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During Mangzhong, avoid cold treats and sweets; Chinese Medicine expert reveals ancestral health tips

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Chinese Medicine practitioners advise against consuming cold foods and sweets during the Mangzhong solar term due to increased humidity and heat.
  • The period, which begins around June 5-7, can lead to fatigue, digestive issues, and sluggish metabolism.
  • Traditional advice includes eating foods like Job's tears, red beans, winter melon, and yams to help the body expel dampness and nourish the spleen.

As the Mangzhong solar term arrives, signaling the start of high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and increased humidity, traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners are advising a dietary shift away from common summer indulgences.

According to Li Tinghua, president of the Zhanqian Xinshengtang Hospital and a TCM practitioner, the Mangzhong period, typically falling between June 5th and 7th annually, creates an environment conducive to internal dampness and heat. This can manifest as fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems. To combat these issues, Li recommends avoiding iced beverages, sweets, and fried foods, which can exacerbate "dampness obstructing the spleen," leading to bloating and poor appetite.

Mangzhong is one of the times of year when dampness is most likely to cling to the body.

— Li TinghuaExplaining the climatic conditions during the Mangzhong solar term.

Instead, Li suggests incorporating foods known for their dampness-expelling properties into the diet. These include Job's tears (yi ren), red beans (hong dou), winter melon (dong gua), and yams (shan yao). These ingredients are believed to help the body eliminate excess moisture and support spleen function, which is crucial during this transitional season.

The key to health during Mangzhong is 'expelling dampness and nourishing the spleen.'

— Li TinghuaOutlining the primary health focus for the Mangzhong period.

Beyond diet, TCM principles for Mangzhong emphasize maintaining a balanced lifestyle. This includes avoiding prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments, preventing late nights, and engaging in regular exercise. Additionally, practices like early sleep and foot soaks are recommended to aid in the body's natural detoxification and dampness removal processes. Li stressed that persistent fatigue during this time may not be laziness but a sign of significant internal dampness, underscoring the importance of these lifestyle adjustments.

The advice highlights a holistic approach to health, where seasonal changes are met with specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations rooted in ancient wisdom. By adapting to the climatic conditions of Mangzhong, individuals can aim to maintain well-being and prevent the onset of common seasonal ailments.

If you feel tired no matter how much you rest, it might not be laziness, but that your body's dampness is too heavy.

— Li TinghuaAdvising on recognizing the signs of excessive dampness in the body.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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