I. Introduction: Children’s Health Faces Dual Challenges During the Plum Rain Season

As many regions begin to enter the continuous rainy plum rain season, and with children just starting school, parents need to pay special attention to two issues:

1. Continuous rainy weather increases air humidity, which can affect the spleen and stomach functions of the body, leading to symptoms such as indigestion and loss of appetite in children.
2. Children with weak spleen and stomach are more susceptible to the effects of dampness, resulting in gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
3. Children gathering at school and being in close contact can easily lead to the spread of infectious diseases (such as influenza, norovirus, etc.).
4. Children with poor spleen and stomach function have weaker resistance and are more likely to be infected.

II. Case Analysis: Causes of Vomiting in Children and TCM Responses

Case Description:

Recently, three mothers reported that their children were experiencing persistent vomiting.

TCM Analysis:

• Tongue Observation:
  • White Greasy Coating at the Root of the Tongue: Indicates the presence of cold dampness in the body.
  • Redness on the Sides of the Tip of the Tongue: Indicates the presence of heat in the body.
  • White Coating in the Middle: Indicates a dysfunction of the spleen and stomach.
• Cause Analysis:
  • Vomiting in children is not solely caused by gastrointestinal issues but by the accumulation of damp heat in the spleen, stomach, and triple burner, leading to obstructed qi flow and stomach qi rising, which triggers vomiting.

III. TCM Prevention and Response Measures

1. Prepare Medications in Advance: Addressing Common Issues in Children

• Recommended Chinese Patent Medicines:
  • Xiao’er Gui Chai Reti Granules:
    • Main Ingredients: Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig, Pueraria Root, Duckweed, Scutellaria, White Peony Root, Cicada Slough.
    • Efficacy Analysis:
      • Bupleurum: Clears deficient heat, treats colds with fever and alternating chills and fever.
      • Cinnamon Twig: Induces sweating to relieve muscle tension, warms the meridians, promotes blood circulation, assists yang in transforming qi, and relieves pain from cold.
      • Pueraria Root: Relieves exterior syndromes and reduces fever, promotes fluid production, promotes eruption of rashes, raises yang to stop diarrhea.
      • Duckweed: Dispels wind, promotes diuresis, clears heat, and detoxifies.
      • Cicada Slough: Dispels wind and heat, benefits the throat, promotes eruption of rashes, clears the eyes, and relieves spasms.
    • Indications: Wind-heat colds, and issues caused by dampness and heat, including vomiting and fever.
  • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Pills/Water:
    • Suitable for vomiting and diarrhea caused by external wind-cold and internal dampness stagnation.
  • Ge Gen Qin Lian Granules:
    • Suitable for diarrhea and vomiting caused by the accumulation of damp heat.
• Usage Instructions:
  • Xiao’er Chai Gui Reti Granules:
    • One packet per dose, three times a day.
    • Even if the child does not show symptoms of vomiting, it can be taken in moderation to prevent damp heat issues and reduce the risk of infection.
  • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water:
    • Can be used externally: Apply Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water on the child’s belly and massage in circles, then drop a few drops into the navel and cover with a bandage.

2. Observe the Tongue Coating: Timely Detection of Health Issues

• Relationship Between Tongue Coating and Health:
  • Clean Tongue Coating: Indicates good spleen and stomach function, low body dampness, and children are less likely to experience vomiting or catch the flu.
  • Abnormal Tongue Coating: Such as white greasy coating, yellow greasy coating, etc., indicates a dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, with significant dampness or heat pathogens, requiring timely measures.
• Suggestions:
  • Parents should observe their child’s tongue coating daily, and contact a doctor immediately upon noticing any abnormalities to take appropriate treatment measures.

3. Dietary Adjustment: Preventing Spleen and Stomach Issues

• Dietary Precautions During the Plum Rain Season:
  • Avoid Raw and Cold Foods: Raw and cold foods can damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach, exacerbating dampness.
  • Eat Less Hard-to-Digest Foods: Such as greasy foods and sweets, to avoid burdening the spleen and stomach.
  • Eat More Spleen-Strengthening and Dampness-Removing Foods:
    • Such as coix seed, red beans, yam, and white hyacinth beans.
    • These foods can help children strengthen their spleen, remove dampness, and enhance their constitution.
• Case Analysis:
  • Children with clean tongue coatings have better spleen and stomach function, and with proper dietary adjustments, they are less likely to experience vomiting or catch the flu.
  • Therefore, parents should pay attention to managing their children’s diet, especially during the plum rain season, and be more cautious about avoiding foods that can lead to dampness.

4. Other Preventive Measures:

• Keep Indoor Environment Dry: Use a dehumidifier or the dehumidifying function of an air conditioner to prevent excessive indoor humidity.
• Avoid Getting Wet in the Rain: Carry rain gear when going out to prevent children from getting wet and catching a cold.
• Enhance Personal Hygiene: Wash hands frequently, maintain oral hygiene, and reduce the risk of virus transmission.

IV. Conclusion

During the plum rain season, children’s health issues are more prevalent, and parents need to be vigilant and take proactive preventive measures:

☆1. Prepare Chinese Patent Medicines: Have Xiao’er Chai Gui Reti Granules, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Pills/Water, and other Chinese patent medicines ready in advance for emergencies.
☆2. Observe the Tongue Coating: Closely monitor changes in the child’s tongue coating to detect health issues promptly.
☆3. Focus on Dietary Adjustment: Avoid raw, cold, and hard-to-digest foods, and eat more spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing foods.
☆4. Maintain Good Living Habits: Keep the indoor environment dry, avoid getting wet in the rain, and enhance personal hygiene.

By implementing these measures, it is possible to effectively prevent gastrointestinal issues in children during the plum rain season and reduce the risk of contracting infectious diseases.