Solar Term Wellness | Three Methods to Remove Dampness During Grain in Ear
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Mangzhong Season: Why is "Dampness" So Common?
Mangzhong (Grain in Ear) is the ninth of the twenty-four solar terms, typically arriving between June 5th and 7th each year.
At this time, the Northern Hemisphere enters midsummer, with temperatures rising significantly, rainfall increasing, and air humidity gradually reaching its annual peak.
The ancients believed: "Heat is often accompanied by dampness, and dampness burdens the spleen and stomach."
Dampness is not merely a weather phenomenon; in traditional Chinese health culture, it represents an environmental factor that easily disrupts the body's balance. Many people experience feelings of heaviness, loss of appetite, heavy and tired limbs, and lingering fatigue even after waking up...
Therefore, an important principle of health preservation during Mangzhong is — strengthening the spleen and dispelling dampness.
Below are three health-preserving methods passed down for thousands of years to help the body navigate this hot and humid season with greater lightness.
① Job's Tears and Adzuki Beans · Dietary Therapy for Dampness
Job's tears and adzuki beans are a classic "dampness-dispelling duo" in traditional Chinese food therapy culture.
Job's tears are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, helping to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness; adzuki beans have the effect of clearing water-dampness and promoting metabolism.
Simmered together into a soup, this is a common summer health drink in many households.
Recommended Recipe — Mangzhong Dampness-Dispelling Soup
Ingredients: 30g Job's tears, 30g adzuki beans, appropriate amount of water
Steps:
- Soak in advance for 2 hours
- Simmer over low heat for 60 minutes
- Drink while warm
Tips: You can add Poria, Chinese yam, or lotus seeds to enhance the spleen-strengthening effect.
For health in Mangzhong, nourish the spleen and stomach first. When the spleen is strong, dampness is resolved; when energy is sufficient, the body feels light.
② Mugwort Foot Soaks · Warming the Meridians
Although Mangzhong is hot, it is not advisable to overly seek coolness. Many people stay in air-conditioned environments for long periods, leading to "external heat and internal cold," which can easily cause "air-conditioning sickness" symptoms such as cold hands and feet, a weak spleen and stomach, and reduced sleep quality.
Mugwort leaves have been known since ancient times as the "herb of pure yang." Soaking feet in mugwort water is also a traditional health practice that helps warm the meridians and promote the circulation of qi and blood.
Recommended Method
Ingredients: 20-30g dried mugwort leaves, 2-3L water
Steps:
- Boil the mugwort leaves for 10 minutes
- Let the water cool to about 40°C
- Soak feet for 15-20 minutes
Optimal Time: Before bed at night
Precautions: It is not recommended to soak feet within 1 hour after a meal.
When feet are warm, the body is at ease. Warming the meridians is one of the important ways to nourish yang in summer.
③ Eat Less Raw and Cold Food · Protecting Spleen Yang
After entering summer, many people love to consume large amounts of ice drinks and cold fruits to beat the heat.
However, traditional health concepts hold that "the spleen prefers warmth and dislikes cold." Excessive cold food and drink may increase the burden on the spleen and stomach. Especially in a hot and humid environment, long-term heavy consumption of cold foods can easily lead to indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, and physical lethargy.
Mangzhong Dietary Advice
✅ Increase appropriately: Chinese yam, millet, lotus seeds, pumpkin, red dates
❌ Decrease: Iced drinks, raw or cold fruits, chilled beer/beverages, cold food substitutes
The "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" states: "If one doubles their food intake, the intestines and stomach will be harmed."
True health preservation in summer is not about seeking unlimited coolness, but about maintaining balance inside and outside the body.
The Core of Mangzhong Health: Nurturing in Harmony with the Seasons
The twenty-four solar terms are not just markers of time, but also an important way to observe changes in nature and the body.
During the Mangzhong season, temperatures rise, rain increases, and heat and dampness intensify. The most important things now are to strengthen the spleen, resolve dampness, nourish yang, and adjust your routine. When the body adapts to seasonal changes, it naturally maintains lightness and vitality.
Mangzhong is the season of golden wheat waves, and also the season when heat and dampness gradually increase.
Observing the movement of heaven and earth, the ancients summarized many simple and practical health wisdoms:
A bowl of Job's tears and adzuki bean soup,
A basin of warm mugwort foot soak water,
A habit of moderation regarding cold foods,
All are lifestyles that are in sync with nature.
Nurture in harmony with the four seasons and breathe with the universe. May you enjoy a peaceful and clear body and mind, and breeze through the summer during this Mangzhong season.