Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes nourishing yang energy in spring and summer. During this season, reduce intake of oily foods and opt for lighter, milder, low-fat options.For stir-frying, use plant-based oils like peanut oil, soybean oil, or olive oil, limiting intake to no more than 25 grams per day. Minimize fried or pan-fried foods to prevent obesity, fatty liver, and hyperlipidemia. Increase consumption of mushrooms such as black fungus, white fungus, button mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. So, how can we maintain a balanced diet for spring wellness?
【Jujubes】
Jujubes are not merely food but also a valuable medicinal ingredient. Traditional Chinese medicine regards them as a nourishing tonic, making them particularly suitable for spring consumption. During spring, liver function peaks. Acidic foods further stimulate liver energy, potentially weakening digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach. Sweet foods, however, strengthen spleen and stomach energy, benefiting overall health. Thus, spring diets should emphasize sweetness over sourness. Among sweet foods, jujubes are an excellent choice.
【Skin Care】
Warm spring weather makes this season crucial for skincare. Fluctuating temperatures cause sebum secretion to vary, and as people spend more time outdoors, exposure to environmental pollutants increases. Establishing a daily skincare routine allows your skin to embrace spring. Spring marks not only the start of the year but also the beginning of your new skincare regimen.
【Dietary Balance】
As spring warms, yang energy rises. Opt for light, balanced meals rich in nutrients while maintaining proper proportions of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid greasy, spicy, or fried foods—they're hard to digest and strain the stomach and liver. Also, incorporate plenty of fresh seasonal fruits.【Health Preservation】
Though spring is a high-risk season for liver diseases, it is also a time when all living things renew themselves and brim with vitality. Human liver energy also begins to flourish, expelling impurities and promoting smooth circulation of qi and blood. This makes spring an ideal time to regulate and nourish the liver. Hence, traditional Chinese medicine advocates "nourishing the liver in spring." As spring marks the beginning of the annual cycle of life activities, health preservation should prioritize nourishing and protecting the liver.
【Stay Hydrated】
Spring brings strong winds and dry conditions, leading to dehydration. Drink plenty of plain water to replenish bodily fluids, enhance blood circulation, and boost metabolism. Adequate hydration also stimulates glandular secretion—particularly digestive juices, pancreatic fluids, and bile—facilitating digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. This reduces damage to the liver from metabolic byproducts and toxins.