`Bǎojiàn` is a concept deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese culture, stemming from the core principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM emphasizes balance (Yin and Yang 阴阳), harmony, and the smooth flow of life energy (Qi 气). Illness is seen as a result of imbalance, so the highest form of medicine is not to cure illness, but to prevent it from ever occurring. This is the essence of `bǎojiàn`. A good Western comparison is the concept of “preventative care” or the modern “wellness” trend. However, there's a key difference. While wellness in the West can sometimes feel like a recent, commercialized trend, `bǎojiàn` is a timeless, deeply ingrained cultural practice. It's the wisdom your grandmother shares about drinking specific herbal soups in the winter, the reason colleagues drink hot water year-round, and the motivation for parks being full of people practicing Tai Chi at dawn. It's less about a trendy diet and more about a lifelong, holistic philosophy of living in harmony with the seasons and your own body. This practice reflects the cultural value of taking long-term responsibility for one's health and the health of one's family, often with wisdom passed down through generations.
`Bǎojiàn` is a common term used in various modern contexts.