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The Grain Rain (Guyu) is the sixth of the twenty-four solar terms and marks the last solar term of spring. As spring transitions from cold to warm, the body’s functions and metabolism become more active. However, the climate can still be unpredictable, with significant temperature differences between day and night, making it easy to develop various health issues if one is not careful.
During the Grain Rain, as spring transitions to summer, rainfall increases and humidity rises. This can lead to the invasion of dampness, affecting the spleen and stomach’s ability to transform and transport fluids. Additionally, during this time, the liver (Gan) is particularly vigorous, which can easily lead to internal liver fire and excessive liver yang. Therefore, the key points for health preservation during Grain Rain are to strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, nourish the liver, and tonify the kidneys.
1. Four Key Points for Health Preservation During Grain Rain
01Prevent Damage from Dampness
The humid and rainy climate is characteristic of this period. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers dampness to be a yin pathogen that can easily damage yang qi and harm the spleen and stomach. If people are careless with their daily activities and diet, they may easily be affected by dampness, leading to symptoms such as poor appetite, diarrhea, heaviness in the body, and joint or muscle discomfort, indicative of spleen deficiency with dampness accumulation.Therefore, strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness are the focus of health preservation during Grain Rain.
The simplest method:Press the Yinlingquan (Yin Mound Spring) point to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. Yinlingquan is located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression just below the knee on the inner side of the tibia.
Massage Method:Assume the most comfortable position (sitting or lying down), and use both thumbs to press on either side of the Yinlingquan point, kneading to ensure the stimulation reaches the deeper muscle tissues, producing sensations of soreness, numbness, distension, pain, heat, and movement. Maintain a certain level of pressure and use the thumbs to flick the local muscles side to side.
Each session should last 5-10 minutes, with 15-20 presses per minute. Repeat 2-3 times daily.
Additionally, ensure proper ventilation, keep warm, avoid catching a chill, get plenty of sunlight, and engage in moderate exercise.
If dampness has already invaded, increase the intake of foods that promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, such as adzuki beans (Chi Xiao Dou), poria (Fu Ling), winter melon (Dong Gua), and coix seed (Yi Yi Ren).
02Strengthen the Spleen and Harmonize the Middle
The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine) states, “Dampness is related to the spleen,” which is primarily responsible for the transformation and excretion of water and dampness in the body. The spleen governs the transformation of water and dampness, while the kidneys are responsible for their excretion. When the functions of the spleen and kidneys are normal, dampness cannot linger in the body, leading to comfort in both body and mind.Thus, during this period, it is essential to strengthen the care of the spleen and stomach, enhancing spleen function and eliminating dampness.
The simplest method:Single-arm lifting to regulate the spleen and stomach.
The simplest and most effective method to regulate the spleen and stomach is the third movement of the Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade) called “Single Arm Lift to Regulate the Spleen and Stomach.”
This movement can be performed at home or in the park; whenever you have free time, lift your arms to promote body movement and naturally improve the complexion.
Movement:
1. Preparation: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, arms hanging naturally, and adjust your breathing;
2. Turn the left hand palm up while the right hand turns palm down, pressing down towards the right hip; stretch the entire body and hold this position for about 2 seconds;
3. Then bring the hands back to a level position;
4. Reverse the movement, turning the right hand palm up and the left hand palm down, stretching again for 2 seconds;
5. Completing one set consists of doing this once on each side, and repeat the entire set 30 times.
Note:Ensure that the hands move in coordination when lifting and pressing down, and pay attention to stretching the fingers.
03Soften the Liver and Soothe the Liver
From the perspective of TCM health preservation, spring corresponds to wood and is associated with the liver. After the beginning of spring, the liver qi within the body becomes more vigorous as spring deepens, reaching its peak during the Qingming and Grain Rain periods.If emotional disturbances occur during this time, it can affect the liver’s ability to disperse and the generation of yang qi, leading to dysfunction of the internal organs.Therefore, softening and soothing the liver, as well as regulating emotions, are also key aspects of health preservation during this solar term.
The simplest method:Press and rub the Taichong (Great Surge) point to soothe the liver and regulate qi.
Taichong is located on the dorsum of the foot, at the junction of the big toe and the second toe, moving towards the ankle. Pressing this point can help dissipate liver qi and liver fire. By massaging the Taichong point, one can maximize the release of stagnant qi in the body.
Massage Method:Carefully locate the most painful point, then massage from the Taichong point towards the Xingjian (Moving Between) point to help release liver fire.
04Drain Fire and Clear Heat
After the Grain Rain, temperatures gradually rise, and more people experience excess heat.TCM believes that in spring, the rising yang qi can easily disturb the internal heat accumulated in the liver, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the dry and windy conditions of spring make it difficult for the body to maintain metabolic balance, leading to dysfunction of physiological processes and excess heat.
The simplest method:Press the Neiting (Inner Courtyard) point to clear the stomach and drain fire.
Pressing the Neiting point is best done after breakfast between 7-9 AM, when the stomach channel’s qi and blood are most vigorous.
Use the thumb to press or a diagnostic stick to apply pressure, aiming for 100 presses, once or twice daily, which has the effect of clearing the stomach, draining fire, and detoxifying.
2. Precautions for Health Preservation During Grain Rain
01
Diet Should Be “Light”
In terms of diet, it is important to eat lightly, emphasizing the principle of “three less”: less oil, less salt, and less sugar. If seasoning is necessary, use as little as possible.
Additionally, control portion sizes, aiming for “less” rather than overeating, especially at dinner. Focus on a variety of seasonal vegetables and avoid excessive consumption of large fish, meat, and animal organs, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
02
Living Should Be “Leisurely”
In terms of lifestyle, it is important to maintain a “leisurely” pace. “Spring sleep is unaware of dawn”; around the Grain Rain, people often feel drowsy, which can be particularly challenging for office workers. During this time, it is essential to learn to self-regulate and slow down the pace of life.
However, “leisurely” does not mean being lazy or inactive; it advocates for a balanced lifestyle that includes walking, outdoor activities, and kite flying, allowing the body and mind to be in a harmonious state, achieving health preservation.
03
Exercise Should Be “Gentle”
Regardless of the type of exercise, it should not be too strenuous, but rather “gentle” and unhurried.
The Huangdi Neijing mentions, “Walk widely in the courtyard, with hair down and clothes loose,” meaning that during this season, people should let their hair down and wear loose clothing, allowing the body to move freely in a spacious courtyard.
04
Mindset Should Be “Clear”
As everything begins to sprout around the Grain Rain, people’s inner feelings also tend to flourish. If not controlled, it can lead to anger and excess heat. Therefore, during this time, it is important to let go of unnecessary desires and distractions, thoroughly cleansing the mind to maintain a “clear” state.
Additionally, maintain a peaceful mental state, keeping a “calm” mindset, with a friendly and tolerant heart, fostering a deep awareness of life, enhancing family bonds, and valuing health.
Grain Rain Moxibustion
1. Pishu (Spleen Shu):
The Pishu point is located 1.5 cun lateral to the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra. It is the back shu point of the foot taiyang spleen channel and is a key point for treating spleen and stomach diseases, effective for symptoms such as lethargy, abdominal distension, diarrhea, vomiting, and edema, with functions of strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, and regulating qi.
2. Zhongwan (Middle Cavity):
This point treats stomach pain, vomiting, hiccups, abdominal pain, distension, and diarrhea. It can strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, support righteous qi, and enhance spleen and stomach function.
3. Mingguan (Life Gate):
Located 6 cun from the anterior midline in the fifth intercostal space, it drains heat from the spleen and descends dampness from the spleen, serving as an important channel for communication between the spleen and the body’s qi and blood, and is a key point for strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis.
4. Fenglong (Abundant Dragon):
Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the tip of the outer ankle, at the outer edge of the tibialis anterior muscle. It is a key point for harmonizing the stomach, promoting diuresis, and resolving phlegm. A well-functioning spleen and stomach can effectively expel dampness from the body, making it a key point for moxibustion during Grain Rain.
END
Contributed by: TCM Nursing Group Duan Yanli, Li Ye
Department of Spine, Zhang Dongzhi
Edited by: Li Ying, Gao Lingxiao
Reviewed by: Su Wei
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