The Great Heat is Coming: Are You Ready to Face the Challenge of the Scorching Heat?

The hottest time of the year, known as the Great Heat, is approaching. As one of the traditional Chinese solar terms, the Great Heat typically occurs between July 22 and August 6. The high temperatures and humidity during this period pose significant challenges to our daily lives. However, by understanding and following certain traditional customs and scientific methods, we can not only cope with the scorching heat but also benefit from it. Today, let's explore the climate characteristics, traditional Chinese customs, dietary habits, and health care methods during the Great Heat to help you better navigate this hot season.

Climate Characteristics of the Great Heat

During the Great Heat, temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F), and the high humidity makes it feel even more oppressive. This scorching weather can be accompanied by sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain, which provide temporary relief but typically increase the overall humidity, making the heat feel more intense. Under such climatic conditions, people are prone to heatstroke and dehydration, making it essential to take appropriate preventive measures.

Traditional Chinese Customs of the Great Heat

To cope with the intense heat of the Great Heat, ancient people created various traditional customs. These customs not only help people survive the hot summer but are also rich in cultural and historical significance.

1. Sending Off the Summer Boat: In some regions, people make small boats out of paper or wood and set them afloat on rivers. This custom symbolizes sending away the scorching heat and welcoming cooler weather. The boats often carry written blessings, representing people's hopes for a safe and cool summer.
2. Celebrating the Mid-Year Festival: The Great Heat marks the midpoint of the lunar year. Families gather to reflect on the past six months' achievements and shortcomings and to make plans for the future. This is a time for gratitude and new beginnings, often celebrated with family gatherings and shared wishes and goals.
3. Appreciating Lotus Flowers: Lotus flowers bloom during this period, symbolizing purity and resilience. Visiting lotus ponds and enjoying the beauty of these flowers is a popular activity. Lotus flowers not only bring a visual sense of coolness but are also widely recognized for their medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine.

Dietary Habits During the Great Heat

Diet plays a crucial role in helping the body withstand the scorching heat of the Great Heat. Traditional folk foods are not only delicious but also have properties that help cool the body and replenish energy.

1. Drinking Mutton Soup: Contrary to what one might expect, hot mutton soup helps promote sweating and detoxification. Mutton is rich in protein and trace elements, which help enhance physical strength, making it particularly suitable for consumption during the hot summer.
2. Eating Lychees and Mutton: In Putian, Fujian Province, there is a tradition of eating lychees and mutton on the day of the Great Heat. Lychees are sweet and juicy, helping to quench thirst and promote body fluids, while mutton helps replenish energy and enhance physical strength. This custom not only enriches the palate but also helps cope with the heat.
3. Eating Fairy Grass: Also known as grass jelly, this cooling dessert made from mesona chinensis is believed to reduce internal heat and prevent heat-related illnesses. Fairy grass has cooling and detoxifying properties, making it an ideal summer treat.

Health Care Methods During the Great Heat

Proper diet and health care are essential during the Great Heat to maintain balance and health. Here are some effective health care suggestions:

1. Eating Ginger: Although it seems counterintuitive, consuming ginger in summer helps with digestion and prevents heatstroke. Ginger has warming properties that help expel internal dampness caused by humidity. Drinking a cup of ginger tea in the morning can be refreshing and help regulate the stomach.
2. Eating Medicinal Porridge: Porridge made with ingredients like lotus seeds, red dates, and Chinese yam is nourishing and easy to digest, helping to strengthen the spleen and stomach, which can be weakened by the heat. This type of medicinal porridge is not only nutritious but also boosts immunity, preventing common summer illnesses.
3. Eating Bitter Foods: Bitter foods like bitter melon and leafy greens help clear heat and detoxify the body. They also stimulate appetite and digestion, which can be affected by high temperatures. Bitter melon stir-fry and bitter herb soups are ideal summer dishes.
4. Drinking Summer CoolingSoup: Soups made with ingredients like mung beans, lotus leaves, and honeysuckle flowers are popular for their cooling and detoxifying effects. These soups help alleviate heat symptoms and prevent heatstroke. A pot of mung bean soup shared with the family can be a daily treat.
5. Eating Qi-Replenishing Foods: During the Great Heat, qi-replenishing foods such as chicken, duck, and tofu are important. These foods help restore energy depleted by the intense heat. They can be used to make nutritious stews that are both delicious and beneficial.

Additional Suggestions

In addition to dietary adjustments, certain lifestyle habits can help you better cope with the scorching heat of the Great Heat:

1. Maintain Good Living Habits: Ensure adequate sleep, avoid overexertion, and engage in moderate exercise without strenuous activities under the scorching sun.
2. Use Air Conditioning Wisely: Avoid setting the air conditioner too low; keep a moderate temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments to prevent colds and other illnesses.
3. Stay Hydrated: Keep your body well-hydrated to avoid dehydration. Consider drinking light saltwater or electrolyte-rich beverages to replenish lost minerals.
4. Wear Breathable Clothing: Choose lightweight, breathable cotton or linen clothing to help your body dissipate heat.

Conclusion

The Great Heat is the hottest period of the year, but with proper preparation and knowledge, it can be effectively managed. By following traditional customs, enjoying seasonal foods, and adopting healthy health care practices, we can stay cool and healthy. Understanding and respecting these ancient wisdoms can turn the Great Heat into an opportunity for growth and well-being. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and enjoy the unique beauty of the Great Heat.

Are you ready to face the challenge of the scorching heat? With these tips and a mindful approach, you certainly can.

Wishing you health and wellness during the Great Heat!