Today is the major heat, also in the midsummer within the three dog days, the major heat overlaps with the three dog days, the hottest period of the year has arrived.
Medical experts say “heat is cooking, fire is under, the scorching sun is above, steaming vapor within gives rise to damp-heat,” which means during this period, most people’s physical condition will exhibit symptoms of being both hot, damp, and deficient, not exactly an illness but feeling lackluster all over, even having no appetite. In fact, this also reflects problems with the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach belong to the earth element, the focus of health preservation during this period is on nurturing the “spleen” and boosting “yang energy.”
However, in daily life, these few things are often done most frequently by many people in this season, which also harm the yang energy the most. Doing one less thing can result in fewer illnesses in autumn and winter.
The cervical spine, together with the spine, is referred to as the human’s “dragon bone.” Once damaged, the person’s yang energy naturally diminishes as well. If using air conditioning, it is recommended not to set it below 25℃, when going out to places with strong air conditioning, try to avoid direct cooling at the cervical spine, female compatriots can bring a shawl, and so on.
If drinking water too quickly, the water will quickly enter the bloodstream, causing the blood to become dilute, increasing blood volume, leading to symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, especially in people with poor heart conditions, particularly those with coronary heart disease, which can lead to symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, or even myocardial infarction.
In summer, do not drink water hastily, and do not seek cold. Consuming cold foods when the body is at its hottest is most harmful to health, damaging the yang energy of the internal organs. Some people enjoy drinking cold tea every day, which is also one of the most damaging manifestations of yang.
These dust particles are the dwelling place of dust mites and mold spores. If the home is not cleaned regularly, these dirty substances will take advantage of the opportunity to enter the respiratory system, causing conditions like asthma, rhinitis, etc., which are the most draining of yang energy, weakening the lungs, and other organs are also affected. It is recommended to increase cleaning frequency in summer, clean every other day.
But whether it’s because it’s too hot to sleep or phone addiction, staying up late in summer consumes a lot of the body’s yang energy, so try to go to bed early as much as possible.
During this period, the dietary health care aspect should focus on promoting the health of the spleen and stomach, dispelling dampness, and stimulating the appetite.
Many people consider green bean soup as their first choice in summer, but for some people with deficient spleen and stomach or coldness, green bean soup is not suitable for excessive consumption.
Many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend drinking ginger jujube tea, which was a prescription used by the famous Han Dynasty physician Zhang Zhongjing to harmonize the spleen and stomach. This tea is sweet with a hint of spice, allowing for sweat expulsion, heat reduction, sunstroke prevention, spleen invigoration, and dispelling cold pathogens. Instructions: Peel three slices of fresh ginger, take six red dates, add 1000ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat then simmer for about fifteen minutes; if that seems too much trouble, directly soak the dates and ginger in boiling water, covering with a lid. You can add some brown sugar or black sugar. Consuming this tea several times before menstruation can help dispel uterine cold and alleviate menstrual pain in females.
It is an old saying that “eat bitter in hot weather, better than tonics.” Various bitter-tasting foods are also available in the market during summer, such as bitter melon and lotus seeds, which are excellent seasonal health foods that can clear heat and reduce internal fire.
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However, the usage of lotus seeds is relatively particular. For middle-aged and elderly individuals with poor spleen and stomach functions, it is best to eat lotus seeds without the core, while those who are prone to insomnia, vivid dreams, or frequent internal heat, only the core of lotus seeds is recommended. The core of lotus seeds has a strong effect on clearing away heart-fire and soothing liver-fire, whereas the flesh of lotus seeds can alleviate the heat-clearing function of the core, promoting spleen health; normal individuals can consume both parts.
“Don’t eat sour in summer, go out for skewers,” increasing acidity and reducing cooling are the dietary focuses in summer.
Making melon rind juice is simple. After peeling off the outer green layer, wash it and cut it into small pieces before putting it in a juicer to extract the sour juice.
Additionally, you can use it for making chilled watermelon rind salad. Slice the watermelon rind after removing the green skin, cut into shreds or thin slices, marinate with salt for about ten minutes, then mix directly with sesame oil and vinegar as a refreshing appetizer.
