Xiaoshu Solar term - Lesser Heat

Every day it gets hotter and hotter. Throughout the Lesser Heat solar term, air temperatures rise steadily to reach their annual maximum the following season.

Xiaoshu 小暑 solar term is the eleventh of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese agricultural calendar and coincides with the first half of the third month of summer, the month of the Goat, which occurs between July 5-7 each year. The Xiaoshu solar term lasts until about July 23-24, when it gives way to the Dashu (Bigger Heat) season.

CLIMATE

During the eleventh solar term of the Chinese agricultural calendar, the weather is hot, but the heat does not reach its peak, with temperatures in many parts of China hovering around 30 degrees. Showers are also not uncommon for many regions this season. Xiaoshu receives a large amount of precipitation, so during this period the issue of combating floods and floods arises with all urgency. Typhoons originating in southern latitudes are gathering strength before hitting the southern provinces of China.

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“Shu” translated from Chinese means “heat, heat,” but since ancient times it was believed that during this period the weather was not the hottest of the year, so the season was called “lesser heat.” People say that “the hottest weather occurs in Sanfu, i.e. three decades of summer heat,” which occurs on the 28th day after the solstice and falls on the next season - Da Shu.

TRADITIONS

During the Xiaoshu solar term, the Chinese usually dry their winter clothes and bedding in the sun.

Xiaoshu is characterized by increased activity of fireflies. Wherever there are meadows, fireflies flash, reminiscent of the starry sky descending to the earth. “Xiaoshu” is a season of intensive agricultural work, a time of increased activity. During this period, you should take special care of your health.

HEALTH

According to traditional Chinese medicine, summer is associated with the element Fire, pathogenic heat, and the heart.

During this solar term in the south of China it is already very hot, people’s condition is disturbed by anxiety and fatigue, so it is necessary to carry out “self-defense and preparation” so that the internal organs work in accordance with the principle of “nourishing yang energy in spring and summer.”

During the heat, the body experiences increased emotional and physical fatigue. This season is a time of increased and nervous stress. First of all, it is necessary to strive to achieve a special emotional state of “peace”, to avoid severe stress and frustration, and excessive fun. You should maintain a good mood. In general, Chinese medicine attaches increased importance to the phenomenon of “calmness.”

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At this time of year, you can stay up late and get up early and keep it fun. Swimming and enjoying music, especially melodic music with a light rhythm and tonality, help release yang energy from the body. All this can also be a positive stimulus for improving the functioning of the brain and functional system, ensuring normal functioning of organs, stable blood circulation, increasing the secretion of digestive juices, stimulating human self-improvement. During this period, Chinese medicine strongly recommends a short afternoon rest.

NUTRITION

In Xiaoshu, diseases of the digestive tract often occur, so special attention should be paid to regulating nutrition.

Nutrition should be structured in compliance with the principle of moderation and balance. Fasting will lead to exhaustion, anemia and intoxication, and overeating will lead to overload of the digestive tract, disruption of its functioning, indigestion, anorexia, etc.

Only moderate and appropriate nutrition normally provides the body with the substances necessary for life. Excessive addiction to food of the “cold” and “hot” (according to the classification of Chinese traditional medicine) types harms the spleen, stomach, intestines, leads to metabolic disorders, obesity, etc. Five types (“flavors”) of food correspond to certain organs. Abuse of food of one type or another leads to an imbalance in the functions of a particular organ. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends proportionate and moderate intake of different types of food.

Overuse of products with cold properties can lead to internal accumulation of cold. To prevent this, you should add onions and garlic to salads (if there are no contraindications). Their pungent taste and warming properties will help mitigate the overly cooling effects of foods with cold properties.

Because of hot weather, people lose their appetite, so you need to choose light and flavorful food, because low-fat food is easier to digest, and flavorful food stimulates appetite. By toning the body, such food helps to remove yang energy from the body, which, together with regulating mood, will help to find balance with summer conditions.

You need to try to eat foods rich in potassium as much as possible: seaweed, soy products, potatoes, watermelons, bananas. Green lettuce leaves are very useful in July, as they help improve the circulation of qi energy. Well, in addition, a large amount of plant fiber, which is contained in lettuce, perfectly stimulates the intestines and promotes digestion, for example, bean porridge.