Xiaoshu,also known as “Minor Heat”, is the 11th of 24 solar terms, which means the peak of summer comes. This year’s Xiaoshu falls on 7 July. During this season,the climate is scorching hot, accompanied by frequent thunderstorms and excessive sweating. Most of us are prone to various diseases such as colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and arthritis.
There are some tips of how to preserve health during the Xiaoshu:
- Pay attention to nourishing the heart
During Dog Days, the temperature rises, the humidity increases, and the weather becomes hot and muggy with low air pressure. People with heart diseases are more likely to experience symptoms such as a slow heart rate, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Thus, it is important to focus on nourishing the “heart.” It is suggested that you should get enough sleep and avoid staying up late. In addition, people with a deficiency of Qi and blood can appropriately drink tea with Ophiopogon japonicus, Western ginseng, American ginseng, Solomon’s seal, and Prince ginseng to supplement and nourish Qi and clear away heat.
- Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach to Relieve Dampness
The Xiaoshu solar term is a season when digestive system diseases occurs commonly. The underlying pathology is the invasion of dampness and heat in the Spleen, which leads to a decline in the digestive function of the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the maintenance of the Spleen and Stomach.
In terms of diet, it is necessary to change bad habits such as irregular and unclean eating, as well as selective eating. Excessive consumption of cold drinks and dishes should also be avoided. Keeping the belly button warm can prevent the Spleen and Stomach from being affected by coldness.
Additionally, it is beneficial to eat foods that strengthen the Spleen and Qi, such as Chinese yam, coix seed, red beans, pumpkin, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, etc. The mung bean seaweed soup and coix seed adzuki bean soup are beneficial for eliminating dampness in the body. When sweating excessively, replenishing with diluted saline solution or mineral water can prevent the loss of minerals and fluids. Furthermore, Eating floating wheat, astragalus root, rehmannia root, lily bulb, and schisandra berries can also help generate body fluids and reduce sweating.
- Guasha(scraping) and Cupping therapy can prevent heat-related conditions
During the dog days, there is a high level of humidity, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) recommends using guasha (scraping therapy) and cupping therapy to alleviate these symptoms. Guasha involves using a guasha board to scrape the skin from top to bottom, from inside to outside, on the sides of the back, ribs, or inner thighs. The appearance of a dark purple color indicates the desired effect. Cupping involves creating negative pressure using a cupping jar or glass cup to attach it to the surface of acupoints or the desired area, stimulating the skin and promoting congestion to eliminate toxins and dampness, thus preventing and treating diseases.
- Acupressure Massage for Disease Prevention
Massaging certain acupoints can help prevent diseases. Hega Point (located in the middle depression between the thumb and index finger), Fu’s Lateral Points (located 2 finger widths above the inner ankle and between the Achilles tendon), and Zusanli Point (located 4 horizontal finger widths below the outer knee, between the fibula and tibia) are commonly massaged to promote meridian circulation, clear heat, dispel dampness, and detoxify the body.
- The Opportune Time for Treating Winter Diseases in Summer
In TCM, there is a saying, ‘treating winter diseases in summer.’ For those who suffer from chronic diseases that typically worsen in winter, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions associated with Yang Qi deficiency, the Xiaoshu is the best time for treatment, especially through the use of San Fu Tian moxibustion therapy(acupoint herbal treatment).
During this period, by applying specially selected Chinese herbal patches on specific acupoints, it can effectively dispel cold and raise Yang, leading to local vasodilation and improved blood circulation, thereby enhancing the nourishment of peripheral tissues. It also has significant therapeutic effects in improving conditions such as nasal sensitivity, chronic gastritis, chronic pain, and menstrual disorders. The dates for this year’s San Fu Tian moxibustion are: the first dog days on July 15th, the second dog days on July 25th, and the third dog days on August 5th.
