🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In discussing how to maintain mental well-being during summer, The Yellow Emperor's Classic clearly states: "Let the will not be angry, let the vitality flourish like a blooming flower, allow the vital energy to circulate freely, and let emotions be outwardly directed, as if deeply interested in external matters—this is the essence of summer health preservation." This means that in summer, one should maintain a spirit as graceful and delicate as an unopened blossom, avoid anger, ensure smooth flow of vital energy, and exhibit outward emotional engagement with keen interest in external affairs—this is the proper way to adapt to summer. In terms of mental regulation, traditional Chinese medicine holds that winter requires concealment, spring calls for growth, while summer demands release—spirit must be abundant and vibrant, with outward-directed emotions. Only when spiritual energy is robust can bodily functions remain vigorous and harmonious; otherwise, scattered spiritual energy disrupts all physiological activities. As stated in Medical Texts: "Those who properly preserve life do not overexert their mind or body; once both mind and body are at peace, how could misfortune arise?" However, scorching summer heat often leads to irritability, and irritation intensifies heat. Thus, calming the heart and tranquilizing the spirit become especially crucial. Qiu Chuji said: "During the three summer months, to stabilize the spirit," one should "calm and harmonize the mind, cut off external sounds and colors, reduce indulgence in rich flavors, reside in high places, gaze into the distance, go to bed early and rise early, have no aversion to sunlight, follow the positive yang energy, and thus dissipate summer heat." He further emphasized that to avoid summer heat, it is best to seek coolness in clean, open spaces such as empty halls, water pavilions, or shaded tree groves. More importantly, one should "regulate breathing and purify the heart, always keeping the mind as clear as ice and snow—thus reducing the sensation of heat. Do not regard heat as heat, or you will generate more heat." This insight is profound: tranquility naturally brings coolness. Ancient songs say: "The secret to avoiding heat lies not in mountain springs or rocks; simply calm your mind with nothing on it, and you'll find yourself in a cool mountain retreat."The Yellow Emperor’s Classic notes: "South generates heat, heat produces fire"—fire governs summer and corresponds internally to the heart. The heart governs blood and houses the spirit, serving as the sovereign organ. Excessive emotions can harm the heart, causing mental unrest. As The Yellow Emperor’s Classic says: "Grief, sorrow, and worry cause the heart to move, and when the heart moves, all five zang organs tremble." This illustrates both that abnormal emotions damage heart function and that impaired heart function affects all bodily activities. Thus, summer mental health preservation is particularly important.Especially during summer, when heat dominates, intense sunlight and extreme heat cause the pores to open and sweat to escape. Since sweat is considered the fluid of the heart, heart qi is easily depleted—what TCM calls "vigorous fire consumes qi." Because "heat easily affects the heart" and "the heart governs spirit," many mental symptoms may arise, such as restlessness, delirium, and unconsciousness. Many heatstroke patients fall into coma, requiring acupuncture or pressing the Renzhong point (located at the upper third of the nasolabial groove) or the Shixuan points (at the fingertips of both hands), where bloodletting via needle puncture is performed.In long summer, characterized by humid heat—high temperatures with little wind and minimal temperature variation between morning and evening—people often feel chest tightness, leading to irritability and frustration, which may trigger psychiatric disorders.In summary, mental activity is closely linked to heart function. Ancient people experienced this through daily life: heartbeats are steady when calm but accelerate when excited. The heart's connection to emotions stems from "the heart stores pulse, and pulse houses spirit." Pulse refers to blood vessels and blood. The heart governs spirit and consciousness through its circulation of blood. When blood and vessels are full, the mind is clear, thinking sharp, and spirit vigorous; when blood is deficient, insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, dizziness, and mental fatigue often occur. Therefore, the foundation of summer mental health preservation lies in maintaining normal heart-blood function. How to achieve this?The Yellow Emperor’s Classic states: "The heart is associated with the pulse... eating too much salt causes the pulse to thicken and change color"; also: "Excessive saltiness suppresses heart qi." This warns against excessive salt intake harming the heart. Modern nutrition science indicates that heart muscle development and blood circulation require high-quality proteins, which must be replenished promptly. Excessive fat consumption leads to "fatty heart" and increases risk of arteriosclerosis. It is advisable to consume foods that lower lipids, such as soybeans, mushrooms, peanuts, ginger, garlic, onions, tea, yogurt, soft-shelled turtles, seaweed, corn oil, hawthorn berries, etc. A low-salt diet greatly benefits cardiovascular disease prevention, since excess sodium increases cardiac workload and raises hypertension risk.Excess weight burdens the heart, so weight reduction is essential. Numerous methods exist, but physical exercise and dietary control are key. Regular physical activity enhances coronary blood flow, greatly benefiting heart health.In conclusion, the foundation of summer mental health preservation is protecting the heart. Beyond this, one must also "allow the vitality to flourish." How to achieve mental vigor?First, cultivate meaningful spiritual pursuits. Humans possess thoughts and aspirations. With goals, one can overcome life’s obstacles. Positive beliefs generate voluntary actions and positive emotions. Activities such as painting, calligraphy, carving, music, chess, gardening, stamp collecting, fishing, and travel provide spiritual fulfillment and help refine emotions, achieving emotional transfer and health enhancement.Second, constantly refine one’s character. Monitor emotions regularly; if irritability, anxiety, depression, anger, or narrow-mindedness appear, actively prevent recurrence through learning and self-cultivation. The Guanzi says: "To stop anger, turn to poetry; to relieve sorrow, turn to joy; to moderate joy, practice ritual; to uphold ritual, practice respect; to maintain respect, practice stillness. Inner stillness and outer respect enable one to return to natural nature, and one’s nature will become profoundly stable." The Yellow Emperor’s Classic describes the sage’s health-preserving method as: "No resentment or anger," "No mental distress," and "Pursuing tranquility and ease." Thus, cultivating a broad-minded, smiling attitude toward unsatisfactory people and situations is essential personal virtue.First, having meaningful tasks prevents mental emptiness; second, strong mental cultivation shields one from negative external influences. If both are achieved, mental vitality naturally flourishes, allowing one to "have no aversion to sunlight"—this is the fundamental principle of summer mental regulation.