prescription, allowing them to work together more smoothly, reducing 'friction' between herbs, and enabling the entire prescription to exert its best therapeutic effect. At the same time, it also has detoxifying properties, which is like an insurance policy for you."

Comrade Hu nodded, now he understood.

Then he saw the following and asked:
"And when should I take the medicine?"

He said in dialect:

"Indeed, there are also considerations regarding the timing of medication."

"Taking medicine on an empty stomach in the morning is like igniting a boiler in the early morning to preheat it, which allows the medicine to be absorbed better and exert its warming effect; taking it again in the afternoon can maintain the effect of the medicine for a whole day, just like continuously replenishing the body with heat to ensure the stable operation of the 'heating system'."

Comrade Hu nodded, then asked Fang Yan with some curiosity:

"Dr. Fang, you just mentioned a three-step repair process. What is the third step of the repair plan?"

The dialect responded:
"The third step is daily conditioning, which is like performing regular maintenance on the body system. You should avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods, because eating raw and cold foods is like pouring cold water into a heating boiler, which can easily damage the body's yang energy; while greasy foods are like dumping garbage into the boiler, which will aggravate the dampness in the body."

Comrade Hu nodded, thought for a moment, and then said:

"Then I have one last question."

"Please speak," Fang Yan gestured for him to continue.

He asked with some concern:

"How long will the treatment take? It shouldn't be several years, right?"

He knew his situation was complicated. Western medicine had previously required him to take medication for life, so how long would it take if he switched to traditional Chinese medicine?
Upon hearing this question, Fang Yan said, "According to this treatment plan, we expect to see initial results within a week. That is, the kidneys, which are like a heating boiler, will restart and resume their original working state, just like frozen pipes gradually thawing and starting to provide heating again."

Upon hearing this, Comrade Hu was visibly surprised.

This happened much faster than he expected.

Then he heard the dialect continue:

"After persisting for a month, the spleen, which acts as a 'dam,' will be repaired, the dampness in the body will decrease, and the darkening of the skin will improve, just like the wall after the water has been drained and the 'water rust' begins to fade."

"If you persist for three months, your kidneys will be able to continuously provide your body with sufficient heat, your body's energy conversion will return to normal, and your physical strength will also recover significantly, just like a fully charged machine that runs powerfully."

"Three months?" Comrade Hu asked in dialect.

Fang Yan nodded and said:
"Yes, it takes longer than for others because this program doesn't simply aim to whiten the skin, but rather to repair the body's 'heating system' from the root."

“Tonifying kidney yang is like reigniting a boiler, giving the body enough heat; strengthening the spleen and stomach is like reinforcing a dam to prevent dampness from overflowing; promoting blood circulation and diuresis is like clearing the “rivers” in the body, promoting the circulation of qi and blood and the metabolism of fluids.”

"This is similar to managing the Yellow River. We need to plug the breaches to prevent flooding, clear the silt from the riverbed to keep the water flowing smoothly, and restore the ecology along the banks to ultimately achieve clean water and stable soil, so that we are no longer troubled by floods. Through such systematic conditioning, the body's various functions return to normal, and the external symptoms will naturally improve."

Comrade Hu shook his head and said:

"No, no! I don't think it's been long, I just think it's been too fast. Compared to taking medicine for life, being cured in just three months is really hard to believe."

He paused, then said with some doubt:

"And you said this is a folk remedy, is it really going to work?"

Fang Yan said after hearing this:
"The folk remedy you mentioned is actually an experienced formula passed down through thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a formula that has been summarized through countless verifications and precise calculations, but it is only circulated among a small number of people."

"It's like back in the 1950s, when some quack doctors submitted folk remedies to the state. Some of these treatments were incredibly bizarre. For example, one secret recipe required laying the head of a pure black dead cat underground for eighty-one days, then digging it up, removing its teeth, and adding some other heavy metal drugs to cure lymph node tuberculosis (see chapters 113 and 192). Another recipe involved burying a dying child in the ground, leaving only the child's head, chest, and abdomen exposed, and curing them overnight (see chapter 764)."

"Moreover, this isn't just a folk remedy; it also contains genuine Chinese medicine. If you still don't trust me, then I'll..."

Upon hearing this, Comrade Hu quickly said:

"No... it's not that I don't trust it, it's just that I find it a bit amazing."

Chairman Qian said:
“Take it back and try it! We don’t rely on subjective conjectures, but on objective practice. Only practice can be the measure of truth.”

"Xiao Hu, this was originally said by Mr. Ziren. I've modified it here and am giving it to you!"

Comrade Hu nodded after hearing this.

Then Chairman Qian said to Fang Yan:

"Dr. Fang's explanation was excellent, and I believe that what he proposed is highly feasible for implementation."

"Moreover, judging from his current treatment results, there is a high probability that he will be successful."

The Deputy Minister of Health said:

"If this can be cured, it will be another significant medical achievement!"

After hearing this, Fang Yan glanced at Lei Lian and said:

"That's also thanks to Grandpa Lei."

Upon hearing this, Chairman Qian smiled and said:

"The young man is quite modest!"

Just then, a report came from outside that the meridian tapping and ear acupuncture patches had been delivered.

Then the dean had someone bring the items up.

Each of the people from the China Academy of Engineering Physics who came today was assigned a spot.

The people who needed ear needles were also given ear needles.

They started teaching them how to use the ear pin patch using their dialect.

The main purpose is to teach them how to locate the position of their ears.

There are two people we need to use: Comrade Lao Yu and Comrade Lao Zhou.

Comrade Lao Yu's ailments include stomach problems, high blood pressure, hernia, and duodenal ulcers (due to long-term liver stagnation leading to multiple systemic diseases).
The ear acupoint patches are applied to the Liver, Heart, and Shenmen acupoints.

Comrade Lao Zhou's ailments are hypertension, coronary heart disease, and chronic hepatitis (liver yang hyperactivity, damp-heat stasis). The ear acupoint patches are also applied to the liver, heart, and Shenmen acupoints.

The ear patches that arrived this time came with a thoughtful ear mold diagram, which marked the locations of the ear acupoints.

Fang Yan recognized that this picture was originally drawn by Meng Jimin.

It's already a finished print design.

Fang Yan first pointed to that spot and said to Comrade Lao Yu:
"The Liver acupoint regulates liver qi stagnation, the Heart acupoint relieves palpitations and high blood pressure, and the Shenmen acupoint calms the mind and reduces stress. When you are under a lot of work pressure, you can press these acupoints yourself, which is equivalent to a 'wireless monitoring system' that regulates your emotions in real time."

"If you can't place it accurately, you can ask the staff at the health center to help you find the right spot."

"Okay, I've got it." Comrade Lao Yu nodded.

Then, turning to Fang Yan, he said to Comrade Lao Zhou:

"Uncle Zhou, the acupoints on your ears are the same. Your liver acupoint is for calming the liver and suppressing yang, and assisting in lowering blood pressure. Your heart acupoint is for improving palpitations and premature beats related to coronary heart disease. Your Shenmen acupoint is for relieving dizziness caused by mental stress. If you feel uncomfortable, press it yourself and combine it with the breathing technique of the 'Xu' sound. Press it during work breaks to maintain the qi and blood of the liver meridian."

"You can ask the staff at the clinic for help with this, or if you're used to it, you can stick it on yourself in front of a mirror."

Comrade Zhou smiled and agreed, saying:

"Okay, then teach me how to use meridian tapping to massage my legs."

Then, the dialect speaker began to teach everyone how to use meridian tapping.

This meridian patting device was also sent by the Huaxia Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It consists of two parts: a patting head and a patting handle. The patting head is oval in shape and generally has a smooth surface. It is also designed with raised particles or massage points to enhance the massage stimulation effect.

The handle is of moderate length and thickness, making it easy to hold and ensuring flexible and effortless operation during use.

I identified this thing by its dialect; it's made of ram's horn.

They are usually made of wood; it's relatively rare to see them made of sheep or cow horns.

The dialect suggests that it was probably intended for export.

Or it might be a gift specifically for foreign guests, who like these kinds of animal products.

They're used to using dialects; they even used metaphors from the very beginning when teaching everyone:

"Meridian tapping is like a smart hydraulic drain cleaner. By rhythmically tapping the body's 'oil system,' which is the meridians, it clears the blocked channels in the flow of qi and blood, allowing the body's energy circulation to become smooth again."

As he spoke, Fang Yan picked up a meridian patting device and said:
"Look at me, everyone, and do it with me. When we're doing this, we start from the liver meridian on the inner side of the thigh root, and go along the midline of the thigh, the inner side of the knee, the inner side of the tibia, all the way to the ankle, and finally to the space between the first and second toes on the dorsum of the foot, just like a maintenance worker checking an oil pipeline section by section. In this process, we need to focus on tapping those 'valve nodes,' which are the acupoints of the body. These acupoints are the key hubs for the flow of qi and blood in the meridians."

Everyone followed the dialect and started doing it again.

While demonstrating the gestures, he said:
"In addition, please note that when holding the meridian tap, your wrist should be kept relaxed. Use the elastic part of the tap head to tap, and never use the hard edge to avoid damaging the skin. The tapping force should be such that the skin turns slightly red without any pain. The technique should be as light and flexible as 'typing on a typewriter'. The tapping rhythm should be controlled at 2 times per second, maintaining a steady speed, just like the swing of a second hand."

"When tapping the Taichong acupoint, exhale while making the 'shh' sound. This is like venting the pressure relief valve of an engine, helping to release the stagnant Qi in the Liver Meridian. The Zusanli acupoint needs to be tapped for 30 seconds, which is equivalent to boosting the body's 'energy pump' for better health benefits."

Everyone nodded.

Then, following the method described in the local dialect, they began to operate it.

After hammering them one by one, I found that using tools was indeed more comfortable than hammering by hand.

Fang Yan said to them:

"I suggest that everyone take 3 minutes every hour to use the meridian tapping tool to tap, just like giving your body a 'workplace oil circuit maintenance' to unblock the meridians, relieve fatigue, and maintain a good physical condition."

Everyone readily agreed.

Then Chairman Qian addressed the crowd:

"What we lack is health education like Dr. Fang's. Once everyone learns it, we should all promote it in our respective departments and try to get everyone to learn it."

Everyone agreed.

Then Chairman Qian said to Fang Yan:

"Dr. Fang, I'd like to bring another group of people over in a few days. Would you mind taking a look at them then?"

Upon hearing the dialect, he quickly looked at the leaders from the Ministry of Health and the hospital director standing to the side.

The two nodded.

He said in dialect:

"Of course!"

Then he had a flash of inspiration and said:

"At that time, I will use our factory's new production line to make some liver-protecting pills for everyone, targeting your common problems."

Anyway, the production line at the factory is already installed, so making some pills for these heroes who dedicated themselves to national defense would be a good thing.

Moreover, this would be possible if we received an order from the China Academy of Engineering Physics.

That would be really awesome.

Look at the scientists at our China Academy of Engineering Physics, they all recognize the value of traditional Chinese medicine.

This place is full of the best of the best scientists. I'd like to see who can still say that traditional Chinese medicine is unscientific.
Upon hearing Fang Yan's words, the Vice Minister of Health, who was also a major shareholder, had a bright idea.

He immediately said:

"Yes, yes, the research institute for the secret formula of dialects is about to start production, so let's give it a try to our colleagues at the China Academy of Engineering Physics."

PS: I've gained 200 more monthly votes (3600 votes as of this writing), so I owe you 4000 more words. My average daily subscriptions have also increased by 400, currently at 4800, so I owe you another 8000 words. Therefore, I currently owe you 25000 words.

There will be an extra chapter later.

(End of this chapter)