🌿 Folk Prescriptions

This summer, due to the unbearable heat, like many others, I had to consume large amounts of cold drinks and fruits to relieve the heat. However, overindulgence in cold drinks and fruits soon led to symptoms such as loss of appetite, general fatigue, and even weight loss. After reading some traditional Chinese medical books, I learned that fruits and cold drinks are cold in nature; although they can temporarily relieve heat, they easily damage the spleen and stomach, causing the above-mentioned symptoms. Later, I accidentally discovered a set of "Four Methods" for spleen nourishment from a book, which I now alternate using and have indeed benefited from.With autumn arriving, it is precisely the right time to nourish the spleen. Below are these four methods for spleen nourishment:Awakening the Spleen: Take 10 grams of fresh garlic paste mixed with a little sugar and vinegar. This not only awakens the spleen and strengthens digestion but also helps prevent intestinal diseases. Alternatively, regularly consume 20 grams of hawthorn strips and 50 grams of sliced ginger, mixed with a little sugar and vinegar, which has the effect of stimulating appetite and strengthening the spleen.Strengthening the Spleen: Choose various medicinal porridges to strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, such as lotus seeds, white kidney beans, and coix seed cooked into porridge, or silver ear fungus, lily bulbs, and glutinous rice cooked into porridge, or yam, poria, and roasted rice cooked into porridge.Protecting and Nourishing the Spleen: Elderly people should frequently massage their abdomen. Lie flat on the bed, place the palm around the navel, and rotate clockwise for 20 times. At the same time, walking also nourishes the spleen and stomach, increasing appetite and promoting smooth circulation of qi and blood.Warming the Spleen: Excessive consumption of raw and cold foods easily leads to cold accumulation in the spleen and stomach, affecting future digestive function. At this point, use a thick gauze bag filled with 100 grams of heated salt placed three finger-widths above the navel. This has the effect of warming the middle burner, dispelling cold, and relieving pain. (Qi Nianci) Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityExpert Reminder: Dr. Fan Yongping, Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at the hospital, comments: In summer, most regions across the country experience continuous high temperatures with relatively more rainfall and excessive summer-dampness, making it easy for spleen and stomach functions to decline, leading to poor appetite and lethargy. Therefore, not only during the scorching summer months but also in daily life, it is essential to properly regulate spleen and stomach function for dietary health. The four methods mentioned—awakening, strengthening, protecting, and warming the spleen—can harmonize both spleen and stomach, thereby achieving the therapeutic effects of improving appetite, increasing food intake, and enhancing vitality.*In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are regarded as the foundation of postnatal constitution and the source of qi and blood production.The spleen and stomach reside in the middle burner and jointly govern digestion, yet each has its own role: the stomach governs reception, while the spleen governs transportation. The stomach prefers moisture and dislikes dryness, favoring coolness and disliking heat; the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, favoring warmth and fearing cold. Stomach qi thrives when descending smoothly; if it fails to descend, bloating and constipation occur, along with belching and hiccups. Spleen qi thrives when ascending; if it fails to ascend, dizziness, diarrhea, limb fatigue, and internal organ prolapse may result. Thus, it is also crucial to emphasize regulating the stomach alongside nourishing the spleen.*Regardless of whether it is summer or daily life, regulating the spleen and stomach must be individualized.For those with normal spleen and stomach function, moderate consumption of cold drinks does not impair their function, but overconsumption should be avoided. Although consuming raw garlic paste and hawthorn can reduce intestinal diseases and aid digestion, excessive intake may harm the stomach, especially for those with gastritis or acid reflux. The "Strengthening the Spleen" method using lotus seeds, white kidney beans, coix seed, or silver ear fungus, lily bulbs, glutinous rice, or yam, poria, roasted rice porridge indeed holds significance for strengthening the spleen, boosting qi, and removing dampness. However, replacing "poria" with "poria cocos" in the formula would better enhance spleen-strengthening and dampness-removal. Abdominal massage around the navel and walking both harmonize the spleen and stomach, sharing similar mechanisms, so they can be combined under the term "protecting and nourishing the spleen." The "Warming the Spleen" method is the primary approach for protection, but one must strictly avoid excessive intake of raw and cold foods. Additionally, during sleep, pay attention to keeping the upper abdomen warm; consider adding minced ginger when stir-frying, or choose black tea instead of green tea when drinking tea—these are all excellent strategies for spleen protection.In summary, regardless of season, spleen and stomach regulation should be tailored to individual circumstances: clear and descend for stomach heat, warm and tonify for spleen deficiency and cold. Whether through herbal supplementation or dietary adjustment, comfort after consumption should always be the guiding principle.