養yǎng樹shù護hù根gēn,，養yǎng人rén護hù腳jiǎo

What does 養樹護根，養人護腳 (yǎng shù hù gēn, yǎng rén hù jiǎo) mean?

養樹護根，養人護腳 (yǎng shù hù gēn, yǎng rén hù jiǎo) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Nurture a tree by protecting its roots; nurture a person by protecting their feet." In use it means: Just as a tree's vitality depends on healthy roots, human health depends on keeping the feet warm and well-circulated. The feet contain many acupuncture points connected to the organs, and cold entering through the feet invites illness throughout the body. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.

Literally: "Nurture a tree by protecting its roots; nurture a person by protecting their feet."

The reading

A tree with frozen or rotting roots cannot send sap to its branches no matter how much rain falls. The human body works the same way through its feet, where six major meridians begin or end. Cold feet, poor circulation below the ankles, or neglected soles allow pathogenic cold to creep upward into the organs. Foot-soaking in warm water each evening is one of the oldest and cheapest acts of self-care in Chinese tradition.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeyànyǔ 諺語
• FocusPresent-minded
• Element木 Wood
• Zodiac tie狗 Year of the Dog

Source Traditional folk health proverb, associated with Chinese foot-soaking (paojiao) customs

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Nature, Seasons & Health, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.