Lessons from the Huangdi Inner Classic
Spring greetings!
At the time of writing this in early August, you may already be sensing winter's subtle transition. Mornings are crisp, often veiled in thick fog, before yielding to bright sunshine. The earth remains deeply cold, sometimes frozen, and gusting winds remind us that winter still lingers.
The Huangdi Inner Classic of Medicine teaches that health depends on living in harmony with the movements of Heaven and Earth. As spring approaches, the Yang Qi of Nature begins to rise, expand, and give life to the ten thousand things. Animals enter their mating season, plants awaken, and living beings respond with anticipation to this outward movement of Qi.
The Inner Classic advises us to nourish this ascending Yang. Our own Yang Qi follows Nature, moving from the interior to the exterior to support growth, movement, and renewal. As this occurs, Yang Qi in the digestive Fire also shifts its focus on to external activities, making spring and summer the seasons appropriate for lighter, simpler foods that are easier to digest.
Cultural Heritage Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold - A Brief Introduction to the Chinese Farmers’ Calendar
For thousands of years, traditional cultures in the Yellow River basin have aligned their lives with the 24 movements of the Sun - the subtle turning of light and shadow as seen from Earth. This ancient rhythm guided farming, festivals, food, rest, and the cultivation of health and happiness.
I'd like to introduce the Chinese Farmers’ Calendar, which is a useful guide for health cultivation practice. Our bodies mirror the movements of nature. When we observe nature carefully, we learn how to care for ourselves accordingly.
Spring Terms - Southern hemisphere dates are approximate
· Start of Spring (立春 - Lìchūn): 7 August
· Rain Water (雨水 - Yǔshuǐ): 23 August
· Awakening of Insects (惊蛰 - Jīngzhé): 7 September
· Vernal Equinox (春分 - Chūnfēn): 23 September
· Clear and Bright (清明 - Qīngmíng): 7 October
· Grain Rain (谷雨 - Gǔ yǔ): 23 October
Summer Terms - Southern hemisphere dates are approximate
· Start of Summer (立夏 - Lìxià): 7 November
· Small Full (小满 - Xiǎomǎn): 23 November
· Grain in Ear (芒种 - Mángzhǒng): 7 December
· Summer Solstice (夏至 - Xiàzhì): 23 December
· Minor Heat (小暑 - Xiǎoshǔ): 7 January
· Major Heat (大暑 - Dàshǔ): 23 January
Health Preservation Principles for Spring
The Inner Classic states that Spring belongs to the Wood phase and rules the Liver system. Health preservation during these six solar terms focuses on nurturing Liver qi, dispelling winter cold, and supporting the body's rising Yang Qi.
1. Start of Spring (立春) & Rain Water (雨水)
· Focus: Protect against wind-cold; nurture the Spleen Stomach systems.
· Diet: Add aromatic, warming foods like leeks, garlic, onions, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and ginger to help disperse cold. Avoid excessive sour foods which constrict Liver Qi.
· Lifestyle: Don't expose the body to the cold that still lingers. Especially keep your lower back, abdomen, and feet warm, as cold entering through the legs harms the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems.
· Emotion: Let your emotions flow. Suppressed emotions can injure the Liver Qi during this seasonal transition. Along with the expansive energy of Spring, it is the perfect time to move onwards and upwards with your personal goals and intentions.
2. Awakening of Insects (惊蛰) & Spring Equinox (春分)
· Focus: Clear internal heat; balance yin and yang.
· Diet: Consume cooling, hydrating foods like pears, mint, apple, and celery to soothe dry throats caused by rising internal heat.
· Lifestyle: Sleep early and wake up early. Go for brisk walks in nature to allow your Qi to expand alongside the season. Qigong/ Taichi/ Yoga exercises to stretch the tendons and open the joints.
3. Clear and Bright (清明) & Grain Rain (谷雨)
· Focus: Dispel dampness; clear Liver heat.
· Diet: Include dampness-releasing foods like Job's Tears barley, adzuki beans, and yam or sweet potato. Drink chrysanthemum or peppermint/ mint tea to clear the eyes and Liver system. Avoid overeating heavy, greasy foods, which easily burden the digestive tract during high-humidity weeks. Avoid drinking cold drinks and eating raw food too much too early.
· Lifestyle: Look out for humidity and pollen. Exercise moderately to break a light sweat, which helps flush trapped metabolic dampness from the skin. Keep the body, especially the belly warm.
This information is general and for education purposes only, and does not replace the advice of your health professional.
Best wishes for your health and happiness
Dr Chrys Soenaris for Kinglake Chinese Medicine
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