Self Care for the Highest Heat of the Summer

Qi Greetings,

2025 Dog Days (San Fu), This Year Features “Late Start + Female Fu” – What Does this Mean?

The scorching summer heat of 2025 is making itself felt, even before the official start of the Dog Days of Summer (San Fu-the hottest and most Yang days of the Year).

Key Highlights:

1. “Late Start” (晚入伏) – Due to the lunar calendar’s alignment,this year’s Dog Days begin later than usual, on July 20.
2. “Female Fu” (母伏) – The first day of the Dog Days falls on an even-numbered lunar date (June 26), which folk tradition associates with intense heat and humidity.
3. Shorter Duration – Unlike recent years with a 40-day span for Dog Days, 2025’s will last only 30 days, potentially concentrating extreme heat!

As we enter the height of summer’s fiery intensity, the ancient wisdom of Daoist medicine reminds us to harmonize with nature’s rhythms. The “Three Heat Waves” (三伏天) challenge our digestive fire (Spleen and Stomach Qi), making this a critical time to nurture our inner balance. Here are seasonal suggestions to thrive with clarity and vitality:

1. Cool the Body, Warm the Digestion

• Avoid icy foods/drinks—they weaken Spleen Qi, causing damp stagnation (bloating, fatigue).
• Opt for cooling yet Qi-nourishing foods: cucumber, bitter melon, mung beans, lotus root, and mild herbal teas (chrysanthemum, mint).
• Steam or lightly cook foods to ease digestion—raw salads in excess can chill the digestive fire.

2. Strengthen Earth Element (Spleen/Stomach)

• Golden Rule: Eat warm, simple meals at regular times. Overeating burdens Wei Qi (digestive warmth).
• Herbal allies: Ginger (fresh or dried in tea), Shan Yao (Chinese yam), and Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears) to resolve dampness.
• Morning ritual: Massage your abdomen clockwise 36 times to stimulate Qi flow.

3. Guard Against Summer’s “Evil Damp-Heat”

• Symptoms to watch: Lethargy, loose stools, skin rashes, or acid reflux signal imbalance.
• Detox gently: Simmer Huo Xiang (patchouli) or Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) in water to harmonize the middle burner.
• Movement: Practice Qigong to regulate the San Jiao (Triple Burner) and disperse stagnation. Examples: Holding up the Sky, Lifting the Sky.

4. Mindful Rest & Nighttime Recovery

• No late dinners: Finish meals by 7 PM to let Stomach Qi rest before sleep.
• Cooling sleep tip: Place a sand-filled herbal pouch (with mint or lavender) near your pillow to dispel summer heat without AC’s Qi-blocking chill.

Seasonal Reminder: Summer’s Yang peaks now—like a flame, it must burn steadily, not rage unchecked. Nourish your Yin (cooling fluids) while supporting Yang (digestive power).

Discover ancient techniques to harmonize digestion, restore internal balance, and support your body through seasonal changes.

☯️ Join Master Liu He for a special 1-day, 5-hour Zoom class:

Digestive Taiji – The Daoist Art of Effortless Nourishment, September 21, 2025 

May your Qi flow like a mountain stream—unhindered, clear, and full of vitality!

With loving Qi and peaceful regards,

Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School

I’m Sharing this from my Qigong School. May it help you.