Solar Terms Wellness: The End of Heat

The End of Heat (Chushu), falling on August 23 or 24, signals the official retreat of summer. The character "Chu" means "to stop", aptly indicating that the sweltering days are drawing to a close. This period marks a pivotal transition from hot to cool, as nature's yang energy begins to recede while yin energy gradually rises, mirroring changes within the human body.

Adjusting our daily routine is crucial. Autumn is the time to adopt an earlier bedtime and earlier wake-up time to stay in harmony with seasonal changes. To nourish the body during this transition, a diet that helps clear internal heat and calm the mind is recommended. Excellent food choices include white fungus, lily bulbs, lotus seeds, honey, yellow croaker, dried scallops, kelp, jellyfish, celery, spinach, glutinous rice, sesame seeds, beans, and dairy products.

Chushu often coincides with the Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day). Some of its traditional customs also reflect principles of health preservation. One example is washing the hair with herbal decoctions. According to ancient records, women would boil cypress leaves and peach twigs to prepare a hair rinse, making use of the cypress leaves' moisture-dispelling and antibacterial properties. A gentle scalp massage before washing is also recommended to stimulate the body's meridians and leave one feeling refreshed and clear-minded.