Does eating fruit on Dragon Boat Festival “kill bugs”?

According to traditional beliefs, there are many types of parasites in the human body, especially in the intestines, which are commonly referred to as “insects”. These creatures are believed to only “appear” and be most easily destroyed on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, when the natural yang energy reaches its peak, the weather turns hot, and the body is easily unbalanced.

To "kill insects", our grandparents taught that early in the morning of the Duanwu Festival, when the stomach is still hungry and has not eaten anything, one should eat sour, astringent, spicy or slightly fermented foods such as sticky rice wine, plums, lychees, etc. to awaken and destroy insects in the body.

For young children, this ritual is even performed while they are still in bed, by feeding them a boiled egg, a few pieces of fruit or a spoonful of sticky rice wine, before brushing their teeth and washing their faces. The act is simple, but full of symbolism and tradition, showing the parents' concern for their children's health and preserving the old ways.

From a modern medical perspective, of course, eating fruit or drinking rice wine cannot “kill bugs” in the true sense of destroying parasites or harmful bacteria. However, nutritionists say that this custom still brings many practical benefits.

Fruits such as plums, lychees, watermelons, etc. are typical summer fruits, containing lots of vitamin C, fiber and water that help to cool down, aid digestion and cool the body. In particular, fiber in fruits helps to promote intestinal motility, support excretion and enhance the activity of the digestive system, a very important factor on hot summer days when the body is prone to heat and fatigue.

Meanwhile, if properly fermented, rice wine will contain beneficial bacteria and natural probiotics. These ingredients help balance intestinal microflora, aid digestion and boost immunity. However, adults and children should use it in moderation and not overuse it because the low alcohol concentration in rice wine may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with stomach problems or weak digestion.

Besides the health aspect, eating fruits and rice wine early in the morning on the Doan Ngo Festival also has the meaning of a ritual to purify the body and mind. The fifth lunar month is the beginning of summer, when the temperature rises, the hot weather can easily make people irritable and uncomfortable. A piece of sour plum, a plate of cool sweet lychee or a cup of light rice wine will help soothe the body, reduce heat from the inside and bring a feeling of relaxation.

Not only that, this is also a special occasion for family members to gather and share a simple but emotional breakfast. The crisp laughter of children when tasting sour plums, the sound of grandmothers recalling old stories, the sound of mothers preparing rice wine from the night before. All create a cozy family atmosphere, connecting generations through this seemingly simple traditional ritual.

Because in today’s busy modern life, not every family can devote the whole morning to the “killing bugs” ritual like in the past. The bustling chants of “killing bugs, killing bugs” may have been less frequent, and the offerings have also been simplified depending on the circumstances. However, just a bowl of sticky rice wine, a plate of fresh fruit on the breakfast table, is enough to evoke the warm memories that each person has carried with them about the Doan Ngo Festival of their childhood.

“Killing bugs” with fruit may not be medically correct, but it is culturally correct. It is a custom that reminds people to care about their health, to slow down in the hustle and bustle of life to appreciate the simple but sacred values in the family. During traditional holidays like Doan Ngo, maintaining a seemingly simple habit is a way to connect with one’s roots, take care of one’s health and foster family affection.

Thanh Ha

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/an-trai-cay-ngay-tet-doan-ngo-co-giet-duoc-sau-bo-post550204.html