The Spring Equinox Health Preservation Chapter of the 24 Solar Terms

March 21st is the Spring Equinox, one of the 24 solar terms. The Vernal Equinox marks the time when Yin and Yang are in harmony. Therefore, day and night are of equal length and cold and heat are balanced. The character "fen" reveals the boundaries between day and night, as well as between cold and heat. At this time, the sun's ecliptic longitude is 0 degrees, and the sun's position is above the equator. The lunar calendar records that "when the Dou points to Ren, it is the Spring Equinox, which roughly follows the circumference of the week. Day and night are of equal length in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and it is also halfway through spring, thus it is called the Spring Equinox." The Vernal Equinox marks the midpoint of the ninety days of spring, when day and night are of equal length in both the northern and southern hemispheres. From this day on, the direct position of the sun gradually moves northward, and the length of day and night in the northern and southern hemispheres also changes accordingly. In the Northern Hemisphere, the days are longer and the nights are shorter, while in the southern Hemisphere, it is the opposite. When the Vernal Equinox arrives, there is a significant increase in rainfall. The average ground temperature in China has stably exceeded 10 degrees Celsius, which is the spring temperature as defined in climatology. After the Spring Equinox, the climate becomes mild, with abundant rainfall and bright sunshine. In most parts of China, overwintering crops enter the spring growth stage, and this is also the sowing period for early rice. There are different sayings about the Spring Equinox in various agricultural proverbs across the country. In Shandong, there is a saying that goes, "If you plant trees on the Spring Equinox and it is sunny on that day, nothing can be accomplished." In Hubei Province, there is a saying that "When it rains on the Spring Equinox, every household is busy. People plant melons and beans first and then transplant rice seedlings." There is a saying in Guangdong that goes, "Before the Spring Equinox, one can weigh rice and money." Ouyang Xiu once gave a wonderful description of the Vernal Equinox: "When strolling in the South Garden in mid-spring, the gentle breeze sounds the neighing of horses, the green plums are like beans and the willows are like eyebrows, and the sun is long with butterflies flying." Whether in the south or the north, the Spring Equinox is a wonderful time when spring is in full swing. In Taiwan Province of China, it is especially the time when orchids are in full bloom. As the Spring Equinox divides day and night, as well as cold and heat, people should pay attention to maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang in their bodies when it comes to health preservation and wellness. Stalin once said, "The possibility of a relative rest and a temporary equilibrium of an object are the fundamental conditions for the differentiation of matter and, therefore, for life." In order to achieve this "temporary equilibrium state" as the "fundamental condition of life", maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang in the human body has become an important principle of health preservation. This principle is crucial not only in the regulation of spirit, diet, daily life, but also in self-care and the use of drugs. How to apply the law of yin-yang balance in health preservation, coordinate the functions of the body, achieve a balanced state both inside and outside the body, and keep the human body, this organic whole, in a relatively calm and balanced state is the fundamental of health preservation and care. In the "Suwen: The Great Treatise on the Essentials of Truth", it is stated: "Carefully observe the location of Yin and Yang and adjust them accordingly, with the aim of achieving balance." It means that the human body should, in accordance with the Yin and Yang conditions of different periods, make the "internal movement", that is, the physiological movement of the zang-fu organs, qi and blood, and essence and energy, in harmony with the "external movement", that is, mental, physical and sports activities, and maintain the balance of the "supply and sales" relationship. To avoid the occurrence of inappropriate exercise that disrupts the balance of the internal and external environment of the human body, accelerates the damage of certain organs and the disorder of physiological functions, and thereby causes the occurrence of diseases and shortens a person's life. Modern medical research has proved that during the course of human life activities, due to the imbalance of metabolism, an unbalanced state of certain elements in the body can occur, that is, the accumulation of some elements is excessive while the content of others is insufficient, leading to premature aging and the occurrence of diseases. Some non-infectious diseases are related to the imbalance of elements in the human body. The occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which are currently the most harmful to human health in the world, is closely related to the imbalance of material exchange in the body. The reason for this is all due to the imbalance of Yin and Yang. The theory of balanced health care holds that at different ages of life, adjusting the corresponding dietary structure based on different physiological characteristics, supplementing necessary trace elements, and maintaining the balance of various elements in the body will be beneficial to human health. In the "Suwen: On the Emptiness of Bones", it is stated: "Regulate the Yin and Yang, replenish when there is deficiency, and purge when there is excess." Both traditional dietary health preservation and TCM treatment can be summarized into two aspects: tonifying deficiency and purging excess. For instance, tonifying qi, nourishing blood, enriching Yin, assisting Yang, filling essence and generating body fluids are considered tonifying deficiency. The aspects of relieving the exterior, clearing heat, promoting diuresis, purging, dispelling cold, eliminating wind and drying dampness can be regarded as purging excess. The practice of traditional Chinese medicine in health preservation has proved that whether it is tonifying or purging, the principle of adjusting Yin and Yang and maintaining balance should be adhered to. Only by scientifically conducting dietary health care can many non-infectious diseases be effectively prevented and treated. From the Start of Spring solar term to around the Qingming solar term, it is the period when plants grow and sprout. The human blood is also in a vigorous period, and hormone levels are at a relatively peak. Common non-infectious diseases that are prone to occur at this time include hypertension, menstrual disorders, hemorrhoids and allergic diseases, etc. During this solar term, dietary adjustment should be based on one's own actual situation to choose foods that can maintain the harmonious balance of the body's functions. It is necessary to avoid the dietary misunderstandings of being too hot, too cold, too ascending or too descending. For example, when cooking cold-natured foods such as fish, shrimp and crab, the principle is to add warm-natured seasonings like scallions, ginger, wine and vinegar to prevent the dish from being too cold in nature, which may harm the spleen and stomach and cause discomfort in the abdomen after consumption. For instance, when consuming yang-boosting dishes such as Chinese chives, garlic, and papaya, it is often advisable to pair them with yin-nourishing eggs to achieve the purpose of complementing Yin and Yang. One should maintain a relaxed, cheerful and optimistic mental state in mind. In terms of daily life, one should adhere to appropriate exercise, regular sleep, and fixed meals, and purposefully carry out health preservation to achieve the best effect of health preservation. Here are several suitable diets recommended to everyone. White-braised Eel [Ingredients] 500g eel, an appropriate amount of yellow wine, scallion whites, ginger, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil. [Method] Remove the bones and innards from the eel, wash it and cut it into one-inch sections for later use. Heat vegetable oil in a wok until it reaches 70% of its smoking point. Add the eel, scallions and ginger, stir-fry briefly, then add yellow wine, salt and a little water. Simmer over low heat until thoroughly cooked. Sprinkle with pepper and it's done. [Functions] Tonifies deficiency and stops hematochezia. It is particularly effective for postpartum debility, hemorrhoids bleeding, bloody diarrhea, and internal organ depletion. Note: No matter how you cook eel, don't forget to add pepper. Eucommia ulmoides Kidney [Ingredients] 12 grams of Eucommia ulmoides, 250 grams of pig kidneys, an appropriate amount of scallions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, dry starch, salt, white granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and monosodium glutamate. [Preparation] Boil Eucommia ulmoides in clear water to make a thick juice of 50 milliliters. (Add starch, Shaoxing wine, monosodium glutamate, soy sauce, salt and white granulated sugar, and thicken the sauce. Divide it into three portions and set aside.) Remove the tendons and membranes from the pork kidney slices, cut them into kidney pieces, and soak them in a thickened sauce. Wash the scallions, ginger and garlic, and cut them into sections and slices for later use. Heat a wok over high heat, add vegetable oil and heat until it reaches 80% of its smoking point. Add Sichuan pepper and when the aroma comes out, quickly stir-fry the kidneys, scallions, ginger and garlic until they are well separated. Add the thickening sauce and continue to stir-fry for a few minutes. Then add another portion of the thickening sauce and vinegar and stir-fry evenly. Serve and it's done. [Functions] Strengthen muscles and bones, lower blood pressure. The combination of medicine and food works together to tonify the kidneys, strengthen the bones and lower blood pressure. Eating it when one is healthy can also strengthen the muscles and bones. Garlic Braised Eggplant [Ingredients] 25 grams of garlic, 500 grams of eggplant, an appropriate amount of scallions, ginger, starch, soy sauce, sugar, salt, monosodium glutamate, vegetable oil and clear soup. [Method] Remove the stems from the eggplant, wash it, and cut it into two pieces. Make cross-shaped cuts on the surface of each piece and then cut it into rectangular pieces that are 4 cm long and 2 cm wide (do not cut through). Wash the scallions and ginger and chop them finely. Wash the garlic and cut it into two cloves for later use. Heat a wok over high heat, add vegetable oil and stir-fry until it reaches 70% of its smoking point. Then, add the eggplants one by one and stir-fry until they turn yellow. After that, add minced ginger, soy sauce, salt, garlic cloves and clear soup. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir well, sprinkle with chopped scallions, and thicken with sugar, starch and water to make a sauce. Reduce the sauce and mix well. Add monosodium glutamate and serve. [Functions] Cool the blood, stop bleeding, reduce swelling and relieve pain. It is often used for conditions such as hematochezia, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and purpura. This prescription takes advantage of the sweet and cold nature of eggplant to clear blood heat, disperse blood stasis and swelling in the middle, promote diuresis and relieve pain. It is supplemented with pungent and warm garlic, which can warm the spleen and stomach, promote qi stagnation, eliminate masses and masses, and detoxify pathogenic toxins. The vitamin D rich in eggplants can enhance the elasticity of blood vessels and prevent bleeding from small blood vessels. From China.org.cn