Spring Equinox Wellness Practices
The beginning of spring (立春), one of the 24 solar terms, symbolizes the start of a new year, when the vital energy (yang) of all things on earth begins to rise. Beginning of spring is an important season in traditional Chinese medicine, as the body's qi and blood begin to revive, making it a good time for health preservation. Health preservation in the beginning of spring can be achieved by adjusting diet, exercise, and rest.
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) states, "If essence is not stored in winter, warmth will certainly sicken in spring." One explanation is that the kidneys are where human essence and qi reside. If the kidneys are not nourished and essence is not stored in winter, when yang qi rises in spring, the underlying essence and qi in the body will be insufficient, making it easy for external evils to invade and cause illness. In the Five Elements theory, spring corresponds to wood, which also corresponds to the liver. In spring, liver qi is strong and counteracts the spleen, which belongs to earth. Therefore, while nourishing the liver, it is also important to take care of the spleen to achieve internal harmony. As humidity increases, it can easily affect the spleen and stomach's ability to transport and transform dampness in the body. Therefore, it is important to take care of the spleen and stomach and eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.
It is recommended to drink Licorice and Poria Tea. Prepare 5 grams each of licorice and poria. After rinsing, place them in a thermos cup, add hot water, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking. This tea helps to clear heat and detoxify, eliminate toxins from the body, maintain internal balance, relieve pain, relax muscles and activate meridians, help the circulation of qi and blood in the body, and promote metabolism.
Licorice has a sweet taste and neutral nature, and enters the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can tonify the spleen and replenish qi, clear heat and detoxify, resolve phlegm and relieve cough, relax muscles and activate meridians, relieve spasms and pain, and harmonize the toxicity of other medicines. Poria has a sweet taste and neutral nature, and enters the heart and spleen meridians. It can strengthen the spleen and calm the mind, tonify the spleen and benefit the heart, promote diuresis and drain dampness, and nourish the heart and calm the mind.
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) states, "If essence is not stored in winter, warmth will certainly sicken in spring." One explanation is that the kidneys are where human essence and qi reside. If the kidneys are not nourished and essence is not stored in winter, when yang qi rises in spring, the underlying essence and qi in the body will be insufficient, making it easy for external evils to invade and cause illness. In the Five Elements theory, spring corresponds to wood, which also corresponds to the liver. In spring, liver qi is strong and counteracts the spleen, which belongs to earth. Therefore, while nourishing the liver, it is also important to take care of the spleen to achieve internal harmony. As humidity increases, it can easily affect the spleen and stomach's ability to transport and transform dampness in the body. Therefore, it is important to take care of the spleen and stomach and eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.
It is recommended to drink Licorice and Poria Tea. Prepare 5 grams each of licorice and poria. After rinsing, place them in a thermos cup, add hot water, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking. This tea helps to clear heat and detoxify, eliminate toxins from the body, maintain internal balance, relieve pain, relax muscles and activate meridians, help the circulation of qi and blood in the body, and promote metabolism.
Licorice has a sweet taste and neutral nature, and enters the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can tonify the spleen and replenish qi, clear heat and detoxify, resolve phlegm and relieve cough, relax muscles and activate meridians, relieve spasms and pain, and harmonize the toxicity of other medicines. Poria has a sweet taste and neutral nature, and enters the heart and spleen meridians. It can strengthen the spleen and calm the mind, tonify the spleen and benefit the heart, promote diuresis and drain dampness, and nourish the heart and calm the mind.