12 Nov It’s Time to Avoid Viral Infections, Flu, and Allergies

Exploring Solar Terms: ‘Seeding Millet’

A solar term is a period of about two weeks and is based on the sun’s position in the zodiac. Solar terms form the traditional Chinese calendar system. The calendar follows the ancient Chinese belief that living in accordance with nature will enable one to live a harmonious life. This article series explores each of the year’s 24 solar terms, offering guidance on how to best navigate the season.

Characteristics and Meaning

“Seeding Millet” (June 5–20) is the time when farmers harvest early grain crops and plant new seeds for those crops that need to be in before the weather reaches its peak of heat and humidity.

Too much dry weather during this time forebodes that drought in the coming months could challenge summer crops.

With the change in season, spring blooms start to wither. A traditional ceremony used to be held to bid farewell to the flower gods as they journeyed back to heaven, and to express wishes that they return again next year.

It was said that the birthdays of the writer of the famous Chinese novel “Dream of the Red Chamber,” as well as the main male character in the book, Jia Baoyu, are both during Seeding Millet.

The key female character, Lin Daiyu, buried dead flowers on the day of Seeding Millet, and wrote a famous poem titled “Burying Flowers” on this day. For Daiyu, the burial was symbolic of sending off a beautiful spring and this beautiful time in life.

As for those plants that haven’t yet bloomed, most likely they won’t produce much fruit this year.

Impact on People

It’s believed by ancient Chinese people that Seeding Millet is the peak time for viruses, infections, or inflammation. That’s probably because of the high amount of rain and relatively high temperature at this time of year. It promotes the growth of the bacteria both inside and outside our bodies.

For this reason, it’s best not to eat the types of foods that trigger allergies or weaken our immune system at this time.

There is good news, though, for those who are allergic to pollen. The end of the flowering season comes during Seeding Millet and means relief.

Wellness Tips

1. Get up early to take advantage of the cooler morning hours and align yourself with the rising sun. Then, consider lying down at midday for a short nap. An afternoon nap can be very beneficial for the body.
2. Go swimming. It’s the perfect exercise for this time of the year as it moves the body gently and helps with fluid circulation.
3. Shower with lukewarm water, rather than hot, to promote blood circulation and thus reduce heat in the body.
4. Bathe your feet in warm water, which can help to relax and assist those who are not able to fall asleep on hot nights.
5. Embrace the heat, but wipe away the sweat and keep your skin dry. For those who suffer from coldness in the winter, this is an ideal time to push out the hidden problems from the inside to the outside, and from our hearts as well. The increasing heat helps to draw out the remaining coldness inside our bodies. This is very important for those who often suffer from flu or cold, as the remaining coldness often resides in places in our body where viruses tend to attack, or the healthful energy can not penetrate.
6. For those who suffer from an upset stomach, try massaging four inches from the top of the belly button. This helps to relieve tension on the digestive system.
7. Use essential oils of wormwood, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and citronella to repel insects and minimize the impact of bacteria.

Foods to Eat

Drink plenty of fluids, eat plenty of fresh vegetables, and avoid greasy food. This will balance the body and help it to adjust to the coming heat.

Enjoy plenty of endive, arugula, celery, chard, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, kale, spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, seafood, and watermelon.

To replenish fluids and quench your thirst, drink green tea, honeysuckle flower tea, hawthorn berry juice, and plum juice.

Artichoke, broccoli, celery, tomato, water chestnut, yam, and all bitter vegetables are good to eat, to bring balance.

Epoch Times contributor Moreen Liao is a descendant of four generations of traditional Chinese medicine doctors. She is also a certified aromatherapist, former dean of the New Directions Institute of Natural Therapies in Sydney, Australia, and the founder of Ausganica, a certified organic cosmetic brand. Visit LiaoMoreen.com