Are you experiencing physical discomfort, poor appetite, and body swelling due to hot and humid weather? These are typical symptoms of excessive dampness in the body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer brings heavier dampness that can affect digestive functions, leading to various uncomfortable symptoms. Below is a scientific approach to eliminating dampness and helping you feel refreshed this summer!

I. Common Symptoms of Excessive Dampness

• Feeling of heaviness in the body, fatigue and weakness
• Decreased appetite and poor digestion
• Swelling in the face, hands, and feet
• Dizziness and foggy thinking
• Thick, greasy tongue coating and sticky sensation in the mouth

II. Dietary Adjustments

1. Recommended Food List

(1) Yin-nourishing and fluid-producing foods:

• Cucumber, tomato, winter melon - effective for clearing heat and promoting urination
• Mung beans, black fungus, loofah - help clear heat and detoxify

(2) Dampness-removing and spleen-strengthening foods:

• Red beans, coix seeds (Job's tears) - promote water metabolism and reduce swelling
• Gordon euryale seed, Chinese yam - strengthen the spleen and secure the kidneys

III. Summer Dampness-Removing Recipe: Winter Melon and Red Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 500g winter melon
• 100g red beans
• 50g coix seeds
• 30g hyacinth beans
• 200g pork shoulder
• A small piece of dried tangerine peel
• 3-4 slices of ginger

Cooking Steps:

1. Wash the pork shoulder and blanch in boiling water to remove impurities
2. Place all ingredients in a pot and add appropriate amount of water
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 40 minutes
4. Finally, add salt to taste

Benefits: This soup effectively promotes urination, reduces swelling, strengthens the spleen, and removes dampness. It's especially suitable for those with excessive dampness and prone to water retention during summer. Consuming this soup 2-3 times a week can significantly improve symptoms of dampness (results vary by individual).

IV. Daily Health Care

1. Lifestyle Adjustments

(1) Avoid excessive cooling: Despite summer heat, consuming too many cold foods can damage the spleen and stomach yang energy, worsening dampness

(2) Drink appropriate tea: Warm tea helps induce slight sweating, promoting the elimination of dampness

(3) Scientific sleep schedule: Try to sleep before 11 PM, with a 30-minute afternoon nap to nourish heart energy

(4) Appropriate exercise: Choose gentle exercises like walking, Tai Chi, or Ba Duan Jin (Eight-Section Brocade) in the early morning or evening, avoiding excessive sweating

2. Clothing Recommendations

(1) Choose breathable, absorbent natural fabric clothing
(2) Change damp clothes promptly to prevent dampness from lingering on the skin

By following these suggestions and maintaining these adjustments for a period of time, you'll notice the dampness in your body gradually reducing (results vary by individual), and you'll feel more energetic overall.