Yesterday, Thursday April 5, 2015 was the beginning of the Clear and Bright (Qing Ming 清明) seasonal node. Clear and Bright is the node just after the Vernal Equinox and the next step in the progression of Spring. This seasonal node is also a traditional holiday in much of Asia – the Qing Ming Festival. In Okinawa, where I lived as a graduate student, the day is called Shimi in the local Hogen (indigenous Okinawan language). Qing Ming Festival is a time for Asians to visit graves and pay respect to the ancestors. Thus it is a time to remember the past while at the same time starting the new year, with a new Spring.
Even though we are in Spring according to both the Eastern and Western calendars, in northern New Jersey the weather is just barely starting to warm up. Not surprisingly, the first “to do” during Clear and Bright is to protect being warm (bao nuan 保暖). Spring is the time of growing Yang, and we don’t want to do anything that damages that internal warming Qi. The second chapter of the Su Wen admonishes us that if we don’t take care in Spring, then cold disease will arise in the Summer that follows. During this time the temperature outside is constantly fluctuating up and down. Be sure to tell patients to dress appropriately for the day, and not to think that just because its supposed to be Spring, that every day will be warm enough for light clothing.
The second “to do” during Clear and Bright is be active in outdoor activities or exercise. With the continued growth of Yang in the natural world, it is important to increase our physical activity. The Wood phase and Liver assures normal smooth circulation of Qi in the body, and similarly during Spring we should be sure to keep our bodies moving. Of course, exercise doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Suggest to patients that even just getting outside to do light yard work or gardening is a great idea. Practicing Taiji or Qigong outside is also appropriate.
One of the Nourishing Life exercises that is appropriate to Clear and Bright is pressing and rotating Shen Que REN-8. Shen Que is obviously an important point on the body. The abdomen is the location of many of the important internal organs. Likewise, it is the area where some of the most important channels in the body originate – the Ren, the Du and the Chong. In Chinese these three extraordinary vessels are said to be “one origin and three branches.” For this exercise first rub hands together vigorously to warm them. Then place the warmed hands over the navel and slowly, with moderate pressure, rotate 50 times in a circle one direction, then 50 times in the other direction. This exercise helps warm the center and expel cold. It is especially appropriate for patients who are cold and depleted, and patients with clear nasal discharge such as seasonal allergies. For patients who are very depleted, think of doing moxibusion at Shen Que.
The flip side of this is to be cautious of patients with uprising Liver yang patterns, or patterns of internal wind. Clear and Bright is also the time to guard against hypertension in patients who are prone to this condition. These patients should certainly be counseled to get some more exercise, as this is an effective adjunct therapy for hypertension.
Diet for Clear and Bright
The “avoids” for Clear and Bright are related to diet. First, Chinese medicine recommends that patients avoid very acrid and spicy foods. While somewhat acrid foods and herbs are appropriate to Spring (such as leeks or scallions), overly spicy foods may potentially either stir internal Yang or dissipate internal Qi. The second type of food to avoid is very sour or greasy foods. Both sour and greasy foods create stagnation internally, and thus inhibit the normal coursing of Qi. Since Spring is the time of Wood-Liver, it is important to keep Qi moving internally.
In general the diet for Clear and Bright should reflect the name of the seasonal node. Light and clear foods that neither block the Qi mechanism nor overly stimulate it are appropriate. Gentle movement and easy to digest should be the focus. As more vegetables become available, patients should increase consumption of fresh produce. Traditionally this is the time for greens such as spinach and mustard greens. In the west certainly April is the season for fresh asparagus. All these greens are beneficial to the Liver.
Patients who are somewhat Qi deficient, or patients with seasonal allergies can try making Jade Screen Chicken at home.
Jade Screen Chicken – Yu Ping Ji 玉屏雞
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 2 lbs.)
- Huang Qi 60g
- Bai Zhu 20g
- Fang Feng 20g
- Salt and pepper to taste
1. Rinse and clean chicken
2. Take herbs and stuff inside, close chicken to retain herbs inside the cavity
3. Place chicken in a slow cooker and cover with water, allow chicken to cook for until done
This can take a long time to cook in a slow cooker, but I think it will yield the best results. I suggest this be set up overnight and put on the low temperature setting. By lunch the next day it should be done as cooking can take 8 hours or more. Patients can both consume the meat as well as drink the resulting broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The recipe helps nourish Qi, secure the exterior and expel cold.
Happy Spring everyone!
Henry