During the Grain in Ear solar term, temperatures rise and rainfall increases. As air humidity rises, sweat cannot be released effectively from the body. Under the hot and humid conditions, people inevitably feel tired and listless.
Here are a few ways to stay fit and prevent illness in your daily life:
1. Drink plenty of water and take a midday nap.
In some parts of my country, there’s a proverb that says, “During the Grain in Ear and Summer Solstice, you need someone to lead you when you walk; if you’re being led, you need someone to pull you; if you’re being pulled, you need someone to push you.” This vividly illustrates the lethargy people experience during this season. Doctors advise that it’s essential to maintain a relaxed and cheerful state of mind. Summer days are long and nights are short, so a midday nap can help restore energy and is beneficial to health. The weather begins to get hot during Grain in Ear, a season that consumes a lot of physical energy, so it’s important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
2. Medicated bath
After the Grain in Ear solar term, the midday heat makes people sweat easily, so clothes should be washed and changed frequently. To avoid heatstroke, it’s good to bathe often after Grain in Ear, as this helps release excess heat. However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t bathe immediately after sweating. There’s an old Chinese saying, “Sweat should not be exposed to dampness,” as this can cause acne. Medicinal baths are the most effective way to maintain health and prevent illness. There are various methods of medicinal baths, but immersion baths are the most common for health maintenance. During Grain in Ear, the Five-Branch Decoction (cinnamon twigs, sophora japonica twigs, peach twigs, willow twigs, and hemp twigs) is the best for bathing. First, wrap equal amounts of the herbs in gauze, add ten times the amount of water, soak for 20 minutes, then decoct for 30 minutes. Finally, pour the decoction into the bathwater for a soak.
3. A light diet is recommended.
Regarding dietary therapy, Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty advocated that people should “consume light, sweet, and bland foods, with wheat, barley, and rice being the best,” and also said, “Those who are good at maintaining health should eat less meat and more rice.” While emphasizing a light and nourishing diet, he cautioned against eating too much salt or sugar. In summer, when the body’s metabolism is vigorous and sweat is easily lost, depleting energy and fluids, it is advisable to eat more foods that can relieve summer heat, replenish energy, and quench thirst. Elderly people, due to declining bodily functions, reduced secretion of digestive juices in hot weather, and varying degrees of hardening of the cardiovascular system, should primarily consume light and nourishing foods, supplemented with foods that clear summer heat, protect the stomach and spleen, and have blood pressure and lipid-lowering functions.
Specific dietary therapy and recipes for the Grain in Ear solar term:
Scrambled eggs with tomatoes:
[Ingredients] 300g tomatoes, 3 eggs, appropriate amounts of salt, MSG, and sugar.
[Instructions] Wash and slice the tomatoes, and beat the eggs in a bowl.
Heat oil in a wok, scramble the eggs until cooked, and set aside in a bowl. Clean the wok, heat more oil, melt the sugar, add the tomatoes and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and salt and stir-fry for another 3 minutes. Add a little MSG and remove from heat. (Diabetics should omit the sugar.)
[Efficacy] Promotes the production of body fluids and quenches thirst, nourishes the heart and calms the mind.
Shiitake mushroom and winter melon balls:
[Ingredients] Shiitake mushrooms, chicken broth, starch (as needed), winter melon (300g), vegetable oil, salt, ginger, MSG, sesame oil (as needed).
[Instructions] Soak and wash the shiitake mushrooms. Peel and wash the winter melon, then scoop it into round balls with a steel ball spoon. Wash and shred the ginger.
Heat some vegetable oil in a pot, sauté ginger until fragrant, add shiitake mushrooms and continue to sauté for a few minutes, then pour in some chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add winter melon balls and cook until done, then thicken with cornstarch slurry, stir-fry a few times, add MSG, drizzle with sesame oil, and it’s ready to serve.
[Efficacy] Nourishes the stomach and intestines, promotes the production of body fluids and relieves irritability.
Five-Flavor Goji Berry Drink:
[Ingredients] 5g of vinegar-processed Schisandra chinensis, 10g of wolfberry, and appropriate amount of white sugar.
[Preparation] Place Schisandra chinensis and chopped wolfberries in a porcelain cup, pour boiling water over them, let them steep for a while, then add white sugar, stir well and drink.
[Efficacy] Nourishes kidney yin and tonifies kidney yang. Suitable for symptoms of “summer deficiency” and is an effective remedy for health preservation and tonification.
