“Beginning of Spring” is the first of all “24 Solar Terms“. It is a significant day in the Chinese solar calendar. It occurs at either February 4th or 5th of each year, and marks the transition from winter to spring. This solar term has been celebrated for thousands of years in Chinese culture and has significant cultural, agricultural, meteorological, and health implications.
The days of this Solar Term in 2023 is February 4 to 18 in the Northern Hemisphere.
Introduction
This period is the transition period from winter to spring. The Yang energy in nature increases, presenting a thriving picture of the natural world.
According to Chinese Medicine, this is the time of vigorous metabolism, which is a great time to recuperate the body and mind, especially for Liver maintenance. Since Liver is the Wood Element that corresponds to the Spring season.
Although it is the beginning of spring, the “Cold” and “Wind” is still the prevalent weather, especially “Wind”. This is due to the Yang energy is thriving, together with the strong Yin energy that has been dominating in the winter, the forces interacting would produce a lot of “Wind”. That is the reason why according to the Five elements theory, Wood corresponds to both Spring and Wood.
Health Principles
During this period, the weather can get warm then suddenly turns cold. The temperature in the morning and evening could be significantly different. Therefore we must always remind ourselves to stay warm to prevent the “Wind” and “Cold” from invading.
The liver is the dominant Internal Organ in the Spring. One function of the liver is to manage the free flow of Qi in our bodies. Therefore we have to let the Liver do its job, and in order to do that, we have to prevent being depressed or unhappy. Since that can prohibit our liver to move the Qi in our bodies. So it is especially important to stay emotionally calm and relaxed in this season.
We should be wearing clothes that are not too tight, so it does not prevent the Qi from free-flowing in our bodies.
Right before sleeping, we may also soak our feet in hot water, then massage our feet. This can help us relax and improve our circulation and ensure we are warm when we sleep.
Diet
During this solar term, we can eat more vegetables that are green in color, such as cabbage, green peppers, etc. Since the Element wood corresponds to the color green.
We can also eat vegetables that are pungent in nature since it can help to rise our Yang energy in our body, such as cilantro.
In addition we should try to avoid eating food that is sour in nature. Sour has a property of absorbing. Since that is going inwards, which is opposite to the Spring energy of dispersing the energy, we should try to avoid.
Lastly food such as mung bean sprouts, eggs, red dates, animal liver, peanuts, carrots are great in this period as well.
*Important Note* The above are the general diet principles during this period. Therefore it is important to take into personal factors as well. Such as body types, allergies, etc.
Pressure Point Massage
One good pressure point to massage during this solar term is the ‘Big Vertebrae’.
‘Big Vertebrae’ (Or Du14) is the crossing point for all Yang Meridians in the body. It is not only good at expelling wind from our body, it is also great in regulating the Yang energy in our bodies.
Location: ‘Big Vertebrae’ is located in the depression right below the C7 spinous process. To find the C7, we can look down and use our hand to feel the biggest bone of the spine slightly below the neck. And as we turn our neck left and right, we can feel the C7 moving.
Massage Technique: Simply rub the pressure point using an open palm. Rub for about 30 -45 seconds each time. You should feel warmth on that pressure point and the surrounding area.
Exercise
Taking a walk outdoors is a great idea, just make sure we wear enough. Since we can with the Spring energy in nature.
Spring is to Liver, which also corresponds to tendons. Therefore doing exercises about stretching (before 9pm) is great in this period. One exercise that I love to do is the Five Animals Qi Gong Tiger Form.
The ’24 Solar Terms’ and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) complement each other and provide a holistic approach to health and well-being that takes into account both the individual and the natural environment. The next Solar term is “Rain Water”. Please come back and check for health tips for that season on February 19, 2023.
Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac), Alex Hui created this blog to share with the world the treasures in Chinese Medicine (CM).
Seasonal Health in Chinese Medicine: The 24 Solar Terms [UPDATED FOR 2023-24]