For many people, the first reaction to hearing the word “cancer” is intense fear. Even before properly reading a medical report, their legs give way. When a doctor says “not so good,” they already feel sentenced to death. Yet renowned lecturer of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ni Haixia, revealed that the truth about tumors is linked to “cold water.” He explained that many patients do not die from the illness itself, but from mistaken beliefs, poor diet, and long‑ignored signals from the body.
In the TCM system, the term “cancer” is not used. Ancient physicians used three words: accumulation, gathering, and hardening. Ni offered a simple analogy: The human body is 70% water. When the environment is warm, water flows; when it remains cold for a prolonged period, water freezes. TCM believes that when a person’s yang energy is insufficient, circulation slows down, and cold‑dampness lingers; stagnant “water” gradually forms hard masses.
According to Western medicine, it has different names in different locations:
- Pulmonary mass in the lungs
- Hepatic lesion in the liver
- Breast nodule in the breast
Western medicine examines the surface of the disease, while traditional Chinese medicine focuses on its deep cause. Ni Haixia repeatedly emphasized: “Before the body develops problems, it will always leave marks on the outside.”
Three signals of distress
The following three “areas” are signals of distress from the body.
Messy lines under the ring finger on the palm
TCM believes this area is closely related to the body’s “waterway system.” If there is a sudden increase in chaotic lines, island‑shaped, or cross‑hatched lines, it often indicates that the body’s metabolism and excretory functions are declining.
Darkness or vertical lines between the eyebrows
This area is called “shenting” in TCM and is associated with heart and lung function, as well as the state of qi and blood. If it remains grayish, dark, and lacking luster for a long time, it often indicates poor circulation of qi and blood.
A distinct crease on the earlobe
Many studies have noted that the condition of the earlobe is associated with circulatory health. From the perspective of TCM, this is regarded as an external reflection of long‑term deficiency in qi and blood. These tips are reminders to pause and adjust. When these signs appear, your diet is key, and you should immediately stop eating specific foods, which are not recommended to those with a cold constitution and a slow metabolism:
- Large amounts of raw, cold fruit
- Iced drinks and chilled foods
- Sugary sweets, milk tea, cakes
- Over‑processed dairy products
Many people, when ill, turn to “light diets” — more fruit, or cold milk. Ni bluntly said: “Many people eat themselves into coldness.” People with cold constitutions, hands, and feet, or chronic fatigue, should limit their consumption of “light diets.” Truly nourishing diets are often simple: warm, plain, and regular. For the body to repair itself, the key is “to get it moving.” Ni Haixia emphasized three words: circulation, warmth, and stability.
When qi and blood circulate smoothly, metabolism naturally speeds up. When the body is warm, cold‑dampness cannot linger. When emotions are stable, the endocrine system remains balanced. He highlighted a small daily practice that many people overlook — combing your hair.
Every morning, use a wooden comb or your fingers to stroke repeatedly from the forehead to the back of the neck. This stimulates the head meridians and promotes the circulation of qi and blood. For those with chronic fatigue, cold hands and feet, or poor sleep, it is a very gentle form of daily adjustment.
Ni once said something that many of his students still remember: “What truly determines how far you can go is not the medical report, but the strength of your spirit.” In TCM’s view, fear, anxiety, and long‑term repression are far more harmful than eating the wrong food.
Some people with mild illness collapse under fear; others with more serious conditions manage to adjust gradually because their mindset remains steady. The body never breaks down suddenly — it is constantly sending out signals. Whether you notice them is the real issue and can truly make a difference.
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Laura Cozzolino
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
