The Rain Water solar term marks the arrival of the first wave of spring dampness. At this time, nature transitions from cold to warm, causing significant changes in plants and animals, while human qi and blood fluctuate accordingly.

People with weak spleen function may feel more discomfort during this period. To expel dampness, keep your qi and blood flowing smoothly, maintain clear skin, and stay in a good mood, be sure to eat these two foods. As yang energy fluctuates and dampness accumulates, increasing physical activity will help keep your body balanced!

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Spring is the Season for Natural Detoxification

The three months of spring are a time for the body to renew itself and eliminate toxins according to its natural cycle. If you have been experiencing oily skin, excessive phlegm, mood swings, or frequent dreams, these are normal signs.

However, if you often feel stressed, anxious, or emotionally unstable, take time to relax, do things that bring you joy, be less harsh on yourself, and spend time with positive people. Don't be afraid to express your emotions—whether it's love or dislike!

A highly effective exercise during this period is "The Wind Shakes the Great Tree", a stretching movement that helps regulate liver and spleen energy.

💡 Most Important Points:
🌿 Dampness is excess water accumulation in the body. You need to increase physical movement and stretch to improve qi and blood circulation, promoting natural water metabolism. When your body self-regulates, there is no need to rely too much on food to dispel dampness.

If your spleen is weak and you spend long hours sitting without much movement, be sure to include these two foods in your diet to strengthen your spleen, eliminate dampness, and clear out phlegm buildup—helping you align with the vibrant energy of spring!

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1. Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) – The Magical Remedy for Qi Stagnation and Dampness

🌿 Spring is the season to nourish the liver and release stagnation. The Rain Water period tends to cause dampness accumulation. Chen Pi (dried tangerine peel) is the perfect food to address both issues!

Two Key Benefits of Chen Pi:

1️⃣ Unblocking Qi Stagnation
Chen Pi has a distinct spicy aroma that helps relieve stagnation, promote qi and blood circulation, and support smooth flow in the liver, spleen, and stomach. It expels stagnant energy trapped in the body’s organs.

2️⃣ Transforming Phlegm and Dispelling Dampness
Chen Pi is warm in nature and enters the spleen and lung meridians. It acts as a "drying machine", absorbing excess moisture from the body, resolving phlegm buildup, and converting “dead water” into “living water” for natural elimination.

👩‍⚕️ In Southern China, especially in Guangdong, people consume Chen Pi year-round to combat dampness. They use it in tea, soups, stews, and even desserts—adding a small amount of Chen Pi to almost everything!

✨ Best Ways to Use Chen Pi:

• Drink Chen Pi Tea Daily: Add one slice of Chen Pi to 500ml of hot water. You can combine it with green tea or other herbal teas.
• Pair with Aged Pu-erh Tea : This combination is great for people with high blood pressure or obesity, helping improve digestion.
• Combine with Black Tea or Aged White Tea: If using a heat-resistant tea, you can boil it together with Chen Pi.

💡 Healthy Habit:
Take a moment each day to slowly enjoy a cup of tea, breathe deeply, and relax your mind. This simple practice not only helps remove dampness but also allows you to fully appreciate life.

2. Winter Melon – Say Goodbye to Water Retention and False Weight Gain!

Winter melon is a cooling food that promotes urination and reduces water retention, making it ideal for those prone to bloating, puffiness, or damp-induced weight gain.

📖 Famous physician Meng Shen once said:
"If you want a light and slim body, eat winter melon regularly. If you want to gain weight, stay away from it!"

💡 Why Eat Winter Melon?

• Contains propanedioic acid and cucurbitacin, which prevent fat accumulation, supporting natural weight management.
• Helps regulate high blood pressure, cools the body, and detoxifies.
• According to Suī Xī Jū Yǐn Shí Pǔ (随息居饮食谱), winter melon has the following benefits:
  ✅ Clears heat
  ✅ Protects the stomach
  ✅ Generates fluids for hydration
  ✅ Eliminates bodily impurities
  ✅ Supports inflammation reduction and acne prevention

✨ Best Ways to Use Winter Melon:

• Cook Winter Melon Soup for Cooling Effects:
  The best time to eat winter melon soup is at noon, as it helps dispel dampness and excess heat.
• Combine with Light Exercise:
  Between 3–5 PM (when the bladder meridian is most active), engage in gentle movements and drink water to help eliminate excess fluids.
• Use the Melon Peel:
  The peel is the most powerful part for removing dampness. You can keep the peel when making soup or dry it for tea, drinking it after meals.

Final Takeaways

🌧 Rain Water is the time of year with the highest humidity. Remember to:
✅ Increase movement and stretching to keep qi and blood flowing.
✅ Consume Chen Pi to release qi stagnation, improve circulation, and dissolve phlegm.
✅ Eat Winter Melon to cool the body, reduce water retention, and feel lighter.

By following these tips, you will feel healthier, have clearer skin, a more balanced mood, and be ready to enjoy the vitality of spring! 🌿✨