The Summer Solstice is the 10th of the 24th solar terms. It falls between the Grain in Ear (芒种) and Minor Heat (小暑), and begins on June 21st this year.
As opposite the Winter Solstice, the Summer Solstice is an important day of transformation between yin and yang. The character “至”carries the meaning of reaching the extreme. The Summer Solstice represents the peak of the sun’s energy in the natural world. It is the longest day of the year, with an average temperature exceeding 28 degrees Celsius. However, even after the Summer Solstice, the daylight hours gradually shorten, the hot weather continues until Lesser Heat and Great Heat.
Preserving digestive health during Summer Solstice
During the Summer Solstice, the weather is hot, and sweating increases. At this time, the body’s yang energy tends to be on the surface, while the internal organs, especially the digestive system, may become weaker. There is an increase in various digestive system problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and stagnation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid overeating cold and raw foods, frozen drinks, fried and greasy foods that are difficult to digest due to the hot weather. The diet should be light, easy to digest, and can include various melons and vegetables.
San Fu Tian Moxibustion Therapy (Acupoint Herbal Treatment) – enhance physical constitution
“春夏养阳、秋冬养阴”(Nourishing Yang in spring and summer while nourishing Yin in Autumn and winter) is an important principle of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for health preservation. After the Summer Solstice, we gradually enter the period of the Dog Days (三伏天), during which we can take advantage of the abundant yang energy in nature and use the San Fu Tian Moxibustion therapy to enhance our physical constitution.
The San Fu Tian Moxibustion therapy can be effective for conditions such as nasal sensitivity, asthma, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and susceptibility to colds, which are related to a deficiency of yang energy. It is recommended to consult a Chinese medicine doctor before undergoing the moxibustion therapy to determine if your physical condition is suitable for it.
