As we are entering the season of "light snow", we are also entering the 6th section of the year, just a reminder if you have not read this article regarding the energy pattern of this year:
6th section (late November to late January 2012): Main energy is "cold water",guest energy is "young fire". Insects will not hibernate, water won't freeze, weather appears to be warmer and it can be another warm winter. People will also feel comfortable and will not get sick easy. But some may get too "excited" and not dress or behave accordingly.These people need to be very careful about getting the flu caused by the warmth (as the virus is hanging out around us in the nice weather as well). Eat more food that can put down the "heat", the best one is balsam pear （bitter cucumber）.
Noticing the guest energy for the 2nd half of the year is also "young fire", therefore we are under influence of one "cold water" and two "young fire". As I have been feeling more south and east wind in the WNY area recently, we also had a rain storm on the "light snow" day, from the east. These are all signs of the guest energy "heat" is affecting us. And in general this applies to most of the temperate zone in northern hemisphere. Heat is the right and good energy pattern in the summer and spring, but if it shows up unexpected we need to be smart about it and act accordingly.
The heart and the liver systems are two main "victims" of this strong guest energy pattern. Instead of resting and allowing the kidney doing the "storing" job, the liver and heart will get "excited". Our energy can "leak" out easy, and our lungs may gets too hot. This is when we catch the cold that caused by the warmth. Sounds crazy but this is the kind of cold or flu we catch usually in early spring or summer time. Signs are often sore throat ,yellow phlegm or nasal mucus, and red tongue fur.
To prevent that. First make sure to maintain a calm mind, don't be affected too much by the weather change, even sometimes it seems to be a "good" change. Then eat less or no hot and spicy food, instead eat some foods that I recommended for fall seasons. I know some of you guys love outdoor exercises, but make sure do NOT force it when there is a windy day, no matter where is the wind come from and what's the temperature is.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
November 23rd, 2011, "Light Snow", the 2nd small winter season arrives
In 2011, the season of "Light Snow" arrives on November 23rd. Celestial longitude: 240 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
As the weather is not too cold yet, many of us would not realize that it’s time to wear hat and scarf to protect our head and neck area. Head is called the “meeting area of hundreds of Yang energy”, in TCM. Our body heat “leaks” out from the head, and without the right protect of the head, our body is like a thermos water bottle without the cap. Therefore when going out, make sure to protect the head area, especially for seniors.
As the weather is not too cold yet, many of us would not realize that it’s time to wear hat and scarf to protect our head and neck area. Head is called the “meeting area of hundreds of Yang energy”, in TCM. Our body heat “leaks” out from the head, and without the right protect of the head, our body is like a thermos water bottle without the cap. Therefore when going out, make sure to protect the head area, especially for seniors.
The word “spirit”, which I have mentioned in various articles, is a direct literal translation of the Chinese character “神”, which may has many other meanings depends on the context. Here it refers to out mental and emotional activities. Most of our physical activities during metabolism requires regulations from our “spirits”, therefore makes our “spirits” easily “over-worked”. The best way to nourish and rest the “spirits” is to be calm and find the peace of your “heart” (mind). When the “heart” is at peace, our “spirits” are clear and in order, this will make our physical activities (blood and energy circulation) smooth and not being bothered or interfered by external harmful factors, so we are healthy. The theory is that simple. When comes to actual actions, it really depends on the individuals, but here some basic rules we all should follow:
- Less desire. Desires, especially selfish desires toward things like money, fame and other external material, are root of so many harmful emotions such as frustration, anger, jealous, hatred, disappointment, desperation, etc. These emotions are causes of most of our physical problems. We all should learn how to “detach” from those unnecessary “goals” and “ wishes”, stop competing and comparing with others, realize what the true value of life is, try to understand the reality of gaining and losing, and appreciate what we have. Keep in mind that often our happiness is in others’ eyes.
- Learn to concentrate and be the master of our own mind. This colorful world takes our “spirits” away often. Lack of concentration has become so “popular”. How many times we actually realize our own existence? Do things that keep your occupied with your own minds, and do activities that require concentration to remove the harmful emotions and mental activities, so the right “spirits” will stay in your “heart”.
- Simply, make yourself happy. Easy to say, and not hard to do. Stop reading dramatic novels or depressing news. Instead pick up a funny movie and enjoy that.
Here are also some tips for daily life not only for this small season, but also the entire winter season:
Dry season has ended and now we are entering the 1st “cold season”, so the basic rule is clear, stay warm and balanced.
- Cold water to wash the face. In cold days, our capillary vessel in the face contracts more. Using hot water to wash the face will open these capillary vessels. This will make us feel warm and comfortable, but when the heat is gone, these vessels will close again. The repetitive of “open-close” and speed up the aging process of the skin. 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature. Do that in the morning, it will clear our mind, increases blood circulation in the face and nose area, protect us from catching cold and make the skin more flexible.
- Warm water to brush the teeth. Oral mucosa is very sensitive to temperature. Extreme water temperature will harm gum and teeth in a long run. Using water same as our body temperature to wash the mouth and brush teeth is recommended.
- Hot water to bath the feet. This is an old topic and I have talked about it for many times. Too many benefits to mention. (Please check my other articles for detail).
Dry season has ended and now we are entering the 1st “cold season”, so the basic rule is clear, stay warm and balanced.
Monday, November 7, 2011
November 8th, 2011, "winter commences", the 1st small Winter season arrives
In 2011, the season of "winter commences" arrives on November 8th. Celestial longitude: 225 degree. For some of the seasonal information please read this article from last year.
Winter is the season when Yang energy starts to sink and hide, and Yin energy starts to rise and dominate. As part of the universe, our body energy will do the same. How well do we preserve our energy determines how good will our health condition be in the following spring. So in order to merge into the universal energy, we need to follow the rule of “close” and “store” to protect the Yang energy and nourish the Yin energy, so our energy can “born” and “rise” again next spring without any problems.
In Chinese traditional folk culture, the day of "winter commences" is the best time to “intake” or eat great stuff for a day in plain saying. People believe that to eat the best you can in this day can benefit you for the entire winter. Because when we enter the cold winter, our metabolism will slow down and our body “burn” less energy. Therefore the nourishing food can be processed into human energy and stored in our body. The extra energy we store will strengthen our fundamental energy and immune system. Also, high energy food can be balanced by the cold energy of winter thus cause less or no “fire” issue. The “winter commences” day is considered as the transitional moment between Yin and Yang energy. This is the day when our body can process and absorb easy, therefore the “winter nourishing” starts from the “winter commences” day. But in reality we need to be smart about the "intake". We often see people eat a lot of things that considered "nourishing", but get ill from them instead. Because just like everything else, there are basics “rules” for winter nourishing as well. In general, before we start the high energy food, we need to prepare our digestion system. Without the healthy digestion system, you will become a victim of a common concept as “too-weak-to-nourish”. If you have been following our seasonal health tips for a while then you should be ready. Otherwise, drink some hot soup that made of meat, and some millet soup as the “lead” of the winter nourishing process.
According o TCM theory, there are four aspects can be nourished:
Besides eating enough fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, the main directions for winter food in northern areas (cold areas) are high energy food, also known as “warm-nourishing”. The purpose is to add more Yang energy to prevent cold related symptoms. Eat food such as walnut, large jujube, longan, animal liver, eel, sea shrimp, potato, beef and lamb (lamb is my personal favor all year round, although for sure it works the best in cold season); On the other hand, in southern areas (warmer areas) it is better to take foods that are fresh, clear, mild and warm, also known as “mild nourishing”. "Mild nourishing” has two meanings, one is to use foods that are not too hot or too cold to nourish, such as brown rice, corn, fruit, vegetable, bean, napa, pork, chicken, duck and fish; It also means to use foods that nourish both Qi and Yin, or both Yang and Yin energy such as Chinese yam, honey, and goji berry. Also, another main factor in the southern area is high humidity mixed with heat. Observe your tongue fur to identify, as “yellow fur” indicates you are high in heat, and “thick white fur” indicates you are high in fluid (humidity). When seeing either of these symptoms, do NOT do food nourishing, instead go do some physical exercise to sweat the body to release the excessive heat and humidity. For High land or mountain areas, since there is less rain and the air tends to be dryer, use “lite nourishing” food that are mild, cool, and moistening such as radish, white gourd, millet, apple, pear and rock sugar. No matter where you are , it is always safe and effective to eat foods that are grown locally.
We have been talking about “intake”, now you can probably guess that what we should avoid is the opposite of it, “release” or over-use. Again, the key of winter is “storing” or “hide”, so here are some daily life tips we also need to follow:
Winter is the season when Yang energy starts to sink and hide, and Yin energy starts to rise and dominate. As part of the universe, our body energy will do the same. How well do we preserve our energy determines how good will our health condition be in the following spring. So in order to merge into the universal energy, we need to follow the rule of “close” and “store” to protect the Yang energy and nourish the Yin energy, so our energy can “born” and “rise” again next spring without any problems.
In Chinese traditional folk culture, the day of "winter commences" is the best time to “intake” or eat great stuff for a day in plain saying. People believe that to eat the best you can in this day can benefit you for the entire winter. Because when we enter the cold winter, our metabolism will slow down and our body “burn” less energy. Therefore the nourishing food can be processed into human energy and stored in our body. The extra energy we store will strengthen our fundamental energy and immune system. Also, high energy food can be balanced by the cold energy of winter thus cause less or no “fire” issue. The “winter commences” day is considered as the transitional moment between Yin and Yang energy. This is the day when our body can process and absorb easy, therefore the “winter nourishing” starts from the “winter commences” day. But in reality we need to be smart about the "intake". We often see people eat a lot of things that considered "nourishing", but get ill from them instead. Because just like everything else, there are basics “rules” for winter nourishing as well. In general, before we start the high energy food, we need to prepare our digestion system. Without the healthy digestion system, you will become a victim of a common concept as “too-weak-to-nourish”. If you have been following our seasonal health tips for a while then you should be ready. Otherwise, drink some hot soup that made of meat, and some millet soup as the “lead” of the winter nourishing process.
According o TCM theory, there are four aspects can be nourished:
- Qi-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Qi. Symptoms include short breath, sweat easy after simple movements, low voice, drowsiness, cannot concentrate or focus. Food remedies for these people include rice, sticky rice, peanut, Chinese yam, jujube, carrot, soy milk and chicken.
- Blood-nourishing: This is for people who are low in blood (quality and quantity). Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, heart-throb, insomnia, face shows yellow and earthy color, pale lips, and period issues for women. Food remedies for these people include animal liver, longan, lychee, mulberry, black wood fungus, spinach, carrot, pork, and fish.
- Yang-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Yang energy. Symptoms include cold hands and feet (always), very low in cold tolerance, lower back soreness, getting up often during sleep to urinate, weak and low in sexual desire and functions. Food remedies for these people include lamb, shrimp, deer meat, walnut, chive, goji berry (lycii), and eel.
- Yin-nourishing: This is for people who are low in Yin energy. Symptoms include red and warm cheeks, hot palms and sole centers, night sweat, afternoon low fever, increase of leukorrhea for women. Food remedies for these people include white and black wood fungus, pear, milk, egg, grape, napa.
Besides eating enough fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, the main directions for winter food in northern areas (cold areas) are high energy food, also known as “warm-nourishing”. The purpose is to add more Yang energy to prevent cold related symptoms. Eat food such as walnut, large jujube, longan, animal liver, eel, sea shrimp, potato, beef and lamb (lamb is my personal favor all year round, although for sure it works the best in cold season); On the other hand, in southern areas (warmer areas) it is better to take foods that are fresh, clear, mild and warm, also known as “mild nourishing”. "Mild nourishing” has two meanings, one is to use foods that are not too hot or too cold to nourish, such as brown rice, corn, fruit, vegetable, bean, napa, pork, chicken, duck and fish; It also means to use foods that nourish both Qi and Yin, or both Yang and Yin energy such as Chinese yam, honey, and goji berry. Also, another main factor in the southern area is high humidity mixed with heat. Observe your tongue fur to identify, as “yellow fur” indicates you are high in heat, and “thick white fur” indicates you are high in fluid (humidity). When seeing either of these symptoms, do NOT do food nourishing, instead go do some physical exercise to sweat the body to release the excessive heat and humidity. For High land or mountain areas, since there is less rain and the air tends to be dryer, use “lite nourishing” food that are mild, cool, and moistening such as radish, white gourd, millet, apple, pear and rock sugar. No matter where you are , it is always safe and effective to eat foods that are grown locally.
We have been talking about “intake”, now you can probably guess that what we should avoid is the opposite of it, “release” or over-use. Again, the key of winter is “storing” or “hide”, so here are some daily life tips we also need to follow:
- Basic rule, do not make yourself too tired in any way, including working, playing and thinking,
- Avoid heavy exercise and work, and try not to sweat too much,
- Wear the right clothes according to day to day weather,
- Drink (alcohol) less and reduce sexual activities,
- Avoid detail orientated works (brain-hands works) such as typing, gaming, long driving, carving, knitting, etc. to rest the brain,
- Follow the rule of “3-more, 3-less”, that’s more sleep, more calming, more peace, and less dysphoria, less shouting, less anger.
Do not make your room temperature to high, if you sweat indoor, when you step out, there is a higher chance for you to catch a cold because your skin (pores) were wide open. In general this means to maintain a reasonable temperature difference between inside and outside, and do not “surprise” your body. This is especially important for seniors. Common cold and flu may not be server issues themselves, but they can lead to other fatal illness like ammonia, asthma and bronchitis. In general, use cool water to wash face and hot water to bath the feet is a method to maintain a good immune system for seniors and everyone else in the winter. Also, protect your back. TCM sees the back (Bladder meridian) as the main Yang energy section, and it is the “shield” of the body. If the back is harmed by cold, Yang energy is damage then many cold related symptoms may appear. So besides wear the right clothes to cover the back, when there is a sunny day, “bath” your back in the sun, this will help with strengthening our Yang energy and keep us warm and healthy in the cold days.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A nice article to share
We Received this article couple days ago, and I did a rough translation from the original Chinese text. This is a short article contains many aspects that I believe we can all somewhat relate to in today's life, so I feel it's worthy sharing.
Like water becomes the shape of the container, I will simply "pour" this into your "cup". Hope you can enjoy, and get your own shape out of it.
" 'Someday', maybe not"
by Yue Sun
Translated by Cedric Q. Sun
Today, our house is getting bigger, but family is getting smaller;
Life is getting more convenient, but we have less and less time;
We earn higher degree, but lose more common sense;
We have more knowledge, but worse judgement;
There are more experts, and more problems;
The following is the original Chinese text:
"等到有一天" 你或許沒有機會
- 作者：孫越
在今天，我們的房子越來越大，但是家庭越來越小。
生活越來越方便，但是時間卻越來越少。
我們的學位越來越高，常識卻越來越少。
知識越來越多，判斷力卻越來越差。
我們有更多的專家，但是也有更多的問題。
醫藥越來越好，但健康越來越少。
我們花費太多，歡笑太少。
車開得太快，火氣上來也更快。
睡得太晚，閱讀太少，電視看得太多，而且禱告太少。
我們所擁有的資產倍增，但是價值卻遞減。
我們學習如何經營生活，但沒有建造生命。
我們在生命中加增歲月，卻沒有在歲月中增長生命。
我們有越來越高的建築，但也有越來越低的EQ。
有更寬廣的高速公路，但有更狹窄的視野。
我們花費得更多，但擁有的更少。
我們買得更多，但享受得更少。
我們可以登陸月球回來。但是卻無法拜訪對街的鄰居。
我們可以征服外太空。但是卻無法掌控內心世界。
我們可以分裂原子核，但是卻無法挪去心中的偏見。
我們更多書寫，卻更少學習。
更多計畫，卻更少成就。
我們學會忙碌，但學不會等候。
我們的收入更高了，但道德更低了。
我們生產更多電腦，掌握更多資訊，複製更多拷貝，但我們的溝通卻更貧乏。
我們的數量提高了，品質卻降低了
這是快速食品充斥卻消化不良的時代。
高大的身軀與低劣的性格並存的時代。
更多休閒卻更少歡樂。
更多食物卻更少營養。
更多雙收入家庭，但更高的離婚率。
更多千萬豪宅，但卻更多破碎的家庭。
我建議，在今天這樣的世代，你不要保留任何事情到特殊的場合才做，因為你活著的每一天都是特殊場合。
勤加閱讀，追求知識，坐在你家的前廊上欣賞自然美景，無需汲汲營營於生活需要。
多花時間與家人及好友在一起，享受喜歡的食物，到你喜愛的地方去遊覽。
生命不只是為了存活，而是一連串愉快事件組成的的鏈條。
將你的水晶高腳杯拿出來，不要將妳最好的香水存起來，任何時候你想要用的時候就用它吧。
把「有一天」「將來的某一天」，從你的字典中刪除。
現在就去寫那一封，你曾經想過要等到「有一天」才來寫的信。
讓我們現在就告訴我們的家人我們多愛他們。
不要將會帶給你歡笑及喜樂的任何事情拖延到未來。
每一天，每一小時，每一分鐘都是特別的，而且你不知道那是否是你的最後一刻。
如果你太忙，以致於無法將這封信傳給你所愛的人，你告訴自己說，「等到有一天」我再傳。
那請你相信我 "等到有一天" 你或許沒有機會傳了。
Like water becomes the shape of the container, I will simply "pour" this into your "cup". Hope you can enjoy, and get your own shape out of it.
" 'Someday', maybe not"
by Yue Sun
Translated by Cedric Q. Sun
Today, our house is getting bigger, but family is getting smaller;
Life is getting more convenient, but we have less and less time;
We earn higher degree, but lose more common sense;
We have more knowledge, but worse judgement;
There are more experts, and more problems;
We have more medicine, but worse health;
We spend more, enjoy less;
We drive faster, get angry faster;
We spend more, enjoy less;
We drive faster, get angry faster;
We go to bed later, but read less, too much TV, less prayer;
We own more properties, but less value;
Too much talking, less caring, and more lies;
We learnt how to make a living, but didn't establish a life;
We add time to our life, but don't add life to our time;
Our building gets taller and taller, our EQ gets lower and lower;
Roads are wider, views are narrower;
We buy more, own less;
We purchase more, enjoy less;
We can go to the moon, but cannot visit the neighbor next door;
We can conquer the outer space, but cannot manage our inner mind;
We can fission nuclear, but cannot dissolve prejudice;
We do more writing, but less study;
More plan, less accomplishment;
We learnt to be busy, bot not to wait;
Our income increases,but morals decreases;
We produce more computers, control more information, make more copies, but lose our communications;
Our quantity increases, but quality decreases.
This is the era when fast food causes indigestion;
Superior body coexists with inferior character;
More leisure but less happiness;
More food but less nutrient;
More double income family, and more divorces;
More luxury mansions, and more broken families.
I suggest, in a era like now, do not reserve yourself for special occasions only, as every day is a special occasion for you.
Read more, pursue knowledge,enjoy the view from your porch，don't be indulged in fulfilling your desires.
Spend more time with your family and friends, enjoy good food, and visit places you like.
Life is not only to survive, but a chain of enjoyments.
Take your goblet out, don't save your best perfume, use it whenever you want.
Remove "someday", "one day" from your vocabulary.
Go write the letter that you thought you would write "someday", now.
Tell our family and friends how much we love them, now.
Don't pull off anything that brings happiness and joy, do it, now.
Everyday, every hour, every minute is special, and you never know if that may be your last moment.
If you are too busy to share this article with your loved ones, you tell yourself, I will do that "someday".
Trust me, "someday" you may not have the chance anymore.
We own more properties, but less value;
Too much talking, less caring, and more lies;
We learnt how to make a living, but didn't establish a life;
We add time to our life, but don't add life to our time;
Our building gets taller and taller, our EQ gets lower and lower;
Roads are wider, views are narrower;
We buy more, own less;
We purchase more, enjoy less;
We can go to the moon, but cannot visit the neighbor next door;
We can conquer the outer space, but cannot manage our inner mind;
We can fission nuclear, but cannot dissolve prejudice;
We do more writing, but less study;
More plan, less accomplishment;
We learnt to be busy, bot not to wait;
Our income increases,but morals decreases;
We produce more computers, control more information, make more copies, but lose our communications;
Our quantity increases, but quality decreases.
This is the era when fast food causes indigestion;
Superior body coexists with inferior character;
More leisure but less happiness;
More food but less nutrient;
More double income family, and more divorces;
More luxury mansions, and more broken families.
I suggest, in a era like now, do not reserve yourself for special occasions only, as every day is a special occasion for you.
Read more, pursue knowledge,enjoy the view from your porch，don't be indulged in fulfilling your desires.
Spend more time with your family and friends, enjoy good food, and visit places you like.
Life is not only to survive, but a chain of enjoyments.
Take your goblet out, don't save your best perfume, use it whenever you want.
Remove "someday", "one day" from your vocabulary.
Go write the letter that you thought you would write "someday", now.
Tell our family and friends how much we love them, now.
Don't pull off anything that brings happiness and joy, do it, now.
Everyday, every hour, every minute is special, and you never know if that may be your last moment.
If you are too busy to share this article with your loved ones, you tell yourself, I will do that "someday".
Trust me, "someday" you may not have the chance anymore.
The following is the original Chinese text:
"等到有一天" 你或許沒有機會
- 作者：孫越
在今天，我們的房子越來越大，但是家庭越來越小。
生活越來越方便，但是時間卻越來越少。
我們的學位越來越高，常識卻越來越少。
知識越來越多，判斷力卻越來越差。
我們有更多的專家，但是也有更多的問題。
醫藥越來越好，但健康越來越少。
我們花費太多，歡笑太少。
車開得太快，火氣上來也更快。
睡得太晚，閱讀太少，電視看得太多，而且禱告太少。
我們所擁有的資產倍增，但是價值卻遞減。
我們學習如何經營生活，但沒有建造生命。
我們在生命中加增歲月，卻沒有在歲月中增長生命。
我們有越來越高的建築，但也有越來越低的EQ。
有更寬廣的高速公路，但有更狹窄的視野。
我們花費得更多，但擁有的更少。
我們買得更多，但享受得更少。
我們可以登陸月球回來。但是卻無法拜訪對街的鄰居。
我們可以征服外太空。但是卻無法掌控內心世界。
我們可以分裂原子核，但是卻無法挪去心中的偏見。
我們更多書寫，卻更少學習。
更多計畫，卻更少成就。
我們學會忙碌，但學不會等候。
我們的收入更高了，但道德更低了。
我們生產更多電腦，掌握更多資訊，複製更多拷貝，但我們的溝通卻更貧乏。
我們的數量提高了，品質卻降低了
這是快速食品充斥卻消化不良的時代。
高大的身軀與低劣的性格並存的時代。
更多休閒卻更少歡樂。
更多食物卻更少營養。
更多雙收入家庭，但更高的離婚率。
更多千萬豪宅，但卻更多破碎的家庭。
我建議，在今天這樣的世代，你不要保留任何事情到特殊的場合才做，因為你活著的每一天都是特殊場合。
勤加閱讀，追求知識，坐在你家的前廊上欣賞自然美景，無需汲汲營營於生活需要。
多花時間與家人及好友在一起，享受喜歡的食物，到你喜愛的地方去遊覽。
生命不只是為了存活，而是一連串愉快事件組成的的鏈條。
將你的水晶高腳杯拿出來，不要將妳最好的香水存起來，任何時候你想要用的時候就用它吧。
把「有一天」「將來的某一天」，從你的字典中刪除。
現在就去寫那一封，你曾經想過要等到「有一天」才來寫的信。
讓我們現在就告訴我們的家人我們多愛他們。
不要將會帶給你歡笑及喜樂的任何事情拖延到未來。
每一天，每一小時，每一分鐘都是特別的，而且你不知道那是否是你的最後一刻。
如果你太忙，以致於無法將這封信傳給你所愛的人，你告訴自己說，「等到有一天」我再傳。
那請你相信我 "等到有一天" 你或許沒有機會傳了。
Friday, October 21, 2011
October 24th, 2011, "Hoar Frost", the 6th/last small Autumn season arrives
In 2011, the season of "Hoar Frost" is arriving on October 24th. For most of the seasonal information please read this article.
Here are some additional information:
In this small season, people who have or had asthma need to be extra cautious. According TCM theory, asthma usually started from the cold-wind or hot-wind damage, if the patient was not treated correctly or in time, there will be cold left and hide inside of the body, and that is considered as the root of asthma. When temperature drops in this season, the cold air can “trigger” the asthma easily. Naturally, to prevent cold from harming the body energy is a must. For asthma patients, the major area to be protected is the upper back (lower neck and shoulder blades area). Make sure to adjust the clothes according to the weather so you don’t catch cold either. Meanwhile, to fully treat asthma, you also need to work on removing the internal cold from the body. So eat less or no cold food or drink, make sure drink more warm water. The lungs, spleen and kidney are the three organs that related to asthma, Chinese Yam, walnut and chestnut are the three major foods that nourish these three organs. Chinese yam can be steamed just like other vegetable and I’m sure you know how to eat walnut and chestnut.
Asthma is not the only issue that is caused by cold, so are many other common symptoms. I have mentioned in the past season that to “challenge” the cold in early fall is a good way to prepare yourself for the winter, this theory has expired in this season. If you have done that in the past seasons you have already done you job, if you have not then you need to be extra careful on add enough clothes. Also:
Here are some additional information:
In this small season, people who have or had asthma need to be extra cautious. According TCM theory, asthma usually started from the cold-wind or hot-wind damage, if the patient was not treated correctly or in time, there will be cold left and hide inside of the body, and that is considered as the root of asthma. When temperature drops in this season, the cold air can “trigger” the asthma easily. Naturally, to prevent cold from harming the body energy is a must. For asthma patients, the major area to be protected is the upper back (lower neck and shoulder blades area). Make sure to adjust the clothes according to the weather so you don’t catch cold either. Meanwhile, to fully treat asthma, you also need to work on removing the internal cold from the body. So eat less or no cold food or drink, make sure drink more warm water. The lungs, spleen and kidney are the three organs that related to asthma, Chinese Yam, walnut and chestnut are the three major foods that nourish these three organs. Chinese yam can be steamed just like other vegetable and I’m sure you know how to eat walnut and chestnut.
- Train and improve your immunity system by doing proper exercise such as walking, Tai Chi, yoga;
- Keep the internal warm by taking warm drink and food;
- Know the “vulnerable” body parts, which include feet, shoulders, belly, neck and knees, and keep them warm.
Regarding food remedy, peanut is one of the great choices on warming up the stomach energy, when being used as remedy, they are better to be eaten with the red skin as it nourishes the blood and hair. But peanut is NOT recommend for people who
- gets bruise and blood spots easy,
- had partial or full gall bladder removal,
- gets allergy from it.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
October 8th, 2011, "Cold Dew", the 5th small Autumn season arrives
In 2011, the season of "cold dew" is arriving on the same day as last year. For most of the seasonal information please read this article.
Here are some additional information:
From this season, the cold energy often enters our body system from our feet. Therefore to keep the feet warm and healthy become important. One activity we can start to do from this season on is the foot bath. There are many benefits from the method include:
Here are some additional information:
From this season, the cold energy often enters our body system from our feet. Therefore to keep the feet warm and healthy become important. One activity we can start to do from this season on is the foot bath. There are many benefits from the method include:
- Remove the cold, warm up the entire body
- Increase body blood circulation, allay the tiredness. Especially after long time standing or walking, use this method can help the body to recover rapidly
- If you do morning exercise, use this method after your exercise
- Do it before you go to bed will improve the quality of your sleep
- Helps with healing of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
- Find a good length for yourself. Usually 5-10 minute each time with one time hot water refill is suitable for almost everyone. You can do more refill and stay longer if you like, but do not exceed 30 minutes. As the blood circulation increase, the heart rate increases too and this may add too much work to the heart. Also as much more blood runs towards the lower body, it may decrease the blood amount in the brain, and this may cause dizziness or nauseous. If any of these symptoms occur, stop the foot bath immediately and rest in bed.
- After dinner wait at least one hour before the food bath. Our blood needs to run to the digestion system after meals. If you do the foot bath too soon, the blood will run to the lower body instead. In a long run this will affect our digestion and absorption
- The temperature of the water should not exceed 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit).
Also, Eat more “soft and moisturizing” food such as sesame, sticky rice, honey, chicken, duck, beef, pork liver, fish, dates, yam and some dairy product. Meanwhile eat less dry and hot foods such as hot pepper, raw ginger root, garlic and scallion.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
September 23rd, 2011, "Autumn Equinox", the 4th small Autumn season arrives
The Autumn Equinox occurs at 9:04am UTC, that's 5:04am Eastern Time in US, on September 23rd, 2011. For general information regarding this small season please see this article.
Here are some additional information for the season of this year:
I have been mentioning "dryness" for couple seasons, some of you might have already experienced some of the symptoms. If they were not severe enough to bother your daily life, then you don't have to worry too much about them. As our body needs some "challenge" to become stronger.
There are in general 2 kinds of dryness, one is "warm dry", and the other is "cold dry". Dry symptoms that happen before the Autumn Equinox day are often caused by "warm dry", and those happen after the day are often caused by "cold dry". Different cause requires different solution. Food remedy is usually my first choice. For symptom caused by "warm dry", use pear as the solution. Pear is known for its functions of "reducing the heart fire, and moisturizing the lungs". Raw pear removes the harmful heat from the 6 Fu (hollow organs)and cooked pear nourishes the Yin energy of the 5 Zang (solid organs).
However because pear is cold in nature, it may not be suitable for everyone anymore after Autumn Equinox. So the solution for post Equinox day will be white radish.
White radish is warm in nature, juicy and slightly spicy. It "runs" the Qi (air/gas) inside of our body, so its juice will be carried around by the running Qi to moisturize our whole body. Most people can eat it except those who are very ill because the gas it generates may has negative effects for those people.
Several major dry symptoms include coughing, constipation and dry skin.
Like the dryness being different,autumn cough is also categorized into warm dry cough and cold dry cough. The easiest way to identify the difference is by observing the tongue fur. In general, white fur indicates the cold, and yellow or red fur indicates the warm. Easiest food remedy for cold cough is garlic water. Simply mince or smash the garlic and boil them (you can put a small piece of rock sugar if it's too spicy), drink the water while it's still warm. 2-3 times a day in small portion. Use coffee or tea (preferable U-Long tea for this season) to remove the smell in your mouth if needed. For warm dry cough, use cooked pear,preferable steamed pear to preserve the juice.
Autumn constipation is considered as "seasonal", which is usually caused by dry lungs. Treating the lungs will be the solution for it. The number one food remedy for this will be "yin-er", often known as "white fungus" or "white wood mushroom".
I may have to say this is not a common American food, but you can find them easy in most the Asian markets, and they are very low at cost. They are dry before cooking and you can simply soak them for several hours then boil them with rock sugar till the white fungus becomes soft and the soup become sticky.
So far, noticing that all the food I mention are in the same color---White, the color of "metal" and lungs. While you are eating them to help the lungs, make sure to eat less or no spicy foods such as hot pepper, onion, other strong spices or deep-fried food.
The last part I want to mention is the skin. No surprise that the skin is also connect with the lungs. And skin quality depends on the "vaporization" function of the lungs, which is a unique TCM term that includes many body functions. It is hard to explain, but at this moment we can understand it as: drinking the water-->absorbing the water-->transporting the water into our cells. Drinking is easy, but how much water actually is being "absorbed" then "transported" is the question. Therefore, the specialist who told you and your whole family to "drink a lot water" may NOT be right at this moment, it may even cause opposite effects (too much toilet-runs that makes you lose more water actually). Instead, moisturizing the lungs is preferred . Besides the food remedies I just gave, another simple method to directly "water" the lungs is "Inhale the Steam". Simply pour some hot water into a cup and inhale the steam, 10 minutes per session is enough. Of course, choose the right skin product for yourself is also necessary, I'm not knowledgeable in this field so I'll leave that part to you.
Autumn is the season of "balance", and Autumn Equinox is in the center of the season. So keep yourself "balanced" is the general goal, which includes eating/drinking, physical activities and mental/emotional condition. It is also the season of harvest and storing. Starts now if you have not been doing so, trust me, you will need that extra "saving" for the winter.
Here are some additional information for the season of this year:
I have been mentioning "dryness" for couple seasons, some of you might have already experienced some of the symptoms. If they were not severe enough to bother your daily life, then you don't have to worry too much about them. As our body needs some "challenge" to become stronger.
There are in general 2 kinds of dryness, one is "warm dry", and the other is "cold dry". Dry symptoms that happen before the Autumn Equinox day are often caused by "warm dry", and those happen after the day are often caused by "cold dry". Different cause requires different solution. Food remedy is usually my first choice. For symptom caused by "warm dry", use pear as the solution. Pear is known for its functions of "reducing the heart fire, and moisturizing the lungs". Raw pear removes the harmful heat from the 6 Fu (hollow organs)and cooked pear nourishes the Yin energy of the 5 Zang (solid organs).
However because pear is cold in nature, it may not be suitable for everyone anymore after Autumn Equinox. So the solution for post Equinox day will be white radish.
Several major dry symptoms include coughing, constipation and dry skin.
Like the dryness being different,autumn cough is also categorized into warm dry cough and cold dry cough. The easiest way to identify the difference is by observing the tongue fur. In general, white fur indicates the cold, and yellow or red fur indicates the warm. Easiest food remedy for cold cough is garlic water. Simply mince or smash the garlic and boil them (you can put a small piece of rock sugar if it's too spicy), drink the water while it's still warm. 2-3 times a day in small portion. Use coffee or tea (preferable U-Long tea for this season) to remove the smell in your mouth if needed. For warm dry cough, use cooked pear,preferable steamed pear to preserve the juice.
Autumn constipation is considered as "seasonal", which is usually caused by dry lungs. Treating the lungs will be the solution for it. The number one food remedy for this will be "yin-er", often known as "white fungus" or "white wood mushroom".
So far, noticing that all the food I mention are in the same color---White, the color of "metal" and lungs. While you are eating them to help the lungs, make sure to eat less or no spicy foods such as hot pepper, onion, other strong spices or deep-fried food.
The last part I want to mention is the skin. No surprise that the skin is also connect with the lungs. And skin quality depends on the "vaporization" function of the lungs, which is a unique TCM term that includes many body functions. It is hard to explain, but at this moment we can understand it as: drinking the water-->absorbing the water-->transporting the water into our cells. Drinking is easy, but how much water actually is being "absorbed" then "transported" is the question. Therefore, the specialist who told you and your whole family to "drink a lot water" may NOT be right at this moment, it may even cause opposite effects (too much toilet-runs that makes you lose more water actually). Instead, moisturizing the lungs is preferred . Besides the food remedies I just gave, another simple method to directly "water" the lungs is "Inhale the Steam". Simply pour some hot water into a cup and inhale the steam, 10 minutes per session is enough. Of course, choose the right skin product for yourself is also necessary, I'm not knowledgeable in this field so I'll leave that part to you.
Autumn is the season of "balance", and Autumn Equinox is in the center of the season. So keep yourself "balanced" is the general goal, which includes eating/drinking, physical activities and mental/emotional condition. It is also the season of harvest and storing. Starts now if you have not been doing so, trust me, you will need that extra "saving" for the winter.
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