🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The ancient text *Inner Canon* (Huangdi Neijing) states in "Great Treatise on Adjusting the Four Seasons":
“In the three months of summer, this is the season of flourishing growth. Heaven and Earth exchange energies, and all things blossom and bear fruit. Go to bed late and rise early, do not resent the long daylight. Let your spirit remain free from anger, let your blossoms mature and flourish, allow qi to circulate freely, as if your heart is drawn outward. This is the response to summer’s energy, the way to nurture growth.”
The health philosophy in the *Inner Canon* emphasizes spiritual regulation, clearly evident in this passage. Besides “going to bed late and rising early,” which discusses daily routines, the rest focuses on regulating emotions and mental state. “Not resenting the long daylight” means that long, hot days deplete body fluids and vital energy, making people tired and irritable. Yet health-preserving individuals should adapt to summer’s abundant yang energy, stay energetic, avoid boredom, allow qi to flow freely, and prevent stagnation. “Let your spirit remain free from anger, let your blossoms mature and flourish” advises adjusting emotions—do not become impatient or angry due to busyness, as this would exacerbate yang energy and harm vital essence. “Allow qi to circulate freely, as if your heart is drawn outward” explains the previous two lines: avoiding boredom prevents internal stagnation, allowing smooth qi flow; avoiding anger ensures qi flows peacefully and pleasantly, like being attracted to something outside. If one can cultivate such a mindset during the hot, humid summer, coolness naturally arises from within, promoting health and longevity.
Summer’s diet and daily routine are especially critical compared to other seasons. Because summer’s yang energy dominates externally while yin energy begins internally, and because food spoils easily, improper care may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Therefore, summer diet should be light, avoiding rich, greasy, and heavy foods. Increase intake of legumes such as mung beans, red adzuki beans, broad beans, and bean products to clear heat, remove dampness, strengthen spleen and kidneys. Meanwhile, young adults often consume too many cold and icy foods, but the elderly should avoid imitating them, refraining from indulging in food cravings that damage the spleen and stomach. Regarding daily habits, even though it is hot and uncomfortable, avoid sleeping directly under fans, lying on cold floors or beds, setting air conditioning too low, or going bare-chested without covering. These practices are unsuitable for the elderly and may lead to illness that is difficult to control.
In summary, summer is a season of abundant yang energy and vibrant life. People should align with this seasonal characteristic: avoid laziness and boredom mentally; maintain a calm, pleasant emotional state to avoid internal heat; balance heat prevention with protection against cold; follow a schedule of late bedtime and early rising (with optional afternoon naps based on personal needs); and pay extra attention to dietary hygiene. By doing so, one can avoid pathogenic influences, stay away from illness, and enjoy a healthy summer.