In summer, it is advisable to eat warm food to support the body's yang energy.

Introduction: In summer, the scorching heat often leads to excessive outward dispersion of Yang energy. Alternatively, overindulgence in cold foods and drinks to combat the heat can create excessive internal cold, causing a decline in the body's Yang energy. Therefore, based on the principle of "man corresponds with nature," ancient Chinese medicine proposed the health-preserving guideline of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer." How can one nourish Yang in the summer?

In summer, it is advisable to eat warm foods to supplement Yang energy.

The summer heat is intense, and consuming cold foods can damage the spleen and stomach, and deplete Yang energy. Therefore, it is best to eat warm foods in summer, but not excessively hot, as excessive heat can damage Qi. Warm foods help to support Yang energy. There is a folk saying, "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you won't need a doctor's prescription." Eating ginger in summer is because the body is cold on the inside despite the external heat, and ginger can warm the body and supplement Yang energy. Water intake should also be in the form of warm water.

Red Ginger and Brown Sugar Soup

In summer, nourishing Yang involves strengthening the spleen.

The summer heat is unbearable and can dull the appetite. To nourish Yang, one must first strengthen the spleen. Therefore, it is recommended to consume light, easily digestible foods that strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite, such as fish, eggs, dairy, watermelon, cucumber, winter melon, corn, and peas. For drinks, options like mung bean soup, sour plum soup, honeysuckle tea, and chrysanthemum tea are suitable.

Asparagus Stir-fried with Lily Bulbs

In summer, to nourish Yang, one should focus on the heart and eat bitter foods.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart governs summer, and summer corresponds to the fire element in the Five Phases, with the flavor being bitter. Appropriately consuming bitter-flavored foods in summer can help nourish the heart and reduce heat. For example, bitter melon, lily bulbs, chrysanthemums, and Kudingcha have effects such as clearing heat and relieving vexation, providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, aiding digestion, stimulating the appetite, refreshing the mind, and alleviating fatigue.

Beef Strips with Tofu