Examples of TCM Life Cultivation in Accordance with Seasonal Conditions |
Yang Qi ascends in spring. The liver prefers smooth regulation of Qi and blood but is averse to depression. Therefore, it is suitable for people to eat pungent, sweet and yang-ascending food to conform to the hepatic regulation of Qi and blood such as green Chinese onion, coriander, jujube and peanut. On the other hand, sour flavor acts on the liver and is astringent in nature, which is not beneficial to the generation and ascending of Yang Qi as well as the hepatic regulation of Qi and blood. Accordingly, people should eat less sour flavored foods. Besides, the liver functions vigorously in spring. In this case, the hyperactive liver easily subjugates and restricts the spleen, or reversely restricts the lung. Thus, splenogastric and pulmonary diseases are liable to occur or worsen in spring. Therefore, health preservation or rehabilitation with the diet and drugs should take these climatic factors into consideration. Dietetically, “less sour-flavored foods and more sweet-flavored foods” are followed to nourish the spleen Qi. People may select some sweet flavored and neutral natured foods to strengthen the spleen and prevent the hyperactive liver from restricting the spleen and stomach such as jujube, honey, lotus seed, Chinese yam and coix seed; the people with poor digestive function of the stomach and intestine may eat more radishes to regulate Qi, resolve phlegm and regulate the stomach; the decoction of Jupi (Pericarpium citri Reticulatae) can resolve phlegm, quench thirst, regulate Qi and the stomach; drinking the tea infused with Maogen (Radix Rubi Parvifolii) and Lugen (Rhizoma Phragmitis) or the decoction of peeled Yali pear and water chestnut can clear away heat from the lung, prevent disease of respiratory and enterogastric tracts like common cold. Physical training
Winter goes and spring comes. Ice and snow melt. Everything comes to life and is full of vigor in nature. “Man adapts to nature relevantly.” With the arrival of spring, the Yang Qi of human body begins to ascend and Qi and blood tend to reach outwards. At this time, people should often exercise the body to accelerate the circulation of Qi and blood. This can promote the realization of this tendency to inspire the enthusiasm. In severe winter, the air is dirty and the amount of exercise is also greatly reduced because people often stay indoors and seldom open the door and windows. Accordingly, people should leave indoors for the places with fresh air like the garden, square, forestry, riverside and mountain slope. They may play ball games, run, shadowbox, and do exercises. People should not stick to the forms as long as they can exercise as much as possible according to personal likes. However, the point is that the amount of exercise should be moderate. This may be determined by the fact that people feel happy, relaxed and comfortable after the training. This can make the spring Qi ascend and Yang Qi increase in an orderly way which meets the requirement of “nourishing Yang in spring and summer”. As far as old people are concerned, they may select some simple, easy and effective exercise like Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji quan) and eight section brocade to promote the functional activities of Qi of the human body.
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