April 20, 2022, the solar term Grain Rain. Grain Rain is the sixth solar term in spring. Grain Rain is derived from the meaning of “rain produces a hundred grains”. At this time, the southern part of China starts to be significantly rainy, and the weather in the northern part becomes warmer. Grain Rain is the symbol of “Final Frost”.
After the Grain Rain solar term, the rainfall will increase, the temperature will rise, and the humidity in the air will further increase. Attention should be paid to preventing the invasion of “dampness” Injury. In terms of emotional health, avoid anger, anxiety and depression, and maintain a calm state of mind to prevent anger. Listening to music, fishing, spring outings, walking, Taijiquan, Baduanjin, etc. can cultivate one’s temperament.
The temperature is suitable, the wind is sunny, the outdoor air is fresh, and it is suitable for spring outing. According to one’s own physical constitution, choose appropriate exercise programs, such as mountain climbing, jogging, etc., to promote metabolism, improve cardiopulmonary function, enhance physical fitness, regulate Qi and blood, remove dampness and detoxify, and nourish yang. In daily life, you should pay attention to going to bed early and getting up early, preventing cold in the morning and evening, and changing clothes in a timely manner.
Diet and health, practice daily.
Grain Rain Diet,
Shugan, spleen and dampness,
Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs and prevents dryness and fire.
The spring corresponds to the liver, and the health care in the spring always focuses on soothing the liver, regulating the qi and circulating the qi and blood. Liver qi is not comfortable, it is easy to control the spleen and stomach, and it can transform and generate dampness. If the liver yang rises too much, it is easy to “burn the metal” and damage the lungs. Therefore, during the Grain Rain season, diet and health, more rain will soothe the liver, strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, the dry season Nourishes yin, moistens the lungs and prevents dryness and fire.
Spring chives, chives, ginger, garlic sprouts, coriander, etc. can help the liver to drain. To strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, red bean, coix seed, yam, gorgon, wax gourd, crucian carp, etc. can be eaten in moderation. Avoid eating raw, cold, fatty and greasy things, so as not to damage the spleen and stomach and aggravate moisture trapping in the body.
Oats, wheat, brown rice, corn, millet, jujube, chestnut, etc. have the effect of nourishing the spleen and stomach. The weak can eat it regularly. Crucian carp and sea bass can also replenish deficiency and invigorate the spleen, harmonize the stomach and regulate the yin, soothe the liver and invigorate the qi.
Lily, celery, bitter gourd, tomato, loofah, radish, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, grapefruit, banana, Oranges have the functions of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, clearing heat and purging fire, and those with lung heat, yin deficiency and internal heat, upset and irritability, bitter mouth, dry mouth, bad breath, and dry stool can be eaten regularly.
Finally, I would like to introduce a few diets, medicinal diets and tea substitutes during the Grain Rain.
kelp with celery
Celery is washed properly, cut into sections, and boiled; water-fat seaweed is washed, shredded, and boiled; celery and seaweed are put into a basin together, add vinegar , sesame oil, salt and monosodium glutamate and mix well.
Celery is one of our favorite vegetables and is available in abundance in spring. Chinese medicine believes that it has the functions of calming the liver and clearing heat, detoxifying and dispelling the lungs, moistening the lungs and relieving cough, and strengthening the stomach and clearing the intestines. Modern research has found that celery is rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin K, vitamin B, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, folic acid, etc. Celery is rich in apigenin, which can dilate blood vessels and stabilize blood pressure. Celery is high in calcium and phosphorus, which strengthens boneshealthy. Celery is high in cellulose, which can inhibit intestinal bacteria, speed up peristalsis, promote excretion, and prevent colon cancer. Celery also contains substances that can neutralize uric acid, which can prevent gout. Celery is rich in vitamin K, which helps to assist in the synthesis of blood coagulation proteins and bone metabolism. It can improve blood coagulation, prevent bleeding disorders, prevent osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of fractures. Kelp is rich in iodine, which can improve hypothyroidism; Kelp can reduce swelling, soften firmness and disperse knots.
Celery salad with seaweed is crisp and refreshing, simple in raw materials, inexpensive and high-quality, can nourish yin and moisten dryness, calm liver and clear heat , Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, in Grain Rain season, the weather turns hot and easy to get angry.
Yam, Barley and Gorgon Congee
japonica rice, yam, coix seed, and gorgon in appropriate amount. Put Coix seed, Gorgon, japonica rice and yam in the pot and boil it into porridge. Can add a little sugar to taste.
Yam nourishes qi and nourishes yin, nourishes the spleen, lung and kidney, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea. Gorgon invigorates the spleen and kidney, stops diarrhea, stops constipation, and stops belt. Coix seed invigorates the spleen, clears the lungs, and removes dampness. This porridge can be eaten more when the grain rain is heavy, it can strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness, and it is especially suitable for those with spleen deficiency and dampness and excessive phlegm.
Tea Recipe
There are many varieties of tea such as green tea, black tea, white tea, dark tea (Pu-erh), oolong, and scented tea. During the Grain Rain season, Yuqian tea is on the market. “Rain tea” of green tea is the best. For those with heavy humidity, scented tea is still suitable. The scented scented tea can promote the growth of yang energy in the human body, relieve liver stagnation, reconcile the mood, refresh the mind and relieve distress, but avoid cold drinks.
Choose the appropriate amount of Chinese herbal medicines to replace tea, and you can get twice the result with half the effort. To replace the traditional Chinese medicine for tea, we choose 5-10g each time, brew with boiling water, and drink 3-5 cups a day.
Poria and tangerine peel rose tea: Poria spleen invigorates the spleen, invigorates the spleen, diverts dampness, calms the heart and soothes the mind ; Chenpi invigorating the spleen and regulating qi, drying dampness and resolving phlegm; rose soothing the liver, relieving depression, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain; jasmine tea clearing fire and refreshing, digestion and diuresis. Drinking the four substances together, soothes the liver, strengthens the spleen and removes dampness. It is especially suitable for those who have a lot of rain, heavy dampness, weak spleen and stomach, and excessive dampness in the body.
Author: Li Jinhui
Deputy Chief Physician
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Geriatrics Hospital
Clinical MD of Integrative Medicine, majoring in Cardiovascular Disease. Focusing on the whole, specializing in syndrome differentiation, using the past for the present, using Chinese and Western medicine, good at the treatment of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as middle-aged and elderly diseases such as liver, gallbladder, spleen and stomach diseases.