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.
As the Minor Fullness season begins, temperatures rise, and the temperature difference between the north and south decreases, marking the entry into the three qi of the Five Movements and Six Qi. During the Minor Fullness period, the heart qi gradually strengthens, while the liver and kidney qi are weaker, so it is important to conserve essence and calm the spirit, nourishing the liver and kidneys.
Dietary Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Minor Fullness:
Suitable: Vinegar, lemon, star anise, lychee, cherry, strawberry, cucumber, tomato, tofu
During the Minor Fullness season, individuals with a harmonious constitution should pay attention to nourishing the liver and kidneys, favoring mild foods to support the spleen and stomach. In general, the principle is to “increase sour and pungent, reduce bitter.” Sour flavors can generate fluids and nourish the liver, while pungent flavors can disperse and moisten the lungs and kidneys. Suitable drinks include sour plum soup, hot and sour soup, lemon water, and orange juice. Commonly used spices are warming and pungent, such as star anise, sand ginger, and grass fruit. This season offers a variety of fresh fruits, including lychee, longan, cherry, strawberry, pineapple, and jackfruit; moderation is key, and consuming some after meals can help moisten dryness and cool the body. In dry areas, it is advisable to eat light, yin-nourishing foods like cucumber, tofu, tomato, egg, and coconut water. Cooking methods should favor stewing and boiling, with less frying. In damp and rainy areas, it is beneficial to drink coix seed water, red bean soup, and poria porridge, as well as ginger syrup. Avoid: Pork belly, chili, white liquor, seafood
During Minor Fullness, the weather gradually shows signs of heat, especially in dry regions where consuming greasy and spicy foods can easily generate internal heat. This can lead to discomfort, irritability, and issues such as mouth ulcers and red, dry, and hot eyes. It is advisable to limit the intake of hormone-treated farmed meats (as hormones can deplete kidney qi, leading to kidney deficiency). White liquor can easily provoke liver fire, so it should be consumed sparingly. In continuously rainy and humid areas, it is best to avoid seafood and pork belly, as these damp foods can exacerbate weakness in the limbs and skin conditions during this season.
Exercise Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Minor Fullness:Moderate sweating, appropriate warmth in air-conditioned environments
Minor Fullness is traditionally a busy farming season, and summer is suitable for sweating to expel cold and dampness accumulated in the body. However, due to excessive regulation of indoor temperatures, the body often loses many opportunities to adjust naturally with the seasons. During a season when sweating is appropriate, air conditioning is used, and when it is time to wear more clothing, heating is applied, which has led to an increase in skin diseases. It is advisable to exercise in natural environments to promote sweating, and not to rush to shower immediately after sweating, as this can easily allow dampness to invade the body. Wait until the sweat has subsided before bathing. If exercising in an air-conditioned room, it is better to wear more clothing to maintain body temperature and promote moderate sweating, while also preventing cold air from invading open pores after sweating. Living Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Minor Fullness:Protect the waist and abdomen, comb hair in the morning
The Minor Fullness season occurs in late May, with noticeably rising temperatures. If one indulges in coolness and sleeps naked, it can easily lead to conditions such as stiff neck, rheumatism, and damp skin diseases. The shoulders are particularly susceptible to cold, so it is advisable to choose sleeved pajamas. The waist and abdomen are the source of vital energy, and practitioners of martial arts often protect this area even in summer with cotton cloth, highlighting its importance. It is also necessary to use a thin cloth to cover this area while sleeping; otherwise, prolonged exposure to cold can lead to diarrhea during the hot season and increase the risk of various incontinence issues in old age. Each morning, sit on the bed and use fingers to comb the hair, “In summer, comb the hair one to two hundred times daily, without combing too close to the scalp, and do so in a windless place to naturally dispel wind and brighten the eyes.” This practice can help one feel refreshed throughout the day. 
Emotional Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Minor Fullness: Humility brings benefits, avoid distractions
Minor Fullness refers to the growth of all things reaching a slight fullness, but not yet complete. After “Minor Fullness,” there is no term called “Major Fullness.” The Chinese emphasize moderation, as stated in the “Book of Documents”: “Fullness invites loss, humility brings benefits; this is the way of heaven.” The “I Ching” states: “The way of heaven is to diminish fullness and benefit humility.” Learning from the Minor Fullness to be content and humble will ultimately be beneficial in interpersonal relationships. The summer is called Zhu Ming, meaning the qi is red and bright, representing a flourishing heart, which belongs to the southern fire and governs the spirit. During the three months of summer, to achieve mental tranquility, one should cultivate stability and kindness, calm the fiery heart, and distance oneself from external distractions and pleasures.
Tea Drinking Tips for the Harmonious Constitution During Minor Fullness:Sour Plum Soup
Quenching thirst, generating fluids, clearing heat, and aiding digestion. You can try making it yourself. Ingredients: dried black plums (half a pound, with pits), dried hawthorn (3 ounces), osmanthus (1 ounce), licorice (1 ounce), rock sugar or brown sugar. First, soak the dried hawthorn and black plums, then wrap the plums, hawthorn, osmanthus, and licorice in cheesecloth and place them in a pot, adding enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then add a small amount of brown sugar (for color), and an appropriate amount of rock sugar, simmering for 2 hours. Store in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to a week. When drinking, allow it to reach room temperature before consuming, as drinking it too cold can harm the stomach. In areas with heavy humidity, you can also boil coix seed water regularly. Soak coix seeds for 2 hours, then boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Add rock sugar to taste.
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