Why should we nourish the spleen in Changxia?——Seasonal health wisdom from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine

Changxia (the turn of summer and autumn) is the season corresponding to the spleen in TCM theory. At this time, there is heavy moisture and the function of the spleen and stomach is easily affected.The core of nourishing the spleen is to regulate diet, avoid dampness, and enhance the function of transportation and transformation, thereby preventing discomfort such as abdominal distension and fatigue.This article will start fromThe climate characteristics of Changxia, the physiological functions of the spleen, and specific methods of nourishing the spleenIt is developed from three aspects and combines traditional Chinese medicine classics with modern practice to provide practical suggestions.

1. The relationship between the long summer climate and the spleen

The climate in Changxia (June to July of the lunar calendar) is hot and humid. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "moisture circulates in the spleen." Excessive moisture will block spleen yang, resulting in weakened digestive function.The spleen is responsible for transporting water and dampness. Once damaged, it can easily lead to problems such as loss of appetite and sticky stools."Huangdi Neijing" mentions that "the spleen controls the long summer" and emphasizes the need to focus on protecting the spleen at this time.In addition, modern medicine has also found that gastrointestinal peristalsis slows down in high temperature and high humidity environments, which coincides with the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

2. The function of the spleen and the key points of long summer health preservation

The spleen is the "foundation of acquired nature" and is responsible for transporting and transforming the essence of water and grain and controlling the blood.There are three things you need to pay attention to when nourishing your spleen during the long summer:light diet(such as yam, barley),Moisture and moisture-proof(Avoid staying in a humid environment for a long time),moderate exercise(For example, in Baduanjin, "To regulate the spleen and stomach, you must do it alone").Sun Simiao, a physician in the Tang Dynasty, recommended the use of spleen-strengthening medicinal materials such as Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala in "Qian Jin Yao Prescription". Modern Chinese patent medicines such asShenling Baizhu Powder(Manufacturers: Beijing Tongrentang, Guangzhou Baiyunshan) also use this recipe.

3. Practical methods and recommended ingredients for nourishing the spleen

You can eat more yellow foods (such as pumpkin and millet) every day. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "yellow enters the spleen"; you can also mix it with medicated meals, such asSishen Soup(Poria cocos, lotus seeds, gorgon seeds, yam).Avoid raw, cold and greasy food to avoid aggravating spleen dampness.The following are common spleen-strengthening ingredients and their effects:

4. Summary: Comprehensive suggestions for nourishing the spleen during the long summer

To nourish the spleen during the long summer, you need to combine various aspects of diet, daily life, and emotions: the diet should be mainly warming and tonic to avoid being greedy for cold; keep the environment dry; and avoid excessive thinking emotionally (TCM believes that "thinking hurts the spleen").Appropriate selection of Chinese patent medicines such asJianpiwan(Manufacturer: Tianjin Darentang) assists in conditioning, but doctor’s advice must be followed.Through scientific maintenance, the function of the spleen and stomach can be improved and lay the foundation for health in autumn and winter.

Quote sources:

1. "Huangdi Neijing·Suwen" - classic theory of traditional Chinese medicine
2. "A Thousand Gold Prescriptions" - Sun Simiao (Medical Scientist of the Tang Dynasty)
3. Shenling Atractylodes Powder and Jianpi Pills - produced by Beijing Tongrentang, Guangzhou Baiyunshan, and Tianjin Darentang
4. Sishen Soup Recipe - Traditional Chinese Medicine Diet Recipe