Eat more sweet and less sour foods

In traditional Chinese medicine, spring corresponds to the liver, and the liver is affected by sour tastes. If taking excessively sour foods, liver qi will become too exuberant and this in turn will affect the spleen and the stomach and interfere with their functions of digestion and absorption. Sweet tastes are beneficial for the spleen, and therefore is most helpful to supplement and boost the spleen qi at this time. The liver qi then will also be strengthened as the spleen is fortified. Overall, it is recommended to eat less sour foods and more sweet foods (this does not mean more white sugar) in spring to nourish the liver and spleen, and to treat and prevent related diseases.

It is recommended to eat more Chinese yam (Shān Yào, Rhizoma Dioscoreae) and jujube (Dà Zăo, Fructus Jujubae) in spring. Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Fructus Jujubae are both foods and herbs. Rhizoma Dioscoreae is neutral and sweet, enters the lung, spleen and kidney channels, and is used to supplement kidney and stomach, generate fluid production, moisten the lung, nourish the spleen, and astringe essence. Fructus Jujubae is warm and sweet, enters the spleen and stomach channels, and supplements the spleen, boosts qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind. 

During Clear and Bright and Grain Rain, many elderly adults may have a bitter taste in their mouth even though they did not eat any bitter food, and this bitter taste may persist for several days. Spring corresponds to the liver, which governs the ascent and dispersion of qi. Excessive liver qi will lead to a bitter taste in the mouth, but it can be relieved by drinking Chrysanthemun Flower and Coix Seed Decoction to drain the liver-gallbladder fire.

Chrysanthemun Flower and Coix Seed Decoction

Take 50 grams of Coix Seed (Yì Yĭ Rén, Semen Coicis), and soak for at least 1 hour, and then boil on a strong fire until well cooked. Add dry Chrysanthemum Flower (Jú Huā, Flos Chrysanthemi), and boil for 5 minutes. Flos Chrysanthemi is slightly cold in nature, and can drain liver fire, and clear gallbladder heat. Semen Coicis is cool in nature, and can fortify the spleen and clear heat.