Ingredients:
黃小米 Yellow millet, 30g
大米 White rice, 30g
懷山藥 Huai Shanyao, 10g (fresh)
炒芡實 Gorgon seeds, dry fried, 3g
陳皮 Aged tangerine peel, 1g
枸杞子 Goji berries, 1g
桑葚 Mulberries, 2g
黑木耳 Black fungus, 1g
芹菜 Celery, 1 split stalk, broken into small sections with hand
小黃薑 Small yellow ginger, 3 slices
Preparation:
Boil the ingredients on high heat until water is boiling, switch to low heat and cook until the beans and seeds are thoroughly cooked and softened.
Usage:
Best time to use this formula is between Mar. 5 and Mar. 19. Most suitable for the next five days (一候 phase one).
According to 「月令」 “The Monthly Orders,” 物候 the seasonal material manifestations of 驚蟄 Awakening of Insects are:
1st Qi Phase: Peach Trees begin to Blossom 桃始華；
2nd Qi Phase: Orioles Sing 倉庚鳴；
3rd Qi Phase: Hawks Transform Into Cuckoos 鷹化爲鳩。
For the year of 壬寅 Yang Water Tiger, Wind-Wood Qi is deficient in general, which means it tends to grab Qi from its paired channels (Shaoyang and Yangming). Shaoyang Ministerial Fire governs the first half of the year, while Jueyin Wind-Wood governs the second half of the year. We are entering the last quarter of the 1st Qi phase of this year. How time flies!! Currently Host Qi is Jueyin Wind-Wood, and Guest Qi is Shaoyin Imperial Fire. If you have skin issues related to Juyin layer you may experience some outbreaks. Wood and Fire Qi support each other and manifest a harmonious force/energy. Weather is still cold these days, seems that Water Qi is supporting the Wind-Wood Qi to bounce higher later in the year. Earth Qi has shifted upwards; peach blossoms almost finished blooming and leaves are sprouting out. It will turn warm quickly from now on, and warm diseases may happen more frequently. Pathogens tend to harass the upper burner; bleeding, cough, headache, chest and costal problems may also happen more frequently.
The proper treatment is to treat the Guest Qi – Shaoyin, supporting it with salty flavor, draining it with sweet flavor, and gathering it with sour flavor. In general, eat mainly red grains, blending with a lesser portion of beans to prevent heat invasions.
Weather tends to shift rapidly at this time of the year. Be prepared.
The best foods and drink for this season include:
Chinese yam & dark leaf porridge 懷山藥青菜粥:
Chinese yam: white rice = 5 : 2.5
Hawthorn & goji porridge 山楂枸杞粥:
Hawthorn fruit: Goji fruit: white rice = 1 : 1 : 5
Preparation is the same as making other porridges.
Also
陳皮普洱 Aged tangerine peel black tea (Pu’er)
檸檬普洱 Lemon black tea black tea (Pu’er)
紫蘇普洱 Perilla Black tea (Pu’er)
逍遙散 Xiaoyao san