🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Spring begins with Start of Spring, progressing through Rain Water, Insects Awaken, Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain—six solar terms ending the day before Start of Summer. Spring is characterized by rising yang energy, returning vitality, renewal, and flourishing life—the best season of the year. However, spring is also a peak period for influenza, meningococcal meningitis, and other infectious diseases. Conditions like coronary heart disease, gallstones, hepatitis, and psychiatric disorders often recur in spring. As the saying goes, “A year’s plan lies in spring.” Thus, we must prioritize spring health care to lay a solid foundation for annual well-being.
Be Cautious About Dressing as Temperatures Warm
Early spring features fluctuating temperatures—warm days alternating with sudden cold spells. Mornings may be sunny and mild, but afternoons or evenings can bring strong winds and sudden temperature drops, even snowfall. People accustomed to staying indoors during winter have weakened adaptability to outdoor conditions. Moreover, spring is prime time for microbes and pathogens to reproduce and revive, making infections easy to spread.
Removing winter clothing too early allows cold pathogens to invade. Cold damages the lungs, and as skin becomes looser, resistance to cold weakens, increasing risks of flu, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses. While these diseases are linked to bacteria and viruses, timely prevention and proper “spring wrapping” (keeping warm) can reduce incidence, especially in those with strong constitutions.
Regular Routine to Prevent Spring Drowsiness
“Spring sleep is not aware of dawn”—springtime sleep feels endless, and daytime drowsiness and low energy are common, known as “spring drowsiness.” Why does this happen amid such vibrant spring scenery? Because rising temperatures cause skin and muscle capillaries to slowly dilate, slowing blood flow. Increased blood supply to the body surface reduces cerebral blood flow, weakening central nervous system stimulation and enhancing inhibitory functions, leading to “spring drowsiness.”
To prevent “spring drowsiness” from disrupting normal work and life, we should actively overcome it. First, maintain regular routines. Second, increase physical exercise—daily morning workouts in parks or fields. Third, balance diet—eating more fresh vegetables and fruits effectively prevents “spring drowsiness.”
Spring Excursions Boost Vitality
March is sunny and breezy, with nature renewing and thriving. In this beautiful season, escape urban noise and immerse yourself in nature—whether hiking, mountain climbing, or leisurely walks. Spring air is exceptionally fresh, rich in negative ions, ideal for air baths and sunbaths. These improve immunity, uplift spirits, exercise respiratory and circulatory systems, enhance heart-lung function, regulate the central nervous system, sharpen thinking, promote intestinal movement, stimulate appetite, improve digestion, and strengthen leg muscles and joint flexibility.
Avoid Flowers to Prevent Allergies
Spring is the main pollen dispersion season. Some people develop pollen allergies upon contact with flowers—mild cases show eye itching, nasal congestion, runny nose; severe cases may trigger bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis, laryngeal edema, hives, or angioedema.
Modern immunology explains that normal human bodies have protective immune responses: when foreign substances (antigens) enter, immune lymphocytes produce immunoglobulins (antibodies) to neutralize or digest antigens. In allergy-prone individuals, the immune response exceeds normal limits, damaging normal cells, tissues, or organs, causing local or systemic dysfunction and triggering allergic diseases. Therefore, allergy sufferers should wear long sleeves and pants, shoes, goggles, and masks during spring outings, avoid flower-rich areas, and seek prompt medical help if allergic reactions occur, taking antihistamines under doctor’s guidance.