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'Minor Heat' arrives: Don't just focus on cooling down; TCM recommends these foods to reduce internal heat and calm the mind

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes maintaining balance during the 'Minor Heat' (Xiao Shu) solar term, warning against excessive cooling that can harm the body.
  • Experts advise avoiding prolonged exposure to air conditioning, cold drinks, and late nights, which can lead to internal coldness and damage spleen and stomach functions.
  • Dietary recommendations include consuming cooling foods like mung beans, bitter melon, and lotus seeds to clear heat, calm the mind, and support overall well-being.

As the 'Minor Heat' (Xiao Shu) solar term arrives, marking a significant increase in temperature, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners are cautioning against a common misconception: that summer wellness solely means cooling down. Li Ting-hua, president of Zhanqian Xinsheng Hall and a TCM physician, warns that excessive reliance on air conditioning and cold beverages can create an "external heat, internal cold" imbalance, potentially damaging the body's vital energy (yang) and impairing spleen and stomach functions.

Many people think summer wellness is just about cooling down with air conditioning and cold drinks, leading to external heat and internal cold, which can easily damage yang energy and spleen and stomach functions.

— Li Ting-huaTCM physician explaining the dangers of excessive cooling during summer.

This imbalance can manifest in various symptoms, including headaches, digestive discomfort, chronic fatigue, cold extremities, edema, and a weakened immune system. Therefore, TCM emphasizes maintaining the body's natural regulatory abilities rather than simply seeking external coolness. Key lifestyle adjustments during this period include avoiding peak sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., limiting consumption of ice-cold items, staying hydrated with room-temperature water, engaging in moderate exercise to promote circulation without excessive sweating, and maintaining regular sleep schedules, ideally before 11 p.m., to aid in qi and blood repair and mental stability.

Avoid peak sun exposure: Ultraviolet rays and heat are strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so reduce outdoor activities.

— Li Ting-huaAdvice on avoiding sun exposure during the hottest part of the day.

In addition to lifestyle adjustments, dietary choices play a crucial role in managing summer heat according to TCM principles. Li recommends incorporating specific foods known for their cooling and calming properties. These include mung beans (lü dou) for clearing heat and relieving summer-related ailments, bitter melon (ku gua) for its heat-clearing and fire-reducing effects, and lotus seeds (lian zi), particularly the core, for nourishing the heart and calming the spirit.

Eat less ice and cold drinks: Avoid damaging spleen and stomach functions, and worsening fatigue and indigestion.

— Li Ting-huaDietary advice regarding cold food and drinks.

Other beneficial foods include loofah (si gua) for clearing heat and promoting fluid production, winter melon (dong gua) for reducing swelling and promoting urination, and watermelon (xi gua) for replenishing fluids and quenching thirst. By adopting these TCM-guided practices, individuals can better navigate the summer heat, ensuring their bodies remain balanced and resilient throughout the season.

Mung beans: Clear heat and relieve summer heat.

— Li Ting-huaRecommendation for mung beans in the diet.
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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