Seasonal Wellness Tips for Xia Zhi - Summer Solstice

Xia Zhi is the tenth of 24 two-week solar terms that make up the ancient Chinese agricultural calendar. It begins on the 21st or 22nd of June each year, coinciding with the Summer Solstice.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Xia Zhi represents the midpoint of summer and the peak of yang qi. The sun reaches its most northerly position above the Earth, resulting in the longest daylight hours of the year.

After the solstice, the sun begins its return southwards, meaning the days will shorten once more. However, the hottest part of the year is yet to come, and following Xia Zhi, the weather tends to become humid and can be stifling.

This means that we must take measures to prevent heatstroke and other summer diseases. Read on to learn more about how to stay healthy during the period of Xia Zhi.

Prevent Summer Heat

In Chinese medicine, summer heat is a climatic pathogenic factor that is yang in nature and, therefore, injures yin. Its symptoms include aversion to heat, sweating, headache, thirst, dry lips, dark urine, and, in severe cases, slurred speech, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

These symptoms are very similar to those of heat exhaustion and more serious heatstroke, which requires urgent medical attention.

Prevention is better than cure, so stay cool by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding strenuous exercise and alcohol.

If necessary, the skin can be cooled by fanning or using a cool, damp cloth or spray bottle filled with water.

We can also introduce some cooling foods into our diets, such as fresh fruit, mung beans, cucumber, and so on. However, these foods should be consumed in moderation to avoid straining the digestive organs.

Eat Sour Foods

In addition to eating more cooling foods, we should include some sour ingredients in our diets during Xia Zhi.

The sour flavour is astringent and, in Chinese medicine terms, helps "secure the exterior" to prevent excessive sweating and loss of yin. It is also said to stimulate the appetite, increase salivation, and aid the digestion of fatty foods.

Some common examples of sour foods include:

• Berries

• Citrus fruits

• Pineapple

• Plums

• Olives

• Tomatoes

• Vinegar

There are also numerous Chinese dietary herbs that have astringent effects, of which Wu Mei (black plum) is one of the most popular.

Drinking Wu Mei tea is a common practice at this time of year, and there are many different recipes for this beverage. However, the easiest method involves simply steeping a few fruits in hot water for 10-20 minutes and sweetening with honey, if desired.

Black plums are available from most East Asian supermarkets, or online.

Guard Against Gastritis

In warm temperatures, microbes can spread like wildfire, and food will spoil quickly if not cooked and stored appropriately.

To avoid gastric infections, take extra care throughout the summer months. Refrigerate food promptly and cook it thoroughly, particularly meat and fish, and be cautious when reheating leftovers.

You can also incorporate some heat-clearing, detoxifying foods into your diet, such as mung beans, winter squashes, and cucumber, as well as foods with naturally antimicrobial properties, such as alliums, ginger, and honey, for example.

For more personalised seasonal wellbeing advice, you can book a holistic health coaching session via the contact page.

References

• 买雯婷 (2011) 第一养生药膳 - Tangmark Publishing and Distribution, Beijing

• Leggett, D. (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes