Traditional Chinese Medicine says: "When all grasses sprout, all illnesses flare up," which means that old diseases are prone to relapse in spring. Due to the warm and windy spring weather, it is suitable for the breeding and spread of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Therefore, people with certain constitutions are more susceptible to illness.
It is a fact that in spring, people with hyperactive liver-yang are particularly prone to headaches and dizziness. This is the reason why Traditional Chinese Medicine has long pointed out, "In spring, all illnesses are in the head." Modern medicine has also found that the climate changes in spring can easily lead to increased blood pressure, accompanied by symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and insomnia. For dietary prevention and treatment, one can eat 250-500 grams of bananas or oranges daily; or use 100 grams of banana peel, decocted in water to make a tea, to be consumed frequently. This is because bananas contain potassium ions that can lower blood pressure. Additionally, regularly consuming potassium-rich foods like lemons, pears, and mung beans is also beneficial for preventing and treating high blood pressure. You can also decoct 500 grams of celery in water, add an appropriate amount of sugar, and drink it as a tea; or decoct 250 grams of celery with 10 red dates to make a tea; or soak raw peanuts in vinegar for 5 days and then eat 10 pieces on an empty stomach each morning. These methods also have good blood pressure-lowering effects.
Gastric and duodenal ulcers also tend to flare up in spring. In terms of diet, one should avoid consuming pork, chicken, fish, and beef broths rich in substances like creatine and purine bases, as well as spinach, legumes, animal offal, and stimulating condiments. This is because the aforementioned foods strongly stimulate gastric acid secretion or form gas, causing bloating and increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. For dietary prevention and treatment, a honey therapy can be adopted: steam the honey over boiling water, then take 100 milliliters on an empty stomach before meals, divided into 3 doses per day. Alternatively, fresh green cabbage can be used: wash it, crush it, and squeeze the juice through a sterile gauze. Slightly warm the juice before drinking, twice daily, for a 15-day course of treatment. Or, boil 250 milliliters of milk, mix in 50 grams of honey and 6 grams of Bai Ai (a type of herb), and drink the mixture. These methods all have the effect of nourishing yin and benefiting the stomach.
Chronic bronchitis in the elderly is also prone to flare up in spring. The method of dietary prevention and treatment is to eat more foods that can resolve phlegm, strengthen the spleen, nourish the kidneys, and moisten the lungs, such as loquats, oranges, pears, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, jujubes, walnuts, and honey, which can help alleviate symptoms. The diet should be light, and it is advisable to avoid seafood and greasy foods. The saying "Fish causes fire, meat causes phlegm, cabbage and tofu ensure peace" has a certain scientific basis. Stimulating foods like chili, pepper, onions, and garlic, as well as overly sweet and salty foods, should also be eaten in moderation to avoid irritating the respiratory tract and worsening the condition.