Beginning of Summer 立 夏_the beginning of是什么意思

Beginning of Summer, Lixia (立夏) in China, is the 7th solar term, the 1st solar term in summer as well, and for this year, it starts on May 5th and ends on May 19th. When Lixia comes, the temperature rises obviously, and thunderstorms increase remarkably, therefore, crops enter their peak season for growth, as the agricultural adage said “no rain, no rice” and “no rain, we will hang up the hoe.”

立夏（lixia），是一年的第七个节气，也是夏季的第一个节气。今年，它开始于5月5日至5月19日结束。立夏一到，气温明显升高，雷雨天气明显增多，庄稼进入生长旺季，因此有农业谚语称“不下雨，不吃饭”和“立夏不下，犁耙高挂”。

The Beginning of Summer is divided into three pentads with three phenomena to observe:

中国古人总结了每个节气的三个典型物候来判断节气变化，立夏的三种典型物候包括：

The first pentad, sounding of the crickets. （一候蝼蝈鸣）At this time, in early summer, frogs begin to sing and forage in the fields and ponds. Cricket, is suitable for a warm and humid environment, as the cricket sings, the feeling of summer becomes more intense.

第一候“蝼蝈鸣”，此时为初夏时节，青蛙等蛙类动物开始在田间、池畔鸣叫觅食。蝼蝈，蝼蛄也，适宜生活在温暖潮湿的环境中，随着蝼蛄的鸣叫，夏天的味道更浓了。

The second pentad, earthworms coming out. （二候蚯蚓出）Earthworms are authentic yin things, that live in moist and dark soil. When the yang is extremely strong, earthworms are impatient and come out of the soil one after another.

第二候“蚯蚓出”，蚯蚓是地地道道的阴物，生活在潮湿阴暗的土壤中，当阳气极盛的时候，蚯蚓也不耐烦了，纷纷从土里钻出来。

The third pentad, Wanggua(Trichosanthes, scientific name: Trichosanthes cucumeroides) growing. （三候王瓜生）Wanggua is a medicinal climbing vine plant specialty of North China. It climbs and grows rapidly at the beginning of summer and bears red fruits in June and July. Since the beginning of summer, Wanggua has begun to grow and ripen, so people can pick it up and give it to each other as gifts.

第三候“王瓜生”，王瓜是华北特产的药用爬藤植物，在立夏时节快速攀爬生长，于六、七月更会结红色的果实。立夏三候王瓜生，就是说王瓜这时已经开始长大成熟了，人们可以采摘，并相互馈赠。

In Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, summer relates to the organ of Heart and it is suggested that people shall keep pace with changes of weather and bring attention to the hearts’ health. With the beginning of summer, the weather turns hot, and TCM also believes that “summer-heat tends to injure Qi” and “summer-heat is likely to disturb the heart.” Thus, during this season, people should pay more attention to the health of heart. Elderly people, in particular, should consciously take good care of their emotions, keep calm and happy, and avoid extreme excitement or sorrow. In terms of diet, it is better to eat seasonal vegetables, fruits with digestible and vitamin-rich, like bamboo shoots, garlic bolts, peas, Loquat, cherry and red bayberry etc., and fresh tea as well.

在中医理论中，夏季与心脏有关，建议人们在春夏交替的时候，要跟上天气的变化，注意心脏的健康。入夏，天气变热，中医也认为“暑热易伤气”、“暑热易扰心神”。特别是老年人，更需要有意识地关注心脏健康，照顾好情绪、保持镇静和快乐，避免过度兴奋或悲伤。在饮食方面，宜吃清淡、易消化的、富含维生素的时令果蔬和新鲜的绿茶，如竹笋、豌豆、蒜苔，枇杷、樱桃、杨梅等。

[Function]

Nourishing five Zang-organs, clearing heat and expelling damp

[功效]

滋养五脏，清热祛湿

[Recipe]

Ingredients: Glutinous rice, bacon, fresh pea grains, bamboo shoots

[食谱]

组成:糯米、培根、鲜豌豆粒、竹笋

Instructions:

1.Wash and drain the glutinous rice;

2.Fry the bacon in the pan, then add bamboo shoots and peas;

3.Add a little cooking wine, stir for about five minutes then put in the glutinous rice and fried together;

4.Add some water. After boiling, turn to small heat and cook for about 40-50 minutes.

步骤:

1.将糯米洗净，沥干水份；

2.把培根炒一下，然后加入竹笋和豌豆；

3.加入少许料酒，搅拌至五分钟左右，再放入糯米一起炒；

4.添加一些水。煮开后，转小火煮40-50分钟。

[Function]

Clearing Heart and nourish Liver

[功效]

清心养肝

[Recipe]

Ingredients: Fresh Green tea, plumula nelumbini, fry rosebud

[食谱]

组成：新鲜绿茶 莲子心 玫瑰花

Instructions:

1.Lixia is the season to take Green tea and it has a short shelf life, so buy it as fresh as possible.

2.Steep the green tea with quality fresh water below boiling point between 165 – 190° F (depending on the tea);

3.Do not over steep it and most green tea can infuse multiple times.

Note: The biggest mistake people make when they are learning how to drink green tea is using water that is too hot and steeping too long.

步骤：

1.绿茶保质期比较短，立夏新茶正当时，所以尽量购买新鲜绿茶；

2.在165 - 190°F（取决于茶）沸点以下的优质淡水浸泡绿茶、莲子心与玫瑰花；

3.不要过度浸泡、大多数绿茶可以多次冲泡；

注意:人们在学习喝绿茶时犯的最大错误就是用的水太烫，泡的时间太长。

In Suzhou, southern China, people have the custom of "seeing the three delicacies at Lixia", among which the cherries are "one delicacy", the other two are green plum and wheat. It is said that during the emperor Kangxi's fifth southward tour, the famous Jiang Ning official Cao Yin tribute was just the cherries produced in Yingzhou, Xuanwu Lake at that time. Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed and said, "I will eat it after Empress Dowager.” And then sent the cherries to Beijing and liked by locals.

在中国南方的苏州，有立夏“见三鲜”习俗，其中水果中早上市的樱桃便是“一鲜”，其它两鲜是青梅和麦子。传说康熙第五次南巡到达江南时，江宁织造曹寅进贡的正是当时玄武湖樱洲产的樱桃，康熙见之大喜，又说“先尽皇太后，朕再用”，随即差官送樱桃到北京，并受到喜爱。樱桃是立夏时节的当季水果。不仅铁及维生素A含量高，营养丰富。同时色泽鲜艳，立夏吃樱桃，还应了讨个红红火火好彩头的习俗。

Cherry is the fruit of the season at the beginning of summer. Compare with other fruits, it’s rich of iron and vitamin A. Besides the rich nutrition, ot has a bright-red-colored appearance, which believed could bring a good fortune. So let’s eat it!

[Function]

Strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi.

[功效]

健脾益气。

[Recipe]

Ingredients:

Cherries stemmed and pitted, 100g

Butter 4 tablespoons

Granulated sugar ? cup

Water ? cup

Corn starch 1 tablespoons

[食谱]

组成:

樱桃，去梗去核 100g

黄油4汤匙

砂糖半杯

水?杯

玉米淀粉1汤匙

Instructions:

1.Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally during this period.

2.After boiling for about 3 minutes, reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 2 minutes.

3.Remove the cherry mixture from the heat and allow it to cool down slightly before serving.

4.Store the leftovers in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator.

5.Warm the sauce again before serving.

步骤:

1.将所有材料放入一个中等大小的炖锅中。中火煮沸，在此期间不时搅拌。

2.煮约3分钟后，转小火，再用文火煨2分钟。

3.把樱桃混合物从火上移开，冷却备用。

4.装入密封容器后放进冰箱。

5.食用前加热。

As we introduced, during the beginning of summer, more attention should be paid to supporting heart. In order to better protect cardiovascular health, here we introduce two TCM healthcare interventions:

立夏是养“心”的最好时节。为保护好心血管健康，我们介绍两种中医保健干预措施:

Regulating emotion is the key to nourishing your heart. If you are happy, your qi and blood will get well with each as well. On the contrary, clinical patients with myocardial infarction are mostly accompanied by violent emotional fluctuations. Therefore, people can do quiet things at the beginning of summer, such as painting, calligraphy, playing chess, planting flowers, etc., and cultivating these kinds of interests and hobbies to calm down their restless mood, and nourish their hearts with pleasure.

心情舒畅是养心的关键，精神愉快则气血和畅。临床心梗患者多伴有剧烈情志波动。所以立夏人们应放缓节奏，享受闲情逸致，如绘画、书法、下棋、种花等，培养这些健康的兴趣爱好，让浮躁的心情平静下来，以怡情养心。

At the beginning of summer, when the temperature rises, people are prone to feel irritable. At this time, you can massage the Neiguan acupoint (PC6) and Laogong acupoint (PC8) of the Jueyin pericardium meridian, and the Shenmen acupoint (HT7) of the Shaoyin heart meridian to calm the mind. In addition, the Neiguan acupoint is connected to Sanjiao, and has the effect of reconciling qi and relieving pain, harmonizing stomach, and preventing the body from rushing up.

立夏时节，气温升高，人们易感到烦躁不安，此时可通过按摩手厥阴心包经的内关穴（PC6）与劳宫穴（PC8），手少阴心经的神门穴（HT7）以宁心安神。同时，内关穴联络着上、中、下三焦，还有理气止痛，和胃降逆的功效。

Method:

Pressing Neiguan acupoint (PC6), Laogong acupoint (PC8) and Shenmen acupoint (HT7) for 5-10 minutes each time and 2 times per day.

按压方法：

每次按压内关穴(PC6)、劳宫穴(PC8)和神门穴(HT7)各5-10分钟，一天2次。