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How Changing Seasons Effect Chinese Health

The Chinese people believe that each season has different foods and activities that best fit to enhance the body's needs for that season.

During the season of Spring Qi is moving upward and outwards so it is a good time to produce and to transform blood and body fluids and to nourish Yang Qi by stimulating metabolism. Spring is a good time to do food or herbal liver cleanses. Individuals are encouraged to spend more time outside doing activities that are good exercise. In the spring the food to eat are those that are spicy, sweet and lightly warm.

Exercises to do during the spring are those that are light such as stretching and breathing exercises: Qigong, yoga, walking, meditation, and light cardio workouts.

It is important to eat less and to avoid late night meals, which will interfere with liver and gallbladder function.

Consume plenty of green vegetables in the spring. Basil, caraway, dill, bay leaf and marjoram are good for cooking.

Grains, legumes and seeds are good to eat in the spring.

During the spring you can stay healthy by splashing the face with cool water, taking B vitamins, eating plenty of green leafy vegetables, eating fruit that is high in vitamin C, getting facial massages and caring for dry skin. Avoid eating barley during the spring.

During the summer the Yang energy is strong. Yang Qi is lost easily due to open pores. Foods that are bland, definitely not rich and foods that are easily digested are recommended. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent body fluid deficiency. During the summer eat cold foods and avoid hot foods and hot drinks. Also it is not good to eat green beans during the summer.

In the fall, food is plentiful and Ying Qi starts to grow so protect body fluids during the dryness that summer left and eat light, cool foods that promote body fluid production like pears. Fall is the perfect time to consume flaxseeds, and sesame seeds and to eat lubricating foods.

Winter foods are those that tonify and enrich your kidney. Ying Qi is at its strongest. It is important not to overeat during the winter, so eat light.

The changing seasons means paying attention to the particular needs for food based on outside temperature and yin/yang. Diseases are based on the body's need for energy, which comes from food. If you food intake is poor or irregular, disease can flourish. A poor diet can be from over eating, or from under eating, it can also come from unclean food or rotten food.

The changing seasons dictate not only what foods we eat but how we dress and how much sleep is required and also what exercises are more beneficial for our bodies. Our daily activities and food intake should be adjusted to the season if we are to remain healthy and live long.