The Health Preservation Chapter of the Awakening of Insects in the 24 Solar Terms

Liu Tingting: Jingzhe, the third solar term of the year. The lunar calendar records: "When the Dou points to Ding, it is the Start of Spring. Thunder rumbles and all the hibernating insects are shaken out, thus it is called the Start of Spring." The so-called "Dou" refers to the "Dou Gang", which means the three stars Kui, Heng and Shao in the Big Dipper. As the celestial bodies move, the Big Dipper points in different directions and positions, and the position it points to is the month it represents. In the Gregorian calendar, when the Big Dipper points to Ding, the sun's ecliptic longitude is 345 degrees. The Awakening of Insects occurs after the Beginning of Spring when the weather warms up and the first rumble of spring thunder awakens various insects that have been hibernating in the soil. At this time, the eggs of overwintering insects also start to hatch. Thus, it can be seen that the Awakening of Insects is a solar term that reflects natural phenological phenomena. But what truly awakens hibernating animals to the ground is not the rumbling thunder, but the temperature inside the ground when the temperature rises to a certain extent. During the Start of Spring, in some areas of our country, peach blossoms are already red, plum blossoms are white, orioles are singing and swallows are flying. Most areas have entered the spring ploughing season. "Thunder strikes at the Start of Spring, and rice is cheap; at the Start of Spring, hearing the thunder, rice is as muddy as mud." This means that it is normal to hear thunder on or after the Awakening of Insects, indicating favorable weather and a good year. In some regions, it is taboo to hear thunder before the Start of Spring, and they have summarized the meteorological pattern that "thunder rumbles before the Start of Spring, and the heavy rain is like a dragon." From this, it can be seen that the change of solar terms is of great significance to farmers. In addition, for us modern people, whether you are a businessman, a doctor or in any other profession, accumulating certain knowledge of phenology will be helpful to your life and work. Health preservation during the Awakening of Insects solar term should also be based on natural phenological phenomena and individual physical differences, and reasonable adjustments should be made in terms of mental health, daily life and diet. In fact, the difference in constitution refers to one aspect of individualized health preservation in constitution health preservation. Due to the human body's innate endowment and the influence of various postnatal factors, during its growth, development and aging process, it forms relatively stable certain characteristics in terms of psychological and physiological functions. These characteristics often determine the body's susceptibility to certain pathogenic factors and the tendency during the disease process. Therefore, in health preservation, it should be individualized and not generalized. The "constitution" referred to in traditional Chinese medicine is different from the "temperament" often mentioned by people. Temperament is the sum of psychological functions such as mental outlook, personality and behavior formed by the human body under the influence of postnatal factors, that is, the characteristics of "spirit", while constitution is the comprehensive reflection of form and spirit. The two have an inseparable intrinsic connection. That is, physical constitution can include temperament, but temperament does not equal physical constitution. The ancient Roman physician Galen (129 AD - 200 AD) once classified human temperament into four types based on the humoral theory, namely, the choleric type with a quick and irritable temperament and rapid movements; An active and agile sanguine type; A mucoid type with a calm temperament and slow movements; A melancholic type with a fragile temperament and sluggish movements. The renowned modern scientist Pavlov classified people into four types: the excited type, the active type, the quiet type and the vulnerable type, which is basically equivalent to Galen's classification. The above-mentioned quadrilateral classification has had a considerable influence in the Western medical field. The early medical work of our country, "Ling Shu: Twenty-Five People of Yin and Yang", classified human constitutions into five major types - wood, fire, earth, metal and water - based on differences in physical appearance, skin color, cognitive ability, emotional response, willpower strength, personality restlessness and adaptability to seasonal climate. It also classified the physiological characteristics reflected by the meridians and qi and blood in the head, face and limbs Each category is further divided into five subcategories, which is what the Ling Shu refers to as the "Twenty-five People of Yin and Yang". Although both Chinese and Western medicine have classified human constitutions, up to now, the various classification theories of human constitutions in Western medicine cannot directly guide clinical treatment and health preservation and rehabilitation. Only traditional Chinese medicine can provide effective clinical guidance and practical health preservation and rehabilitation for human constitutions. The "Suwen: Discussion on the Application of Different Methods and Prescriptions" points out: "Due to the differences in geographical environment and climate, as well as the different living habits of residents in the east, west, south, north and central regions, different constitutions are formed and different diseases are prone to occur. Therefore, the treatment methods vary accordingly." Zhu Danxi's "Ge Zhi Yu Lun" states: "In terms of human form, long is not as good as short, big is not as good as small, fat is not as good as thin. In terms of human color, white is not as good as black, tender is not as good as blue, thin is not as good as thick." Fat people tend to be more damp, while thin people are more prone to internal heat. White skin indicates deficiency of lung qi, while black skin indicates insufficiency of the kidneys. Although the shapes and colors are different, the internal organs are also distinct. Even if the external symptoms are the same, the treatment methods are completely different. In the "Medical Principles Compendium: Jinnang Jue Hou Chapter", it is also stated: "It should be known that those who are prone to wind-induced illness have inherently deficient qi." Those who are prone to cold and fall ill have inherently weak Yang qi. Those who are prone to heat and fall ill have inherently weakened Yin qi. Those who are prone to harm will surely have a weak spleen and stomach. Those who are prone to aging and injury will surely have their vital energy weakened. From this, it is not difficult to see that the main cause of human illness depends on the difference in constitution, that is to say, constitution determines the susceptibility to certain pathogenic factors. How to change the poor physical condition is a problem that we should care about. What I want to say here is that physical constitution is not fixed. Even in the same environment, as long as we adopt a positive attitude towards life and take active health preservation measures, we can correct the imbalance in physical constitution and achieve the goal of prolonging life. During the Awakening of Insects solar term, we will focus on introducing the health preservation methods for four common body types to everyone. 1. Yin Deficiency Constitution: People with this constitution are characterized by emaciation, hot hands and feet, frequent restlessness in the heart, poor sleep, dry stools, yellow urine, intolerance to spring and summer, and a preference for cold drinks. Health preservation methods: 1. Mental adjustment: People with Yin deficiency constitution tend to be irritable and easily angered. This is due to Yin deficiency with excessive internal heat and fire disturbing the spirit. They should follow the health preservation method of "adding to the void and keeping the spirit within". Strengthen self-cultivation and develop the habit of being calm and composed. Take part in less competitive cultural and recreational activities and control your sexual life. 2. Environmental regulation: People with Yin deficiency are afraid of heat and prefer cold. They tend to get through the cold winter easily but find it hard to endure the hot summer. So for those who have the conditions, they can travel and take vacations to the seaside, forest areas and mountainous regions every spring and summer. It is best to choose a house with a quiet living environment and facing south with its back to the north. 3. The principle of dietary adjustment is to nourish Yin and subdue Yang. One should consume more light foods, such as glutinous rice, sesame, honey, dairy products, tofu, fish, vegetables, sugarcane, etc. Those who have the conditions can consume some sea cucumbers, turtle meat, crab meat, silver ear fungus, male ducks, Cordyceps sinensis, etc. Spicy and dry foods should be eaten sparingly. 4. Physical exercise should not be overly intense. The focus should be on nourishing the liver and kidneys. Tai Chi is a relatively suitable sport. Second, Yang deficiency constitution: People with this constitution are often plump and fair, or have a pale complexion, cold hands and feet, clear and long urine, loose stools, and are sensitive to cold while preferring warmth. Health preservation methods: 1. Mental nourishment: People with insufficient Yang qi often show poor mood, being prone to fear or sadness. Such people should be good at regulating their emotions, listen to more music and make more friends. 2. Environmental regulation: People with a Yang deficiency constitution have a poor ability to adapt to the climate. In winter, they should avoid the cold and seek warmth, and in spring and summer, they should pay attention to nourishing Yang energy. To achieve "never be tired of the sun", that is, to get more sun exposure in spring and summer, each time for no less than fifteen to twenty minutes. This can greatly enhance the cold resistance in winter. 3. Physical exercise: People with a Yang deficiency constitution should enhance their physical exercise throughout the four seasons. They can engage in activities such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, and Five-Animal exercises. Sunbathing and air baths are indispensable ways to strengthen the body's vital energy. 4. Dietary adjustment: Consume more foods that enhance male potency, such as mutton, dog meat, chicken, and vendeer. According to the principle of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer", especially during the three hottest periods of summer, have "Aconite porridge" (10 grams of aconite, first boiled for 30 minutes, then added 150 grams of glutinous rice and cooked together) or mutton and aconite soup (15 grams of aconite, first boiled for 30 minutes, then added 500 grams of blanched mutton Stew it together until cooked and add an appropriate amount of salt, in conjunction with the time when the universe is brimming with Yang energy, to enhance the body's Yang energy. Iii. Blood Stasis Constitution: People with dull complexion, dark lips, dry skin and dark eye sockets are mostly those with blood stasis constitution. Health preservation methods: 1. Engage in more physical exercises that are beneficial to the heart and blood circulation, such as social dancing, Tai Chi, and health massage. These activities can invigorate all parts of the body and are beneficial for the circulation of qi and blood. 2. Mental nourishment: People with blood stasis constitution often suffer from qi stagnation. Cultivating an optimistic mood is of vital importance. When one is in a good mood, the qi and blood flow smoothly. The normal circulation of qi and blood in the meridians is conducive to the change of blood stasis constitution. Conversely, depression and melancholy can aggravate the tendency of blood stasis. 3. Dietary adjustment: Regularly consume foods that have the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, such as peach kernels, black beans, Chinese cabbage, water chestnuts, and vinegar. Also, frequently cook hawthorn porridge and peanut porridge. You can also choose some blood-activating and blood-nourishing medicines (Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Rehmannia glutinosa, Sanguisorba officinalis, Acanthopanaceae bark) and meat to make soup for drinking. Four. Phlegm-dampness Constitution: Obesity, loose muscles, a preference for rich and sweet foods, listlessness and a heavy body are the obvious characteristics of people with phlegm-dampness constitution. Health preservation methods: 1. Environmental adjustment: During the rainy season, avoid dampness invasion; It is not advisable to live in a cold and damp environment. 2. Dietary adjustment should involve eating more foods that strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis. Foods that can eliminate phlegm and dampness, such as white radish, adzuki beans, cabbage, broad beans, onion, nori, jellyfish, water chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, loquats, jujubes, coix seed, red adzuki beans, etc. Eat less greasy and rich food, beverages and alcoholic drinks, and do not eat too much at each meal. 3. People with phlegm-dampness due to physical exercise are often obese, heavy and prone to fatigue. Therefore, they should persist in activities such as walking, jogging, various dances and ball games for a long time. The amount of activity should gradually increase to transform loose skin into firm and dense muscles. In conclusion, no matter what kind of constitution you have, as long as you persist in purposeful health preservation and constantly improve your quality of life, I believe that everyone can extend their life and become a healthy and long-lived person. From China.org.cn