On hot summer days, people often feel dry and hot, but some people also experience discomfort such as alternating hot and cold sensations, chest tightness, and limb soreness, which are often related to excessive internal dampness. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, diseases are caused by six external factors: wind, heat, cold, fire, dampness, and dryness, with dampness being difficult to eradicate. The dog days of summer are a period when dampness easily invades the body, providing a good opportunity for eliminating dampness.
There are various reasons for excessive dampness in summer. Firstly, some people prefer to sleep directly on the floor for coolness in the scorching heat, ignoring the heavy dampness on the floor which may lead to decreased constitution and weakness in the limbs over time. Secondly, climate factors such as rainy and humid summers, coupled with the increased moisture in the air after rain, exacerbate the invasion of dampness. Additionally, frequent use of air conditioning can also accumulate dampness in the body due to the cold air. Thirdly, improper diet, such as excessive consumption of ice and cold fruits like watermelon, which can temporarily relieve heat but also open the door to dampness; and a large intake of meat, according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, can also increase internal dampness.
Excessive dampness can be observed through daily symptoms such as morning fatigue, lower back pain, or a continuous feeling of overall moist environment. Tongue diagnosis is also an important indicator, with a thick white tongue coating and sticky saliva indicating internal cold-damp, while a red tongue without coating may signal excessive yin-dampness. Changes in stool form, such as being unformed or sticky in the toilet, are also signs of dampness influence.
To improve the condition of dampness, it is important to start with diet and lifestyle habits. The diet should be light, reducing cold foods and increasing foods like bitter melon that can clear heat and nourish the body. Exercise is an effective way to promote the elimination of dampness. Moderate exercise in summer can help sweat out dampness and enhance physical fitness. Traditional therapies such as cupping can concentrate and eliminate dampness from specific acupoints. Foot soaking is a gentle way of conditioning, as the appropriate water temperature can warm the meridians in the feet, promote overall blood circulation, and assist in expelling dampness.
In conclusion, summer health care should focus on balancing yin and yang, eliminating dampness, avoiding excessive intake of damp and cold foods, combining proper diet with regular exercise to ensure good health and stay away from the troubles of dampness.
