Seasonal Wellness Tips for Chun Fen - Spring Equinox
Chun Fen is the fourth of 24 solar terms that comprise the ancient Chinese agricultural calendar. This two-week period begins on the Spring Equinox, which falls between March 20th and March 22nd each year.
Although many Western cultures consider the equinox the beginning of spring, according to Chinese culture, the season is already halfway through.
The sun is directly over the equator, resulting in days and nights of equal length. As it makes its way north, the days become longer and warmer, but for now, we sit in a place of balance between light and dark, cold and warmth, yin and yang. This presents a unique set of challenges for our bodies.
Read on for my top wellbeing tips for Chun Fen.
Balance Warmth and Cold
Maintaining equilibrium within our bodies is one of the key yangsheng principles for Chun Fen.
How we do this will depend largely on our individual constitutions and circumstances, but there are a few general guidelines that we all can follow.
Eating mildly flavoured foods with a neutral nature is one of the best ways to stay in balance. Some good examples include rice, cabbage, cauliflower, and most beans and root vegetables.
Another helpful practice is combining warming and cooling foods to neutralise and harmonise meals. For example, pair warm foods like meat and seafood with cooling vegetables like celery, asparagus, and broccoli.
Likewise, cooling foods like tofu, mushrooms, and most fruits should be cooked with warming spices, alcohol, or vinegar to raise their temperature.
However, it is important not to overheat the body, so avoid excessive consumption of strong alcohol or hot spices like chilli at this time.
Supplement and Soothe the Liver
Chun Fen is considered the best solar term for nourishing the Liver, promoting circulation, and preventing stagnation of qi and Blood.
However, it is also a time when Liver yang can easily become hyperactive in predisposed individuals, resulting in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, red face or eyes, and irritability. Therefore, this is an important time to supplement Liver yin and Blood and soothe Liver yang.
Some of the most traditional foods for doing this include liver (particularly chicken and pork) and blood products (particularly duck blood). If this sounds unappealing, spinach is a good alternative as it is said to nourish yin and Blood, course the Liver, and reduce heat.
Some other beneficial foods include celery, shiitake, seaweed, and goji berries. It is also essential to avoid consuming overly heating substances like alcohol, hot spices, red meat, and fried foods.
Relaxation is another crucial part of the equation here, and so Chun Fen is a great time to start a regular meditation practice or engage in gentle exercise such as qigong, taichi, or yoga.
Refresh and Regulate With Flower Tea
Drinking flower tea is a time-honoured tradition in China and a perfect way to calm the Liver, refresh the mind, and regulate yin and yang.
Some of the most popular choices include:
Chrysanthemum
Known as Ju Hua in Chinese, chrysanthemum is a popular choice of tea for the warmer months. It is pungent, sweet, bitter, and slightly cool, affecting the Lung and Liver channels. It is traditionally used to clear heat and detoxify, brighten the eyes, and calm the mind.
Modern research has shown that this plant has many benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, to name just a few.
Honeysuckle
Japanese honeysuckle, or Jin Yin Hua, is another cooling tea that is appropriate for the spring and summer months. It is sweet and cooling, affecting the Lung, Heart, and Stomach. It is primarily used to clear heat and detoxify, and may also be used to cool the Lung and relieve coughing.
Modern research suggests that these flowers have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Rose
Rose, or Mei Gui Hua, is sweet, sour, and cooling, affecting the Spleen, Heart, Liver, Gallbladder, and Uterus. It is traditionally used to promote qi and Blood circulation, improve the complexion, calm the Liver, improve mood, and relieve pain.
Research has shown that this flower contains a wide range of active compounds and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and liver-protective effects. It may be useful for improving depressive symptoms, regulating blood sugar, and more.
Jasmine
Jasmine, or Mo Li Hua, is another popular flower tea. It is pungent, sweet, and warm, affecting the Kidney, Liver, and Spleen. Its traditional uses include moistening the Lung to relieve coughing, calming and refreshing the mind.
Preclinical studies have shown that jasmine tea promotes gut health and alleviates depressive symptoms.
A word of caution...
Different flowers have different effects and are, therefore, indicated for different reasons.
Furthermore, some are contraindicated for use in certain circumstances, including pregnancy and nursing. Therefore, it is advisable to do some research and consult a healthcare practitioner before drinking these teas for the first time.
If you are interested in incorporating herbal and flower teas into your selfcare routine, check out my book The Qi of Tea. For more personalised seasonal wellbeing advice, you can book a holistic health coaching session via the contact page.
References
买雯婷 (2011) 第一养生药膳 - Tangmark Publishing and Distribution, Beijing
熊志惠 (2012) 养生茶饮 - Zhejiang Scientific Press, Hangzhou
Leggett, D. (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes