In today's society, chronic diseases have become a veritable "health killer," showing a rapid upward trend in recent years. Data from the "Report on the Status of Nutrition and Chronic Diseases among Chinese Residents (2015)" released earlier by the National Health Commission indicates that chronic diseases account for a staggering 86.6% of all deaths among Chinese residents, with patients showing a trend toward younger age groups.Unhealthy lifestyles—characterized by high salt, oil, and sugar intake coupled with insufficient exercise—are primary drivers of chronic disease onset and progression.
Chronic diseases encompass a broad spectrum, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, oral diseases, as well as conditions affecting the endocrine, renal, skeletal, and nervous systems.
Xu Yunsheng, President of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Pharmaceutical University, stated in an exclusive interview with the People's Daily News App during the 12th Winter Solstice Ejiao Tonic Festival: "Herbal paste formulations demonstrate significant efficacy in managing chronic diseases, making this approach to health maintenance highly commendable."
Winter tonic regimens aid fundamental health regulation
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that humans live within nature, and bodily functions naturally shift with the seasons—a concept known as "heaven-human correspondence." Following the cycle of "spring birth, summer growth, autumn harvest, winter storage," humans enter a period of "hibernation" during winter. Taking tonics and supplements at this time facilitates nutrient absorption and storage, maximizing their efficacy.For chronic disease patients, winter supplementation is particularly essential.
The cold winter months represent a high-risk period for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This stems from the fact that nationwide "freezing conditions" can easily disrupt internal bodily equilibrium. Moreover, cold weather acts as a stimulus to the vascular system. When peripheral blood vessels constrict, it most readily leads to elevated arterial blood pressure, thereby increasing susceptibility to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders.
Yang Sijin, Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated with Southwest Medical University, emphasized in an exclusive interview: To prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, one must not prioritize indulgence over health. Lifestyle improvements and balanced nutrition are crucial, avoiding excessively rich and greasy foods.
Professor Yang Sijin, President of the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University
For cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease patients, lifestyle adjustments alone are insufficient; complementary TCM care is also necessary. Herbal paste formulas can be tailored to individual constitutions, addressing specific conditions through preventive medicine to avert sub-health or disease progression.
Dong'e Ejiao, a food-medicine dual-use substance and key ingredient in medicinal paste formulas, possesses qi and blood-nourishing properties from a medical perspective. Professor Yang believes that consuming Dong'e Ejiao as a snack offers certain health benefits and regulatory effects. However, to enhance therapeutic outcomes, it should be combined with other herbs tailored to the patient's constitution and condition under medical guidance.
Regarding the question "Which age group is Dong'e Ejiao most suitable for?", Yang Sijin provided a clear answer: "Dong'e Ejiao has no specific age restrictions, though it is particularly beneficial when started in early middle age."
Beyond cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, winter tonic supplementation is also highly necessary for diabetes patients. "Every autumn and winter, I prescribe medicinal paste formulas for diabetes patients on long-term medication,"Xu Yunsheng, Dean of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated.
Xu Yunsheng, Dean of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Xu Yunsheng believes winter paste formulas offer restorative benefits and help regulate bodily functions. "Dong'e Ejiao is highly effective for long-term consumption with minimal impact on blood sugar levels. It can be dissolved in herbal decoctions or mixed into congee."
When treating chronic diseases, reducing complications is another challenge for traditional Chinese medicine.
Xu Yunsheng also mentioned that through years of practice, Chinese herbal medicine has demonstrated unique efficacy in preventing and treating complications. For instance, diabetic neuropathy—one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes—can affect both central and peripheral nerves, causing excruciating pain during episodes. Chinese herbal medicine offers distinctive therapeutic benefits in such cases.
Regulating Emotions Benefits Chronic Conditions
To cure or prevent chronic diseases, relying solely on "nourishing the body" is insufficient; "nourishing the mind" is also an indispensable component.Extreme emotional fluctuations can trigger numerous diseases. For instance, individuals with chronic irritability are more prone to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; those under prolonged high-stress conditions may experience persistently elevated baseline blood sugar levels, potentially leading to diabetes...
According to traditional Chinese medical texts, human emotional activities are closely linked to the five major organs.Emotional changes in the human body, triggered by external environments, originate from the physiological activities of the five organs. Thus, the seven emotions are termed the five emotions, each associated with a specific organ. Excessive emotional states act as psychogenic factors that can directly damage the corresponding organ. "The highest realm of health preservation is nurturing the mind. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes treating diseases through emotional regulation, which greatly aids in mental cultivation," notes Xu Yunsheng. He believes Dong'e Ejiao has certain benefits for regulating emotions.
Menopause is a period of significant emotional fluctuation for women, with some experiencing negative emotions like irritability, sadness, and discontent. Professor Zhu Kangmei from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Shuguang Hospital explained in an exclusive interview with People's Daily News App that female menopause refers to the transition from the reproductive to non-reproductive phase. During this stage, declining estrogen levels cause what traditional Chinese medicine terms yin-yang imbalance.Menopause typically occurs between ages 45 and 55. Women often become prone to overthinking, experience poor sleep at night, and tend to have shorter tempers. To address these challenges, women can benefit from early TCM regulation. For instance, Dong'e Ejiao is a nutritional supplement that nourishes yin and blood, making it highly suitable for women to help stabilize their emotions. "Many friends around me have seen noticeable improvements in their complexion and health indicators since taking this herbal paste."
Professor Zhu Kangmei, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Shuguang Hospital