24 Solar Terms: 4 things you should know about Grain Buds

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, which reflect changes in weather, scenery, and even people’s lives. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. 【小题1】 Grain Buds (小满), the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 6. Next, let’s see what we can do during the “Grain Buds” period today.

A good season for eating fish

During the Grain Buds period, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “A heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which gives rise to great tasting fish and shrimp. This is a good time to enjoy them. 【小题2】

Eating herb of common sow thistle

Grain Buds is a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle (苦菜), which tastes a little bitter and sour, but also sweet. It has the function of cooling the blood and detoxifying (解毒) the body. It can be made into different types of dishes. 【小题3】 People in some other places boil the herb with water and then squeeze out the juice, which can be used to make soup.

Tips on health preserving in Grain Buds

【小题4】 The increase in temperature over this season may also give rise to all sorts of skin diseases. It is also important to exercise to keep healthy during the hot summer days. Walking, jogging and practicing tai chi are popular.

Key period for flower management

This time is a good period of the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high, which makes caring for your garden even more critical.【小题5】 Also, a systematic water system should be carried out.