February 4th is Lichun (Start of Spring). As the first solar term after the Spring Festival, "Li" (立) means to begin, heralding the start of spring. All things await their revival. The days grow longer, and the sun becomes warmer. At this time, Yang energy rises, and all things begin to sprout. The body's metabolism becomes vigorous, and appropriate regulation can help the spring Yang energy to flow smoothly.
After Lichun, the weather warms up, and hot pot lamb and roasted lamb can easily clash with the climate. A moment of carelessness could lead to over-nourishment.
Indeed, lamb helps Yang energy, replenishes essence and blood, treats lung deficiency, and benefits exhaustion and strain. It is an excellent tonic for strengthening the body. Eating it often in winter not only increases the body's heat to resist the cold but also aids digestion, protects the stomach lining, repairs gastric mucosa, and helps the spleen and stomach with digestion, acting as an anti-aging agent. However, after entering the first lunar month, especially after Lichun, lamb should no longer be a staple on the dining table, as it can be detrimental to health.
The Song dynasty text "Cloudy Satchel of the Seven Mysteries" (云笈七签) by Zhang Junfang points out, "In spring, the temperature rises, and one should eat wheat to cool it, avoiding hot foods." Lamb is a prime example of a "hot food," and eating too much can easily lead to "heatiness" (上火), causing symptoms like stomach pain, constipation, hemoptysis, cough, and yellow phlegm. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't eat lamb at all. Occasional consumption is harmless. Eating lamb with radish can reduce its drying and heating effects.
Enjoy "Growth-Promoting" Foods
In spring, the body's organs become more active and require a large amount of nutrients to support its activities and growth. Diet should follow the principles of nourishing the liver and improving eyesight, reducing sourness and increasing sweetness, gently nourishing the liver, and promoting gastrointestinal health. One can eat more sprouts and beans, or foods like chives, green vegetables, toon sprouts, lily bulbs, goji shoots, Malan shoots, pea shoots, water chestnuts, kelp, eggs, lean pork, carp, and Chinese yam. As the spring climate begins to warm and becomes windy and dry, it's good to eat more juicy fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and radishes, to supplement the body's water intake.
Three Points to Note
Don't shed clothes too early, Eat lightly, Anger harms the liver
Due to the large fluctuations in spring weather, the body's resistance to cold pathogens is weakened. Therefore, in early spring, it's not advisable to take off heavy cotton clothes too soon, and the elderly and those in poor health should reduce their clothing gradually. Spring health preservation should follow the characteristics of rising Yang energy and the beginning of all life, focusing on protecting Yang energy with a "growth" mindset. During this season, one should eat less stimulating and hard-to-digest foods like glutinous rice and dough, and instead eat light, mild foods that support the body's vital energy and nourish the original Qi. Another point worth noting is that according to the properties of nature, spring belongs to Wood and corresponds to the liver. The liver's main physiological function is to ensure the smooth flow of Qi, and anger can damage it. Foods should be chosen with more simple and natural colors.