Jingzhe, the third solar term of the year. According to the ancient Chinese agricultural calendar: "When the Dipper points to Ding, it is Jingzhe. Thunder rouses the hibernating insects, which all awaken and emerge, hence the name Jingzhe." The "Dipper" refers to the three stars of the Big Dipper: Kui, Heng, and Shao. As the celestial bodies move, the Dipper points in different directions, and its position indicates the corresponding month. In the Gregorian calendar, when the Dipper points to Ding, the sun's ecliptic longitude is 345 degrees.
Jingzhe is the time after "Start of Spring" when the weather turns warmer, the spring thunder first rumbles, awakening the various insects hibernating in the soil. At this time, the overwintering insect eggs also begin to hatch.由此可见, Jingzhe is a solar term that reflects natural phenological phenomena. However, what truly awakens hibernating animals is not the rumbling thunder, but the temperature of the ground rising to a certain level. During Jingzhe, some parts of China are seeing peach blossoms turn red and plum blossoms turn white, with orioles singing and swallows returning. Most regions have entered the spring plowing season. There is a saying: "After Jingzhe, the weather warms up, and old toads start to sing mountain songs." Another proverb goes: "Thunder during Jingzhe means cheap grain; hearing thunder at Jingzhe makes grain as common as mud." This means that hearing thunder on or after the Jingzhe day is normal, signifying favorable weather and a good harvest. Some regions consider it inauspicious to hear thunder before Jingzhe, summarizing the meteorological pattern as: "If thunder sounds before Jingzhe, heavy rain will come like a dragon." From this, we can see the importance of solar terms to farmers. Besides, for us modern people, whether you are a businessperson, a doctor, or have another profession, accumulating some phenological knowledge will be helpful in your life and work.
The health preservation during the Jingzhe solar term should also be based on natural phenological phenomena and individual physical constitution differences, to reasonably regulate one's spirit, daily routine, and diet. The difference in physical constitution actually refers to the aspect of "personalized" health preservation in constitutional health care. Because the human body is endowed with innate qualities and influenced by various postnatal factors, it forms relatively stable psychological and physiological characteristics during its growth, development, and aging process. These characteristics often determine the body's susceptibility to certain pathogenic factors and tendencies during the course of illness. Therefore, in health preservation, it must be tailored to the individual and not generalized.
The constitution referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is different from the temperament commonly spoken of. Temperament is the sum of the spiritual outlook, personality, and other psychological functions formed under the influence of postnatal factors, which are the characteristics of "Shen" (spirit). Constitution is the comprehensive reflection of "Xing" (form) and "Shen" (spirit). The two have an inseparable internal connection. That is, constitution can include temperament, but temperament is not the same as constitution.
Galen, an ancient Roman doctor (129-200 AD), based on his theory of humors, once classified human temperament into four types: the choleric type, characterized by an irritable temperament and swift actions; the sanguine type, characterized by a lively temperament and agile movements; the phlegmatic type, characterized by a calm temperament and slow actions; and the melancholic type, characterized by a fragile temperament and dull actions. The famous modern scientist Pavlov classified people into four types: excitable, lively, calm, and fragile, which is basically equivalent to Galen's classification. This four-type classification has considerable influence in Western medicine. In contrast, China's early medical work "Lingshu · Yin Yang Twenty-Five People" classified constitutions into five major types based on differences in body shape, skin color, cognitive ability, emotional response, willpower, personality (active or calm), and adaptability to seasonal climates. Each of these five types was further divided into five subtypes based on the physiological characteristics reflected by the meridians and qi and blood in the head, face, and limbs, known as the "Yin Yang Twenty-Five People."
Although both Chinese and Western medicine classify human constitutions, to date, none of the various classification theories of human constitution in Western medicine can directly guide clinical treatment, health preservation, or rehabilitation. Only Traditional Chinese Medicine can provide effective clinical guidance and practical methods for health preservation and rehabilitation.
"Suwen · Yi Fa Fang Lun Lun" (Simple Questions: Discussion on Different Methods for Different Regions) states: "Due to differences in regional environment and climate, and different living habits of residents in the east, west, south, north, and central regions, different constitutions are formed, leading to different diseases, and thus the treatment methods also differ." Zhu Danxi's "Ge Zhi Yu Lun" (Discussions Remaining from Investigating Things) says: "As for a person's form, the tall are not as good as the short, the large are not as good as the small, and the plump are not as good as the lean. As for a person's complexion, the fair are not as good as the dark, the delicate are not as good as the weathered, and the thin are not as good as the thick. Moreover, plump people tend to have more dampness, while lean people tend to have more fire; those with a fair complexion have deficient lung qi, and those with a dark complexion have insufficient kidney essence. Since form and complexion are different, the organs are also different. Although the external symptoms may be the same, the treatment methods are vastly different." In "Yi Li Ji Yao · Jin Jue Hou Pian" (Essentials of Medical Principles · Awakening After Being in a Brocade Bag), it also says: "To know that one is prone to wind-related illnesses, the defensive qi is inherently deficient; to know that one is prone to cold-related illnesses, the yang qi is inherently weak; to know that one is prone to heat-related illnesses, the yin qi is inherently deficient; to know that one is prone to food injury, the spleen and stomach must be deficient; to know that one is prone to aging injury, the central qi must be damaged." From this, we can easily see that the main reason for human illness depends on the difference in constitution, which means that constitution determines susceptibility to certain pathogenic factors. How to change an unhealthy constitutional state is a problem we should be concerned about.
What I want to say here is that constitution is not fixed. Even in the same environment, as long as we maintain a positive attitude towards life and adopt positive health preservation measures, we can correct constitutional imbalances and achieve the goal of prolonging life.
During the Jingzhe solar term, I will focus on introducing the health preservation methods for four common constitutions. I. Constitution with Yin Deficiency: The characteristics of this type of person are a lean body, hot palms and soles, frequent vexation in the heart, poor sleep, dry stools, yellow urine, and intolerance to spring and summer, with a preference for cold drinks. Health preservation methods:
1. Spiritual Nourishment People with a yin-deficient constitution are often irritable and prone to anger. This is due to yin deficiency with blazing fire disturbing the spirit. They should follow the health preservation principle of "emptiness and tranquility, and keeping the spirit within." Strengthen self-cultivation, develop habits of calmness and composure. Participate less in recreational activities that involve competition, and moderate sexual activity.
2. Environmental Regulation Those with yin deficiency fear heat and prefer cold. They find winter easy to pass but summer difficult. Therefore, if possible, during spring and summer, they can travel to the seaside, forests, or mountains for a vacation. It is best to choose a quiet living environment, a house facing south.
3. Dietary Regulation The principle is to protect yin and潜阳 (subdue yang). Eat more light foods, such as glutinous rice, sesame, honey, dairy products, tofu, fish, vegetables, sugarcane, etc. If possible, one can eat some sea cucumber, turtle meat, crab meat, tremella, male duck, cordyceps, etc. Dry, hot, and pungent foods should be eaten less.
4. Physical Exercise Intense exercise is not suitable. Focus on nourishing the liver and kidneys. Tai Chi is a more suitable exercise. II. Constitution with Yang Deficiency: These people are often plump and fair-skinned, or have a pale complexion, cold hands and feet, clear and long urination, loose stools, and a fear of cold and a preference for warmth. Health preservation methods:
1. Spiritual Nourishment People with insufficient yang qi often exhibit poor mood, being prone to fear or sadness. Such people should learn to regulate their emotions, listen to more music, and make more friends.
2. Environmental Regulation People with a yang-deficient constitution have poor adaptability to climate. In winter, they should avoid cold and seek warmth. In spring and summer, they should focus on nourishing yang. Practice "no厌于日" (no aversion to the sun), meaning get more sun exposure in spring and summer, for no less than fifteen to twenty minutes each time. This can greatly improve cold tolerance in winter.
3. Physical Exercise People with a yang-deficient constitution should strengthen physical exercise in all four seasons. They can take up walking, slow jogging, Tai Chi, Five-Animal Frolics, etc. Sunbathing and air baths are indispensable methods to strengthen the defensive yang.
4. Dietary Regulation Eat more yang-strengthening foods, such as lamb, dog meat, chicken, deer meat, etc. Following the principle of "nourishing yang in spring and summer," especially during the "sanfu" (hottest days) of summer, eat "Fuzi Congee" (aconite 10g, decocted for 30 minutes first, then add 150g of japonica rice and cook until done) or Lamb and Aconite Soup (aconite 15g, decocted for 30 minutes first, then add 500g of blanched lamb and stew until done, add appropriate salt) once during each "fu" period. This aligns with the time when heaven and earth are full of yang, to strengthen the body's yang qi. III. Constitution with Blood Stasis: Those with a dull complexion, dark lips, dry skin, and dark circles under the eyes are mostly people with a blood-stasis constitution. Health preservation methods:
1. Physical Exercise Engage in more activities beneficial to the heart and blood vessels, such as ballroom dancing, Tai Chi, health massage, etc., which can activate the whole body and are helpful for the circulation of qi and blood.
2. Spiritual Nourishment People with a blood-stasis constitution often have qi stagnation. Cultivating an optimistic mood is crucial. A happy mood promotes smooth circulation of qi and blood, and the normal operation of meridians and qi and blood is conducive to changing a blood-stasis constitution. Conversely, depression and melancholy can worsen the tendency of blood stasis.
3. Dietary Regulation Often eat foods with the effect of activating blood and resolving stasis, such as peach kernels, black beans, rapeseed, arrowhead, vinegar, etc. Often cook and eat some hawthorn porridge and peanut porridge. You can also choose some medicines that activate blood and nourish blood (Angelica, Chuanxiong, Danshen, Rehmannia, Diyu, Wujiapi) and make meat soups. IV. Constitution with Phlegm-Dampness: An obese body, relaxed muscles, a preference for rich and sweet foods, and a listless, heavy body are obvious characteristics of people with a phlegm-dampness constitution. Health preservation methods:
1. Environmental Regulation During rainy seasons, avoid the invasion of dampness; do not live in a cold and humid environment.
2. Dietary Regulation Should eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis, and transform phlegm and expel dampness, such as white radish, hyacinth bean, cabbage, fava bean, onion, seaweed, jellyfish, water chestnut, ginkgo, loquat, jujube, Job's tears, red beans, etc. Eat less rich, sweet, and heavy foods, beverages, and alcohol, and do not eat too much at each meal.
3. Physical Exercise Phlegm-damp people are often obese and their bodies are heavy and easily tired. Therefore, they should persist in long-term activities such as walking, slow jogging, various dances, ball games, etc. The amount of activity should be gradually increased to allow the relaxed skin to gradually become firm and dense muscle.
In conclusion, no matter what type of constitution you belong to, as long as you persist in purposeful health preservation and continuously improve your quality of life, I believe that everyone can extend their life and become a healthy and long-lived person.