“The summer sun is as scorching as fire.” Summer is the season when the yang qi is the most abundant in a year, and it is also the time when the human body’s metabolism is the most vigorous. In this season, people often feel unbearably hot and dry, tired and lacking in energy, and are prone to problems such as heatstroke, colds, and gastrointestinal discomfort. As a traditional Chinese medical therapy, moxibustion has the effects of warming and dredging the meridians, removing dampness and dispelling cold, strengthening the healthy qi and expelling pathogenic factors. Performing moxibustion in summer can help us conform to the season, regulate our bodies, and achieve the goals of relieving summer heat and removing dampness, as well as strengthening the yang qi and consolidating the foundation of the body.
Ⅰ、The Benefits of Moxibustion in Summer
Relieve summer heat and remove dampness
In summer, the temperature is high and the humidity is great, so the human body is prone to being invaded by the pathogenic factors of summer heat and dampness. Moxibustion can, through thermal stimulation, promote the circulation of qi and blood in the human body, enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, help the human body expel dampness, and relieve the discomfort symptoms caused by summer heat and dampness. For example, moxibustion on acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Fenglong (ST40) can invigorate the spleen and remove dampness, and improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract. Moxibustion on acupoints such as Dazhui (GV14), Quchi (LI11), and Hegu (LI4) can clear heat and relieve summer heat, and prevent heatstroke.
Strengthen the yang qi and consolidate the foundation of the body
Although the yang qi is abundant in summer, the human body is also prone to damage the yang qi due to excessive preference for coldness. Moxibustion can replenish the yang qi of the human body, enhance the body’s immunity, and prevent the occurrence of diseases. For example, moxibustion on acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), and Shenque (CV8) can warm and tonify the kidney yang and strengthen the constitution. Moxibustion on acupoints such as Mingmen (GV4), Shenshu (BL23), and Yaoyangguan (GV3) can strengthen the waist and knees and prevent low back pain.
Relieve fatigue
In summer, people often feel tired and weak. This is because the human body has a relatively large consumption in summer, and it is prone to the situation of insufficient qi and blood. Moxibustion can promote the circulation of qi and blood in the human body, enhance the body’s energy supply, and relieve fatigue symptoms. For example, moxibustion on acupoints such as Baihui (GV20), Yintang (EX-HN3), and Taiyang (EX-HN5) can refresh the mind and relieve headaches. Moxibustion on acupoints such as Neiguan (PC6), Shenmen (HT7), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can nourish the heart and soothe the nerves, and improve sleep quality.
Ⅱ、Precautions for Moxibustion in Summer
Choose the appropriate time.
It is best to perform moxibustion in summer in the morning or afternoon, and avoid doing it at noon or in the evening. This is because the yang qi of the human body is relatively weak at noon and in the evening, and moxibustion is likely to damage the yang qi. In addition, as the weather is hot in summer, the duration of moxibustion should not be too long. Generally, each moxibustion session should last for 15 to 30 minutes.
Pay attention to preventing heatstroke and cooling down
When performing moxibustion in summer, it is necessary to pay attention to preventing heatstroke and cooling down, and avoid doing moxibustion in a high-temperature environment. You can choose to do moxibustion in an air-conditioned room or a place with good ventilation. At the same time, you should pay attention to replenishing water to avoid heatstroke.
Avoid excessive indulgence in seeking coolness.
After moxibustion in summer, the pores of the human body open up, making it easy to be invaded by the pathogenic factors of wind and cold. Therefore, after moxibustion, one should avoid excessive indulgence in seeking coolness. Do not turn on the air conditioner immediately, eat cold drinks or take a cold shower. You can drink a glass of warm water after moxibustion to help the body expel toxins. At the same time, pay attention to keeping warm to avoid getting cold.
Choose the appropriate acupoints
When performing moxibustion in summer, appropriate acupoints should be selected according to an individual’s constitution and illness condition. Generally speaking, for moxibustion in summer, some acupoints with the effects of clearing heat and relieving summer heat, removing dampness and dispelling cold, strengthening the yang qi and consolidating the foundation of the body can be chosen. However, for special groups such as those with a weak constitution, pregnant women, and patients with hypertension, moxibustion should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.
Ⅲ、Commonly used acupoints for moxibustion in summer
Dazhui acupoint (GV14)
The Dazhui acupoint (GV14) is located at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Moxibustion on the Dazhui acupoint can clear heat and release the exterior, activate yang and dispel cold, and prevent diseases such as heatstroke and colds.
Guanyuan acupoint (CV4)
The Guanyuan acupoint (CV4) is located in the lower abdomen, on the anterior median line, 3 cun below the umbilicus. Moxibustion on the Guanyuan acupoint can warm and tonify the kidney yang, consolidate the foundation and nourish the origin, enhance the physical constitution, and prevent diseases such as low back pain and frequent urination.
Zusanli acupoint (ST36)
The Zusanli acupoint (ST36) is located on the anterolateral side of the lower leg, 3 cun below Dubi acupoint, and one transverse finger (middle finger) away from the anterior border of the tibia. Moxibustion on the Zusanli acupoint can invigorate the spleen and stomach, strengthen the healthy qi and cultivate the primordial qi, improve the human body’s immunity, and prevent gastrointestinal diseases.
Yinlingquan acupoint (SP9)
The Yinlingquan acupoint (SP9) is located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression behind and below the medial condyle of the tibia. Moxibustion on the Yinlingquan acupoint can invigorate the spleen and remove dampness, promote the smooth flow of the triple energizer, improve the gastrointestinal function, and relieve the symptoms of edema.
In conclusion, moxibustion in summer is an excellent health preservation method. However, when performing moxibustion, it is necessary to pay attention to choosing the appropriate time, acupoints, and methods, and avoid excessive indulgence in seeking coolness and heatstroke. At the same time, according to an individual’s constitution and illness condition, moxibustion should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor to achieve the best health preservation effect.
