In the scorching summer days, the unbearable heat often leads to discomfort and even dizziness for many. To cope with the heat, exploring effective cooling measures has become people’s daily routine. In fact, based on the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine, many common ingredients and methods around us can help us survive the summer smoothly.
Cooling Herbal Tea: Among many options for beating the heat, cooling herbal tea stands out. For example, bitter melon can be consumed directly or brewed into tea. It has the effects of clearing heat, calming the mind, and diuretic properties. When paired with licorice to make tea, it can effectively relieve the summer heat. Other bitter teas like bitter wormwood tea are also suitable for summer consumption. However, individuals with cold constitutions, older people, and children should not drink cooling herbal tea frequently to avoid affecting gastrointestinal health.
Foot Soaking for Cooling: When high temperatures affect sleep, trying foot soaking is a good choice. By promoting sweating, foot soaking helps the body cool down, alleviating irritability and potential liver overheating caused by the summer heat. However, women during menstruation and patients with hypertension should avoid foot soaking to prevent health risks, and it is advisable to consult professionals when selecting foot-soaking herbs.
Mindful Meditation: One’s mental state can also influence their perception of heat. Mindful meditation can help calm irritability, reduce liver heat, and achieve a state of calmness for natural cooling. When emotions are stable, the external sense of heat naturally diminishes.
Healthy Diet: In summer, a light diet rich in vegetables and fruits is recommended. This can replenish lost fluids due to sweating and avoid stomach discomfort from heat. Compared to meat, vegetables and fruits are more suitable for summer, reducing the intake of barbecued food and ice-cold beer to prevent temporary coolness from leading to a more severe rebound of summer heat.
Cupping for Heat Relief: When the body struggles to expel summer dampness, cupping, as a traditional health maintenance method, can effectively dispel heat and dampness, bringing relief to the body.
In conclusion, facing the challenges of high temperatures in summer, we can start from various aspects such as diet and lifestyle habits, and adopt natural and gentle methods to cool down, making this summer more refreshing and pleasant.
