According to the “Collected Explanations of the Seventy-Two Phenomena of the Lunar Calendar”: “In the middle of March, after the Rain Water, the soil is rich and the veins are active, now it rains on the grains in the water. ‘Rain’ is pronounced in a departing tone, like the rain on my public fields. The grains are sown at this time, from top to bottom.”
Spring is the season for sowing, and rain nurtures the grains. During the Grain Rain period, the climate is warm and rainfall increases, making it an excellent time for spring plowing. All living things depend on the sun, but they also rely on the nourishment of the land. Farmers regularly water, fertilize, and control pests to ensure a good harvest in autumn. Fertile land with sufficient nutrients is a crucial condition for a bountiful harvest.
We often say that humans and nature are one. Children grow rapidly in spring, just like seeds in the soil. Therefore, we must take good care of the ‘earth’ that supports our children’s growth, ensuring their health.
Shallow Dream knows that everyone will ask where this ‘earth’ is. Don’t worry, let’s find the answer together.
In the “Suwen: Treatise on the Taiyin and Yangming”: “The spleen is the earth, governing the center, and is always associated with the four seasons and the five organs…”
In the “Suwen: Treatise on the True Organs of the Jade Machine”: “The spleen meridian is the earth, the solitary organ, nourishing the surrounding areas.”
In the Five Elements, the spleen belongs to earth, located in the middle jiao, primarily responsible for receiving food, transforming the essence of water and grains, and separating the clear from the turbid. Thus, the ‘spleen earth’ is the farmland on which children depend for growth. During the Grain Rain season, the spleen and stomach qi is vigorous, making it an ideal time to strengthen children’s spleen and stomach.
Moreover, the Grain Rain also signifies assisting in the elimination of dampness. As the last solar term of spring and the beginning of the transition to summer, the increase in rainfall and humidity can disrupt our bodies. Therefore, enhancing the spleen and stomach qi also means improving their ability to transform and eliminate dampness.
So, in terms of diet, how can we strengthen the spleen and stomach while considering the climatic characteristics? Step aside, a seasonal therapeutic soup is ready to be served!
1
Ingredients
10g of Wuzhi Maotao (Five-fingered Peach), 10g of Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam slices), 10g of Qian Shi (Fox Nut), 10g of Gui Yuan Rou (Longan flesh), 5 pieces of Fig, 10g of Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), 250g of Pig Spine.
2
Method
1. Soak the Qian Shi and Yi Yi Ren for 3 hours in advance;
2. Blanch the pig spine, skim off the foam, and set aside;
3. Add all ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 1.5 hours;
4. Add a little salt for seasoning before serving.
Strengthening the Spleen and Transforming Dampness
Wuzhi Maotao (Five-fingered Peach) has a sweet taste and a slightly warm nature, capable of strengthening the spleen, transforming dampness, promoting qi, and resolving phlegm. It is commonly used in folk medicine to treat symptoms of spleen deficiency, edema, lack of appetite, and water retention.
Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) has a sweet taste and a neutral nature, capable of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, solidifying the kidneys, and benefiting essence. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” summarizes the five major functions of Huai Shan Yao: “benefiting kidney qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach, stopping diarrhea and dysentery, transforming phlegm and saliva, and moistening the skin and hair.”
Qian Shi (Fox Nut) has a sweet and astringent taste, with a neutral nature, capable of solidifying the kidneys, astringing essence, strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, and eliminating dampness. The “True Record of Materia Medica” states, “Qian Shi can strengthen the spleen due to its sweet taste; it can solidify the kidneys due to its astringent taste.”
Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) is sweet, bland, and cool in nature, capable of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, clearing heat, promoting dampness elimination, and relieving pain.
Nourishing Yin and Generating Fluids
Fig has a sweet taste and a cool nature, capable of clearing heat, generating fluids, strengthening the spleen, opening the appetite, detoxifying, and reducing swelling.
Pig spine can replenish spleen qi, moisten the intestines and stomach, generate body fluids, nourish blood, and strengthen bones. Additionally, pork is cool in nature, which will not cause heat, making it suitable for children with spleen yin deficiency to consume for nourishment.
We add ingredients that nourish yin and generate fluids because as the weather gradually warms, the body is more likely to lose fluids, which can lead to symptoms like heat and fever. It is advisable to incorporate such ingredients into daily meals.
Benefiting the Heart and Spleen, Nourishing Qi and Blood
Gui Yuan (Longan flesh) has a sweet taste and a warm nature, capable of benefiting the heart and spleen, nourishing qi and blood, and calming the spirit. It is also a key ingredient in the famous Chinese medicine formula, Yu Ling Gao.
Why add longan? This relates to the phenomenon of spring fatigue. In spring, as the weather warms, the meridians become more open, requiring more blood to nourish the body. Therefore, even ordinary people may feel more fatigued than usual, and longan helps to replenish the blood deficiency, subtly alleviating fatigue.
As you can see, Shallow Dream’s combination is quite comprehensive, isn’t it? A bowl of soup that aligns with the solar terms and nourishes the body embodies the essence of nutritional therapy.
Late spring has arrived, and summer is approaching. Quickly seize the tail end of spring, allowing children to gain abundant energy. Believe that children will grow vigorously like seeds sown in spring, unstoppable!
Text, Editing, GIFs | Shallow Dream
Image Material | Authorized from Baotu Network
