Introduction: May 21st is the Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiao Man) solar term. After this, the body's physiological activities also enter a period of high activity, with the consumption of nutrients being the highest among the 24 solar terms. So, how can one stay healthy during the Lesser Fullness of Grain?
The Lesser Fullness of Grain occurs in late May, when the temperature rises significantly. If one indulges in sleeping in a cold environment, it will inevitably lead to diseases such as rheumatism and dampness-related skin diseases. In the health preservation practice for the Lesser Fullness of Grain, we must especially emphasize the concept of "preventing illness before it occurs." This means taking various preventive measures before getting sick to prevent the onset of diseases. In this approach of preventing illness before it occurs, the holistic concept of "harmony between humans and nature" (Tian Ren Xiang Ying) and the pathological view that "if vital energy (Qi) is stored within, pathogens cannot invade" (Zheng Qi Cun Nei, Xie Bu Ke Gan) are still emphasized.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the human body as an organic whole, in which humans are closely related to the external environment. It posits that humans must understand the laws of nature, adapt to changes in the natural world, and maintain harmony between the internal and external environments in order to achieve the goal of preventing disease and maintaining health.
TCM also believes that the occurrence of a disease involves two factors: vital energy (Zheng Qi) and pathogenic factors (Xie Qi). Pathogenic factors are an important condition for causing diseases, while the insufficiency of the body's vital energy is the internal cause and basis for the occurrence of diseases. However, it does not negate the leading role of external pathogenic factors under special circumstances. Therefore, the "prevention of disease" should start from two aspects: enhancing the body's vital energy and preventing the invasion of pathogens.
Lesser Fullness of Grain: Eating Bitter Herbs
In ancient China, the Lesser Fullness of Grain was divided into three phases: "First, bitter herbs flourish; second, withered grass dies; third, the autumn for wheat arrives." The "Book of Zhou" (Zhou Shu) also contains the saying, "On the day of Lesser Fullness of Grain, bitter herbs flourish."
Nutrition experts say that bitter herbs contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, and various inorganic salts, vitamins, and other nutrients. They can clear heat, cool the blood, and detoxify. They are very effective in preventing and treating boils, hematemesis, epistaxis (nosebleeds), constipation, and colds. They also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and are effective for jaundice hepatitis, pharyngitis, bacterial dysentery, colds and fevers, chronic bronchitis, and tonsillitis. They can also help prevent and treat diabetes, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.
Recommended ways to eat: After blanching in boiling water, they can be eaten cold as a salad, in soups, stir-fried, or steamed with noodles. Examples include cold-mixed bitter herbs, bitter herbs and pork liver soup, stir-fried bitter herbs, and steamed bitter herbs.
Recommended and contraindicated groups: Generally suitable for everyone, including patients with obesity, diabetes, jaundice hepatitis, influenza, and constipation. It is forbidden for those with a weak spleen and stomach (spleen-stomach cold deficiency).
Lesser Fullness of Grain: Tasting the Fresh
There is an old agricultural saying, "Three fresh foods are seen on the Lesser Fullness of Grain." The three fresh foods of Lesser Fullness of Grain are: cucumber, garlic stalks, and cherries.
Cucumbers contain carotene, B and C vitamins, inorganic salts such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron, and abundant phytochemicals. Eating cucumbers often helps lower lipids, blood sugar, and has anti-tumor and antioxidant effects. It prevents constipation and is beneficial for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, obesity, and constipation. Regular consumption or topical application and rubbing the juice on the skin can also effectively moisturize the skin, slow down skin aging, and reduce wrinkles.
Recommended ways to eat: Can be eaten raw after washing as a fruit, in salads, boiled, stir-fried, or in soups. Examples include cold-mixed cucumber, sweet and sour cucumber, seaweed cucumber soup, cucumber and dandelion porridge, and蓑衣 cucumber (Suiyi cucumber, a sliced and shaped cucumber).
Recommended and contraindicated groups: Suitable for ordinary people and those with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, edema, cancer, and alcoholism. It is not suitable for those with a weak spleen and stomach or abdominal pain and diarrhea.