The End of Heat: A Guide to Health and Wellness During the White Dew Season

Are you familiar with the End of Heat season? This marks the fourteenth solar term in the Chinese traditional calendar and is the second solar term of autumn. It signifies the conclusion of the scorching hot weather of the "three heats," indicating the end of the unbearable heat. It also symbolizes the forthcoming harvest season. During this period, numerous intriguing customs and health tips have evolved. Would you like to delve deeper into this? This article will introduce you to them!

Fascinating Customs

Enjoying Duck: There's a saying "Sending ducks during the End of Heat wards off sickness." In regions like Jiangnan, it has become a tradition to eat duck on the End of Heat day. Duck meat is cool in nature, nourishing yin and moistening dryness, making it ideal for consumption during the transition from summer to autumn, helping to alleviate autumn dryness.

Releasing River Lanterns: In certain places, people craft various river lanterns and release them into the flowing water at night, drifting along with the current. This gesture conveys thoughts of departed loved ones and symbolizes letting go of diseases and misfortunes with the flowing water, welcoming peace and auspiciousness.

Eating Longan龙眼(lóng yǎn) with Porridge: In areas like Fujian, there is a custom of eating longan during the End of Heat. It is believed that longan during this time is most nourishing. Consuming longan with white porridge can invigorate the spleen, benefit qi, nourish blood, and calm the spirit, especially suitable for those with frail constitutions and the elderly.

龙眼 (lóng yǎn), noun, longan

Examples:

1. She peeled the longan and savored its sweet flesh.
   她剥开龙眼，品尝着它甜美的果肉。
   tā bāo kāi lóng yǎn, pǐn cháng zhe tā tián měi de guǒ ròu。
2. In Chinese culture, longan is often enjoyed during the hot summer days to cool the body.
   在中国文化中，龙眼常在炎炎夏日享用，以降火清热。
   zài zhōng guó wén huà zhōng, lóng yǎn cháng zài yán yán xià rì xiǎng yòng, yǐ jiàng huǒ qīng rè。

Culinary Adjustments for Health Maintenance

After the End of Heat, as the climate gradually becomes dry, individuals are more susceptible to autumn dryness. Therefore, dietary choices tend to lean towards foods that nourish yin and moisten the lungs, such as snow pear, honey, lily bulbs, almonds, and water chestnuts. These can help moisten the mouth, relieving thirst and easing the discomfort of autumn dryness. Furthermore, reducing intake of spicy and greasy foods is advisable to prevent lung inflammation. Consuming porridge, like pumpkin porridge or sesame porridge, in the morning and evening is suitable, warming the stomach and aiding digestion. Additionally, drinking green tea, chrysanthemum tea, and other cooling beverages helps clear excess heat from the body and maintain internal hydration balance.

Following the traditional Chinese medicine principle of "nourishing yin in autumn and winter," consuming moderate amounts of sour foods during the End of Heat, such as lemons, hawthorns, and Chinese plums, can astringe lung qi, moisten the mouth, quench thirst, and stimulate appetite, preparing the body for the approaching colder season.

Lifestyle Adjustments

During the End of Heat season, the pleasant climate is perfect for engaging in various outdoor activities! Activities like early morning walks, evening jogs, or Tai Chi classes not only exercise the body but also allow individuals to breathe fresh air and bask in a peaceful atmosphere, significantly benefiting overall physical and mental well-being.

Additionally, as autumn brings a tendency for low spirits, one can try meditation, reading, or listening to soothing music to calm the mind and stabilize emotions, avoiding the emotional turmoil often associated with "autumn blues."

With the increasing temperature differences between day and night, adding clothing in a timely manner to prevent colds, especially in the early morning and evening, becomes crucial. During the End of Heat period, nature begins to display a tranquil and harmonious scene. Hence, our lives should adjust accordingly, seeking internal-external balance.

Taking advantage of the pleasant weather during this period, planning relaxing trips such as mountain hikes to view autumnal foliage or countryside excursions will not only offer the beauty of natural landscapes but also provide the soul with ample relaxation and purification. It is important to allocate time wisely in work and study, avoid staying up late, ensure adequate sleep, and counteract the "autumn fatigue."

During this deeply autumnal秋天的(qiū tiān de) season, consider decorating the home environment by incorporating autumnal elements, like changing curtain colors or placing seasonal flowers, creating a warm and cozy living space. In this tranquil and harmonious season, let us welcome autumn with the rhythm of nature and savor the beauty of life!

秋天的 (qiū tiān de), adjective, autumnal

Examples:

1. The autumnal leaves painted the landscape in hues of red and gold.
   秋天的叶子用红色和金色点缀着风景。
   qiū tiān de yè zi yòng hóng sè hé jīn sè diǎn zhuì zhe fēng jǐng。
2. During the autumnal equinox, day and night are of equal length.
   在秋天的时节，白昼与黑夜持平。
   zài qiū tiān de shí jié, bái zhòu yǔ hēi yè chí píng。