3/20~4/3 Spring Equinox (Chun Fen 春分)

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Spring Equinox (Chun Fen), also known as Vernal Equinox, is when the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal; the Ying and Yang energy of the Earth is at a equal state (it's a turning point of the Yang energy as it will become greater than Yin). From this day onward, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun and there daylight will continue to be longer than night 

Q: until when? 
A: Until Summer Solstice, the day with the longest daylight

   So, what's there to look out for during this time period?

How to Maintain - Balancing the Yin & Yang

Be aware of unstable moods (being depressed or in rage for no reason), for it can easily lead to liver qi stagnation. This is a good time to learn how to simply...relax~ In our busy society today, juggling with work, relationships, and 10+ other things, even if you've learned to contain your emotions, it is still causing damage to your body. The change in mood is linked directly to your health condition. For example, think of a time when you are super nervous, maybe for a presentation or speech in front of an audience, you are unable to sleep the night before, no appetite, stomach aches...all sorts of complications. See the direct relationship now? 
Now, take a deep breath...inhale through your nose...and slowly exhale through your mouth. During this time period, it's important set aside time to take a breath and relax as well as find suitable methods that helps you achieve that relaxation (ie. play some music, meditation, yoga, sing a tune, etc.). 

Essential Oil Blend

  • 15 drops Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
  • 6 drops   Kashmir Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • 1 drop    Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
  • 15ml      Jojoba oil*
*I didn't have jojoba oil so I used coconut oil instead and I find it to work just as well. Feel free to try other base oils to see and share with me how it worked for you. 

During Spring Equinox, it's good to use aromatherapy to stimulate the brain and calm the mood. Simply put a few drops onto a perfume strip and hold it 3 cm away from your nose, close your eyes and slowly inhale and exhale (5 seconds each), and do it no more than 90 seconds. Position yourself on a comfortable chair, shoulders relaxed and feet together on the ground, back straight, this helps increase the depth of your breathing. 

Lifestyle
There's a temperature difference between night and day, so it's important to improve the body's adaptation to that change as well as dress in layers to easily add-on or take off clothing. Stay warm, especially the neck, and head area (scarves are great during this time. Can continue to use your scarves from winter or change into lighter material ones)
With daytime becoming longer, it also links to the rise of Yang energy. Therefore, it is good to sleep early and rise early as well as avoid doing things that will hurt the Yang qi (things like staying up late or being angry all the time). 

Diet

Spring correlates with the Wood Element and it's a time when all living things are being awakened, and the Yang energy rises. Based on the Five Organs, Liver correlates with the Wood Element, therefore, Spring time it's good to focus on nourishing the Liver. Note that if the Liver Qi is in excess, it may affect the digestive system. It's suggested to consume foods that are easier to digest and replenish on dark leaf vegetables and fresh fruits.

Herbal teas such as rose with jujube berry, chamomile with goji berry are great for smoothing Liver Qi, protecting vision, and nourishing Qi and Blood.

Recommended to avoid eating foods that overly nourishing (such as ginger duck) or spicy, heavy, or cold.


**Simple Cooking - Tofu with peanuts**

Ingredients:

  • 300g raw peanuts
  • 100g corn flour
  • 50g rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1000ml water
Directions:
  1. Soak the raw peanuts for 4 hours until soften.
  2. Add 500ml of water and the soaked peanuts into a food processor to blend into paste (if desire a more smooth texture, can go through a filter once).
  3. Add the blended paste into pot to cook until boiled. Turn off heat and add salt.
  4. Mix corn flour, and rice flour with 500ml water. Then add into the cooked peanut paste to stir until thickens.
  5. Pour into a mold and then put into fridge to cool. Once it hardens, it's ready to eat!


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Once again I would like to thank Yu Wei Huang L.Ac for designing the character for Spring Equinox (Chun Fen) and providing all of the great suggestions for this time period. 


The essential oil blends are based off of the book "Four Seasons of Aromatherapy" by Elizabeth S. ******************************************************


「春分者，陰陽相半也，故晝夜均而寒暑平。」意指春分時，天地間的陰陽之氣達到平衡，晝夜時間剛好相等，而氣溫也會越來越穩定。就北半球而言，由於日照北移，白天的時間也會在春分後逐漸變長。雖說天氣回暖但是晝夜溫差還是比較大，因此大家需要多多注意。


春分的養生重點：補養陽氣、護肝健脾


可以吃／喝什麼？

春天五行為木，春天為萬物甦醒，陽氣昇發的季節。五臟肝屬木，故春天的重點在於養肝。若肝氣太過旺盛，則會影響腸胃功能，因此建議大家可多吃容易消化的食物，以及多補充深綠色蔬菜及新鮮水果。茶飲類可用玫瑰大棗茶、菊花枸杞茶等，可疏肝明目、補養氣血。


禁忌：忌吃如薑母鴨等過補或辛辣厚重、寒涼的食品


節氣食譜－花生豆腐

材料：

生花生 300克

玉米粉 100克

在來米粉 50克

鹽 1小匙

水 1000ml

  • 新鮮的花生洗淨泡水4小時，泡軟的花生加入水500ml，用食物調理機打成漿（若追求細緻口感，可將花生渣濾掉）

  • 花生漿放入鍋中煮沸後關火，加入鹽

  • 用500ml的涼水將玉米粉與在來米粉調勻，慢慢加入煮好的花生漿攪拌至濃稠

  • 趁熱倒入模具中，冷卻後放入冰箱冷藏，定型後即可食用



生活習慣

春分時節，是春天的中點，也是季節變化最大的時候，因此人體容易被影響。此時最好減少熬夜的次數，以及維持情緒的平穩，少生氣。平時保持規律的運動，多做身體兩側伸展，亦可幫助肝氣的抒發。在忙碌的生活中，適度的放鬆減壓是非常重要的。


芳療

放鬆精油配方

  • 甜橙  (15滴)

  • 喀什米爾薰衣草 (6滴)

  • 岩蘭草 (1滴)

  • 荷荷芭油 (15ml)

使用方式：可將此配方放入隨身精油瓶，需要時塗抹些許於手掌心，輕捂口鼻慢慢深呼吸




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非常感謝中醫師黃昱瑋所提供有關【春分】時期的養生方法還有可愛的插畫。 


精油配方是來自沈莉莎的24節氣經絡芳療自療全書

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