Introduction to Traditional Medicine (Đông Y)
📌 The speaker aims to share basic knowledge of Traditional Medicine (TM), as academic curricula are often too complex and inaccessible for the general public.
👩‍⚕️ Understanding TM principles allows patients to evaluate treatment plans and question improper prescriptions (e.g., using cold-natured herbs for a "cold" condition).
💡 The goal is to provide patients with enough foundational knowledge to understand treatments, engage in self-prevention, or self-treat minor ailments.

Foundational Theories of Traditional Medicine
📌 The core of TM is built upon rigorous theories (Y Lý), including the concepts of Yin and Yang (Âm Dương) and the Five Elements (Ngũ Hành).
☯️ The Yin-Yang theory, represented by the Taijitu symbol, describes the universe through pairs of opposites (e.g., hot is Yang, cold is Yin; sun is Yang, moon is Yin).
🔬 Differentiating between Yin and Yang is the critical first step in diagnosis and prescribing correct TM treatments; failure to do so leads to completely erroneous treatment protocols.

Yin Deficiency (Âm Hư) and Yang Deficiency (Dương Hư)
📌 Yin Deficiency (Âm Hư) occurs when the Yin aspect is depleted (e.g., lack of cooling fluids); this leads to excess relative heat or "internal fire," manifesting as irritability, heat flashes, and night sweats (Âm Hư Đạo Hãn).
🌡️ An example provided is an athlete drinking excessive amounts of cooling drinks (like artichoke tea), which depletes Yin, leading to weakness and reduced endurance (Yang deficiency symptoms).
❄️ Yang Deficiency (Dương Hư) occurs when warming, active energy (Yang Qi) is low, leading to coldness, poor circulation, and chronic cold symptoms, often manifesting internally as cold digestion or weak kidney function, frequently linked to issues like low sperm motility.

Application of Yin-Yang in Treatment and Lifestyle
📌 TM principles dictate that every treatment must maintain internal balance: tonifying Yang often requires adding a small amount of Yin-nourishing herbs, and vice versa, based on the principle: "Yang generates Yin; Yin matures Yang" (Dương sinh Âm, Âm trưởng Dương).
🏃‍♂️ Lifestyle choices must align with natural cycles; working night shifts disrupts the body's natural Yin (rest/night) and Yang (activity/day) balance, inevitably leading to chronic health issues later in life.
🌬️ Coldness in the body, especially localized coldness in the abdomen or uterus, signifies excess Yin or deficient Yang, contributing to conditions like uterine fibroids or persistent sinusitis due to chronic dampness and cold failing to warm the cavities.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Master the Yin-Yang Dichotomy: Always prioritize identifying if a condition is fundamentally hot (Yang) or cold (Yin), as this dictates the entire course of TM treatment.
➡️ Lifestyle Harmony is Crucial: Avoid acting against natural cycles, especially avoiding night work/staying awake during Yin time (night), as this creates deep, long-term physiological imbalance that medicine struggles to fully correct.
➡️ Formulas Require Balance: Effective TM prescriptions must incorporate balancing elements; Yang tonics require a touch of Yin nourishment, and vice versa, to prevent depletion or stagnation in the long term.
➡️ Observe Daily Phenomena: Use observations of natural cycles (e.g., temperature shifts throughout the day) to understand the fundamental relationship between Yin and Yang in both the environment and the body.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Nov 20, 2025, 08:21 UTC