Traditional medicine believes that there exist "blood, water, and qi" within the human body. Their infinite circulation is considered to be the state of health. If any part of this cycle stagnates, it will affect the others and impact the overall circulation. Supporting their circulation is the body's heat; if the body temperature drops and the body gets cold, the flow of "blood, water, and qi" begins to slow down, causing various problems including those related to beauty.
Experts claim that in recent years, due to women's body temperatures generally being lower than normal, the functions of internal organs have become weaker. Water metabolism and excretion have deteriorated, leading to an accumulation of excess water in the body. This triggers a series of issues, including obesity caused by fat accumulation, a sallow complexion due to toxin buildup, and a decline in the body's immunity.
Some people may have pale or bruised-looking faces due to low body temperature, which causes stagnation of blood and qi, resulting in poor circulation. Traditional medicine refers to this as having "cold-dampness." Acne and spots on the face occur because of "cold" toxins within the body. Lower back pain, stiff shoulders, and swollen ankles also result from internal coldness. A loose and overweight figure occurs due to insufficient blood and weak kidney fire.
Increasing body temperature and expelling coldness are essential for beauty. Having sufficient blood and qi is the fundamental method to remove cold-dampness, increase body temperature, and achieve beauty.
Experts believe that only when the body has adequate blood supply will the kidneys function well, ensuring smooth blood circulation and making the whole body feel warm and comfortable. Cold-dampness will then have no place to settle, and acne and spots will not appear.
(1) Quick Method to Remove Cold and Beautify - Heat Therapy
The principle lies in "heat brings qi," "qi flows then blood flows," and "blood and qi circulate with heat."
1. Hot Compress: Placing a heated object on the area or acupoint that needs improvement can relax muscles, dilate blood vessels, and promote blood circulation, thereby warming the body and keeping it warm. For example, the moxibustion method used in beauty salons involves burning natural medicinal plant formulations at corresponding acupoints on the body, using thermal stimulation to remove cold-dampness and replenish primordial energy through the meridians.
Another example is the energy hot stone therapy. Heating stones in water and placing them on the body, thanks to their heat-retaining properties, allows the warm current to flow deeply into the body, thoroughly relaxing it. When paired with essential oils made from ingredients like cinnamon leaves, thyme, and juniper berries, this therapy can improve blood circulation throughout the body, alleviate cold hands and feet, and ensure smoother blood return.
2. Hot Fumigation: Heating herbs or other heat-conducting substances and wrapping them, then placing them on specific areas or acupoints of the body and moving them back and forth or in a circular motion. For instance, local heat therapy care with hot herbal bags in beauty salons uses natural Chinese herbs such as motherwort and astragalus. Applied to the abdomen, they can improve poor circulation, gastrointestinal discomfort, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, etc. A combination of herbs like thoroughwort and safflower, applied to the back and legs, can invigorate blood circulation, relieve muscle soreness, and treat rheumatic arthritis.
Additionally, rubbing your hands until they are warm and applying them to the area that needs improvement, then repeating the process multiple times, is said to beautify the face when done regularly.
3. Hot Fumigation: Divided into steam fumigation and heat cauterization methods. Using some herbs that dispel cold-dampness for steam baths or foot baths, when the hot medicinal liquid washes over the skin or affected area, the warm stimulation causes systemic vasodilation, promoting blood circulation and lymphatic detoxification. Additionally, infrared lamps commonly used in beauty treatments operate on the same principle.
4. Furthermore, massage techniques involving friction and cupping are all ways to strengthen the body through heat.