Zheng Naihua, a Chinese medicine practitioner at Banqiao Xinshengtang Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, pointed out that there is a folk saying of "winter solstice dumplings and summer solstice noodles". It is recommended to eat noodles with one thing, which can not only enhance the flavor and sterilize, but also protect the stomach and intestines from cramps or diarrhea due to overcooling; diagram. (Picture taken from freepik)
After the summer solstice, the weather is hot and humid, and the heart fire is particularly strong. Coupled with the high temperature, muggy heat, and afternoon thunderstorms, many people are prone to problems such as loss of appetite and gastrointestinal discomfort. Zheng Naihua, a Chinese medicine practitioner at Banqiao Xinshengtang Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, pointed out that there is a folk proverb of "winter solstice dumplings and summer solstice noodles", which means that it is very suitable to eat a bowl of refreshing cold noodles before and after the summer solstice. If it is paired with spicy and warm spices such as garlic paste, minced ginger, and chopped green onion, it can not only enhance the flavor and sterilize, but also protect the intestines and stomach; or eating a bowl of hot soup noodles can also help expel moisture accumulated in the body and prevent dampness and heat from staying in the intestines and stomach.
Nourish the heart and reduce fire, maintain a peaceful mood
Zheng Naihua said that during the summer solstice, the yang energy is at its strongest, which can easily lead to what Chinese medicine calls excessive heart fire, with symptoms such as heart palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety. Overwork and emotional ups and downs should be avoided. It is recommended to relax the body and mind through walking, stretching, deep breathing, etc. to help the autonomic nervous system maintain balance. In terms of diet, you should follow the Five Elements and consume red foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, and red beans, as well as bitter foods such as bitter melon and green tea in moderation. The bitter taste enters the heart meridian, which has the effect of clearing away heat, purging fire and calming upset. By clearing the heart and reducing fire, it can help restore activity of parasympathetic nerves, stabilize heart rate, and improve sleep quality at night.
Strengthen the spleen and remove dampness. Eat a refreshing diet and avoid raw or cold food.
Zheng Naihua also reminded that during the long summer, the Yang Qi and transportation functions of the spleen and stomach must be strictly protected. When excessive moisture leads to poor gastrointestinal function, you should avoid eating raw, cold, iced products, and overly sweet foods to avoid further damage to spleen yang. The daily diet should be mainly warm and easy to digest, and stomach-warming ingredients such as ginger can be added appropriately. For those who have stagnation of water and dampness in the body, they should make good use of spleen-strengthening and dampness-reducing ingredients such as yam, barley, lentils, adzuki beans, poria, tangerine peel, etc. to strengthen the spleen function, so that excess water can be smoothly discharged through sweat and urine, cut off the source of phlegm accumulation, and fundamentally implement the preventive medicine concept of "treating winter diseases in summer".
Pasta with spices protects the stomach and helps eliminate moisture
In addition, Zheng Naihua said that there is a folk saying of "winter solstice dumplings and summer solstice noodles". It is recommended to mix it with spicy and warm spices such as minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green onion or mustard, which can not only enhance the flavor and sterilize, but also neutralize the coldness of the noodles and protect the stomach from cramps or diarrhea due to overcooling. Or eat a bowl of hot noodle soup to make your body sweat slightly. The gentle perspiration caused by the hot noodle soup can help discharge accumulated moisture in the body and prevent dampness and heat from staying in the intestines and stomach. In addition, you can also take appropriate amounts of seasonal ingredients such as bitter melon, mung beans, lotus seeds, tomatoes, and watermelons to help clear away heat, relieve heat, produce body fluids, and quench thirst.
Follow the solar terms and develop a healthy physique
Zheng Naihua emphasized that the summer solstice is not only a turning point in solar terms, but also an important opportunity for physical recuperation. When Yang Qi reaches its peak, it is a good time to review the rhythm of life, adjust work and rest, and improve physical fitness. By nourishing the heart and calming the nerves, strengthening the spleen and removing dampness, regular work and rest, and appropriate exercise, we can help the body adapt to natural rhythms, maintain good condition in the hot and humid summer, and lay a solid foundation for health in the second half of the year.
