What to drink: Jasmine tea
At the beginning of spring, the yang energy of heaven and earth arises, which corresponds to the liver. People are prone to anger and depression. A cup of warm jasmine tea can calm the mood and soothe the nerves. Because jasmine has the effects of regulating qi, relieving stagnation, removing impurities and harmonizing the body, it can clear the liver and improve eyesight, produce body fluids and quench thirst, promote diuresis, dispel wind and relieve external symptoms. It is worth noting that those with heat poison in the body are prohibited from drinking.
Beginning of Spring (Li Chun)
— Feb 3 - 5
Climate characteristics: rising temperatures, wind, and warm days
Phenological phenomena: East wind thaws, stinging insects begin to vibrate, and fish bear ice
Farming activities: Raking to conserve moisture
Traditional customs: worshiping gods and ancestors, receiving blessings and praying for good luck, exorcising evil spirits and fighting disasters, removing the old and bringing in the new, etc.
Daily health: prevent agitation, avoid overexertion, and ensure an open mind during sleep
The beginning of spring is the first of the twenty-four solar terms. Li means "beginning"; spring means warmth and growth. The twenty-four solar terms were originally formulated based on the "shift of stars". When the handle of the Big Dipper points to the Yin position, it is the beginning of spring. The current solar term is determined based on the sun's ecliptic longitude. When the sun reaches 315° ecliptic longitude, it is the beginning of spring, and the festival takes place on February 3-5 of the Gregorian calendar every year. In the era of the stems and branches, the Yin month is the beginning of spring, and the beginning of spring is the beginning of the year. The beginning of spring is the beginning of all things and the rebirth of all things, which means that a new cycle has begun. In traditional concepts, the beginning of spring has an auspicious meaning.
Suitable drink: Ganpu
When it rains, the temperature rises, precipitation increases, and the sudden warmth turns into cold. The evil of cold and dampness is most likely to trap the spleen, so tea that strengthens the spleen and promotes qi is most suitable. Tangerine peel has the effects of regulating qi and lowering the qi, regulating the appetite, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. Paired with Shupu, it not only has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression, but also has a mild stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract under the action of the beneficial bacteria in Shupu, showing the aromatic effects of strengthening the stomach and dispelling wind and lowering qi.
Rainwater is the second solar term among the twenty-four solar terms. Dou Zhiren, the sun reaches 330° of ecliptic longitude; the festival falls on February 18-20 every year in the Gregorian calendar. The meaning of the rain solar term is the beginning of rainfall. The amount of rainfall is mostly light rain or drizzle. Suitable precipitation is significant for the growth of crops. It is a reflection of the farming culture of the seasons. Entering the rainy season, the northern parts of China have not yet felt the breath of spring, while most places in the south are full of spring, a scene of early spring.
Rain Water (Yu Shui)
— Feb 18-20
Climate characteristics: rising temperatures, warm sunlight, active warm and humid air, increased precipitation, mainly light rain or drizzle
Phenological phenomena: Otters sacrifice fish; swan geese arrive; vegetation sprouts
Farming activities: soil cultivation, fertilization, ditch cleaning and drainage
Suitable drink: White Peony
During the Waking of Insects, Yang Qi rises and the temperature rises significantly. Because warmth produces dryness, you should keep your mind calm and avoid irritating the liver fire. You need tea that clears the liver, improves eyesight, calms and lowers blood pressure.
White tea itself has good medicinal value, and because white peony leaves are tender, rich in amino acids, and the tea has a cooling nature, its effect in reducing fever and fire cannot be underestimated.
Awakening of Insects (Jing Zhe)
— Mar 5-7
Climatic characteristics: Spring thunder and increased rain
Phenological phenomena: peach blooms; oriole sings; eagle turns into dove
Farming activities: Start spring plowing
Traditional customs: sacrificing white tigers and beating villains
Daily health maintenance: should be in harmony with the nature of the liver and help the spleen
Awakening of Insects is the third solar term among the twenty-four solar terms. At the end of the day, the sun reaches 345° of ecliptic longitude, and the festival is celebrated on March 5-6 of the Gregorian calendar. The Waking of Insects reflects the state of germination and growth of organisms in nature affected by rhythmic changes. At the Waking of Insects, Yang Qi rises, the temperature warms up, spring thunder strikes, rain increases, and all things are vitality-filled. Farming production is closely related to the rhythm of nature. Awakening of insects is of great significance in farming. It is the reflection of the natural seasons in ancient farming culture.
Recommended drink: Aged Shengpu
According to the Taoist natural health-preserving tradition, people must balance yin and yang during the spring equinox. Old Pu'er raw tea has experienced time precipitation, and the caffeine, tea polyphenols, catechins, etc., in the tea have been entirely transformed, resulting in a mild tea. It has a very good effect in reducing heat and quenching thirst and is suitable for most people to drink.
Spring equinox is one of the twenty-four solar terms and the fourth in spring. Douzhimao, the sun's yellow longitude, reaches 0°, and the festival takes place every year on March 19-22 of the Gregorian calendar. The "equinox" of the Spring equinox has two meanings. One is the "equal equinox of the seasons." Traditionally, the period from the beginning of spring to the start of summer is spring, and the vernal equinox is in the middle of the two solar terms, which exactly divides the spring. The other meaning is "the equinox of day and night." "On the vernal equinox, the sun shines directly on the equator, and day and night are of equal length, each lasting 12 hours. The climate of the Spring Equinox is characterized by warm and sunny weather.
Spring Equinox (Chun Fen)
— Mar 20-22
Climate characteristics: Warm and sunny weather
Phenological phenomena: Blackbirds arrive; thunder sounds; lightning begins
Farming activities: timely irrigation and sowing of crops
Traditional customs: spring festival, spring vegetables
Daily health care: Pay attention to maintaining the balance of yin and yang in the human body
Suitable drink: Silver Needle Pekoe（Baihao Yinzhen）
During the Qingming Festival, it is appropriate to eat a diet with a cool nature and flavor in order to soften the liver, nourish the lungs, and strengthen the body. A cup of Silver Needle of Pekoe is rich in amino acids, the tea soup is fresh and refreshing, the taste is warm and cool in nature, it has the effect of strengthening the stomach and refreshing the mind, removing dampness and reducing fever, so it is the best time to drink.
Pure Brightness (Qingming)
—Apr 4-6
Climate characteristics: Warmer temperatures and bright sunshine
Phenological phenomena: Tong begins to bloom; field mice turn into quail; rainbow begins to appear
Farming activities: Fertilizer and water management, disease and pest control
Traditional customs: sweeping tombs, outing, eating wormwood cakes, Qingtuan dumplings, rice dumplings, and Qingming snails
Daily health: Protect the liver and nourish the lungs
Pure Brightness (Qingming) is one of the twenty-four solar terms and the fifth solar term in spring. Douzhiyi, when the sun reaches 15° of ecliptic longitude, it is Qingming. The Qingming Festival gets its name because during the festival, "the air is clear, the scenery is bright, and everything appears." Qingming is a solar term that reflects the phenological changes in nature. At this time, the sun shines brightly, vegetation sprouts, flowers bloom, and nature presents a vibrant scene. In the southern part of China, the air is clear and the scenery is bright at this time; in the northern part of the country, snow is beginning to break, the temperature is rising, and spring is coming.
Recommended drink: Dongting Biluochun
The arrival of Guyu means that the cold wave weather is basically over and the temperature rise is accelerating. A cup of seasonal Dongting Biluochun is rich in amino acids and multivitamins, which can prevent aging, increase resistance, enhance antioxidant activity, and improve physical fitness.
Grain Rain is the sixth solar term among the twenty-four solar terms and the last solar term in spring. Douzhichen; the sun's ecliptic longitude is 30°; it crosses from April 19th to 21st in the Gregorian calendar every year. Grain Rain is taken from the meaning of "Rain produces hundreds of grains". At this time, precipitation increases significantly. The seedlings in the fields are first planted and new crops are planted. They need the moisture of rain the most. If rainfall is sufficient and timely, cereal crops can thrive. Grain Rain, like rain, Xiaoman, light snow, heavy snow and other solar terms, are solar terms that reflect the phenomenon of precipitation and are a reflection of the ancient farming culture.
Grain Rain (Gu Yu)
— April 19 - 21
Climatic characteristics: Significant increase in precipitation
Phenological phenomena: Pingli trees begin to grow; screeching doves ruffle their feathers; hoopoe descends on mulberry trees.
Farming activities: sowing and transplanting seedlings, picking melons and beans, disease control
Traditional customs: Walking in Guyu and tasting Guyu tea
Daily health care: nourish blood and qi, improve physical fitness
