Introduction: Health Preservation during Major Heat Emphasizes "Purity" During Major Heat, temperatures are high, atmospheric pressure is low, and humidity is high. Therefore, the focus of health preservation during this solar term is on the word "purity". First and foremost, attention must be paid to dietary cleanliness. In summer, food hygiene is of the utmost importance. Food can spoil easily in the heat, leading to diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders. Opened beverages and foods should be sealed and refrigerated. In addition, it is important to check food expiration dates and not eat unclean or spoiled food.
For "clearing heat" on a regular basis, congee is the best choice. During the intense heat of summer, it is important to replenish fluids while also clearing heat and removing internal heat. "Light nourishment" first involves removing dampness. You can eat light, easily digestible foods to avoid damaging gastrointestinal function. Foods like Chinese yam and lotus root are excellent for nourishment. Furthermore, mung beans clear summer heat and Job's tears (coix seed) remove dampness. A mung bean and Job's tears congee, in particular, is a great choice for clearing heat and removing dampness during the Major Heat season.
Additionally, the hot and humid weather of summer makes it easy for dampness to invade the body. To expel internal dampness, you can choose to take walks when the temperature is slightly lower in the morning and evening, or engage in low-intensity activities like practicing Tai Chi. On muggy days, try to minimize going out or strenuous activities.
(Tip)
Major Heat is one of the 24 solar terms. The "Chinese Astronomical Almanac" shows that the Major Heat solar term officially begins at 23:56 Beijing Time on July 22. Like Minor Heat, Major Heat is a solar term that reflects the intensity of summer heat. The Major Heat solar term begins each year around July 23rd of the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 120 degrees.
There are folk sayings such as "Minor Heat and Major Heat, steaming above and boiling below," "Around Major Heat, even loaches are cooked to death," and "When Major Heat arrives, the summer heat arrives."