The cicadas are chirping, the dew is heavy, and the lotus flowers are fragrant. As the seasons change, the summer solstice has arrived.

 

Following the summer solstice, the hottest time of the year approaches. The intense heat causes excessive sweating and increases the risk of internal heat. Additionally, the frequent rain in summer makes it the season with the most intense damp heat.

 

This period also marks a crucial transition between yin and yang, making the body more susceptible to various illnesses. Therefore, it is particularly important to engage in appropriate health maintenance and wellness practices during this time.

 

Health preservation during the summer solstice focuses on calming the mind.

 

During the summer solstice, all things flourish to their peak, and yang energy reaches its zenith. In the five elements, summer corresponds to the "heart," making it especially important to nurture the heart during this time.

 

1. Regulate Emotions and Maintain Inner Peace

Frequent irritability and anger can disrupt the flow of heart energy. After the summer solstice, it is crucial to maintain a calm and open heart, avoiding emotional extremes to prevent exacerbating or triggering heart conditions.

 

2. Ensure Proper "Ziwu" Rest

The Zi hour (11 PM to 1 AM) and the Wu hour (11 AM to 1 PM) are pivotal times for the interchange of yin and yang each day. Ensuring proper rest during these periods helps the body adapt to natural rhythms and supports the preservation of yang energy.

 

3. Consume More Bitter Foods

"Consuming bitter foods in summer is better than supplements." Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that bitter foods like bitter melon, bamboo shoots, and kuding tea help clear heat, reduce internal fire, and dispel dampness, providing better relief from the summer heat than cold drinks.

 

4. Increase Intake of Reishi Mushroom for Heart Nourishment and Tranquility

The "Shennong Bencao Jing" classifies reishi mushroom as a top-grade medicinal herb. Reishi is beneficial for the heart, helping to calm and soothe the mind. A recommended summer recipe is reishi mushroom, lotus seed, and lily bulb soup, which is refreshing, sweet, and suitable for the whole family to support heart health and tranquility.

 

 

Diet Should Focus on Warming and Nourishing, with an Emphasis on Stomach and Spleen Health

 

In addition to calming the mind, summer heart health requires protecting the stomach and spleen.

 

The summer's dampness can easily affect the stomach and spleen, making it important to strengthen and invigorate them. Avoid excessive consumption of cold foods and drinks, and instead, incorporate warming foods. For example, chicken soup can be prepared with ingredients like Angelica sinensis (dang gui) and red dates, which boost both qi and blood. Adding warming spices such as ginger and Sichuan peppercorns can help to nourish yang energy.

 

Additionally, daily consumption of soups made with white hyacinth beans and roasted coix seeds can effectively strengthen the spleen and reduce dampness.

 

Wang Yang from the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine shared several summer wellness soup recipes on the "Shared Great Doctor" program. Let's learn from these recipes together.

 

Six-to-One Powder

Composition: Talcum Powder 18g, Licorice 3g

Functions: Clears summerheat and disinhibits dampness.

Usage and Dosage: Take mixed with water or decocted in a bag. One packet per dose, 1-2 times daily.

 

Patchouli

Properties and Meridians: Pungent, slightly warm. Enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians.

Functions: Transforms turbidity with aroma, harmonizes the center and

checks vomiting, effuses the exterior, and resolves summerheat.

Usage and Dosage: 3-10g.

 

White Hyacinth Bean and Chinese Yam Congee  

 

— Fortifies the spleen and transforms dampness, Harmonizes the Center, and Resolves Summer Heat

 

Ingredients:

- White hyacinth beans: 30g  

- Chinese yam: 30g  

- Japonica rice: 100g

Preparation:

Soak the white hyacinth beans for at least 4 hours. Peel and dice the Chinese yam. Combine the soaked beans, diced yam, and japonica rice in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat until the congee is fully cooked.

 

Coix Seeds Three Treasures Congee  

 

— Disinhibits Water and Percolates dampness, Fortifies the Spleen, and Checks Diarrhea

 

Ingredients:

- Coix seeds: 30g  

- Rice beans: 15g  

- Longan flesh: 15g  

- Japonica rice: 100g  

- Brown sugar or white sugar: to taste

Preparation:

Soak the coix seeds and rice beans for half an hour. Rinse the longan flesh and japonica rice. Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the congee is done. Add a small amount of sugar before serving.

 

The summer solstice has arrived, making it the perfect time to nourish yang energy. Reishi mushrooms help maintain vitality and promote well-being.