Prevention and Treatment of Internal Diseases Common Cold the human body by the pathogenic factor of wind. It is mainly manifested by headache, stuffy nose, rinorrhea, sneezing, aversion to cold and fever. The upper respiratory infections termed in Western medicine be- long to the scope of common cold while influenza belongs to the scope of seasonal epidemic cold. Both may be treated in reference to the descriptions in this section. A large amount of data have proved that the practice of Qigong may prevent the common cold by improving the constitution of the individuals and regulating the defensive lung-Qi. Apparent effect can be seen within 20 days of practice in those who are susceptible to the common cold because of weak constitution. So prevention is the main virtue of Qigong concerning this illness. T he common cold is an exopathic disorder due to invasion of 11A. Basic Qigong Exercises 1. The Exercise of Heaven-Earth Rotation (Qian Kun Yun Zhuan Gong) (1) Preparation. Either a standing or sitting posture can be taken. The standing posture is hereof taken as an example. Stand quiet and relaxed, with the feet at shoulders width, the whole body relaxed, respiration natural, distractions expelled, eyes slightly closed, tongue res- ted against the palate and hands in front of the chest in a pose of Buddhist greeting (Fig. 1). (2) Holding and Rotating the Ball with Hands at Its Upper and Lower Sides. Set the hands nat- urally in front of the chest and abdomen respectively as if hold- ing a ball (the left hand above the right in male and vice versa in female), the thumb of the up- per hand toward the point Tanzhong (Ren 17), the thenar eminence minor of the lower hand toward the navel, and the Inner Laogong (P 8) of the two hands pointing at each other (Fig. 2). Breathe naturally and imagine holding a ball and Yin- Qi and Yang-Qi circulating be- tween the two hands. Firstly, Fig. 2 inhale to send Qi to Dantian by will and exhale to direct Qi to flow 12from Dantian to the space between the palms, followed by pushing and pulling the hands with internal strength several times. When a sensation of attraction or congestion has been obtained, push and rotate the “inflated” ball with the left hand turning clockwise and the right counterclockwise as if rubbing the ball, for 25 times. Then exchange the hands and push and rotate the ball in the opposite di- rections for 30 times. (3) Holding and Rotating the Ball with the Hands at Its Left and Right Sides. Set the hands at the two sides of the hypochondria respectively as if holding a ball, with the point Laogong (P 8) of the two hands pointing at each other and the two thumbs level- ling Tanzhong (Ren 17) (Fig. 3). Turn the left hand clockwise and the right counterclockwise 25 times. Then rotate the ball in the oppisite directions 30 times. (4) Rotating the Sun and Moon in Turn. Set the left hand at the level of the point Tiantu (Ren 22) and the right hand at the level of Shenque (Ren 8), with the center of the two palms fac- ing each other as if holding a ball in the arms (Fig. 4). Firstly take a breath and send Qi down to Dantian, then exhale to guide Qi to the space between the palms. Draw the hands toward each other and pull them in the opposite directions alternately with internal strength for several times. When the feeling of Qi has been at- tained, turn the hands and the forearms clockwise and counterclock- wise alternately 25 times. Then turn the hands and forearms coun- terclockwise and clockwise alternately 30 times. Finally, get the two palms closed in front of the chest like Buddhist greeting for a moment and then rub the hands and face to end the exercise. Fig. 3 13