As the footsteps of May of the solar calendar are approaching, we once again ushered in the Dragon Boat Festival full of traditional charm. This ancient festival not only carries a profound cultural heritage, but also contains a series of Xi closely related to health. Among them, wormwood and calamus are inserted on the door, which is a long-standing tradition. This act is not only a remembrance of history, but also a manifestation of ancient wisdom. But in modern society, the true meaning of these Xi seems to be gradually forgotten. Why did our ancestors choose these two plants on this particular day, and is there some neglected health secret behind this?
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, wormwood and calamus are not just simple plants, they carry special medical value and far-reaching health significance. Traditional Chinese medicine, as an ancient medical system, has always attached importance to harmonious coexistence with nature, emphasizing specific health care activities at specific times. During the Dragon Boat Festival, which coincides with the beginning of summer, when humidity and disease are susceptible, the use of wormwood and calamus does not seem to be accidental. Their choice reflects TCM's deep understanding of the impact of environmental factors such as climate change on human health.
1. Wormwood: An ancient treasure of Chinese medicine
Wormwood, a plant that occupies an important place in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat various ailments since ancient times. In the tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival, wormwood is not only a cultural symbol, but also a symbol of health. The medicinal value of wormwood is mainly reflected in its characteristics of warming the meridians and dissipating cold and removing dampness. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica", wormwood can "warm the uterus and stop bleeding, disperse wind and cold", which means that it has a significant effect on regulating the circulation of qi and blood in the body.
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people are Xi to hang wormwood in front of their homes, which is not only to ward off evil spirits, but also has profound health significance. The Dragon Boat Festival is in early summer, the weather is getting hotter, the humidity is heavy, and people are easy to feel unwell. The aroma of wormwood has the effect of repelling moisture and purifying the air, which helps to improve the comfort of the home environment. At the same time, wormwood is also used to make moxa, which is a traditional Chinese medicine method that burns moxa wool to warm acupuncture points, promote qi and blood circulation, and enhance the body's ability to resist disease.
In addition to its health benefits, wormwood also plays an important role on a social level. Ancient medicine believed that wormwood was able to purify the air and prevent the spread of plague. In the traditional festival of the Dragon Boat Festival, wormwood planting has become a collective act, which not only enhances the health awareness of the community, but also reflects the ancient people's concern for environmental sanitation and public health.
To sum up, the use of wormwood in the Dragon Boat Festival is not only a Xi custom, its health value is fully in line with the theory of Chinese medicine, through this traditional Xi custom, we can see the wisdom and pursuit of health of the ancients.
2. Calamus: not only an ornamental plant
Calamus is often regarded as one of the symbols of the Dragon Boat Festival, and its application in traditional Chinese medicine also has a long history. Calamus is not just a beautiful ornamental plant, it is used as a medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine with obvious health benefits. According to the record of "Shennong's Materia Medica", calamus has the effects of opening the body and awakening the mind, diuretic and laxative. The Xi of inserting calamus during the Dragon Boat Festival actually makes use of these medicinal properties of calamus in order to achieve the purpose of health care.
Calamus is rich in volatile oils, natural compounds that have insect repellent and antibacterial effects. During the Dragon Boat Festival, people hang calamus on the door, on the one hand, to repel mosquitoes and protect their families from diseases, and on the other hand, the fragrance of calamus can also purify the air and improve the comfort of the home environment. Calamus is also used to make medicinal baths, which are popular during the Dragon Boat Festival to help the body flush out toxins and enhance the health of the skin.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, this traditional Xi of the Dragon Boat Festival is not only a cultural embodiment, but also a healthy lifestyle inheritance. The use of calamus is not limited to its medicinal value, but also includes the improvement of the living environment and the positive impact on health.
Therefore, the use of calamus in the Dragon Boat Festival has far-reaching significance, it is not only the inheritance of culture, but also the embodiment of health and wisdom. Through this traditional Xi, we can gain a deeper understanding of TCM's holistic approach to health and the environment.
3. The climatic characteristics of the Dragon Boat Festival and traditional Chinese medicine recuperation
The Dragon Boat Festival marks the official start of summer, which is characterized by warmer temperatures and heavier humidity. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that summer is the time when the body's yang energy is at its most vigorous, but it is also susceptible to dampness. Dampness is regarded as one of the important factors that lead to physical discomfort and illness in TCM theory, such as joint pain, indigestion, etc. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the elimination of dampness in the body and the balance of yin and yang in the body during the Dragon Boat Festival.
In terms of diet, TCM recommends that you should eat some foods that can dispel dampness and improve water during the Dragon Boat Festival. For example, adzuki beans, mung beans, and winter melon are all ideal ingredients for summer. These foods not only help the body remove excess water and moisture, but also provide essential nutrients to keep the body healthy. At the same time, reducing the intake of greasy and heavy foods is also an important principle of summer diet to avoid aggravating the burden of dampness and heat on the body.
Xi outdoor activities such as walking and tai chi can help promote blood circulation and strengthen the body's resistance. At the same time, maintaining adequate rest and good sleep quality is also the key to summer regimen, as adequate sleep can help restore physical strength and regulate the body's yin and yang balance.
In addition, some traditional activities of the Dragon Boat Festival, such as dragon boating, are also a way of health care in the summer. This physical activity not only exercises but also enhances social interaction between people and has a positive impact on mental health.
In short, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the Dragon Boat Festival is not only a traditional festival, but also an opportunity for health recuperation. With a reasonable diet, moderate exercise, and good Xi, we can maintain our optimal physical condition during this season.
4. The application of traditional wisdom in modern life
Although we live in a modern society, traditional health wisdom still has a profound impact on our lives. The traditional Xi of the Dragon Boat Festival, such as hanging wormwood and calamus, is not only a reflection of culture, but also the inheritance of a healthy lifestyle. Modern scientific research has gradually revealed the scientific basis behind these traditional Xi practices.
The natural compounds contained in wormwood and calamus, such as volatile oils and other bioactive substances, have been scientifically proven by modern science to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other effects. These discoveries not only confirm the scientific validity of TCM theories, but also provide us with the possibility of applying these traditional wisdoms to modern life. For example, in the home
It can be used as a natural air purification method that helps to improve the quality of the living environment.
In addition, with the increase in health awareness, more people are beginning to pay attention to how to integrate the health concept of TCM into their daily life. For example, choosing foods that are in line with the characteristics of the season for dietary conditioning, as well as strengthening the body's immunity and regulating physical and mental health through appropriate exercise.
Finally, traditional Chinese medicine wisdom also provides modern people with a way to combat the increasing stress of life and environmental pollution. By understanding and applying these ancient wisdoms, we can not only maintain physical health but also achieve mental balance and serenity.