Have you ever had this experience: you just put down your phone, and the moment you turn around you forget where you placed it; you walk into a room but can't remember what you came to get; you clearly remembered what you needed to buy, but once you reach the supermarket your mind goes completely blank… This kind of trouble — "poor memory, forgetting things the moment you turn around" — has it ever made you suspect that your brain has "rusted"? In fact, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this may not simply be a matter of "getting older" — behind it there are often signals the body is sending. So, what exactly is going on with poor memory and forgetting things the moment you turn around? And how can we start from daily care to help ourselves regain a clear mind?
Why does "forgetting things the moment you turn around" happen? How does TCM see it?
In TCM theory, memory is closely related to the three organs: the "heart," "spleen," and "kidney." For example, the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states that "the heart governs the spirit and mind," meaning the heart presides over a person's mental consciousness and thinking activities; and "the kidney stores essence, essence generates marrow, and marrow connects to the brain" — only when kidney qi is sufficient can the brain be nourished. If both the heart and spleen are deficient, with insufficient qi and blood, or if kidney essence is depleted, it can easily lead to restlessness of the spirit and decline in memory. In meridian theory, there are quite a few acupoints related to mental activity. For instance, the Shenmen acupoint of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, also known as Duichong, is located at the ulnar end of the wrist crease, in the depression on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon, and is the Yuan-Source point and Shu-Stream point of the Heart Meridian. Since the heart governs the spirit and mind, Shenmen, as the site where the qi and blood of the Heart Meridian infuse at the body surface, has long been regarded as one of the acupoints closely associated with mental and spiritual activity. Another example is the Baihui acupoint of the Du Meridian, also known as Sanyang Wuhui, located at the intersection of the midline of the top of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears, and is the meeting point of the Du Meridian with the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and the Hand and Foot Shaoyang Meridians. Baihui sits at the vertex of the head, where yang qi converges — TCM has long held that "the head is the meeting place of all yang" — so it is closely related to the nourishment of the brain and marrow. In other words, poor memory and forgetting things the moment you turn around may be the body reminding you: it's time to pay attention to your health. Of course, this does not mean that "eating something will fix it" — rather, it requires gradual adjustment of lifestyle habits.
Is poor memory a matter of "insufficient brainpower" or "insufficient qi and blood"?
Many people assume that poor memory simply means the brain is "tired," but in fact it may be related to poor circulation of qi and blood. TCM often says, "Qi is the commander of blood; blood is the mother of qi." When qi and blood are insufficient, the brain does not receive adequate nourishment, and naturally there will be slow reactions and a tendency to forget things. Speaking of qi and blood, in traditional meridian theory, the Zusanli acupoint of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian is deeply related to them. Zusanli, also known as Xialing and Sanli, is located on the anterior-lateral aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun below Dubi (ST35), one finger-breadth from the anterior crest of the tibia, and is the He-Sea point of the Stomach Meridian and the Lower He-Sea point of the Stomach. The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot) says: "When pathogenic factors are in the spleen and stomach… all are regulated at Sanli." The spleen and stomach are the foundation of the acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production, so the ancients believed that Zusanli is closely linked to the rise and fall of qi and blood and their transformation and transportation. For example, staying up late long-term, irregular eating habits, or excessive worry and overthinking will all consume and damage qi and blood. So when you find yourself with poor memory, forgetting things the moment you turn around, it's worth first asking yourself: Have I been too tired lately? Is my sleep quality still good? These daily factors are often more worthy of attention than "taking medicine."
For daily regulation, are there simple and practical methods?
Of course there are! TCM emphasizes that "food and medicine share the same origin," and in daily diet, one can appropriately include some ingredients that help calm the spirit and benefit the mind. For example, walnuts, black sesame seeds, longan, and red dates are all common dietary therapy choices. But note that these foods are not "targeted medicines" — they are part of daily health maintenance. In addition, moderate exercise is also key — for example, walking and tai chi can promote the flow of qi and blood and are helpful for improving poor memory and forgetting things the moment you turn around. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a licensed TCM practitioner at a licensed medical institution — for example, a licensed TCM practitioner — who can provide more personalized advice based on syndrome differentiation of your constitution.
For poor memory, do you need to "nourish the brain"?
Many people, upon hearing "poor memory," immediately think of "nourishing the brain," but TCM's approach to regulation focuses more on overall balance. For example, some people have unclear thinking due to "internal obstruction of phlegm-dampness," and in such cases, blindly taking tonics may actually worsen the problem. So rather than randomly taking supplements on your own, it's better to first adjust your daily routine: ensure adequate sleep, reduce mental stress, and avoid overusing your brain. Poor memory and forgetting things the moment you turn around are often not caused by a single factor, but are a comprehensive reflection of lifestyle. Remember, any method of regulation must be determined by a licensed TCM practitioner after syndrome differentiation — for example, a licensed TCM practitioner — who will give professional advice based on your specific situation.
Summary: With what mindset should we face poor memory?
Ultimately, poor memory and forgetting things the moment you turn around are common daily troubles that many people encounter, but they may also be a "distress signal" from the body. Rather than being anxious, it's better to treat it as a reminder: it's time to pay attention to your physical and mental health. By adjusting diet, regulating sleep, and exercising moderately, we are fully capable of improving this condition. Finally, it's worth asking yourself: Today, have I given myself a little time to properly take care of that "forgetful" self?
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