Happy Dragon Boat Festival!
This year, the Dragon Boat Festival falls on a Saturday — a weekend! There will surely be many culinary events. Eat and drink to your heart’s content while enjoying your holiday! You can wake up whenever you like, stay up until dawn, and sleep in until noon — how delightful!
However, as enjoyable as that may be, such habits actually take a toll on the body. Why wouldn’t they? We indulge in oily foods, dishes that are overly salty, sweet, or spicy, and foods high in cholesterol and sugar — all in excess. Add to that irregular sleep patterns. A body that is accustomed to routine can easily be thrown off by such “unusual” treatment. If one’s constitution is not strong, illness may follow. The most common issues are digestive disturbances, colds, diarrhea, and vomiting. In more serious cases, hospitalization may even be necessary.
Moreover, most zongzi (粽子) are made from sticky rice, which is difficult to digest. Sticky rice is not easily broken down by the digestive system. If the preparation process is unhygienic, it can pose an even greater risk to health.
So, what is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective on this issue? How can we mitigate the impact?
- From the TCM perspective, health is not solely defined by physical strength, but also by mental well-being. As stated in the Huangdi Neijing 《黄帝内经》: “When the mind is calm and clear, disease cannot invade.” Furthermore, “Sadness, disappointment, worry, and anxiety disturb the Heart. The chaos of the Heart will affect the other Zang-Fu organs.” In reality, excessive work or unresolved emotional stress can gradually weaken the body. Therefore, holidays should be used wisely to soothe the mind and release accumulated stress.
- Balance between work and rest is essential. In TCM, the Spleen governs “Transformation and Transportation” — the processing of food into Qi (vital energy). Overworking depletes this source of energy, especially the Spleen Qi. Conversely, excessive rest without activity can also weaken the Spleen Qi. Disruption in the Spleen Qi will inevitably impact digestion. Thus, for optimal digestive health, we should neither overwork nor be idle.
- TCM also emphasizes the concept of “Harmony between Heaven and Humanity” (天人相应). One should not treat the body according to personal whim, but rather in accordance with the natural order — such as eating three regular meals, being active during daylight, and sleeping at night. On holidays like this, it is advised to “sleep a bit earlier and wake a bit later.”
- In TCM, there is a well-known principle: “Food and medicine share the same source” (药食同源). Maintaining health does not always require heavy medications; natural foods, when suited to one’s condition, can be sufficient for maintaining balance.
That said, even natural foods must be matched to an individual’s constitution. TCM strongly emphasizes Body Constitution Theory. For example:
- Individuals prone to constipation and who are overweight should avoid oily foods.
- Those who easily experience internal heat or struggle in hot weather should minimize spicy foods.
- People who tend to feel cold or become ill when exposed to cool air should reduce their intake of cold foods, such as iced drinks and raw fruits.
For general symptoms like overeating, bloating, or loss of appetite, you can consume radish or coriander — both help regulate Qi and relieve distension. Apples and hawthorn berries (Shanzha, 山楂 — commonly available dried in Chinese herbal stores) are also effective. You can brew Shanzha and dried orange peel (Chenpi, 橘皮) into a tea, which supports Qi regulation and digestion.
For individuals prone to gastric ulcers, rose tea is beneficial. And for those who easily develop internal heat, chrysanthemum tea is an excellent choice.
What came to mind as you read this? I’m curious to hear. Please share your thoughts in the comments below. 🙂
