20/04/2026
# Health Essentials for Grain Rain (Gu Yu) Season
Grain Rain (Gu Yu), the last solar term of spring, typically falls around April 19th or 20th each year. During this period, rainfall significantly increases, humidity rises, and all living things flourish as the Yang energy in nature gradually grows. However, increased humidity can also weaken the spleen and stomach functions, leading to discomforts such as loss of appetite, abdominal distension, and fatigue. Therefore, the key to health preservation during Grain Rain is to **strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness**, **prevent cold and keep warm**, and adjust daily routines to align with natural changes.
# # I. Dietary Regulation: Prioritizing Spleen Strengthening, Dampness Dispelling, Clearing Heat, and Nourishing Kidneys
During Grain Rain, the diet should be light, avoiding overly spicy and greasy foods to prevent internal heat from flaring up. It is recommended to consume more foods that strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness, such as **Job's tears (薏米), Euryale ferox (芡实), yam (山药), red beans (红豆), mung beans (绿豆), black beans (黑豆), and hyacinth beans (白扁豆)**. Seasonal vegetables like **toona sinensis (香椿), bamboo shoots (春笋), and spinach (菠菜)**, along with **crucian carp (鲫鱼)**, are also beneficial. For those experiencing internal heat accumulation, dietary therapy is an excellent choice. Consider **bamboo leaf porridge (竹叶粥), mung bean porridge (绿豆粥), or sour plum soup (酸梅汤)**. Additionally, incorporate heat-clearing and liver-nourishing foods like **celery (芹菜), spinach (菠菜), lettuce (莴笋), cucumber (黄瓜), water chestnut (荸荠), and buckwheat (荞麦)**. As Grain Rain marks late spring, the weather will gradually become warmer. During this time, liver qi subsides slightly, heart qi begins to flourish, and kidney qi also enters its peak. Therefore, dietary adjustments should be made to consume more foods that **nourish the kidneys and calm the heart**.
# # # Grain Rain Tea Recommendations
Grain Rain is an excellent time for tea picking, with a saying "Grain Rain, pick tea in the rain." The "pre-rain tea" picked at this time is believed to have unique health benefits. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds that Grain Rain tea can effectively alleviate spring fatigue and has the effects of promoting fluid production, quenching thirst, clearing heat, dispelling dampness, and prolonging life. Recommended teas include: **Green tea** (such as Bi Luo Chun, Xinyang Maojian, Liu An Gua Pian), which clears heat, dispels dampness, and refreshes the mind; **Herbal teas** (such as rose tea and chrysanthemum tea), with rose tea aiding beauty and relieving depression, and chrysanthemum tea clearing liver heat and alleviating spring fatigue and symptoms of excessive internal heat; and **White tea** (especially aged white tea), which clears heat, moistens the lungs, calms the liver, benefits blood, and eliminates fatigue. Its mild nature makes it suitable for most people to drink throughout the four seasons.
# # II. Daily Routine: Aligning with Day and Night, Moderate Adjustments
During Grain Rain, days are longer and nights are shorter. One should follow the natural pattern of rising Yang energy by moderately reducing sleep and increasing activity time. It is recommended to adhere to the principle of "sleeping late and rising early," ensuring 7 to 8 hours of adequate sleep. Generally, it is advisable to wake up between 6 and 7 AM and go to bed between 10 and 11 PM. Although temperatures gradually rise during Grain Rain, the temperature difference between morning and evening remains significant. Therefore, attention should still be paid to keeping warm, especially for the neck and abdomen, to prevent the invasion of "dampness evil."
# # III. Exercise: Stretching Muscles and Promoting Qi and Blood Circulation
Grain Rain is a vibrant season, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Appropriate exercise can promote the circulation of qi and blood in the body and enhance physical fitness. It is recommended to choose aerobic exercises of moderate intensity, such as **walking, jogging, Tai Chi, aerobics, ball games, and kite flying**. These activities not only strengthen the body but also cultivate temperament and maintain a cheerful mood.
# # # Traditional Custom: "Walking Gu Yu"
Historically, there was a custom called "Walking Gu Yu," where young women would visit relatives in villages or go on outings in the countryside on the day of Grain Rain. This symbolized integrating with nature and strengthening the body. This custom is still prevalent today in areas like Rongcheng in Jiaodong, Shandong, reflecting the ancient wisdom of adapting to nature and pursuing health.
# # IV. Acupressure: Strengthening Spleen, Dispelling Dampness, and Harmonizing Qi and Blood
During Grain Rain, when dampness is heavy, massaging specific acupoints can help the body strengthen the spleen, dispel dampness, and harmonize qi and blood. Here are some commonly used acupoints and their functions:
* **Zusanli (ST36)**: Located three cun below the outer knee cap, massaging this point can harmonize qi and blood, strengthen the spleen, and dispel dampness.
* **Fenglong (ST40)**: Located eight cun above the outer ankle bone on the lateral side of the lower leg, this is an important point for resolving phlegm and dampness. Massaging it can help eliminate phlegm-dampness from the body.
* **Yinlingquan (SP9)**: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression on the medial side below the prominent bone along the inner horizontal crease of the knee. Massaging this point can strengthen the spleen and promote fluid metabolism.
* **Taichong (LR3)**: Belonging to the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin, located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression anterior to the junction of the first and second metatarsal bones. Massaging this point can regulate liver blood, tonify qi, relieve stress, and calm the mind.
* **Xingjian (LR2)**: Belonging to the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin, located on the dorsum of the foot, between the first and second toes, at the junction of the red and white skin behind the web margin. Massaging this point can soothe the liver and alleviate stagnation.
# # Conclusion
Health preservation during Grain Rain focuses on **strengthening the spleen and dispelling dampness**. By adjusting diet, daily routines, moderate exercise, and acupressure, one can adapt to seasonal changes and maintain physical and mental well-being. While enjoying the beauty of spring, it is also important to guard against the invasion of dampness evil, laying a good foundation for the upcoming summer.