[Health Preservation during the 24 Solar Terms] Health preservation during Grain in Ear, it is advisable to clear away heat, prevent heatstroke and remove dampness

Grain in Ear, the ninth solar term in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar, is also the third solar term in summer. It falls on or around June 6 of the Gregorian calendar, when the sun moves to 75° of the ecliptic longitude, marking the official start of midsummer. In ancient times, Grain in Ear was divided into three phases: "The first phase is the birth of mantises; the second phase is the beginning of the chirping of storks; the third phase is the silence of the tongue-twisting parakeet." This means that the summer heat and humidity mode has been turned on, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will also enter the rainy plum season. "Steaming up and boiling down" is the main theme of this season. Clearing away heat, preventing heatstroke and removing humidity have become the key points of health preservation in this solar term.

Daily life and health preservation - follow the yin and yang

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine states: "In the three months of summer...sleep late and get up early, and do not tire of the sun." The days are long and the nights are short during the Grain in Ear solar term, and the Yang Qi is strong. The human body should follow the changing laws of the rise and fall of Yin and Yang, and should sleep late and get up early. "Sleep when the Yang Qi is exhausted, wake up when the Yin Qi is exhausted." Through sleep, the Yin and Yang of the human body are regulated. Therefore, Chinese medicine advocates taking a noon nap, going to bed before 11 pm, and taking a short nap between 11 am and 1 pm, preferably half an hour to an hour.

Diet and health care - mainly clean and nourishing

During the Grain in Ear season, the weather is hot and rainy, and people often feel sleepy and listless. Therefore, the diet should be mainly light and nourishing. "Lüshi Chunqiu·Jinshu Pian" points out: "No strong and thick food, no strong wine." Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty advocated "light and sweet food, barley koji and glutinous rice are better", and said "Those who are good at health preservation should eat less meat and more rice." At this time, foods that nourish yin and promote fluid production, such as watermelon, bitter melon, tomato, mung bean, winter melon, fungus, loofah, etc., can be the first choice for the Grain in Ear solar term. It must be pointed out that women should avoid eating raw and cold foods during menstruation or postpartum period, even if the weather is hot, so as not to damage the body's yang.

Emotional Health Care - "Calmness"

The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine says: "In the three months of summer..., keep your mind calm, let the flowers and fruits bloom, and let your qi vent, as if you are away from your loved ones. This is the way for the summer qi to respond to the wind and fire, and to nourish and grow. If you go against it, you will be sad." In the hot summer, the wind and fire fan each other, which inevitably leads to negative emotions such as lack of energy, depression, and irritability. At this time, you can participate in more activities that nourish your temperament, such as playing chess, fishing, practicing calligraphy, yoga, etc., to relieve irritability and please your body and mind. Only when you are in a peaceful state of mind can you feel the beauty of a calm and cool mind in the summer.

Exercise for health preservation - a slight sweat is appropriate

The ancients reminded that "In the midsummer month, all things come to life and the heaven and earth are created. Don't be too hot and don't sweat too much." Therefore, exercise during the Grain in Ear solar term should be done in a way that makes you sweat slightly. Cycling, jogging, hiking, yoga, shuttlecock kicking, playing ball and other exercises are recommended, for half an hour to an hour at a time. Sweating slightly can eliminate moisture in the body and promote the flow of lung Qi.

Acupoint Health

During the Grain in Ear season, Yang Qi gradually becomes stronger, which is a good time for the human body to dispel cold. Regularly pressing the following acupoints can warm the stomach, dispel cold, regulate Qi and relieve pain.

Press Zhongwan: Zhongwan acupoint is located in the middle of the body, 4 inches above the navel. It is used to treat stomach cold, stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Press the acupoint with your index and middle fingers together for 1 minute. You will feel a warm sensation at the Zhongwan acupoint. Pressing the acupoint frequently can cure stomachache and relieve tension and anxiety.

Open the Four Gates: "Four Gates" refers to the last two acupoints of the Liver Meridian - Zhangmen and Qimen, two on each side, both located in the ribs under the breasts. Use the heels of both palms to push and rub the ribs until they become warm, and you can open up the liver and gallbladder meridians.

Rub the heart pit: The heart pit is the area above the Zhongwan point and below the sternum. Cross your hands and rub here with the heels of your palms, rubbing for more than 36 circles in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. This can not only maintain the stomach qi, but also relieve stress and make you feel happy.

Author: Yi Sha, resident physician in the Department of Gynecology, West Campus, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Oriental Hospital

Scientific review: Xu Cui, deputy chief physician of gynecology department, Oriental Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

Proofreading: Tu Ziyi