🌿 Folk Prescriptions

May 6th is the Start of Summer in the lunar calendar. At this time, “when the Big Dipper points southeast, it is the Start of Summer; all things grow large here, hence the name Start of Summer.” The sun’s ecliptic longitude is 45 degrees. Astronomically, the Start of Summer signifies the end of spring and the beginning of summer. People conventionally regard it as the time when temperatures noticeably rise, summer heat approaches, rainfall increases, and crops enter a critical growth phase—a key solar term. After the Start of Summer, it is the crucial period for transplanting early rice. The timing and amount of rainfall during this period directly affect future harvests. Folk wisdom says: “No rain at the Start of Summer means farming tools hung high.” “No rain at the Start of Summer means no rice in the mill.” In folk tradition, people fear summer heat and weigh themselves on this day, believing that doing so prevents summer heat damage and weight loss; otherwise, illness may afflict them. In Jiangxi, there is a custom of drinking tea on the Start of Summer, said to be necessary—otherwise, enduring the whole summer would be unbearable. Ancient emperors also traditionally welcomed summer on this day, making the Start of Summer the official day of summer reception.
*Li Ji·Yue Ling* explains the Start of Summer as: “Cicadas sing, earthworms emerge, bitter melon grows, and bitter herbs bloom.” This illustrates that at this time, frogs begin to announce the arrival of summer, earthworms busy tilling soil for farmers, and wild herbs along field edges compete to sprout and grow daily. As morning light greets you, walking through rural fields or sandy beaches, you’ll feel nature’s deep affection in the gentle sunlight.
*Su Wen·Si Qi Tiao Shen Da Lun* states: “Summer’s three months are called ‘flourishing beauty’; heaven and earth energies converge, and all things blossom and bear fruit.” Summer’s three months span from the Start of Summer to just before the Autumnal Equinox, including six solar terms: Start of Summer, Grain Full, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, and Major Heat. The Start of Summer and Grain Full fall around the fourth lunar month, known as “early summer” (beginning of summer). The weather gradually warms, vegetation flourishes—this season benefits heart physiology. Thus, during this seasonal transition, one should follow nature’s rhythm. Therefore, health preservation throughout summer should emphasize special care for the heart. *Yi Xue Yuan Liu Lun* says: “The heart is the sovereign of the body, governing all zang-fu organs. Hence, it is the ruler. The heart houses the spirit, thus serving as the seat of consciousness.” In TCM literature, the heart is described as both the physical heart and the spiritual heart. The physical heart refers to the anatomical organ; the spiritual heart refers to the functions of receiving and reflecting external stimuli, enabling consciousness, thought, and emotional activities. *Yi Xue Ru Men* states: “The physical heart resembles an unopened lotus flower, located beneath the lungs and above the liver. The spiritual heart… governs all things, being lucid and unclouded.”
The physiological functions of the heart: governing blood and controlling the spirit. Governing blood involves both blood and vessels. Blood refers to blood fluid; vessels refer to meridians or channels, the pathways through which blood circulates. The heart connects with vessels, forming a closed system—the hub of blood circulation. The heart beats continuously, driving blood through the entire vascular network without pause, providing the power for circulation. Blood carries nutrients that nourish all organs, limbs, skin, and tissues, maintaining their normal physiological functions. A healthy heart results in a smooth, strong pulse, regular rhythm, and rosy complexion. If the heart is diseased, blood flow becomes obstructed, vessels become empty, resulting in pale complexion, weak and fine pulse, blood stasis causing cyanosis of lips and tongue, chest tightness, stabbing pain, and irregular pulses such as intermittent, delayed, rapid, or stagnant.
Controlling the spirit—also known as the heart housing the spirit. The term “spirit” in TCM has broad and narrow meanings. Broadly, spirit refers to the outward manifestation of the entire body’s life activities, encompassing appearance, complexion, gaze, speech, responses, and posture. Narrowly, it refers to the mental, conscious, and cognitive activities governed by the heart. Spirit formation, according to zang-fu theory, relies on essence and qi—the material foundation for both the body and life activities, and the basis for spirit production. Spirit arises from innate essence and is generated at conception. Throughout growth, spirit depends on postnatal nourishment from food and grains, as stated in *Ling Shu·Ping Ren Jue Gu*: “Spirit is the essence of food and grains.” The heart’s control over spirit involves two aspects: First, under normal conditions, the spiritual heart receives and responds to external stimuli, enabling mental, conscious, and cognitive activities. Second, the spiritual heart is the master of all life activities, occupying the foremost position among zang-fu organs. All other organs function harmoniously only under the heart’s unified command.
The physiological characteristics of the heart include: First, the heart is a yang organ that governs yang energy. That is, the heart is the “great sun” among yang organs. Heart yang drives blood circulation and sustains life, keeping vitality alive—hence likened to the “sun” within the human body. *Yi Xue Shi Zai Yi* states: “Humans correspond to heaven and earth; heaven has a sun, so does humanity—royal and paternal yang is the sun.” The heart’s yang heat not only maintains its own function but also warms the entire body. “The heart is a fire organ, illuminating all things.” Thus, everything—from the stomach’s digestion to yang’s warmth and vaporization, to fluid metabolism and sweat regulation—is closely tied to the heart’s vital role. Second, the heart corresponds to summer energy. Humans and nature form a unified whole. The seasonal changes in yin-yang in nature correlate with the functional activities of the five zang organs. The heart connects with summer energy, meaning heart yang peaks in summer and performs strongest.
During the Start of Summer, people often wear light clothing. Even healthy individuals should guard against external pathogens. If ill, avoid excessive sweating, which may harm the heart. Elderly individuals should especially avoid blood stasis to prevent heart attacks. Thus, during the Start of Summer, maintain a cheerful disposition, contentment, and avoid sudden joy that harms the heart. In the morning, eat a little scallion; in the evening, drink a small amount of red wine to promote blood and qi circulation. In dietary adjustment, prioritize low-fat, low-salt, high-vitamin, and light meals. Below are several suitable recipes.
Lotus Leaf Chicken Breast:
[Ingredients] Fresh lotus leaf 2 sheets, ham 30 g, boneless chicken 250 g, soaked mushrooms 50 g, cornstarch 12 g, salt, sugar, chicken oil, Shao wine, scallions, ginger, white pepper powder, MSG, sesame oil as needed.
[Preparation] Cut chicken and mushrooms into thin slices. Cut ham into 10 pieces. Chop scallions into short sections, slice ginger thinly. Wash lotus leaves, briefly blanch in boiling water, remove stems, and cut into 10 triangular pieces.
Blanch mushrooms in boiling water, rinse with cold water. Place chicken and mushrooms in a dish, add salt, MSG, sugar, white pepper powder, Shao wine, sesame oil, chicken oil, cornstarch, scallion sections, and ginger slices. Mix well. Divide evenly onto 10 triangular lotus leaf pieces, place one piece of ham on each, wrap into rectangular packages, arrange in a steamer dish, steam for about 2 hours (or 15 minutes in a pressure cooker). Turn the original dish upside down onto another clean plate, unwrap and serve.
[Efficacy] Refreshing, nourishes the heart, boosts spleen qi. Suitable as a general tonic, especially ideal for summer nourishment.

Fish Mint Mixed with Lettuce:
[Ingredients] Fish mint 50 g, lettuce 250 g, garlic and scallions 10 g each, ginger, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, MSG, sesame oil as needed.
[Preparation] Remove impurities and old roots from fish mint, wash and cut into segments. Blanch in boiling water, drain, and mix with salt to marinate. Peel and remove leaves from lettuce, wash, cut into 1-inch thick strips, salt and marinate, then drain. Prepare minced garlic, chopped ginger, and sliced scallions. Mix lettuce and fish mint in a bowl, add soy sauce, MSG, vinegar, scallion, ginger, garlic, and mix well. Drizzle with sesame oil and serve.
[Efficacy] Clears heat, detoxifies, resolves dampness, expels phlegm. Effective for lung heat cough, sticky phlegm, yellow and scanty urine, and painful urination.

Longan Porridge:
[Ingredients] Longan 25 g, glutinous rice 100 g, a little sugar.
[Preparation] Boil longan and glutinous rice together with water until porridge forms. Add sugar and serve.
[Efficacy] Tonifies heart and spleen, nourishes blood, calms the spirit. Particularly suitable for those with heart-spleen exhaustion, overthinking, weakness, forgetfulness, anxiety, and menstrual irregularities.
Note: Avoid alcohol, strong tea, and coffee when consuming longan porridge.