立夏时节湿热起 护心顾脾养阳气

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of health maintenance and disease prevention during the "Lixia" solar term, which marks the beginning of summer, highlighting the need to adapt to rising temperatures and increased humidity through traditional Chinese medicine practices [1][4]. Group 1: Health Recommendations - As temperatures rise and humidity increases, traditional Chinese medicine suggests focusing on "nurturing yang" during spring and summer, particularly by caring for the heart and spleen, clearing heat, and dispelling dampness [1][4]. - Dietary recommendations include consuming sour foods like ume and hawthorn to help with sweating and thirst, and bitter foods like bitter melon and lotus seeds to clear heart fire. Fresh vegetables should be prioritized while oily and spicy foods should be minimized to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach [4]. - It is advised to avoid excessive consumption of cold drinks and ice products to prevent damage to spleen yang, which could lead to diarrhea [4]. Group 2: Lifestyle Adjustments - The article suggests maintaining a balanced lifestyle by going to bed early and rising early, taking short naps during the day to nurture heart energy, and ensuring good indoor ventilation [4]. - Mental well-being is also emphasized, with recommendations to practice calming activities such as sitting quietly, listening to soothing music, and engaging in gentle exercises like Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, walking, or jogging to avoid excessive sweating that could deplete body fluids [4][5]. Group 3: Preventive Health Practices - The concept of "preventing disease before it occurs" is highlighted, with suggestions for home-based traditional Chinese medicine practices. For instance, lightly tapping the "Dantian" area for five minutes each morning can help alleviate internal heat and insomnia [5]. - A specific abdominal massage technique is recommended to help eliminate dampness and improve digestive health, which involves circular motions on the abdomen for a total of 49 repetitions daily [5].