Qingming: A Time for Ancestor Worship, Agricultural Activity, and Health Maintenance

　　Qingming, meaning clear and bright in Chinese, is a traditional festival in China. According to the lunar calendar, "when the Dipper points to the Ding, it is Qingming." During this time, the average daily temperature in most parts of China has risen above 12 degrees Celsius, and it is the season when peach blossoms bloom and willow trees turn green, presenting a beautiful and clear scene. Qingming has long been a day for people to pay respects to their ancestors and sweep tombs. It is a time when Chinese people attach great importance to the ritual of "offering with etiquette" to honor their ancestors. In ancient times, Qingming was often referred to as the "Ghost Festival," and there were different customs related to ancestor worship in different regions. In northern China, there is a saying that goes, "Don't wear willow on Qingming, or your face will turn white," implying that wearing willow branches can ward off evil spirits and disasters. Therefore, Qingming is also known as the "Cold Food Festival." In Taiwan, the way of ancestor worship is quite different, described as follows in the county records: "During Qingming, people invite relatives and friends to accompany them to worship their ancestors and sweep tombs. Women drive to the mountains, offer their respects, sit on the ground and drink, and return at dusk." These ancient customs that have been preserved to this day demonstrate the significance of Qingming to people.

　　In terms of agricultural production, Qingming is an important solar term. There is a saying that goes, "Qingming and Guyu are closely connected, and it's time to sow and plant melons and beans." In urban areas, there is also a saying that goes, "Planting trees and forests should be done during Qingming." This shows that regardless of whether it is in rural or urban areas, Qingming is a day that deserves people's attention.

　　From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Qingming is also a particularly important solar term. During this period, it is a high-risk period for hypertension, so we will discuss how to maintain health related to this disease.

　　First of all, we need to understand what hypertension is. Hypertension refers to a condition where the arterial pressure in the systemic circulation is continuously elevated, which can damage blood vessels, brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs. The incidence of this disease increases with age. Hypertensive patients have a 3-5 times higher incidence of coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction compared to individuals with normal blood pressure. In traditional Chinese medicine, besides observing changes in blood pressure, it is also important to analyze systemic symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. The causes of the disease are often related to old age, physical weakness, emotional imbalance, long-term fatigue, and dietary preferences. The pathogenesis is mainly an imbalance between yin and yang, with deficiency being the main manifestation. Common patterns include yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity (headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, lumbar soreness, weak knees, flushing, numbness in limbs); liver and kidney yin deficiency (dizziness, dry and gritty eyes, tinnitus, deafness, lumbar soreness, leg weakness, heel pain); yin and yang deficiency (blurred vision, feeling like being on a boat while walking, pale complexion, occasional feverishness, palpitations, shortness of breath, lumbar soreness, frequent nocturia, or edema). When people with hypertension engage in health maintenance, they should focus on balancing yin and yang, nourishing the body's vitality, and adopt comprehensive methods, such as regulating emotions. This is because the disease is closely related to emotional factors, and when emotions are unfulfilled or excessive, it often affects the smooth flow of liver wood and the nourishment of kidney water.

　　Modern medical research has also shown that external stimuli, long-term mental tension, anxiety, and irritability can lead to and worsen the symptoms of hypertension. Therefore, in terms of emotional regulation during the health maintenance process, one should reduce and eliminate abnormal emotional reactions, shift emotions, maintain a cheerful mood, and choose gentle movements like Tai Chi, which combines movement and stillness, as the preferred exercise. Avoid participating in competitive activities to avoid emotional excitement. Avoid engaging in activities that involve lifting heavy weights to prevent breath-holding, which can cause an increase in blood pressure. In terms of dietary regulation, one should eat at regular intervals and in moderate amounts, avoiding overeating. For those who are overweight, they should reduce sugar intake, restrict calorie intake, and eat more fruits and vegetables. For the elderly with hypertension, a low-sodium diet should be emphasized. In addition to reducing salt intake, potassium intake should be increased by consuming more vegetables and fruits.