attilio
05.09.2007, 09:36 AM
Hi all,
Taken from: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200709/20070905/article_329924_1.htm
During autumn the universal yin energy grows: we are overheated with summertime yang and we need to cool off. TCM says the best way is to go to bed by 9pm, rise around 6am and take cold showers, advises Zhang Qian.
Now it feels as though autumn is getting closer. Actually, autumn began much earlier, according to the lunar calendar. Li Qiu (Autumn Begins) is the 12th term of the year that marks the beginning of autumn. It fell on August 8 this year when people were still complaining about the hot weather.
Though the sun was heating the city in the daytime, cool winds swept away much of the heat at night. That change is the sign of the coming of autumn.
This clear difference in temperature between day and night, while it can be pleasant, can easily cause respiratory ailments, as the human body cannot adjust quickly to the changes.
Dr Zhang Zhenxian, director of the Special Medical Care Department of Yueyang Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, says we can enhance our ability to adapt to climate changes.
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends that in this season we wash our face and especially rub our nose with cold water; bathing in cold water is highly recommended, if a jolt to the system.
Seasonal change means a drop not only in temperature but also in energy.
"Within the three months of autumn, yang energy decreases while yin energy grows in the universe," says Dr Zhang. "To coordinate the human body to the universe, we should suppress the yang energy that became extremely active in summer, and nourish the yin energy within our body. We do this by getting up and going to bed early, controlling our mood and eating certain foods like lily roots."
Dr Zhang suggests that getting up at 6am and going to bed before 9pm is the best way to suppress yang energy. Further, avoid getting too excited or depressed: keep calm and take it easy whether you are at work or at home - this will help you adapt to the weather more easily.
"Dryness" is the main "toxin" or problem influence in autumn just as heat is the main toxin in summer, and cold in the winter. Excessive dryness needs to be balanced with more moisture in the system.
Lung heat syndromes, a cluster of respiratory ailments, frequently occur in this season as the lungs are the first organs to encounter the dry air entering from outside through the nose and trachea.
A dry nasal cavity, sore throat and coughing with little phlegm are the most common symptoms. Yet, serious problems like chronic bronchitis and chronic pharyngitis can also occur if you fail to relieve the common symptoms in the first place. Foods like pears, white fungus, and lotus seeds can help moisten the lungs and increase fluids.
"TCM believes that imbalanced energy in one organ can lead to problems in another," says Dr Zhang. "The active lung heat caused by dryness will not only cause respiratory ailments, but hurt the liver as well."
To avoid this, Dr Zhang suggests that we nourish the liver in advance by avoiding spicy foods like chili, garlic, and ginger, and eating more acid foods like meat and fish.
Ancient Chinese people described autumn as clear and crisp, a good season to get close to the nature, and absorb the essence in the universe. Having physical exercises now can help you build a good figure and excellent constitution, which can help you resist the invading dryness in the first place.
Other autumn illnesses
Stomach trouble
People regain their appetite when autumn replaces summer. Yet the stomach shrinks easily due to the stimulation of cold air, which will even impair stomach function, causing problems.
Therefore, people who have had stomach problems should remember to keep their stomach warm in autumn, and eat warm, soft, non-greasy foods regularly and more, but in smaller amounts. They should also try to stay calm and avoid being nervous, anxious and angry.
Cardio cerebrovascular disease
Patients should pay special attention to their health in the autumn. Colder weather may constrict a person's blood vessels, and worsen the condition, causing a stroke.
Patients should avoid cold environments. Eat a plain diet to avoid stress on the stomach, thus ensuring more blood is available in the head rather than flowing to the stomach. Taking medicine on time as prescribed is important.
Foods that nourish yin and moisten lungs
Pear, lily root, mai dong (ophiopogon japonicus), bi ji (eleocharis tuberose), shan yao (dioscorea opposite), hog's lung and lotus root.
Herbal congee
Huang jing (polygonatum sibiricum Red) congee
Ingredients: Dry huang jing (30g), rice (100g), sugar
Function: Moisten lungs and heart, nourish stomach and spleen
Method:
1. Wash the huang jing, and soak it for 20 minutes.
2. Put it into a saucepan, bring quickly to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Filter the huang jing soup, put it into another saucepan with rice to make congee.
4. Add sugar.
Herbal wine
Shi zi (persimmon) wine
Function: Reduce internal heat, moisten lungs, nourish stomach, reduce blood pressure.
Yu zhu (rhizoma polygonati odorati) wine
Function: Nourish yin, moisten lungs, suppress cough.
The ingredients for congee and the herbal wines are available at TCM pharmacies. The congee should be eaten once a day before a meal. The herbal wine should be taken, 50-100ml a day before going to bed.
Yueyang Western and TCM Hospital
Special Medical Care Department
Address: 110 Ganhe Rd
Tel: 6516-1782
Dr Zhang Zhongyi's TCM clinic
Tuesday and Friday
8-11am 110 Ganhe Rd
Taken from: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200709/20070905/article_329924_1.htm
During autumn the universal yin energy grows: we are overheated with summertime yang and we need to cool off. TCM says the best way is to go to bed by 9pm, rise around 6am and take cold showers, advises Zhang Qian.
Now it feels as though autumn is getting closer. Actually, autumn began much earlier, according to the lunar calendar. Li Qiu (Autumn Begins) is the 12th term of the year that marks the beginning of autumn. It fell on August 8 this year when people were still complaining about the hot weather.
Though the sun was heating the city in the daytime, cool winds swept away much of the heat at night. That change is the sign of the coming of autumn.
This clear difference in temperature between day and night, while it can be pleasant, can easily cause respiratory ailments, as the human body cannot adjust quickly to the changes.
Dr Zhang Zhenxian, director of the Special Medical Care Department of Yueyang Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, says we can enhance our ability to adapt to climate changes.
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends that in this season we wash our face and especially rub our nose with cold water; bathing in cold water is highly recommended, if a jolt to the system.
Seasonal change means a drop not only in temperature but also in energy.
"Within the three months of autumn, yang energy decreases while yin energy grows in the universe," says Dr Zhang. "To coordinate the human body to the universe, we should suppress the yang energy that became extremely active in summer, and nourish the yin energy within our body. We do this by getting up and going to bed early, controlling our mood and eating certain foods like lily roots."
Dr Zhang suggests that getting up at 6am and going to bed before 9pm is the best way to suppress yang energy. Further, avoid getting too excited or depressed: keep calm and take it easy whether you are at work or at home - this will help you adapt to the weather more easily.
"Dryness" is the main "toxin" or problem influence in autumn just as heat is the main toxin in summer, and cold in the winter. Excessive dryness needs to be balanced with more moisture in the system.
Lung heat syndromes, a cluster of respiratory ailments, frequently occur in this season as the lungs are the first organs to encounter the dry air entering from outside through the nose and trachea.
A dry nasal cavity, sore throat and coughing with little phlegm are the most common symptoms. Yet, serious problems like chronic bronchitis and chronic pharyngitis can also occur if you fail to relieve the common symptoms in the first place. Foods like pears, white fungus, and lotus seeds can help moisten the lungs and increase fluids.
"TCM believes that imbalanced energy in one organ can lead to problems in another," says Dr Zhang. "The active lung heat caused by dryness will not only cause respiratory ailments, but hurt the liver as well."
To avoid this, Dr Zhang suggests that we nourish the liver in advance by avoiding spicy foods like chili, garlic, and ginger, and eating more acid foods like meat and fish.
Ancient Chinese people described autumn as clear and crisp, a good season to get close to the nature, and absorb the essence in the universe. Having physical exercises now can help you build a good figure and excellent constitution, which can help you resist the invading dryness in the first place.
Other autumn illnesses
Stomach trouble
People regain their appetite when autumn replaces summer. Yet the stomach shrinks easily due to the stimulation of cold air, which will even impair stomach function, causing problems.
Therefore, people who have had stomach problems should remember to keep their stomach warm in autumn, and eat warm, soft, non-greasy foods regularly and more, but in smaller amounts. They should also try to stay calm and avoid being nervous, anxious and angry.
Cardio cerebrovascular disease
Patients should pay special attention to their health in the autumn. Colder weather may constrict a person's blood vessels, and worsen the condition, causing a stroke.
Patients should avoid cold environments. Eat a plain diet to avoid stress on the stomach, thus ensuring more blood is available in the head rather than flowing to the stomach. Taking medicine on time as prescribed is important.
Foods that nourish yin and moisten lungs
Pear, lily root, mai dong (ophiopogon japonicus), bi ji (eleocharis tuberose), shan yao (dioscorea opposite), hog's lung and lotus root.
Herbal congee
Huang jing (polygonatum sibiricum Red) congee
Ingredients: Dry huang jing (30g), rice (100g), sugar
Function: Moisten lungs and heart, nourish stomach and spleen
Method:
1. Wash the huang jing, and soak it for 20 minutes.
2. Put it into a saucepan, bring quickly to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Filter the huang jing soup, put it into another saucepan with rice to make congee.
4. Add sugar.
Herbal wine
Shi zi (persimmon) wine
Function: Reduce internal heat, moisten lungs, nourish stomach, reduce blood pressure.
Yu zhu (rhizoma polygonati odorati) wine
Function: Nourish yin, moisten lungs, suppress cough.
The ingredients for congee and the herbal wines are available at TCM pharmacies. The congee should be eaten once a day before a meal. The herbal wine should be taken, 50-100ml a day before going to bed.
Yueyang Western and TCM Hospital
Special Medical Care Department
Address: 110 Ganhe Rd
Tel: 6516-1782
Dr Zhang Zhongyi's TCM clinic
Tuesday and Friday
8-11am 110 Ganhe Rd