Dashu (Great Heat) marks the hottest solar term of the year. Its climatic characteristics are described as: "When the constellation points south, it is Dashu. At this time, the weather is even more intense than during Xiaoshu (Minor Heat), hence the name Dashu." Falling around the middle of the dog days of summer, many regions in China frequently experience scorching temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F). During this unbearably hot season, heatstroke prevention and cooling measures are essential.
The Great Heat season marks the peak growth period for heat-loving crops and the season when crickets are most abundant in rural fields. In some parts of China, people enjoy cricket fighting as a pastime after meals.Dashu also brings the most thunderstorms. A proverb goes: "Lightning in the east brings no rain; lightning in the west leaves no time to flee." This means that if lightning flashes in the east during a summer afternoon, rain won't reach that area, but if it flashes in the west, the downpour will arrive so swiftly that there's no time to seek shelter. People often refer to these afternoon summer thunderstorms as "northwest showers," describing them with phrases like "After a northwest shower, no road remains passable" and "Summer rain skips over the ridge," vividly capturing how thunderstorms often strike one area while leaving another dry. As the Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi wrote:Summer rain skips over the field ridges," and "Summer rain skips over the ox's back," vividly illustrating how thunderstorms often bring rain to one area while leaving another sunny. This mirrors the Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi's verse: "Sunshine in the east, rain in the west; They say there's no sunshine, yet there is sunshine."
Summer's scorching heat and frequent downpours create conditions where summer dampness and heat easily invade the body. The oppressive heat can deplete vital energy, particularly affecting the elderly, children, and those with weak constitutions, often leading to summer heat disorders or heatstroke.If you experience pronounced fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty concentrating, profuse sweating, limb numbness, thirst, or nausea, these are often early signs of heatstroke. Should such symptoms arise, immediately move the patient to a well-ventilated area for rest. Offer them lightly salted water, mung bean soup, watermelon juice, or plum soup.Summer heatstroke prevention methods: - Schedule work reasonably, balancing effort with rest - Avoid prolonged exposure to intense sunlight - Maintain indoor cooling - Ensure adequate sleep - Practice dietary hygieneThose with access to resources may benefit from regularly consuming aromatic formulas that disperse turbidity and clear damp-heat during summer. Examples include a decoction made with 10g each of fresh patchouli leaves and peilan leaves, 30g each of talc and roasted barley malt, and 3g of licorice root, taken as a tea substitute. Alternatively, remedies like Rendao pills or Shidiquan drops may be used during the hottest months.
The Great Heat solar term marks the year's peak temperatures and most vigorous yang energy. In health preservation, the principle of "treating winter ailments in summer" holds that this season offers optimal treatment for chronic conditions exacerbated in winter—such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, and rheumatic arthralgia—all characterized by yang deficiency.Individuals with such chronic conditions should pay particular attention to summer health maintenance, focusing on prevention and treatment.
Taking chronic bronchitis as an example, both internal and external approaches can be employed: Internally, take kidney-warming and yang-strengthening formulas like Jinkui Shenqi Pills or Zuogui Pills, one pill twice daily for one month. For external application, prepare a paste using 20g white mustard seed, 15g corydalis,12g of Cnidium monnieri, and 10g of Euphorbia humifusa. Grind into a fine powder, mix with ginger juice to form a paste, and divide into six portions. Apply one portion to a 5cm diameter circle of oil paper or plastic film, then affix to the Lung Shu, Heart Shu, and Diaphragm Shu points on the back, or alternatively to the bilateral Lung Shu, Bai Lao, and Gao Huang points. Secure with adhesive tape.Generally leave on for 4–6 hours. Remove early if burning pain occurs; if mild itching or warm comfort is felt locally, leave on longer. Note: Apply once during each summer solstice period (three summer solstices), totaling three applications annually. Continuous use for three years enhances non-specific immunity and reduces allergic states. This combined internal-external therapy effectively eradicates or alleviates symptoms.
During summer, harnessing the nutritional benefits of food for health preservation and longevity serves as an effective safeguard against illness and aging. Summer dietary regulation is grounded in the season's climatic characteristics. Given the intense heat that readily depletes body fluids and energy, medicinal congee is often employed for nourishment. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine states: "Medicines eliminate pathogens, while food follows to replenish," and "Grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables—all nourish through consumption."The renowned physician Li Shizhen particularly advocated medicinal porridge for health preservation, stating: "Each morning, consume a large bowl of porridge on an empty stomach. The grain's energy will then take effect, providing substantial nourishment. Its texture is exceptionally smooth and gentle, harmonizing perfectly with the digestive system—truly the marvel of nourishing foods."Medicinal congee is suitable for the elderly, children, and those with weak spleen and stomach function. Hence, ancients proclaimed, "Congee is the foremost nourishing substance in the world," and "Eating two measures of rice daily surpasses a large bundle of ginseng and astragalus."The Six Books of Medicine praised: "Glutinous rice porridge is the nurturing essence for life's growth, while sticky rice porridge is the marvelous tonic for warming and nourishing the stomach qi." This highlights porridge's vital importance to human health. Though medicinal porridge benefits the body, it cannot be universally applied. One must select appropriate herbs based on individual constitution and ailments, then prepare the porridge formula to achieve satisfactory results.
In summer health preservation, water is also an indispensable substance vital for physical fitness and longevity. The saying "humans are water-based beings" holds considerable truth. Water constitutes approximately seventy percent of human body weight, and traditional health practices strongly advocate drinking cooled boiled water. Experimental results confirm this: when a cup of ordinary water is boiled, covered, and cooled to room temperature,During this cooling process, chlorine levels in boiled water decrease by half compared to natural water. Physical and chemical properties such as surface tension, density, viscosity, and conductivity undergo changes, making it highly similar to water within biologically active cells. This similarity allows it to easily permeate cells and exhibit remarkable biological activity. According to folk wisdom and experimental findings, drinking a cup of fresh cooled boiled water each morning for several years can yield miraculous longevity benefits.Japanese medical researchers surveyed 460 individuals over 65 years old. Among those who consistently drank a cup of cooled boiled water each morning for five years, 82% exhibited rosy complexions, vibrant energy, firm teeth, and the ability to walk 10 kilometers daily. None of these individuals had ever suffered from serious illness. This clearly demonstrates water's undeniable importance to human health.
Beyond plain water, beverages like wine, soup, and fruit juice can also be considered drinks. When chosen wisely, they can all contribute to strengthening the body and promoting health.
During midsummer, the sun's heat descends, causing dampness to accumulate and rise, filling the air with moisture. Consequently, many people experience dampness-related ailments during this season. In traditional Chinese medicine, dampness is classified as a yin pathogen. Its nature is downward-moving, heavy, turbid, and sticky, easily obstructing qi circulation and damaging yang energy. Dietary therapy and medicinal cuisine should focus on clearing heat and relieving summer heat.