I. Introduction: the rainy season and the double challenge for children's health

As many areas are starting to enter the rainy and cloudy rainy season, and with children just starting school, parents need two issues that need special attention:

1. Persistent rainy weather leads to an increase in air humidity, which can easily affect the body's spleen and stomach functions, leading to indigestion, loss of appetite and other symptoms in children.
2. Children with weak spleens and stomachs are more susceptible to dampness and develop gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Children congregate at school and come into close contact, which can easily lead to the spread of pandemic diseases (e.g., influenza, norovirus, etc.).
4. Children with poor spleen and stomach function have weaker resistance and are more susceptible to infection.

II. Case Study: Etiology of Vomiting in Children and Chinese Medicine Response

Case description:

Recently, three moms have given feedback that their children are experiencing more than just vomiting.

TCM analysis:

• Tongue observation:
  • White, greasy moss at the base of the tongue: Suggests that there is cold-dampness in the body.
  • The tongue is reddish on the tip side: Suggests heat in the body.
  • White moss in the center: Suggests dysfunction of the spleen and stomach.
• Cause analysis:
  • Vomiting in children is not caused solely by gastrointestinal problems, but rather by the accumulation of dampness and heat in the triple jiao of the spleen and stomach, leading to Qi dysfunction and upward reversal of gastric Qi, which triggers vomiting.

III. Prevention and Response in Chinese Medicine

1. Advance preparation of medicines: responding to common problems of children

• Recommended proprietary medicines:
  • Pediatric Gui Chai Antipyretic Granules:
    • Main ingredients: Chai Hu, Gui Zhi, Pueraria Mirifica, Fucus, Scutellariae, Paeoniae Alba, Cicada Shell.
    • Efficacy Analysis:
      • Chai Hu: Clearing deficiency heat, treating cold and fever, cold and heat.
      • Cinnamon sticks: Sweating relieves muscles, warms the meridians and passes the veins, helps Yang to transform Qi, disperses cold and relieves pain.
      • Kudzu: Relieving exterior surface and fever, promoting the production of body fluid, transmitting rashes, promoting Yang and stopping diarrhea.
      • Floaters: Dispelling wind, promoting water circulation, clearing heat and detoxifying.
      • Cicadas: Dispersing wind and removing heat, inducing diaphoresis, clearing rashes, reducing cataracts and relieving spasm.
    • Applicable conditions: Wind-heat colds, and problems caused by dampness and heat, including vomiting and fever.
  • Patchouli pills/water:
    • It is suitable for symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea caused by external wind-cold and internal dampness stagnation.
  • Pueraria Mirifica Granules:
    • For symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting caused by damp-heat accumulation.
• Usage:
  • Pediatric Chai Gui Antipyretic Granules:
    • One packet at a time, three times a day.
    • Even if your child is not showing symptoms of vomiting, it can be taken in moderation to prevent damp heat problems and reduce the risk of being infected.
  • Patchouli:
    • It can be used externally: apply patchouli to your child's tummy and massage in a circular motion, then place a few drops on the navel and apply a band-aid.

2. Observation of the tongue: timely detection of health problems

• The relationship between the tongue and health:
  • Clean tongue: It suggests that the spleen and stomach are functioning well, the body is not heavy with dampness, and the child is not prone to problems such as vomiting and flu infections.
  • Abnormal tongue coating: Such as white greasy moss, yellow greasy moss, etc., suggests that the spleen and stomach functions are out of order, and the body is heavy with dampness or heat, so timely measures need to be taken.
• Recommendation:
  • Parents should observe their children's tongue changes daily and contact their doctor for appropriate treatment if any abnormality is detected.

3. Dietary regulation: prevention of spleen and stomach problems

• Dietary considerations during the rainy season:
  • Avoid cold and raw foods: Raw and cold foods tend to damage the spleen and stomach yang and aggravate dampness.
  • Eat less hard-to-digest foods: such as greasy food and sweets, so as not to aggravate the burden on the spleen and stomach.
  • Eat more food that strengthens the spleen and dispels dampness:
    • Such as Job's tears, red beans, yams, white lentils and so on.
    • These foods can help your child strengthen the spleen, dispel dampness and strengthen the body.
• Case Study:
  • Children with clean tongues have better spleen and stomach functions, and with a properly regulated diet, they are less prone to problems such as vomiting and flu infections.
  • Therefore, parents should pay attention to the management of their children's diet, especially during the rainy season, and be careful to avoid foods that can easily lead to dampness.

4. Other preventive measures:

• Keep the room dry: Use the dehumidifying function of a dehumidifier or air conditioner to prevent excessive indoor humidity.
• Avoid getting wet: Carry rain gear with you when you go out to avoid your child getting cold in the rain.
• Strengthening personal hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and keep your mouth clean to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

IV. Summary

During the rainy season, children's health problems are prevalent and parents need to be vigilant and take proactive preventive measures:

☆ 1. Prepare proprietary Chinese medicines: Prepare in advance proprietary Chinese medicines such as Pediatric Chai Gui Antipyretic Granules and Patchouli Zhengqi Pills/Water for emergencies.
☆2. Observe the tongue: Pay close attention to changes in your child's tongue to detect health problems in time.
3. Focus on diet: Avoid cold and indigestible foods and eat more foods that strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness.
4. Maintain good living habits: keep the room dry, avoid rain, and improve personal hygiene.

The above measures can effectively prevent children from developing gastrointestinal problems during the rainy season and reduce the risk of being infected with epidemic diseases.