Do you experience headaches, itchy skin, sore joints, and drowsiness in the spring?  In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), these are symptoms of the emergence of “Kaze,” or “wind evil.”

In TCM, there are six evil spirits related to illness in humans—wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire. Among them, wind evil is “the origin of all diseases” and is nicknamed the “big brother of the disease kingdom.” It is said to lead to the incidence of most other diseases and can crop up all year round.

“Kaze” often forms a devil’s alliance with other evil spirits to attack people. For example, when “wind evil” crosses “cold evil,” it may lead to colds, or as cold wind blows, cause headaches, stiff necks, and the feeling of chill.

When “wind,” “damp,” and “cold” evils combine, they may cause joint swelling and pain, leading to reduced mobility.

If “wind evil” is added to “dry evil,” it may cause dry and itchy skin. In severe cases, it may cause scratches and bleeding.

If “wind evil” combines with “heat evil,” symptoms such as headache, fever, and irritability are likely to occur. In severe cases, it may even lead to stroke.

Massage Certain Acupoints to Relieve Headaches

Wind-cold headaches usually start from the back of the neck and the rear of the head and are often accompanied by swelling and soreness in the eyes, making it difficult to concentrate. Relief for this headache can come through self-treatment. Use your thumbs to press the two “Fengchi Points” on the left and right and the one “Fengfu Point” in the middle. These points are located in the depression above the hairline on the back of the head. Massaging them one to three minutes a day can effectively relieve headaches.

GB20 Wind Pool (Feng Chi)

DU16 Wind Palace (Feng Fu)

Soup to Relieve Itchy Skin

According to the “Diet Therapeutic Materia Medica,” mung beans have a tonic effect, which can harmonize the five internal organs, calm a restless mind, and smooth the meridians (energy channels) throughout the body.

It should be noted that mung beans should not be peeled to best retain their medicinal property. Modern research has also found that mung beans are rich in protein and antioxidant flavonoids, which have detoxifying effects.

Licorice is an all-purpose partner in TCM. It can be blended with medicinal ingredients to enhance the curative effect.

Mung Bean Licorice Soup

• 300 grams mung beans


• 15 grams raw licorice( about 4 or 5 pieces)


• 1000 milliliters water

• Wash mung beans and add to a  pot with 1000ml water. Soak for 1 hour.


• Add raw licorice, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. 


• Turn off the heat and continue to simmer for another five minutes.

Note: People with chills, indigestion, and diarrhea should not eat too many mung beans or mung bean soup.

Soup for Improving Joint Pain

TCM believes that wind, cold, and dampness can cause pain in joints, bones, and muscles, collectively known as “numbness syndrome.” One treatment for removing wind and dampness is dietary therapy. Taiwan’s traditional snack, “Sishen Soup,” is a good choice.

Sishen Soup

• 60 grams gorgon


• 30 grams Dioscorea polystachya


• 60 grams lotus seeds


• 25g poria


• 30 grams pearl barley


• 1500 milliliters water

• Wash all ingredients and add to a pot with the water


• Bring them to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 40 minutes

“Sishen decoction” is effective in removing dampness and can also improve gastrointestinal problems. For example, people who are prone to diarrhea or flatulence will benefit from Sishen decoction. 

In addition, patients with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid eating fish skin, offal, straw mushrooms, asparagus, and thick broth, as these foods may aggravate inflammation.

Cautions: Pregnant women should not take it because the coix in barley may cause miscarriage.

3 Worthwhile Foods for Springtime Good Health

In this respect, the following three foods are particularly suitable for eating in the spring: 

1. Spinach: TCM believes that spring is the season to protect the liver. Spinach nourishes the liver and enhances blood circulation, reversing dryness and quenching thirst, protecting the eyes, and delaying aging.


2. Soybean sprouts: Soybean sprouts are known as the “spring detoxification artifact.” They can clear heat, detoxify, diuretic, and dehumidify, and help improve spring allergies and itchy skin. Studies have found that eating soybeans during germination can promote the release of bioactive compounds in the intestines. Soybeans germinating for four days have six times more active peptides and other ingredients than ungerminated soybeans and have better anti-inflammatory effects.


3. Wolfberry: Considered to be one of the best medicines to nourish the liver and kidneys. They can be made into tea or eaten as a snack. Eating a handful of wolfberries every day can also help protect your eyes and improve your complexion.

In addition, one component in wolfberry, Zeaxanthin dipalmitate, is a carotenoid that is beneficial to the liver and offers hepatoprotective, anti-fibrosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.