The Great Heat (Dàshǔ) is one of the twenty-four solar terms, falling around the middle of the "Dog Days" (中伏), the hottest period of the year. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, seasons correspond to the Five Elements and the Five Organs. Summer belongs to Fire, and the corresponding organ is the Heart. Therefore, "nourishing the heart" is key to summer health. Here are seven steps to nourish your heart; take good care of it this summer!
Why is it important to "nourish the heart" in summer?
In the hot summer, blood flow in the body accelerates and the heart's workload increases, so it is important to ensure that the heart function is vigorous during the summer.
In the summer heat, people are prone to irritability and restlessness, which affects their mood, sleep quality, and heart function.
Summer's hot weather leads to excessive sweating. Excessive sweating can cause dehydration, increasing blood concentration and viscosity, thus putting extra strain on the heart and potentially triggering various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Taking good care of your heart in summer helps expel cold, which can enhance your heart's ability to withstand cold in winter, reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in winter, and allow your heart to get through the winter safely.
Manifestations of abnormal heart function:
Pale, sallow, or ashen complexion; white fingernails with few lunulae; frequent profuse sweating; weak pulse; chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue; insomnia and forgetfulness.
Seven Steps to Nourish the Heart During the Great Heat
1. Cultivate a pure and simple mind and reduce desires
In the summer, the first step in "nourishing the heart" is to calm the mind. As the saying goes, "A calm mind brings coolness." The hotter it is, the more we need to calm our minds and maintain a tranquil state of mind. Avoid holding grudges. When encountering unpleasant things, learn to shift your emotions. When feeling agitated, think of a green forest or a blue sky to calm your mind. A calm and contented mind, and closing your eyes to rest, are all beneficial for nourishing the heart. Listening to soothing music, looking at beautiful pictures, or engaging in slow exercises such as fishing or Tai Chi are all helpful in regulating the spirit and maintaining a cheerful mood. "Calming the mind" is essential for health.
II. Sleep peacefully
Sufficient sleep is essential in summer; as the saying goes, "A good night's sleep in hot weather is better than ginseng." Good sleep leads to a good mood and promotes mental tranquility. Therefore, one should adjust their sleep schedule to suit the season, such as going to bed later and waking up earlier, to align with the natural balance of Yang and Yin. Any sleep deprivation can be compensated for with a midday nap.
III. Laugh with confidence
Laughter is a good medicine for health in summer. The saying "A smile makes you ten years younger" is not without reason. Laughter is a sign of mental well-being. In the hot and humid summer, blood pressure can easily rise and mood can be irritable. If you can laugh often, you can improve your mood and thus coordinate the functions of various organs in the body.
IV. Peace of Mind When Drinking Tea
Summer heat makes people sweat easily, especially during the hottest time of the year, known as the Great Heat. Traditional Chinese medicine considers sweat to be the "fluid of the heart," and excessive sweating naturally depletes the heart's yin fluid. A heart-clearing tea made by steeping honeysuckle, golden lotus, and lily flowers together can clear heart fire, detoxify, and is a very simple and practical heart-nourishing tea for summer.
5. Drinking porridge is good for the heart.
Drinking porridge is a good choice for health maintenance during the Great Heat season. In hot weather, porridge not only quenches thirst and cools the body, but also nourishes it. Lotus Leaf and Mint Porridge: 1 fresh lotus leaf, 30 grams of mint, 100 grams of japonica rice. Wash and chop the lotus leaf and mint. Add both to an appropriate amount of water and simmer over medium heat to extract the juice. Pour the juice into the japonica rice and cook into porridge. Add rock sugar and it's ready to eat.
VI. Calm and composed
In daily life, one should maintain a calm and unhurried state of mind. In daily activities, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, one should maintain a steady and unhurried pace, allowing for even and orderly breathing, which naturally harmonizes the "qi" (vital energy). When the "qi" flows smoothly, it is transformed into sufficient energy, leading to physical and mental relaxation, and naturally, a calm "mind."
7. Clear heat from the heart – Press Zhongchong (PC9)
Summer is a high-incidence season for strokes. Massaging acupoints can help prevent strokes. The Zhongchong acupoint on the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin has the effects of reviving consciousness, clearing the mind, and relieving heat; it is a commonly used acupoint. When combined with the Neiguan acupoint, it can also treat infantile convulsions, heatstroke, and stroke-induced coma. The five fingers correspond to the five internal organs.
Implementation techniques:
The Zhongchong acupoint is located on the tip of the middle finger. Pressing it can unblock the meridians, harmonize Yin and Yang, and protect and assist some functions of the heart. The heart is the monarch of the organs, governing the blood vessels. Therefore, massaging it can regulate Qi and blood. When Qi and blood flow smoothly, each organ can perform its function and maintain its position.
