Harmonious Constitution
Constitution Characteristics: The harmonious constitution is considered a normal constitution. Individuals with this constitution have a well-proportioned and robust physique, a radiant complexion, thick and shiny hair, bright eyes, rosy lips, and are not easily fatigued. They possess abundant energy, good sleep, normal appetite, regular bowel movements, and a cheerful and easy-going personality, with fewer illnesses.
Countermeasures: People with a harmonious constitution have balanced yin and yang, and normal organ and qi-blood functions, but they should also pay attention to health maintenance.
Dietary Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Qingming Festival Suitable: Celery, Tofu, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Lotus Seeds, Tremella, Water Chestnuts, Shepherd’s Purse, Chinese Toon During the Qingming solar term, it is advisable to consume light and fresh vegetables and fruits to nourish the liver and spleen, maintaining the body’s balance. Suitable foods include celery, water chestnuts, wood ear mushrooms, as well as duck meat, red adzuki beans, coix seeds, lotus seeds, water chestnuts, dairy products, and tofu. Additionally, consuming Tremella regularly in spring can help nourish the liver and lungs. Furthermore, Shepherd’s Purse is a seasonal wild vegetable during Qingming. In “Yuhu Qinghua,” it is mentioned that Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, asked Minister Su Yijian: “Among foods that are considered precious, which is the most?” Yijian replied: “I have heard that there is no fixed taste in food; what is palatable is precious. I only know that the juice of Shepherd’s Purse is delicious.” This indicates that Shepherd’s Purse is indeed a delicacy at this time. It is sweet and neutral in nature, benefiting the spleen, promoting urination, stopping bleeding, and improving vision. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that Chinese Toon is spicy, sweet, bitter, and neutral, with heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, which can protect the liver and pacify liver yang, making it suitable for consumption during the Qingming solar term. Avoid: Hot Pot, Spicy Dishes, Boiled Dishes, Pastries, Sugar, Sweet Beverages, Leeks It is advisable to limit spicy foods to prevent excessive yang from leaking out; otherwise, excessive liver wood can harm the spleen earth. Moreover, the Qingming season is inherently a time of abundant liver fire. According to traditional TCM health preservation theory, the liver belongs to wood, which generates fire, and fire corresponds to the heart. Consuming spicy foods during this solar term can lead to excessive heart activity, resulting in elevated blood pressure. After Qingming, rainfall increases, especially in the south, where the climate is humid, which can lead to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness, known as “spring fatigue.” Sweet and greasy foods can exacerbate dampness, making one feel more fatigued. Avoid leeks (especially for the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, as they can easily trigger ailments). Prohibited: Blood, Raw Sunflower Seeds, Garlic, Daylilies, Organs of Birds and Beasts, Small Garlic, Pickled Vegetables Master Sun said: “Do not kill during this month to follow the way of heaven. Do not eat the heart of a hundred herbs or daylilies.” “Qianjin Fang” states: “Do not eat the organs of birds and beasts, do not eat small garlic, do not drink deep spring water.” “Fatianshengyi” advises: “Do not eat garlic, nor should it be consumed regularly, as it depletes energy and harms the heart.” “Yunji Qiqian” states: “Do not eat pickled vegetables, as they can cause sores and toxic heat diseases. Do not eat donkey or horse meat, nor deer or antelope meat, as they can disturb the spirit.” “Yueling Ji” states: “Do not eat blood and spleen, as the earth is strong in the season, fearing that death energy will enter.”
Exercise Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Qingming: Walking, Tai Chi As temperatures rise, people’s activities increase, but it is important to avoid excessive sweating to preserve organ qi. TCM believes that sweat is a product of fluid metabolism; “sweat is essence and qi” — “Suwen: Discussion on Heat Diseases.” Therefore, excessive sweating can harm the body and disrupt the harmonious constitution. Thus, during exercise, it is advisable to choose gentle movements and engage in light outdoor activities, such as walking and Tai Chi, which can help maintain the harmony of the constitution. Daily Living Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Qingming: Sleep Early and Rise Early, Protect Against Wind and Cold During this season, it is suitable to be lazy and relaxed, so it is best to sleep by 11:00 PM and rise with the first rays of sunlight. Stretch your body, let your hair down, and stroll in the courtyard to absorb the essence of nature, which is beneficial for health preservation. However, be cautious of wind and cold; “Spring days can have good winds, but they can also be harsh. Flowers may bloom in spring, but the wind can blow them away.” This poem by Wang Anshi best describes the climatic characteristics of this time. Today, the spring breeze may be gentle, but tomorrow it could bring a chill; the weather may be pleasant during the day, but it can be extremely cold in the morning and evening. Therefore, from a health preservation perspective, clothing should be adjusted accordingly, wearing more in the morning and evening and less at noon. The practicality of clothing should protect against wind and cold, be adjustable, and be aesthetically pleasing and appropriate. Emotional Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Qingming: Listen to Music, Alleviate Spring Fatigue In daily life, individuals with a harmonious constitution can listen to music during the Qingming solar term, choosing light and cheerful music, as well as beautiful and uplifting melodies, which can help maintain the balance of yin and yang and alleviate spring fatigue. As spring blossoms and the sun shines brightly, some people may feel drowsy and lethargic, which is known as “spring fatigue.” This condition arises when the body’s physiological functions temporarily cannot adapt to environmental changes; it is not due to lack of sleep or illness. To adapt more quickly to changes in the external environment, one should adjust their mindset. Music can help cultivate a positive and optimistic mood, thereby improving blood circulation and increasing blood supply to the brain, significantly reducing or eliminating spring fatigue.
Tea Drinking Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Qingming: Chrysanthemum and Mulberry Tea Chrysanthemum and mulberry can be brewed together as tea. Chrysanthemum is spicy, sweet, and bitter; it is slightly cold in nature and enters the lung and liver meridians. It can disperse wind, clear heat and detoxify, pacify the liver, and brighten the eyes. Mulberry is sweet and sour, cold in nature, and enters the heart, liver, and kidney meridians. According to “Suixi Ju Dietary Records”: Mulberry nourishes the liver and kidneys, enriches the blood, dispels wind and dampness, strengthens walking, calms the wind, and clears empty heat. It has the effect of nourishing the liver and lungs simultaneously.
