The Grain Buds (Xiaoman) Season: What Are the Traditions and How to Stay Healthy?
The Grain Buds (Xiaoman) Season: What Are the Traditions and How to Stay Healthy?
The term "Xiaoman" signifies that the seeds of summer crops have begun to plump up but are not yet fully matured. It's the eighth solar term in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and marks an important milestone in the seasonal changes.
In terms of climate, during the Xiaoman season, most regions in China have entered the summer season, and the temperature difference between the north and south has further reduced. After Xiaoman, some parts of China will experience temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Moreover, rainfall increases, gradually entering a period of frequent thunderstorms and strong winds.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying, "heat often brings humidity." This means that the heat of summer easily allows humidity to invade the human body and lie in wait. When the season transitions to Dashu, which is dominated by humidity, the combination of heat and humidity can lead to various issues, such as acute and chronic eczema, photodermatitis, rheumatism, gynecological infections, acne, and obesity.
For staying healthy during Xiaoman, it's advisable to focus on a light and simple diet. Include foods with heat-clearing, dampness-dispelling, and yin-nourishing properties, such as red beans, coix seeds, and cucumbers. Some people like to cool off with cold drinks, but excessive consumption of cold and raw foods can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, especially for children and the elderly, whose digestive functions are not as robust. They should avoid excessive consumption of raw and cold foods, sweet and greasy foods, and foods that promote dampness.
In terms of emotions, as temperatures rise significantly after Xiaoman, people are more prone to irritability. During this time, it's essential to adjust one's mood, avoid anger and restlessness, and strive to maintain a calm state of mind. This helps prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases resulting from dramatic emotional fluctuations, such as hypertension and strokes. Engaging in outdoor activities like outings or fishing can be beneficial for calming the mind. For those who enjoy exercise, morning workouts like walking, jogging, or practicing Tai Chi are suitable. Vigorous exercise and heavy sweating should be avoided to prevent excessive loss of bodily fluids and imbalances between yin and yang.
The term "Xiaoman" signifies that the seeds of summer crops have begun to plump up but are not yet fully matured. It's the eighth solar term in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and marks an important milestone in the seasonal changes.
In terms of climate, during the Xiaoman season, most regions in China have entered the summer season, and the temperature difference between the north and south has further reduced. After Xiaoman, some parts of China will experience temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Moreover, rainfall increases, gradually entering a period of frequent thunderstorms and strong winds.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a saying, "heat often brings humidity." This means that the heat of summer easily allows humidity to invade the human body and lie in wait. When the season transitions to Dashu, which is dominated by humidity, the combination of heat and humidity can lead to various issues, such as acute and chronic eczema, photodermatitis, rheumatism, gynecological infections, acne, and obesity.
For staying healthy during Xiaoman, it's advisable to focus on a light and simple diet. Include foods with heat-clearing, dampness-dispelling, and yin-nourishing properties, such as red beans, coix seeds, and cucumbers. Some people like to cool off with cold drinks, but excessive consumption of cold and raw foods can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, especially for children and the elderly, whose digestive functions are not as robust. They should avoid excessive consumption of raw and cold foods, sweet and greasy foods, and foods that promote dampness.
In terms of emotions, as temperatures rise significantly after Xiaoman, people are more prone to irritability. During this time, it's essential to adjust one's mood, avoid anger and restlessness, and strive to maintain a calm state of mind. This helps prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases resulting from dramatic emotional fluctuations, such as hypertension and strokes. Engaging in outdoor activities like outings or fishing can be beneficial for calming the mind. For those who enjoy exercise, morning workouts like walking, jogging, or practicing Tai Chi are suitable. Vigorous exercise and heavy sweating should be avoided to prevent excessive loss of bodily fluids and imbalances between yin and yang.
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