🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The Way of Health Preservation
There are five seasons in a year: spring, summer, late summer, autumn, and winter—corresponding exactly to the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Eating wisely across these five seasons ensures the five zang organs are well cared for.
Year's Beginning – Liver Nourishment (from Start of Spring to Start of Summer, February 4–May 6)
In spring, warmer weather increases activity levels and accelerates metabolism, requiring greater internal nutrient supply. At this time, it is essential to maintain robust liver function.
Recommended: Sweet and slightly sour tastes; consume more yang-promoting foods like scallions and bean paste, and nourishing foods like jujubes and lotus seeds.
Avoid: Fatty meats, glutinous rice balls, cold cakes.
Recipes:
⑴ Leek Porridge: Boil rice in water over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat until soft. Add 50 grams of chopped fresh leeks and cook for another 10 minutes.
⑵ Jujube Porridge: Boil jujubes and rice together over high heat, then simmer until soft.
⑶ Onion and Leek Stir-Fried Shrimp: Slice onions, cut leeks into small pieces, devein shrimp. Heat oil, stir-fry shrimp and onions briefly, then add leeks and stir until cooked. Season with salt before serving. (Onion, leek, and radish are known as the "three aphrodisiac vegetables." This dish enhances vitality and directly replenishes depleted energy.)
Scorching Sunlight – Heart Nourishment (from Start of Summer to Minor Heat, May 7–July 7)
Summer is the most metabolically active season, with longer days and shorter nights, hot weather, heavy sweating, high consumption, and reduced appetite. The heart bears heavier burdens than in other seasons. As external heat increases, inner calmness becomes even more critical—maintain a mindset "as cool as ice and snow in the heart." Foods should cool the body, relieve heat, promote urination, and reduce swelling.
Recommended: Sweet, sour, light, and moist foods; reduce intake, minimize oil; best choices are mung beans, watermelon, and umeboshi plum.
Avoid: Chicken, mutton, dried chili peppers.
Recipes:
Mint Tea: Place 2–3 fresh mint leaves and one slice of ginger in a cup, pour boiling water over them. It cools the body, relieves heat, and dispels wind.
Enduring the Long Summer – Spleen Nourishment (from Minor Heat to Start of Autumn, July 8–August 8)
This 30-day period is the hottest time of the year, often accompanied by dampness. Vegetables and fruits are abundant, aiding digestion. Attention must be paid to spleen protection to prevent digestive disorders caused by diet.
Recommended: Aromatic and stimulating foods to awaken the spleen; avoid greasy foods, favor vegetarian meals.
Avoid: Chili peppers, fatty meats.
Recipes:
Banana Yogurt Pops: Mash two bananas, mix with a little milk, chill in the refrigerator before eating. This helps relieve fatigue and boost energy in hot weather.
The Taste of Mackerel – Lung Nourishment (from Start of Autumn to Start of Winter, August 9–November 8)
Autumn brings dry weather, known as "autumn dryness," causing dry throat, nasal passages, and thirst. Diet should focus on nourishing yin and moistening the lungs.
Recommended: Reduce spicy foods, increase sweet and sour, refreshing foods. Preferred items include tangerines, hawthorn, sesame seeds, glutinous rice, honey, loquat, sugarcane, pineapple.
Avoid: Chili peppers, raw scallions, garlic.
Recipes:
⑴ Sesame Porridge: Use black or white sesame seeds, roast until fragrant. Cook rice into porridge, then add sesame seeds.
⑵ Fritillary Bulb Steamed Pear: Cut the top off a pear, remove the core, place fritillary bulb and a little rock sugar inside, steam until cooked. Eat the pear and drink the juice.
Winter Light – Kidney Nourishment (from Start of Winter to Start of Spring, November 9–February 4 of next year)
In winter, kidney deficiency is common. Supplementing and nourishing the kidneys is essential.
Recommended: Warm foods, tonics; chili peppers, pepper, braised meat, beef, mutton, hotpot, and boiled meat.
Avoid: Sticky, hard, raw, or cold foods.
Recipes:
⑴ Ginger-Date Decoction: Boil 10 large dates and 5 slices of ginger each night. Drink as tea to enhance cold resistance and reduce illness.
⑵ Yam and Beef Dish: Cook yam and beef together. Beef may be braised or stewed. Add yam half an hour before serving.
⑶ Fish and Lamb Stew: Simmer lamb in a thoroughly cooked carp broth until the lamb is tender. Add coriander, green garlic, pepper powder, or garlic paste when serving.