In summer, when yang energy is abundant, combined with the heat and irritability, poor eating and sleeping habits can naturally lead to an excess of liver fire. If one is not careful with food choices, it's easy to experience "internal heat." So, why is it easy to get internal heat in summer? What are the main causes? Let's find out together.
Chinese Yam and Lily Glutinous Rice Porridge
What is "internal heat"?
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, there is a distinction between "excess fire" and "deficiency fire." "Excess fire" refers to a situation where the body's foundation is sound, but an imbalance of yin and yang, caused by external environmental factors and improper diet, leads to a state of "flourishing yang," which in turn causes functional disorders. "Deficiency fire," on the other hand, occurs in individuals with a yin-deficient constitution. The imbalance of yin and yang leads to a superficial state of "flourishing yang," but it is actually a relative "flourishing yang" caused by the body's underlying yin deficiency. Those with a yin-deficient constitution often exhibit symptoms of "deficiency fire," which are accompanied by qi and blood deficiencies, such as: pale complexion, cold hands and feet, headaches, insomnia, vivid dreams, constipation, etc.
Modern medicine suggests that the cause of "internal heat" is insufficient microcirculation. The oxygen and nutrients that cells need cannot be supplied in time, and at the same time, metabolic waste products (such as lactic acid, urea, etc.) cannot be removed promptly, leading to a series of functional disorders. The causes of insufficient microcirculation and slow blood flow are: first, a poor underlying constitution combined with an unhealthy lifestyle (such as excessive consumption of sweets, overhydration, excessive sweating, etc.), leading to fluid imbalance, thicker blood, and slow circulation, which is medically known as hypotonic dehydration. Second, a weak qi and blood constitution with poor cardiovascular system function, leading to poor circulation.
Reasons why it's easy to get internal heat in summer
1. Fatigue from travel. Travel disrupts regular routines, leading to irregular sleep and eating, as well as symptoms like anxiety and loss of appetite. Therefore, when traveling in the summer, it's important to balance work and rest.
2. Working in high temperatures. In the hot summer, some people work under the scorching sun every day, sweating excessively and causing severe loss of body fluids, leading to listlessness and lethargy. Therefore, those working in high temperatures in the summer must pay attention to dietary adjustments and drink plenty of water.
3. Staying up late playing video games. Many people are avid computer game players and often stay up for consecutive days "battling," resulting in bloodshot eyes like a rabbit's and frequent nosebleeds. Therefore, staying up late in the summer can cause liver fire to rise, making it easy to experience symptoms of internal heat.
4. Emotional fluctuations. Due to the summer heat, some people may have poor sleep, no appetite, feel irritable and angry, or be nervous. Doctors remind that TCM has a saying that "the seven emotions can transform into fire," meaning that sorrow, anger, and excessive worry can disrupt the body's functional balance and generate "internal heat."
5. Over-exercising. Many people trying to lose weight believe that summer is a great season for it because the body burns more calories. Consequently, they often go to the gym, hoping that excessive sweating will enhance their weight loss results, but they end up feeling fatigued and with a sore throat. Doctors remind that excessive physical exertion can also lead to internal heat.
6. Loving spicy and numbing food. In the summer, many people enjoy hot pot to satisfy their cravings. However, after eating, they may not only get blisters on their lips but also develop pimples on their face. Doctors remind that spicy and irritating food puts a burden on the digestive system, and overeating can cause indigestion. When food accumulates in the digestive tract, it can also lead to "internal heat."
Four Recommended Homemade Fire-Reducing Porridges
Chinese Yam and Glutinous Rice Porridge
Ingredients: Chinese yam, water chestnuts, red dates, glutinous rice. Method: Peel and wash the Chinese yam, then slice it and set aside. Wash the fresh water chestnuts, peel them, and dice them. Wash the glutinous rice, soak it in cold water for half an hour, then drain. Wash the red dates and set aside. Take a pot, add cold water and all the ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for about an hour. It's ready to drink. You can add some sugar to taste when serving. Suitable for: People experiencing "spring dryness." However, diabetic patients should not add sugar.
Luffa and Pork Slices Soup
Ingredients: 50g lean pork slices, 25g fresh luffa, a little salt, MSG, and clear broth. Method: Wash the lean pork and slice it. Peel the luffa and slice it. Heat a little clear broth in a wok until it boils, add the pork slices, and bring back to a boil. Skim off the foam, then add the luffa and salt. Simmer for a moment and it's ready to drink. Suitable for: People with symptoms such as a dry cough.
Lily and Asparagus Stew
Ingredients: 100g lily, 50g fresh asparagus. Method: Separate the lily into petals, tear off the inner membranes, soak in salt water, then wash clean and set aside. Wash the asparagus and cut into pieces. Clean the wok, add an appropriate amount of water and the lily. Simmer until the lily is seven-cooked, then add the asparagus pieces. Cook until done and it's ready to drink. Consume once a day. Suitable for: People who experience nosebleeds and a dry mouth and throat due to "spring dryness."
Corn and Sweet Potato Porridge
Ingredients: 50g cornmeal, 500g sweet potato, 20 red dates. Method: Wash the sweet potato, peel it, cut into small pieces, and place in a pot with the red dates. Cook until the sweet potato is seven to eight-cooked. Mix a little cold water with the cornmeal to form a paste, pour it into the pot, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for about ten minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Suitable for: People experiencing constipation due to "spring dryness."
The purple mountain porridge
Potato pepper for chicken legs