From the start of spring (Lichun) to around the Qingming solar term, it is a period of germination and growth for plants and trees. The human body's blood is also in a vigorous state, and hormone levels are relatively high. During this time, non-infectious diseases such as hypertension, or significant fluctuations in blood pressure, and menstrual disorders, as well as allergic diseases, are more likely to occur. Therefore, people need to pay attention to health preservation during this season. The general principle for health preservation during the Spring Equinox is: "The winds of the Spring Equinox are not light, guard against deep disturbances." For health preservation during the Spring Equinox, people must maintain balance in their diet, daily routine, and exposure to cold and heat, as well as maintain a balance of yin and yang. This is primarily reflected in the regulation of one's spirit, diet, and daily routine, and in the use of medication.
Spring Equinox Health Conditions and Preservation
Prone to Diarrhea at Dawn
First, the Spring Equinox should be a time of yin-yang balance. However, for individuals with yang deficiency, yang is too weak to balance yin, thus the nature of yang deficiency becomes more apparent. This often leads to "dawn diarrhea," also known as "rooster-crow diarrhea," characterized by bowel movements after meals, specifically undigested food in the stool.
Second, for those with a pale tongue coating, a deep and weak pulse, a fear of cold, and a sensation of coldness below the waist, one can take Fuzi Lizhong Wan or Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan to warm the middle and support yang. In daily life, one can often use dried ginger in soups or eat chicken soup stewed with dried ginger.
Prone to Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea
First, because the spring winds are strong, Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the wind element overcomes the earth element (the spleen). Those who are constitutionally spleen-deficient with a pale tongue coating and a tendency to have diarrhea are more prone to abdominal pain and diarrhea, with the characteristic of significant abdominal pain.
Second, the way to preserve health is to stay outdoors less on windy days and to take Lizhong Wan under a doctor's guidance.
Third, around the Spring Equinox, one must prevent catching cold.
Fourth, use more dried ginger in cooking, as dried ginger can warm the middle energizer.
Prone to Colds and Runny Nose
During the Spring Equinox, there are many and strong winds, making one susceptible to colds and runny noses. For health preservation, one should exercise more outdoors to enhance immunity.
Therefore, the dietary adjustment for the Spring Equinox solar term should be based on one's actual condition, selecting a diet that maintains the body's functional coordination and balance. It is important to avoid dietary extremes that are too hot, too cold, too ascending, or too descending. For example, when cooking cold-natured foods like fish, shrimp, and crab, one must use warm-natured condiments such as scallions, ginger, wine, or vinegar to prevent the dish from being too cold and harmful to the spleen and stomach, which can cause discomfort in the upper abdomen. Similarly, when consuming yang-boosting foods like chives, garlic, or papaya, they are often paired with yin-nourishing foods like eggs to achieve a complementary balance of yin and yang. In terms of mentality, one should maintain a relaxed, cheerful, and optimistic state of mind. In daily life, one should adhere to appropriate exercise, regular sleep, and consistent meal times, and purposefully carry out these practices to achieve the best results in health preservation.