The Grain in Ear season is characterized by the interweaving of dampness and heat, with summer heat gradually rising. It is a time when yang qi between heaven and earth is abundant, and all things flourish and thrive. At this time, adapting to the time and regulating the body and mind are of great benefit to balancing the yin and yang of the body, getting through the midsummer safely, and preventing summer dampness-related diseases. The "Seasonal Health Preservation · Along with Traditional Chinese Medicine" column of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences invited

Li Peiwu, Chief Physician of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine to introduce the health preservation methods for the Grain in Ear season.

Disease Prevention and Health Preservation

During the Grain in Ear season, the temperature rises significantly and rainfall is abundant, easily forming a "damp-heat" climate. Dampness impairs the spleen and stomach, and heat injures body fluids. Health preservation in Grain in Ear should follow the principles of

invigorating the spleen and stomach, clearing heat and promoting fluid production.

Dampness is a yin pathogen that tends to invade yang positions. In daily living, attention should be paid to avoiding pathogenic cold and proper warming and unblocking. One can press and knead acupoints such as

Zhongwan and Chengshan to harmonize the stomach and invigorate the spleen, resolve dampness and induce diuresis, and consolidate the spleen earth.

Dietary Health Preservation

In the Grain in Ear solar term, dietary conditioning should focus on mild tonic with clear properties. One can eat more sweet and bland foods with mild tonic effects such as

tremella, Chinese yam, japonica rice, red rice, adzuki beans, mung beans, wheat, barley, coix seeds, white hyacinth beans to nourish the spleen qi; people without kidney diseases can

eat more potassium-rich foods to supplement the potassium lost through excessive sweating and help restore physical strength. In addition, the climate is damp and hot during Grain in Ear, so it is necessary to keep the living room and kitchen ventilated, avoid food dampness, and guard against aflatoxin. Recommended daily diets include

Chinese yam, kelp and native chicken soup to invigorate the spleen and stomach, clear heat and promote fluid production; and dried tangerine peel and white hyacinth bean flower tea to clear heat and resolve dampness, regulate qi and invigorate the spleen.

Exercise Health Preservation

In the Grain in Ear season, the climate is hot. It is necessary to reduce high-intensity exercises such as long-distance running and weight-bearing mountain climbing. When exercising outdoors, avoid high temperatures and scorching sun to prevent excessive sweating, consumption of qi and injury to body fluids.

Exercise at this time should focus on nourishing the heart and calming the mind. One can carry out exercise health care along the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin, and also try small exercise moves such as rubbing the palms, pressing and kneading the Neiguan acupoint, and tiptoeing.