Article 31: Health Preservation Based on the Four Seasons and Key Points of Health Preservation During the Spring Equinox and Rain Water Seasons

How to maintain health according to the four seasons?

The "Seven Chapters on Qi and Blood Circulation" in the *Huangdi Neijing* divides the climate of the four seasons into six periods, which are related to human health.

The relationship between the two bodies is very close.

(1) From the Great Cold to the Spring Equinox: From the Great Cold (January 20th or 21st) to the Spring Equinox (March 21st or 22nd)

(Day), during this period, the climate is characterized by prevailing winds and the weather beginning to warm. The human body is susceptible to various illnesses.

Wind-related diseases, liver diseases, spleen diseases, and febrile diseases. The principle of health preservation is to nourish and regulate the liver, and prevent and treat liver diseases. Avoid catching a cold.

Protect your liver. Regularly eat foods like goji berries, dates, scallions, and peanuts.

(2) From the Spring Equinox to Grain Buds: From the Spring Equinox (March 21 or 22) to Grain Buds (May 21 or 22)

(Day), the climate during this period is characterized by warm and hot weather. People are susceptible to febrile diseases.

Heart and liver diseases. The principle of health preservation is to regulate the heart and liver qi, and prevent and treat heart and liver diseases. More attention should be paid to protecting the heart.

The heart and liver are affected by various organs, so it is good to eat foods that nourish the heart, such as lotus seeds, lily bulbs, ophiopogon japonicus, jujubes, and millet porridge.

(3) From Lesser Fullness to Greater Heat: Lesser Fullness (May 21 or 22) to Greater Heat (July 23 or 24)

(Day), during this period the climate is characterized by intense heat and sweltering temperatures. People are susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Fire-related illnesses and heart problems. The principle of health preservation is to protect the heart and prevent heart disease. This is often achieved by steeping bamboo leaves and ophiopogon japonicus in water and drinking the infusion.

Drink bitter tea.

(4) From the Great Heat to the Autumnal Equinox: The Great Heat (July 23 or 24) to the Autumnal Equinox (September 23 or 24)

(Day), the climate during this period is characterized by predominant humidity and hot, humid conditions. People are susceptible to dampness-related illnesses and spleen disorders.

Illnesses can affect the kidneys. The principle of health preservation is to nourish and regulate the spleen, and prevent and treat spleen diseases. Avoid prolonged exposure to damp places and damp living environments.

Open windows frequently, and eat foods that strengthen the spleen and dry dampness, such as Job's tears and white hyacinth beans; aromatic dampness-resolving foods such as agastache rugosa.

Fragrant herbs, eupatorium, mint, etc.

(5) Autumnal Equinox to Minor Snow: Autumnal Equinox (September 23 or 24) to Minor Snow (November 22 or 24)

On the 23rd, the climate during this period was characterized by predominantly dry air. People were susceptible to dryness-related illnesses and lung problems.

Illness and liver disease. The principle of health preservation is to nourish the lungs and prevent lung diseases. Drink plenty of water regularly, and sprinkle water indoors frequently.

Drink some water. You can often eat foods that nourish the lungs and promote the production of body fluids, such as almonds, lilies, white fungus, and various fruits.

(6) From Minor Snow to Major Cold: Minor Snow (November 22nd or 23rd) to Major Cold (January 20th or...)

On the 21st, the climate during this period is characterized by predominantly cold weather, making people susceptible to cold-related illnesses and kidney problems.

Illness can affect the heart. The principle of health preservation is to regulate and nourish the kidneys, and prevent kidney disease. In daily life, one should avoid cold and stay warm.

To protect your kidneys, eat more foods that warm and nourish them, such as goji berries, yams, dog meat, mutton, and chicken.

For those with kidney yang deficiency, Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan can be taken in conjunction with medication; for those with kidney yin deficiency, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan can be used as an adjunct.

What are some health care tips for the Beginning of Spring?

The phenological characteristics of the Beginning of Spring are: days gradually lengthen, the sunshine becomes warmer, and the temperature tends to rise.

Sunlight and rainfall gradually increase. The weather changes significantly during the Spring Equinox, with sudden shifts between cold and warm temperatures.

The body's pores begin to loosen, reducing its ability to resist cold. Therefore, during the Beginning of Spring, special attention should be paid to...

People living in northern regions should not immediately take off their winter coats; the elderly and those with weaker constitutions should be especially careful when changing clothes.

One should be cautious and not drastically reduce clothing. The *Qianjin Yaofang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces) advocates that in spring, clothing should be "thicker on the bottom and thinner on top."

In other words, when adding or removing clothing in spring, you should protect your legs and feet, but you can appropriately reduce the amount of clothing on your upper body to adapt to the yang energy.

The characteristic of rising.

In terms of dietary adjustments during the Beginning of Spring, one should consider the initial rise of Yang energy in spring and eat some pungent and sweet foods that promote dispersion.

It is not advisable to eat sour or astringent flavors. In the relationship between the five internal organs and the five flavors, sour flavor enters the liver and has astringent properties, therefore it is not suitable to eat sour flavors.

To promote the generation of Yang energy and the smooth flow of Liver Qi, dietary adjustments should be tailored to the needs of the internal organs. Therefore, this should be done purposefully.

Choose some herbs and foods that soothe and nourish the liver, and regulate liver qi. Herbs that can include goji berries and turmeric are good choices.

Gold, salvia miltiorrhiza, corydalis yanhusuo, etc.; for food, choose pungent and warming ingredients such as jujubes, fermented black soybeans, scallions, coriander, and flowers.

Raw foods, etc. Dietary therapy should primarily focus on "raw nourishment," with suitable dishes including Polygonum multiflorum slices, shrimp and leeks, and other delicacies.

Soups like Pearl Three Delicacies Soup have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, replenishing essence and blood, darkening hair and improving eyesight, and warming the middle and replenishing qi.

Another aspect of health preservation during the Beginning of Spring is disease prevention and health maintenance. This is especially important in early spring when the weather is just beginning to change.

As the weather warms up, various pathogenic bacteria and viruses begin to grow and multiply, a phenomenon known in ancient times as "warmth-heat toxins."

"Evil" refers to the fact that many diseases in modern medicine, such as influenza, meningitis, measles, scarlet fever, and pneumonia, often occur at this time.

Life and epidemics. To avoid the occurrence of spring diseases, prevention must first eliminate the source of infection; secondly, frequent...

Open windows to allow indoor air to circulate and keep the air fresh; secondly, strengthen exercise to improve the body's resistance.

Strengthen lung function. In addition, pay attention to oral and nasal hygiene to block the path by which pathogenic factors first invade the lungs.

What are some health care tips for the Rain Water season?

The Rain Water solar term signifies the beginning of rainfall, with a gradual increase in precipitation. After Rain Water, temperatures generally rise.

Temperatures will rise above 0°C. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that during the Rain Water season, attention should be paid to nourishing the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are considered "acquired constitution"...

The spleen and stomach are considered the "root" and the "source of qi and blood." Therefore, the strength of the spleen and stomach determines the health of the human body.

The air is humid yet not hot during the Rain Water season, making it an ideal time for health preservation, especially for nourishing the spleen and stomach.

First and foremost, a healthy spleen and stomach ensure adequate nutrient utilization by the body; conversely, a weak spleen and stomach lead to nutrient deficiency and poor physical condition.

A decline. The ancient Chinese medical scholar Li Dongyuan proposed: "When the spleen and stomach are damaged, the vital energy declines; when the vital energy declines, the person dies."

Longevity. According to the health principle of "nourishing yang in spring and summer," Sun Simiao, the Tang Dynasty's "King of Medicine," said: "In spring, one should reduce sour foods."

"Increase the sweetness to nourish the spleen." This emphasizes the importance of nourishing the spleen and stomach during this season.

To nourish the spleen and stomach, one can choose from dietary adjustments, medications, and lifestyle adjustments based on their own condition.

Dry mouth and tongue are common at this time of year. It is advisable to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to replenish the body's water.

Eat less oily food. Eat more dates, yams, lotus seeds, leeks, and spinach. (Northern Chinese diet)

The treatment mainly consists of porridge, which can be made into lotus seed porridge, yam porridge, red date porridge, etc. During this season, one should eat less mutton and dog meat.

Meat and other warming foods are suitable. When using medication to regulate the body, the characteristics of the spleen and stomach functions must be considered, and methods to promote the generation of Yang energy should be employed.

For the spleen and stomach, you can choose herbs such as American ginseng, cassia seed, and white chrysanthemum. Mentally, you should also pay attention to maintaining a calm and peaceful mind.

Desire: Avoid excessive labor, so as to nourish one's vital energy.

What health care tips are available during the Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects) season?

The Awakening of Insects marks the first rumble of spring thunder, a rapid rise in temperature, and the start of the busy spring plowing season in most parts of my country.

Spring is a time when the yang energy gradually rises and the climate becomes increasingly mild. However, the cold and dampness of the north lingers, and strong cold air masses persist, making the climate...

Significant changes.

Health preservation during the Jingzhe period should be based on natural phenological phenomena and individual differences in physical constitution, adjusting one's mental state and diet accordingly.

Nourishing the body through diet and daily life. The *Huangdi Neijing* states: "The three months of spring are called the time of sprouting and renewal. Heaven and earth give birth together, and all things..."

"To flourish. Go to bed early and rise early, stroll leisurely in the courtyard, let your hair down and walk slowly, so that your spirit may be revitalized." This means that in spring, all things...

To promote recovery, one should go to bed early and rise early, and take leisurely walks, which can bring mental well-being and physical health. (For those in the north...)

People in areas with low temperatures and large temperature differences between day and night should take care to keep warm. Spring corresponds to the liver, so nourishing...

Improper lifestyle habits can damage the liver. Modern epidemiological surveys show that spring is a high-incidence season for liver diseases, so attention should be paid to liver health.

Protect your liver and prevent the spread of infectious diseases in spring.

Dietary therapy should be tailored to the changing seasons and each individual's constitution. The main principle is "nourishing the body in spring and summer."

Following the principle of "Yang," one can appropriately eat more foods that promote Yang energy, such as leeks, spinach, and shepherd's purse. In spring...

Liver qi is strong and can easily damage the spleen, so during the Jingzhe season, it's advisable to eat less sour food and more sweet foods such as dates and yams to nourish the spleen.

It can be made into jujube porridge or yam porridge. In daily diet, it's important to maintain a variety of food types.

This ensures the body receives a rich and sufficient supply of nutrients. Vitamins play a vital role in the body's physiological functions.

It plays an important role, especially vitamin C intake, which can improve the body's disease resistance.

As the weather warms up significantly after the Awakening of Insects, not only do various animals begin to become active, but various microorganisms also...

As they begin to grow and reproduce, they need appropriate exercise to strengthen their constitution and resist the invasion of germs and viruses.

What are some health care tips for the Spring Equinox?

The Spring Equinox divides day and night, and cold and heat, into equal parts. In terms of health preservation, people should pay attention to maintaining the body's yin energy.

Maintaining a state of Yang balance is primarily achieved through regulating one's mental state, diet, and daily routine. This applies from the beginning of spring to around the Qingming Festival.

This is the period when plants grow and sprout, and the human body's blood is at its peak, with hormone levels also at a relatively high level.

Peak season. Dietary adjustments are crucial during this time. The general principle is to avoid excessively hot or cold drinks.

Diet should maintain a balance of hot and cold properties. Dietary choices can be tailored to individual constitutions, such as consuming cold-natured foods.

Fish and shrimp should be eaten with warming and dispelling ingredients such as scallions, ginger, and wine; when consuming yang-tonifying foods such as leeks and garlic,

Paired with eggs, which are considered to nourish yin, this dish aims to achieve a balance of yin and yang. A suitable dish for the Spring Equinox is: Braised Eel.

Fish, pork kidneys stir-fried with eucommia bark, and eggplant braised with garlic are among the dishes that have the effects of replenishing deficiencies, lowering blood pressure, cooling the blood, and stopping bleeding. Spring

Bamboo shoots are sweet and cold in nature, and have the effects of nourishing yin and blood, resolving phlegm, aiding digestion, relieving irritability, and promoting urination. They are also associated with the Spring Equinox.

Suitable foods.

What are some health care tips for the Qingming Festival?

Qingming is a solar term that signifies the changing seasons, implying clear weather and lush vegetation. Experts suggest...

Awake, early spring weather is unstable, and people should take precautions against the "cold snap" around Qingming Festival, and take precautions indoors and outdoors.

Outdoor warmth measures. After the heating is turned off, pay attention to adding or removing clothing as needed. If the room temperature is low,

Make sure to wear more layers; if the room temperature is below 16℃, it's best to use auxiliary heating devices such as electric heaters.

Prepare accordingly, and pay attention to improving ventilation and room humidity. People with a history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease should take special care.

Coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, hypertension, and rheumatic heart valve disease are common illnesses in spring.

Catching a cold can easily trigger these symptoms, and getting chilled can also easily lead to asthma, lung infections, and other conditions.

What are some health care tips for the Grain Rain season?

After the Grain Rain solar term, rainfall increases and humidity gradually rises. At this time, health preservation should follow the natural rhythm.

Changes in the environment are regulated by the human body itself to harmonize the internal environment (the physiological environment inside the body) with the external environment.

It adapts to changes in the environment (external natural environment) and maintains the normal function of the body's organs.

During the Grain Rain season, it's important to note that although temperatures are warming up, mornings and evenings are still relatively cool. Therefore, it's advisable to stay warm in the mornings and evenings.

Those returning home should pay attention to adding or removing clothing to avoid catching a cold. People with allergies should take precautions against hay fever during this season.

Including allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, etc. Special attention should be paid to avoiding contact with allergens and reducing outdoor activities.

Activities. Reduce your intake of high-protein and high-calorie foods. If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

Visited the hospital.

Suitable dishes for this time of year include: steamed eel with ginseng and eel with chrysanthemum, which have the effects of dispelling wind and dampness and soothing the nerves.

It has the effects of strengthening bones and muscles and warming and nourishing qi and blood; straw mushroom and tofu soup and raw rehmannia and duck egg soup have the effects of nourishing yin and stomach and lowering blood pressure.

It has the effects of lowering lipids, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and nourishing blood and moisturizing dryness.