Dr. Bui Pham Minh Man - University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City (branch 3) said that on the first day of the new year, many Vietnamese people still keep the habit of preparing a pot of steaming water from herbal leaves such as grapefruit leaves, lemon leaves, basil, or lemongrass.
After worshiping ancestors and cleaning the house, everyone in the family takes a steam bath together, both to cleanse the body after a cold winter and to bring relief and refreshment to the spirit.
The elderly often say that steaming with leaves at the beginning of the year not only cures diseases but also "dispels the old", helping the body fully receive the new energy of spring.
According to traditional medicine, steaming with herbs at the beginning of the year has a very important health-preserving meaning. The heat and essential oils from the leaves help clear the meridians, stimulate blood circulation and repel evil spirits accumulated in winter. This is a meaningful way to start the new year, demonstrating the connection between health, nature and traditional customs.
According to Dr. Minh Man, each season has different health care rules. Spring brings warm air, very suitable for you to go out to breathe fresh air, walk in the park or do gentle exercises such as tai chi, yoga.
Early morning is the best time to exercise, helping the body absorb the positive energy of heaven and earth. To promote positive values, you should keep a relaxed mood, avoid stress or worry too much.
In summer, we need to pay attention to cooling down and nourishing the mind, because this is the time when yang energy reaches its peak. The hot weather can easily make the body tired and dehydrated. In traditional medicine, in summer, we need to focus on nourishing the mind to keep the body cool and the mind relaxed.
The principles of health preservation in the summer include limiting work or strenuous exercise at noon, when the temperature is at its highest. Instead, choose gentle activities such as swimming, morning walks or meditation in the late afternoon. Take reasonable rest time so that the yin energy is not damaged by the evil heat.
In autumn, the weather is cooler but it is also dry, affecting the lungs - the organ that controls the air and respiration. This is the ideal time to do deep breathing exercises to help nourish the lungs. You should also keep your body warm in the early morning and late evening to avoid catching a cold.
Finally, winter. In TCM, keeping the body warm, especially the legs and lower back, is essential to protect kidney qi. Light exercises such as qigong or meditation are suitable during this season.
