These last few months have been different for just about all of us. The global pandemic we find ourselves in have challenged us in terms of health, finances, societal stability, and in more ways we won’t understand for years to come. My practice was closed for several weeks before we reopened slowly with better infection control measures in place. At this point I’ve also treated a number of COVID patients through telemedicine. I can only imagine Zhang Zhong Jing sitting on Zoom with his patients, also trying to treat as many people as possible for the epidemic diseases that ravaged his world.
Most of you have also noticed I’ve been silent on my blog. I’ve spent a lot more time lately reading, and engaging in my own Neigong and Taiji practice, things that have been real anchors for me in a world spinning out of control. Now, as things here slowly start returning to normal, I’m going to try to get my regular blogging going again. As I went through the past few years I realized it’s been almost 5 years since I managed to get a blog up during this seasonal node. So, to start us off again, here’s Bearded Grain…
Yesterday, Friday, June 5th, was the beginning of the Bearded Grain (Mang Zhong 芒種) seasonal node, the ninth of the year. Bearded Grain is the last node just before Summer Solstice, the most expansive and Yang time of the year. The name, ‘Bearded Grain,’ is a reference to crops. The word Mang (芒) refers to the maturing crops, especially the winter wheat, which is harvested about this time of year. The word Zhong (種) is a reference then to the new rice crops that are planted at this time. This gives us the image of one thing coming to maturity (as in the growing Yang of the season) so that it can eventually perish (i.e., be harvested), allowing a new crop to be started. The image of transfer and renewal is characteristic of the transition period of the solstice that fast approaches.
The three smaller 5-day material manifestations of this node are Tanglang sheng 螳螂生 (Praying Mantises Are Born), Ju shi ming 鵙始鳴(Shrikes Begin to Sing), Fanshe wusheng 反舌無聲 (Mocking Birds Cease to Vocalize). The first two are dramatically illustrative of the current node. Praying mantises are notorious for females killing males just after mating. And shrikes are about the creepiest birds I know! These birds are know for catching their prey (usually large insects or small mammals such as rodents), and then impaling them on some natural spike-like plant for them to come back later and consume after the creature has died. Both images are images of the death bringers. Eventually solstice is the time of Yin’s rebirth – days will get shorter again. It is the reminder that all life cycles back towards quiescence, towards winter, towards death, towards Yin.
But we must get back to more practical concerns… During this time of year there are several things traditionally recommended for healthy living. The first is taking a siesta – in other words an afternoon nap (in Chinese, Wu Shui 午睡). During this time of year damp and heat evils in the environment start to predominate. In Chinese medicine the Spleen is susceptible to dampness, the disease evil associated with the Soil-Earth phase. The Spleen governs the flesh and the four limbs. Damp evils encumber the flesh of the four limbs making them feel heavy and weary, leading our body feeling fatigued and without strength. Napping is a way to recuperate vitality, especially when done during the most Yang/hot time of day. Napping traditionally allowed people a rest from the summer heat and dampness, and offered a way to support the Latter Heaven (hou tian 後天) of the Spleen.
The second recommendation is to regularly clear toxins. Toxins in this case refers to both heat toxins and water toxins, since, again, this is a time of increasing dampness and heat in the environment. In much of Asia, this is the rainy season. Likewise, here in New Jersey, last week we saw rain and this week we will see more. During this time period it’s important for us all to be sure we stay cool and dry inside. Be cautious of overexposure to the heat, especially during the middle part of the day. Patients who are prone to internal damp conditions should reduce salt or other similar dietary intake that can lead to accumulation of fluids and swelling.
Our next admonition is both a “to do” and a “to avoid.” Mang Zhong is the time of the year to really keep our environment sanitary to avoid molds, as warm, humid, and rainy weather is the perfect combination for toxic molds to start growing. Keep houses clean and dry, and quickly patch up any areas of water leaks that may lead to mold growth. Natural products such as Tea Tree Oil and even plain white vinegar are effective anti-mold cleaning agents and people should be encouraged to make use of them! This is important for just about all our patients, but especially so for people with various environmental sensitivities, breathing difficulties, or damp patterns.
In terms of acupuncture, since this is a time of heat and dampness that can affect digestive function, think of supporting with middle with Tung’s points such as Ling Gu 22.05, Si Hua Shang 77.08, and Men Jin 66.05 (these three together make an excellent point combination). For lack of appetite consider Kai Pi (開脾穴), and if the patient presents with summerheat manifesting as loose stool or diarrhea needle Shou Wu Jin 33.08 and Shou Qian Jin 33.09. As it is summer, based on the recommendation of the Nan Jing, Ying-Spring points are appropriate to clear heat in whatever channel is appropriate.
Diet for Bearded Grain
As already mentioned, the Bearded Grain seasonal node is characterized by dampness and summer’s heat, and this is especially so in parts of the world where this month is rainy season. In general, this time of year one should avoid eating too many sour foods, instead focusing on bitter flavors. For example, in China there is one type of famous tea called Qing Shan Lü Shui 青山綠水 – “Clear Mountain Green Water.” This wonderful tea from the Sichuan region is not an actual tea plant and has no caffeine. Rather, it is the first flush of an herb called Ku Ding Cha 苦丁茶, “bitter spike tea.” The taste of the young plant is very mildly bitter at the beginning with a faint sweet aftertaste. It is the perfect damp draining and mildly cooling herb for this summer that replenishes Qi as well with a mildly sweet nature. The other side of this is that mild sour flavors are good for people who are dehydrated or who live in climates that are too dry this time of year. A simple refreshing and rehydrating drink is water with just a little lemon juice squeezed in.
Since this a hotter time of year, during the warmest days in have patients focus on mildly heat clearing and bland foods. Also eat foods that expel summerheat and nourish fluids to stop thirst. These foods include melons and fruits, leafy greens, rice, beans, and bean products (such as tofu). The foods that should be minimized in the diet include greasy foods and meats. This is the time eat more vegetarian for sure. Patients who are slightly cold or Qi deficient can eat more mildly warming fruits such as cherries, lychees, longans, coconut milk, and apricots. Patients with warm patterns can focus more on cooling fruits such as watermelon, bananas, pears, tomatoes, persimmons, and cucumbers. Balanced temperature fruits for just about everyone are pineapples, grapes, apples, peach, coconut flesh, oranges, and ginkgo nut.
Recipe for Bearded Grain – Licorice and Mung Bean Congee
(Gan Cao Lü Dou Zhou 甘草綠豆粥)
Ingredients:
Rice 150g
Mung Beans (lü dou 綠豆) – 50g
Chinese licorice root (gan cao 甘草) – 50g
Rock sugar to taste
Instructions:
Rinse the rice and mung beans, wrap gan cao in teabag to make removing easier (optional)
Place gan cao in about 1750 ml (about 7 cups) of water, bring to a boil and simmer until water is a yellow color
Add in mung beans, bring to boil again and then simmer on low for about 40 minutes until beans soften
Add in rice and continue cooking for about 30 minutes until the rice starts to beak apart and mixture is the consistency of congee
Remove from heat, add in rock sugar to taste (optional)
This recipe aromatically opens the Stomach, strengthens the Spleen and transforms damp, and clears heat and disinhibits damp. It should be used with caution in patients with Spleen and Stomach vacuity cold, or patients with chronic diarrhea. The source text for this recipe was the Ming Dynasty encyclopedic work, the Pu Ji Fang (Prescriptions for Universal Relief).
My best wishes for everyone’s health. Stay cool and dry!
