Spring blossoms bring warmer weather to Guangzhou, with increasing rainfall and a climate characterized by wind and humidity. As winter's chill lingers, influenza, allergic conditions, and cardiovascular diseases become more prevalent. Preventive medicine experts advise focusing on wind avoidance, cold protection, and warming to dispel cold dampness, while maintaining a balanced diet. Three key principles guide daily health practices: shielding against wind and cold, guarding against spring dryness, and nurturing the spleen and stomach.
Guard Against Wind and Cold to Prevent Illness
Cheng Jiehui from the Preventive Medicine Center at Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Zhuhai explains that the Rain Water solar term marks early spring. Though the climate transitions from winter chill to spring warmth, it remains in an adjustment phase with frequent cold air outbreaks. When heading outdoors for spring outings, avoid shedding layers too early. Fashion-conscious women may drape a light silk scarf around their necks—a stylish touch that also shields against wind and cold.With early spring's fluctuating temperatures, the elderly should be especially vigilant against cardiovascular incidents and prioritize staying warm.
Prevent Dampness and Moisture for Health
After the Rain Water period, as temperatures rise, dryness begins to set in. People may experience dry mouth, tongue, and chapped lips. Increase intake of fresh vegetables to replenish bodily fluids; prioritize neutral-natured foods that are easily digestible.
With warming weather, indoor humidity gradually increases, causing troublesome dampness buildup.During humid periods, conditions like lumbar and knee joint disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and various soft tissue rheumatic diseases may experience symptom recurrence or exacerbation. Use moisture absorbers or dehumidifying packs promptly to maintain indoor dryness. Alternatively, employ air conditioners or dedicated dehumidifiers to prevent furniture mold growth and damp, cold clothing that can cause illness.Preventing food moisture at home is equally crucial. Store perishables in the refrigerator whenever possible, seal dry goods tightly, and consider adding safe desiccants to medications alongside proper sealing.
Yan Fang, Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics Ward at Guangdong Hospital of Chinese Medicine, advises against using excessively cold water for washing the face, hands, or nasal irrigation to treat rhinitis. Cold dampness readily invades joints, posing a greater risk of arthritis in elderly or frail individuals.
Lighten Your Load with Less Grease
Cheng Jiehui explains that as dampness intensifies during the Rain Water season, excessive consumption of rich, greasy foods can trap dampness internally and externally, impairing spleen and stomach function and triggering digestive disorders. This increases susceptibility to gastrointestinal colds, indigestion, gastritis, and enteritis.Those with frequent social dinners should prioritize vegetables over greasy foods. Avoid excessive snacking after meals. After a heavy meal, consider drinking barley tea, orange pu-erh, or floral teas to aid digestion and invigorate the spleen. Opt for light meals at the next meal or the following day to allow the digestive system adequate rest and recovery.
Yan Fang cautions that late spring cold snaps can also cause internal heat accumulation. Avoid overly warming foods to prevent aggravating this condition. Heat accumulation may tempt one to seek cool relief, but drinking cold beverages or eating chilled foods can damage the spleen and stomach, leading to stomach coldness, abdominal chill, or diarrhea. In summary, avoid both cooling foods like cold drinks and raw vegetables, as well as warming foods like spicy dishes and white liquor.
Mugwort: Nurturing Yang Qi to Disperse Cold and Dampness
During the Rain Water solar term, "wind, cold, and dampness" prevail. As the saying goes, "Cold originates from the feet," and "dampness is heavy and turbid." Soaking feet in water boiled with mugwort leaves can dispel cold, remove dampness, warm meridians, and unblock channels, making it ideal for disease prevention and health maintenance at this time.Take 50 grams of mugwort leaves, add 3000 milliliters of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool to 40°C–50°C before soaking feet. This is especially suitable for those prone to external pathogens or joint pain. Keep moxa sticks at home for moxibustion on acupoints like Dazhui (GV14), Yongquan (KI1), Zusanli (ST36), Shenque (CV8), and Guanyuan (CV4), which strengthen the spleen, boost qi, protect yang, and fortify the body.Diabetics should avoid excessively hot water during foot soaks and maintain proper distance between moxa sticks and skin during moxibustion to prevent burns. Abdominal Massage to Regulate Spleen Function During the Rain Water season, reduced activity and poor appetite while staying indoors can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Simple abdominal massage strengthens the spleen and aids digestion, alleviating symptoms for people of all ages.Method: Rub hands together until warm. Overlap palms and place them on the abdomen. Centered on the navel, massage in a clockwise direction from the inside outwards for 36 rotations, then counterclockwise from the outside inwards for 36 rotations. This can be done lying down or standing. Recommended timing: half an hour after meals, upon waking, or before bedtime. This simple technique aids in preventing and treating gastrointestinal disorders and is suitable for daily health maintenance.
Rain Water Dietary Remedies
Hawthorn and Black Plum Digestive Tea
【Ingredients】10g hawthorn berries, 10g black plums, 10g grain sprouts, 10g barley sprouts, rock sugar to taste.
【Preparation】Rinse all ingredients and place in an earthenware pot. Add 600ml water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat. Simmer for 20 minutes before adding rock sugar.
【Benefits】Promotes saliva production, quenches thirst, stimulates appetite, and relieves indigestion.
Golden Orange, Euryale Seed, and Millet Porridge
【Ingredients】20g kumquats, 100g euryale seeds, 50g millet, a small piece of ginger.
【Preparation】Slice the washed kumquats. Rinse the euryale seeds and millet. Combine all ingredients in a pot with sufficient water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until thickened into porridge.
【Benefits】Strengthens the spleen and stomach, regulates liver qi. Perilla and Almond Porridge 【Ingredients】10g perilla leaves, 10g almonds, 50g white rice, 3 slices ginger, 3 red dates.【Preparation】Rinse white rice, add sufficient water, and cook with almonds, ginger, and red dates into porridge. Add perilla leaves near completion. Serve warm. 【Benefits】Relieves surface cold, regulates qi and harmonizes the stomach, transforms phlegm and stops coughing. (By Zhou Jieying, Correspondents He Mingkun, Zhuang Yingge, Song Liping)