Eight Health Preservation Methods for a Healthy Spring
Spring is a season of variable climate, and health preservation during this time must follow scientific methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers spring the most important season for health preservation, focusing on eight key aspects: "Yin, Yang, Qi, Brain, Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, and Heat," reminds TCM experts. Spring health preservation should emphasize these eight "nourishments."
I. Nourishing Yang
Spring and summer are when nature's temperature rises and Yang energy gradually flourishes. Health preservation during this time should focus on nourishing Yang to align with the seasonal changes. Based on the characteristic of human Yang energy germinating in spring, one can choose a diet of gentle and light nourishment, such as using warming foods for supplementation. A gentle nourishment diet is suitable for healthy individuals and those with a weak constitution, such as buckwheat, Job's tears, soy milk, mung beans, and apples, sesame, walnuts, etc. A light nourishment diet refers to meals made with foods that are slightly cooling in nature, such as pears, lotus root, shepherd's purse, and lily bulbs.
II. Nourishing Yin
Those with Yin deficiency and duodenal ulcers are prone to flare-ups in spring. Dietarily, a honey therapy can be employed: steam honey over water and take it on an empty stomach before meals, 100 ml daily, divided into 3 doses; or use 250 ml of milk, bring to a boil, and mix in 50g of honey and 6g of Bletilla striata, then drink well-mixed. These methods have the effect of nourishing Yin and benefiting the stomach. For individuals with a constitution of Yin deficiency and internal heat, one can choose foods like rice porridge, red bean porridge, lotus seed porridge, and vegetable puree. Avoid overly sweet, greasy, fried, fatty, raw, cold, and coarse foods.
III. Nourishing Qi
Chronic bronchitis in the elderly is also prone to flare-ups in spring. As Yang energy rises in spring, the body's Yang energy also ascends. To support this Yang energy, attention should be paid to the diet. One can regularly consume foods like scallions, coriander, fermented beans, red dates, and Astragalus. It is also advisable to eat more foods that resolve phlegm, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and moisten the lungs, such as loquats, pears, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, red dates, walnuts, and honey, which can help alleviate symptoms.
IV. Nourishing the Brain
In spring, individuals with excessive Liver Yang are prone to headaches and dizziness, which is the reason behind the TCM saying, "In spring, all illnesses are in the head." The dietary prevention method is to eat 250-500 grams of bananas or oranges daily; or use 100 grams of banana peel, decocted in water to make a tea for frequent drinking. Additionally, one can also use 250 grams of celery and 10 red dates, decocted in water to make a tea.
V. Nourishing the Spleen
TCM also believes: "In spring, one should reduce sour foods and increase sweet ones to nourish the spleen." This is because spring is when Liver Qi is prosperous, and an excess of Liver Qi can affect the Spleen, leading to symptoms of a weak Spleen and Stomach. Eating more sour foods can cause Liver Yang to become excessive. Therefore, spring dietary care should favor pungent, sweet, and warming foods, avoiding sour and astringent ones. One should consume more vegetables and wild vegetables.
VI. Nourishing the Stomach
Diet should avoid consuming pork broth, chicken broth, fish broth, beef broth, as well as spinach, beans, animal organs, and stimulating condiments, as these foods are rich in substances like creatine and purine bases. They strongly stimulate gastric acid secretion and can easily form gas, leading to bloating and increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. The diet should be light and easily digestible, and the aforementioned honey therapy can be adopted.
VII. Nourishing the Kidneys
The pleasant climate in spring is a good time for patients with poor kidney function to nourish and regulate their kidneys. Taking kidney-strengthening formulas and solid-kidney medicinal diets at this time has a higher therapeutic effect for the initial stages of kidney damage. Patients should pay attention to lifestyle adjustments in spring, with a diet that is light and sweet in nature. One can eat light fruits and vegetables, such as mangosteen, lotus root, Job's tears, cucumbers, and muskmelons.
VIII. Nourishing "Heat"
Early spring is still very cold, and the cold stimulation can cause the thyroid gland to become overactive, consuming energy and weakening the body's endurance and resistance. On the other hand, the body also needs to consume energy to maintain its core temperature to defend against the cold. Therefore, the diet during early spring should be primarily high-calorie. In addition to grain products, one can also choose glutinous rice products, and foods like soybeans, sesame paste, peanuts, and walnuts to replenish energy in a timely manner.