In spring, all things emerge and flourish; in summer, all things grow and thrive. —Huangdi Neijing: Discourses on the Four Seasons

Grain Rain has passed, and Start of Summer is approaching (May 5, 2026).

 These 15 days mark a "shifting gear" period for the energy of heaven and earth: the growth energy of wood (liver) in spring gradually fades, while the flourishing energy of fire (heart) in summer begins to emerge. If your body experiences restless sleep, restlessness and dry mouth, or occasional palpitations, it is not illness—but your qi and energy adapting to the seasonal transition.

 Your core task these 15 days: Conclude spleen strengthening and kickstart heart nurturing.

 I. Core Logic: The Spleen as the Mediator—Wood Fuels Fire, the Heart Takes Center Stage

 Traditional Chinese medicine holds that "we nourish the liver in spring and the heart in summer." In the five elements, wood fuels fire. The liver blood stored in spring must be transformed and supplied to the heart via the spleen (governed by earth), the "central hub" of the body.

 These 15 days are a critical phase of "spleen transmitting to heart." We must both eliminate the dampness accumulated in spring (strengthen the spleen) and warm up the heart in advance (nurture the heart).

 II. Four Key Tasks for These 15 Days

 1. Diet: Reduce sour, increase bitter—nourish both spleen and heart

 As stated in Huangdi Neijing, "Sour enters the liver; bitter enters the heart."

In late spring, liver energy peaks. Excessive sour foods may stir up fire; moderate bitter flavors can clear heart fire and protect spleen yin.

 - Reduce sour: Cut back on sour foods like vinegar, hawthorn, and lemons to avoid excessive liver fire.

- Add bitter: Incorporate bitter ingredients such as bitter melon, lotus plumule, lily bulb, and celery leaves to clear heart fire and soothe the mind.

- Stick to spleen strengthening: Chinese yam, coix seed, and poria cocos help eliminate dampness, but their intake should be lessened after Start of Summer. Focus instead on "consolidating the innate foundation of the body."

 Popular Recipe: Lotus Seed, Lily and Chinese Yam Congee

 - Ingredients: 10g lotus seeds, 10g lily bulb, 50g Chinese yam, 50g rice.

- Frequency: 3 times a week. A bowlful nourishes the spleen and calms the mind.2. Sleep: Sleep early, rise early; rest well during the "noon and midnight naps"

 Huangdi Neijing advises "sleep early, rise early" in summer.

Compared with spring, you may go to bed a little later (no later than 23:00) but must rise earlier (6:00–7:00) to align with the rising of yang energy.

 - Zi hour (23:00–01:00): Must be sound asleep to nourish heart and blood.

- Wu hour (11:00–13:00): Even 15–30 minutes of closing your eyes and resting quietly can replenish heart qi.

 3. Emotions: Less anger, more joy—keep your mood free of resentment

 The essence of summer health preservation in Huangdi Neijing states: "Keep your mood free of resentment, and let your vitality flourish into beauty."

The heart governs joy—adjust your mood to a "pleasant mode" in summer.

 - Anger harms the liver; excessive liver fire stirs up heart fire, easily causing headaches and insomnia.

- When feeling upset, do things that bring you joy to soothe your emotions, enabling "vitality to flourish into beauty."

 4. Acupoints: Massage two acupoints for a calm heart and stable body

 - Neiguan (PC6): Three fingers above the wrist crease, between the two tendons.

Effect: Calms the heart, soothes the mind, and relieves palpitations and chest tightness. Massage for 3 minutes daily.

- Shenmen (HT7): The depression on the inner side of the wrist, near the little finger.

Effect: The top acupoint for soothing the mind, specifically relieving insomnia and restlessness. Massage for 5 minutes before bed.

 III. Two Exclusive Herbal Teas (Drink According to Symptoms)

 1. For restlessness and insomnia: Qingxin Lianzi Yin (Lotus Heart Clearing Tea)

 - Ingredients: 3g lotus plumule, 10g lily bulb, 10g ophiopogon root.

- Method: Boil in water for 15 minutes.

- Note: Cold in nature; drink 2–3 times a week, not daily as plain water.

 2. For daily prevention: Three-Flower Tea

 - Ingredients: 3g chrysanthemum, 3g rose, 3g albizia flower.

- Method: Infuse with boiling water for daily drinking.

- Effect: Soothes the liver and relieves stagnation, clears heart fire—ideal for the dry mood of late spring and early summer.

 IV. A "Summer Welcoming Ritual" on Start of Summer (May 5)

 To welcome the summer of 2026, do these three things:

 1. Wear red: Red corresponds to the heart. Put on a red T-shirt to harness yang energy and nourish heart blood.

2. Eat red adzuki beans: Have a small bowl of red adzuki bean congee at noon—"red nourishes the heart," replenishing heart qi and energy.

3. Sunbathe gently: Spend 15 minutes in the sun before 3 p.m. to boost yang energy and support heart yang.

 Whisper to yourself:

Summer has come. May my heart be warm, yet not burning.