Liu Tingting

When the fingernail reaches its peak, it is called Minor Fullness. All things grow at this time and become full. Wheat is at Minor Fullness but not yet fully ripe, hence the name. During the Minor Fullness period, the grains of summer-harvested crops such as barley and winter wheat gradually become plump but are not yet fully mature, hence the name Minor Fullness. The Minor Fullness Solar term, when the sun's ecliptic longitude reaches 60 degrees, is a typical solar term reflecting the changes in natural phenology.

Phenology refers to the periodic activities of flowers, plants, trees, birds, beasts, insects and fish that occur in response to seasonal climate changes, such as sprouting, flowering, fruiting, hibernation, chirping and migration. It is an important indicator for judging the change of seasons. China is the earliest country in the world to study phenology, and there are early records of phenology in the Book of Songs. Xia Xiaozheng, as the earliest monograph on phenology, systematically records the agricultural activities and natural rhythms of the four seasons. Later generations gradually improved and formed the system of the 24 solar terms and 72 phenological periods.

Since ancient times, there has been the saying of the twenty-four flower trade winds: five days constitute one pentad, and three pentad constitute one solar term, from Minor Cold to Grain Rain. In each pentad, one kind of flower blooms as scheduled, and the wind of the blooming flower is called the flower trade wind. Plum blossoms during Minor Cold, orchids during Major Cold, apricot blossoms in spring, crabapple blossoms during Spring Equinox, paulownia flowers during Qingming Festival, peonies during Grain Rain Festival... Twenty-four flowers bloom one after another. When the flowers fall, spring comes to an end and the beginning of summer arrives. The flower breeze not only embellishes the scenery of the four seasons but also guides the farming season and conforms to agricultural activities. It is the ancient wisdom of life that follows nature.

Xiaoman falls in the second half of May, when the temperature rises rapidly and the summer heat intensifies. At this time, if one induls in the cold and sleeps outdoors or stays in a cold and shady environment for a long time, it is very likely to induce rheumatic bone diseases, eczema, rubella and other damp-related skin diseases. Therefore, the core principle of health preservation during the Minor Fullness period is to prevent diseases before they occur.

Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the harmony between man and nature, the retention of vital energy within, and the prevention of pathogenic factors. The human body is closely connected with the natural environment. Only by adapting to the changes of the solar terms and harmonizing the Yin and Yang within the body can one resist pathogenic factors. The onset of diseases is usually due to deficiency of the body's vital energy and invasion by external pathogenic factors. The key points of health preservation in Xiaoman are: tonifying the body's vital energy, staying away from dampness, clearing heat and strengthening the spleen, and taking preventive measures against seasonal diseases in advance.

The Minor Fullness period is a high-incidence period for skin diseases, with rubella being the most common. The "Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet" records: "When the pathogenic factors are in the middle of the meridian, the body itches and addictions occur." The three main causes of rubella are: dampness trapped in the skin and external exposure to wind-heat and wind-cold. Accumulation of heat due to diet and internal stagnation of wind pathogen; People with sensitive constitutions tend to consume a lot of seafood and other foods that may cause allergic reactions. This leads to dampness and heat generation in the spleen and stomach, which then manifests on the skin. Rubella has a sudden onset, with large patches of red rashes and unbearable itching. It worsens repeatedly when exposed to cold or heat, seriously affecting daily life.

In traditional Chinese medicine, rubella is classified into three types

The general principle of conditioning: dispel wind and remove dampness, clear blood heat, strengthen the spleen and transform dampness.

The diet should be light and refreshing, focusing on strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness. It is advisable to consume more seasonal vegetarian foods and diuretic ingredients. ✅ is suitable for eating more: red adzuki beans, coix seed, mung beans, winter melon, loofah, cucumber, tomato, yam, lotus root, water chestnut, black fungus, duck meat, crucian carp, grass carp, etc. ❌ Strictly avoid: rich, greasy, spicy, grilled, raw, cold and greasy foods; Seafood, shrimp, crab, beef, mutton, dog meat, Chinese chives, chili peppers, garlic, mushrooms and other foods that can cause dampness, internal heat and allergic reactions.

Ingredients: 150 grams of celery, 1 block of tofu, a little salt, monosodium glutamate and sesame oil Method: Cut the celery into sections and the tofu into small cubes. Blanch them respectively and then cool them down. Add seasonings and mix well. Functions: Calming the liver and clearing heat, promoting diuresis and detoxification, refreshing and relieving greasiness.

Ingredients: 500 grams of winter melon, 250 grams of grass carp, an appropriate amount of salt and vegetable oil Method: Fry the grass carp until golden brown, then put it together with winter melon in a clay pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Season to taste. Functions: Calming the liver and dispelling wind, clearing heat and promoting diuresis, cooling the blood and moisturizing the skin.

Ingredients: Green peppers, duck breast meat, egg white, starch, yellow wine, and seasonings in appropriate amounts Method: Coat the duck slices with batter and stir-fry them. Add green peppers and stir-fry to thicken the sauce before serving. Functions: Warming the middle and strengthening the spleen, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, nourishing Yin and eliminating dampness.

Ingredients: 250 grams of water chestnuts, 150 grams of lotus root, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar Method: Cut the ingredients into pieces, simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, and season with rock sugar. Functions: Clearing heat and promoting diuresis, strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite, generating body fluids and stopping diarrhea. Suitable for regular consumption during Minor Fullness.