Spring Fever and Spring Greens

The sunlight coming through the window is unusual. My whole body feels sluggish—seems like spring really has arrived. I remember the days when I was rubbing my sleepy eyes and trying to stay awake during class. Maybe it was because it was spring. Maybe that's why I think of those days more whenever spring comes.

If you feel tired easily in spring, have difficulty waking up in the morning, feel more sleepy during the day, yawn, feel dizzy, have a heavy throat, have poor digestion, have frequent urination, have rough skin, and feel irritable in all your actions, you should suspect spring fatigue.

This is a syndrome caused by decreased pituitary-adrenal cortex, heart, and liver function. As the body that was frozen in winter thaws in spring, metabolism becomes active and fatigue is felt. There is no magic bullet to overcome spring fever, but moderate exercise, sufficient sleep, and massage or bathing can help blood circulation and remove waste and fatigue substances. It is also good to have a cup of tea when you are sleepy and tired.

Enjoy a waltz with bamboo tea (竹茶) , spring snow tea (wild green tea 春雪茶), and tea sprout green tea (雀舌茶). Green tea is rich in caffeine, vitamins, niacin, and various minerals, which clear the mind, increase memory and stamina, and promote metabolism.

There is a saying that when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

In spring, it is best to follow the laws of spring. The way to follow the laws of spring is simple. It is to surrender yourself to the spring of nature. That is, to eat foods that grow in spring and to make your mind like spring. Spring greens such as mugwort, plantain, chives, shepherd’s purse, wild rocambole,

lxeridium dentatum, Korean lettuce, and aralia shoots not only stimulate the appetite in the winter, but also play a big role in relieving fatigue from sleepy spring days. These spring greens help digestion, stabilize the stomach, relieve hangovers after drinking, and detoxify the liver, clearing the blood and mind.

Bitterness is an excellent cardiotonic that strengthens the heart and promotes metabolism, so it can easily overcome spring illnesses. In particular, chives are effective in warming the five internal organs (waist, knees) and increasing energy. Water parsley prevents blood acidification and relieves thirst, so it is good for relieving hangovers.

Shepherd’s purse brightens the eyes and has a strong hemostatic effect, so it is good as a blood tonic, and it has the effect of treating anemia and strengthening the liver. Lxeridium dentatum eliminates the cold caused by low fever and strengthens the heart function.

As the song says, when spring comes, azaleas, forsythias, and lilacs bloom in the mountains and fields. You can feel the full bloom when you see the flowers, but you can also enjoy spring by making liquor with the flowers.

Forsythia, azalea, lilac, and orchid are made from fully bloomed flowers, dandelion is made from the neck of the flower, cherry blossom and violet are made from buds that have just started to bloom, and magnolia is made from the youngest flowers and buds. After collecting the flowers, soak them in water, wash them cleanly, remove the moisture, pour in about three times as much soju, seal, and age for about 1 to 3 months. Then filter the alcohol and store it. The flower tassel has been considered a medicinal ingredient since ancient times because it helps digestion and relieves fatigue.

Clove buds strengthen the stomach, increase appetite, and stimulate tired nerves throughout the body, making it easy to overcome spring fatigue. Lilac wine has a sweet scent but a bitter taste and promotes bile secretion, making it very effective for digestion and appetite.

How about drinking a glass of homemade flower wine with friends you haven't heard from in a while, and reminiscing about your forgotten school days on a quiet spring night? Or how about going on a spring outing with friends and family this weekend? It will be a signal to announce the four happy seasons.

Photo by Deepthi Clicks on Unsplash