As all things revive and Yang energy rises, the internal heat and toxins accumulated in the body's five zang-organs and six fu-organs begin to manifest as spring dryness, leading to an excess of liver fire, bodily inflammation, and symptoms such as mouth ulcers, a sore throat, constipation, and dark spots. Coupled with the warming weather in spring, the body loses a significant amount of water, and the unpredictable, cloudy and sunny weather disrupts the balance and stability of the body's metabolism.
1. Light Diet – to alleviate spring heat
People are prone to "heatiness" in spring, experiencing symptoms like a yellow tongue coating, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a dry throat. Therefore, the diet should be light, avoiding greasy, raw, cold, and irritating foods. Those with obvious signs of heatiness can eat foods that clear heat, such as mung bean soup, honeysuckle tea, chrysanthemum tea, and water infused with lotus seeds.
Goji Berry and Chrysanthemum Tea
2. Yellow and Green Vegetables – to combat spring fatigue
"Spring fatigue" makes the body feel tired and the spirit listless. One should eat more red, yellow, and dark green vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, green peppers, and celery, which are very beneficial for restoring energy and eliminating spring fatigue.
3. Careful Food Selection – to reduce illness
As spring temperatures gradually rise, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms begin to multiply and become more active, easily invading the body and causing disease. Therefore, the diet should provide sufficient vitamins and minerals.
Fresh vegetables like tatsoi, kale, and broccoli, and fruits like citrus and lemons, are rich in vitamin C and have antiviral properties. Yellow and green vegetables like carrots and spinach are rich in vitamin A, which helps protect and strengthen the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the epithelial cells of the respiratory organs, thereby resisting the invasion of various pathogens.
4. Be Mindful of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Diseases such as stomach and duodenal ulcers are prone to flare up in spring. The diet should avoid broths, chicken soups, fish soups, animal offal, and irritating condiments that are rich in substances like creatine and purine alkaloids, as these foods strongly stimulate gastric acid secretion or form gas, causing bloating and increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
5. Resolve Phlegm and Nourish the Lungs – to ensure well-being
Chronic bronchitis and bronchitis are also prone to flare up in spring. It is advisable to eat more foods that resolve phlegm, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and moisten the lungs, such as loquats, oranges, pears, walnuts, and honey, which can help alleviate symptoms.
Pyramid tea