I. Analysis of the Pathogenesis of Cliff-like Temperature Drop After the Spring Equinox in Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. Characteristics of the Solar Term and Health Correlation

• ​​The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon​: “In the three months of spring, this is called the time of sprouting, when heaven and earth are born together, and all things flourish.”
• ​Abnormal Climate: After the spring equinox, if the yang energy rises too quickly and there is insufficient liver blood, it can lead to “excessive yang escaping outward,” easily causing conditions like inflammation, allergies, and colds.
• In Hunan, starting tomorrow, the temperature will drop sharply like a cliff. We must take protective measures to help children safely navigate this period of drastic temperature fluctuations.

2. Modern Medical Perspective

• ​Sudden Temperature Drop: When the temperature difference between day and night exceeds 10°C, the risk of human immune system disorder increases by 30% (WHO data).
• ​Common Childhood Diseases: Disease Type Typical Symptoms Pathogenesis in TCM Recurrent fever Low-grade fever 37-38°C, loss of appetite Liver and kidney yin deficiency, internal disturbance by虚火 Allergic rhinitis Itchy nose, frequent sneezing Lung qi deficiency, weak exterior defense Eczema Red rash with exudate, increased itching at night Damp-heat accumulation, blood heat causing wind

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​II. Guide to Diagnosis and Medication for 5 Typical Tongue Patterns (with Tongue Pattern Illustrations and Medication Instructions)

☆☆Case 1: A girl had a fever. (Recently, children have been experiencing fevers, usually not very high, mostly low-grade fevers between 37°C and 38°C, rarely exceeding 39°C. They typically first show symptoms like loss of appetite, dizziness, poor spirits, and difficulty concentrating in class.)

First, let’s analyze the tongue coating.

Ignoring that part, look at the sides of the tongue, which are concave. In a normal person, the sides of the tongue coating are convex, but this concavity indicates insufficient liver blood. From a TCM perspective, insufficient liver blood can lead to internal movement of liver wind. During the period from Jingzhe to the spring equinox, yang energy begins to grow, which is a good thing. We often use moxibustion and exercise to promote the growth of yang energy. But why does the growth of yang energy cause many diseases? Because the yang energy is not growing normally, but growing chaotically and too quickly. This is because we have insufficient liver blood and kidney essence, and the yang energy, which should grow slowly, suddenly surges out.

For example, it’s like boiling water; with little water in the pot and a big fire, the water boils away quickly. Many people now, including adults, have trouble sleeping at night and wake up suddenly because of insufficient yin fluids, causing internal heat. This internal heat leads to inflammation, such as mouth ulcers and swollen gums, and anti-inflammatory and heat-clearing drugs are not very effective.

For children with fevers, they might recur. When they have chickenpox, it’s a good opportunity to adjust their constitution as toxins are released. If you use heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs to suppress it, you miss the chance to repair the body. At this time, you should nourish the liver and kidneys, replenishing the yin blood of the liver and kidneys. Now, let’s talk about the solution. I recommend two Chinese patent medicines, Ganmao Qingre Granules and Lingqiao Jiedu Pills.

I used to recommend Xiao Chaihu Granules and Xiao’er Chaigui Tui Re Granules for children with colds, fevers, and coughs, but they are not suitable recently. Xiao Chaihu Granules and Xiao’er Chaigui Tui Re Granules have a dispersing effect. Previously, when yang energy couldn’t be generated, they helped with the generation of yang energy and the expulsion of pathogenic factors. Now, with yang energy coming out too quickly, we can’t use these drugs to promote generation anymore, but need to clear heat and detoxify. Ganmao Qingre Granules contain both exterior-releasing and heat-clearing herbs, providing dual relief, and are more effective. Its ingredients like Schizonepeta, Mint, Saposhnikovia, Bupleurum, Perilla Leaf, and Pueraria can disperse outward while clearing heat.

For the tongue coating in this case, if your child has a similar situation, you can take Ganmao Qingre Granules for prevention, which is also suitable even when the temperature drops. After the temperature drops, people are more likely to catch a cold, with cold on the surface and internal heat, easily leading to a hot cold, manifesting as cough, sore throat, swollen tonsils, itchy and red skin, etc.

Lingqiao Jiedu Pills, with “antelope horn” in the name, though now mostly replaced by goat horn, are still very effective for clearing heat, especially for acute conditions like high fever and convulsions. If you have children at home, keep one or two boxes on hand. For children with fevers above 39°C, taking these pills can reduce the fever more effectively than ibuprofen, and they not only clear heat but also release the exterior.

☆☆Case 2: This is a photo of the tongue of a child with a nosebleed. Unlike the previous fever case, this tongue coating does not have concave sides, but the tongue surface has many strawberry spots. Children have a pure yang constitution, with vigorous yang energy, and under the influence of the spring equinox, their yang energy grows quickly, easily causing restlessness, kicking off the covers at night. In such cases, taking some Ganmao Qingre Granules to reduce虚热 can help the child sleep peacefully at night, which is beneficial for growth.

☆☆Case 3: This is a child with a cold and cough. The red spots on the tongue coating are not obvious, but there are red spots at the tip of the tongue, and the root of the tongue is concave. Normally, the root of the tongue is also concave, but this one is more pronounced. This indicates insufficient kidney yin and essence, leading to虚火. In TCM, the liver and kidneys are interconnected, and the treatment for liver yin deficiency and kidney yin deficiency is similar.

☆☆Case 4: This is another child with a cold and cough. The tip of the tongue is red and thick, with a white line in the middle and signs of dampness. The white line in the middle of the tongue coating indicates cold and dampness in the stomach and intestines, poor transportation, and the presence of phlegm, indicating heavy dampness. Dampness can generate郁热, leading to cough. If the child avoids cold foods, they are less likely to develop heat from dampness and may not feel uncomfortable.

☆☆Case 5: This tongue coating belongs to an adult. Recently, this adult has been having trouble sleeping at night, with shallow sleep, frequent waking, and many dreams. The sides of the tongue are redder than the rest of the tongue, which is an abnormal redness, indicating excessive liver fire.

For this situation, I recommend taking Longdan Xiegan Pills after meals. Take two large pills a day, or increase the dosage of the granules by 1.5 times according to the instructions, and gradually increase the dosage based on the body’s constitution and condition. Once the liver fire is cleared, the redness on the sides of the tongue will fade, and the person will feel more comfortable.

I have also recommended Zuoci Pills and Chaigui Longmu Granules on my social media before. Zuoci Pills can replenish insufficient kidney essence and are a modified version of Liuwei Dihuang Pills, containing magnetite, which can reduce虚热 caused by kidney yin deficiency. If an adult has trouble sleeping and the sides of the tongue are red, take Longdan Xiegan Pills; if the sides are not red, take Zuoci Pills.

With the temperature about to drop, I suggest everyone stock up on the Chinese patent medicines I mentioned tonight or tomorrow. If you have sleep issues, after a simple diagnosis, you can also buy Zuoci Pills or Longdan Xiegan Pills for backup. Check your child’s tongue coating; if it matches the four situations discussed today, you’ll know how to medicate. For example, before school, the child can take two packets of Ganmao Qingre Granules; after school, if the tongue coating is wet and the white coating is greasy, take Huoxiang Zhengqi Granules; if the white coating is not greasy and there are no obvious abnormalities, no additional medication is needed; if the tongue coating turns red, quickly take two packets of Ganmao Qingre Granules to prevent the condition from worsening.
Summary:

1. Concave sides of the tongue + red tongue with little coating

• ​Diagnosis: Insufficient liver blood, internal movement of虚风
• ​Medication: Ganmao Qingre Granules (Schizonepeta and Mint to dispel wind and clear heat, Pueraria to generate fluids and stop spasms)
• ​Dietary Therapy: Mulberry and Goji Berry Porridge (15g Mulberry + 10g Goji Berry + 50g Rice)

2. Dense strawberry spots on the tongue surface + red tongue tip

• ​Diagnosis: Excessive heat in the lungs and stomach, stagnation of heat toxins
• ​Medication: Lingqiao Jiedu Pills (Antelope/Goat Horn to clear liver fire, Honeysuckle and Forsythia to detoxify)
• ​External Treatment: Prick and bleed the Shaoshang point (once a day, 3 drops each time)

3. Concave tongue root + greasy white coating

• ​Diagnosis: Deficiency of kidney essence, cold and dampness obstructing the spleen
• ​Medication: Zuoci Pills (Liuwei Dihuang Pills + Magnetite, nourish yin and subdue阳)
• ​Foot Soaking Recipe: 15g Mugwort + 10g Poria, boil water, soak feet for 20 minutes before bed

4. Bright red tongue edges + thin yellow coating

• ​Diagnosis: Excessive liver and gallbladder fire, malnourishment of the heart and spirit
• ​Medication: Longdan Xiegan Pills (Gentian and Scutellaria to clear liver and purge fire, Alisma to drain dampness)
• ​Tea Substitute: 3g Chrysanthemum + 5g Cassia Seed + 3g Rose, steep in boiling water

5. Pale red tongue + obvious teeth marks

• ​Diagnosis: Spleen deficiency with excessive dampness, insufficient qi and blood
• ​Medication: Shenling Baizhu Powder (Codonopsis and Atractylodes to strengthen the spleen, Poria and Yam to remove dampness)
• ​Acupressure: Zusanli (3 inches below the knee) massage for 3 minutes/day

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​III. Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Response Plan

(Integrating Clinical Pathways and Medication Standards)
1. Tiered Intervention Strategy

​Symptom Grading	​Western Medicine Treatment	​Chinese Medicine Coordination	​Precautions
Mild Cold	Saline nasal rinse + Vitamin C	Ganmao Qingre Granules + Moxibustion at Dazhui point	Avoid cold fruits (like watermelon)
Moderate Fever	Acetaminophen for fever reduction	Lingqiao Jiedu Pills + Ear tip bloodletting	Seek medical attention if temperature >38.5°C
Severe Allergy	Loratadine + Corticosteroids	Zuoci Pills + Cupping at Xuehai point	Avoid exposure to pollen/dust mites

2. Special Adjustment Plan for Children

• ​Night Crying and Easy Waking: Massage Shenmen point (on the ulnar side of the wrist crease) + 5g Ziziphus spinosa boiled in water as tea
• ​Preventing Kicking Off Covers: Soak feet before bed with 3g Clove + 2g Cinnamon boiled in water to guide fire back to its origin

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​IV. Spring Equinox Health Preservation “Three Prevention” Principles

(Combining “Treatise on Health Preservation” and Modern Research)
1. Prevent Wind Evil

• ​Dressing Principle: “Onion-style layering,” with an inner layer of breathable cotton/bamboo fiber, a middle layer of fleece, and an outer layer of windproof jacket
• ​Dietary Therapy Recommendation: Astragalus and Saposhnikovia Porridge (10g Astragalus + 5g Saposhnikovia + 50g Rice)

2. Prevent Fire Evil

• ​Dietary Taboos: Avoid spicy foods (chili/pepper), avoid staying up late (go to bed before 11 PM)
• ​Acupressure: Press Taichong point (between the first and second metatarsal bones on the foot) for 3 minutes/day

3. Prevent Dampness Stagnation

• ​Exercise Prescription: Practice “Adjusting the Spleen and Stomach by Single Lifting” from the Eight Brocades every morning
• ​Medicinal Diet: Red Bean and Job’s Tears Pork Rib Soup (20g Red Bean + 15g Job’s Tears + 300g Pork Ribs)