Hello everyone, I am Dr. Mi.
How have you been with the recent drop in temperature?
Although it’s cold, a friend of mine has developed acne, feels thirsty and dry, and has cracked skin. She asked me why, despite the cold weather, she seems to be experiencing dryness and internal heat.
I made an analogy. Dry wood ignites easily when it meets fire; but what about wood that is wet from rain? It is unlikely to catch fire anytime soon.
Here, the wood represents our body, and the fire symbolizes pathogenic factors.
This means that the symptoms exhibited by the body are related to the nature of external pathogens and the internal environment of the body.
For instance, this friend has a phlegm-damp constitution, is slightly overweight, and tends to overthink, which affects her spleen and stomach. Even if the initial pathogenic factor is cold dampness, it can easily transform into heat after lingering in the body, resulting in phlegm-dampness and internal heat.
Moreover, she hasn’t changed her lifestyle habits, enjoying fried chicken and staying up late…
Possible symptoms include:
1. Bitter taste, dry mouth, bad breath, poor appetite;
2. Prone to irritability;
3. Poor mental state, easily fatigued;
4. Tendency to be slightly overweight;
5. Oily skin, prone to acne;
6. Dark yellow, scanty urine;
7. Sticky stools, possible burning sensation in the anus;
What should be done? I would recommend a fruit remedy—Apple, Snow Pear, and Radish Water.
Among them, Apple, sweet and sour in flavor, neutral in nature, can strengthen the spleen, nourish the stomach, generate fluids, quench thirst, and moisten the lungs.
Snow Pear, sweet in flavor, cool in nature, can generate fluids, quench thirst, resolve phlegm, and stop cough, as well as moisten the lungs.
White Radish, pungent and sweet in flavor, cool in nature, can clear heat, eliminate dampness, strengthen the spleen, and aid digestion.
Brown Sugar, warm in nature and sweet in flavor, can strengthen the spleen, nourish the stomach, and invigorate blood circulation.
Therefore, regularly drinking this Apple, Snow Pear, and Radish Water can help moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, strengthen the spleen, and eliminate dampness.
In fact, this drink is suitable not only for those with phlegm-dampness and internal heat but also for everyone during the New Year and spring season.
1. From the perspective of the Five Movements and Six Qi, the initial qi is dominated by the wind-wood of Jueyin and the guest qi of Shaoyang fire. The fire, aided by wind, can become more rampant. Thus, the Huangdi Neijing describes that spring leads to summer, which may bring warm diseases.
At this time, if we drink Apple, Snow Pear, and Radish Water, it is equivalent to dispelling the fire, clearing internal heat, eliminating phlegm-dampness, and strengthening the spleen and lungs.
As a result, first, the body’s waste is thoroughly cleared, making it less likely to become congested. The internal environment for pathogenic factors to thrive is eliminated.
Secondly, we can maintain the spleen and stomach’s function of transformation and transportation, allowing qi and blood to be continuously generated. When external pathogens invade, we will have sufficient reserves to support us.
Finally, the lungs are at the frontline of the body’s defenses, and their condition directly affects how we combat pathogens. Strong lungs can quickly eliminate external pathogens.
2. Children tend to eat more, especially with the New Year approaching, which can lead to food accumulation; they can benefit from this drink.
You may have seen a straw pile, right? When you reach inside, it is hot. This is similar to the internal heat generated by food accumulation.
Internal heat in our bodies works the same way. Especially in children, when food gets stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, it can generate internal heat. This internal heat can rise to the lungs, throat, and face.
When internal heat reaches the lungs, it can cause lung heat cough;
when it reaches the throat, it can cause tonsillitis and adenoiditis;
when it reaches the mouth, it can cause ulcers;
when it reaches the nose, it can cause rhinitis…
At this time, drinking Apple, Snow Pear, and Radish Water is very suitable.
If food accumulation is severe, you can add 6 grams of raw malt;
If you usually eat a lot of meat, you can add 6 grams of roasted hawthorn;
If you have hard stools that are difficult to pass, you can add an appropriate amount of honey.
If you have a weak spleen and stomach and are sensitive to cold, you can add 6 grams of dried yam and 3 grams of cinnamon.
If phlegm-dampness and damp-heat are severe, the best method is to pair it with a warm gallbladder decoction.
In addition, what is more important? It is to understand the sources of phlegm-dampness and internal heat, and to work on eliminating them in daily life.
1. From food sources
Those who enjoy rich and greasy foods are prone to generating phlegm and dampness; those who like fried, spicy, and hot foods are likely to bring internal heat to the body.
Therefore, it is necessary to change dietary habits and consume foods that are easy for the spleen and stomach to digest and absorb.
2. From emotions
The initial qi is dominated by the wind of Jueyin. The Four Holy Heart Sources states that wind is the transformation of Jueyin wood qi, manifesting as wind in the sky, wood on the ground, and symbolizing the liver in humans.
The nature of wood is to promote smooth flow, which requires regular unblocking.
However, due to life pressures, many emotions are suppressed. When wood is not allowed to flow, it can lead to heat accumulation. Prolonged stagnation of wood can affect the spleen, leading to digestive issues and an increased likelihood of phlegm-dampness and internal heat.
3. From staying up late
Staying up late can deplete the body’s fluids, making internal heat more vigorous. If there is already phlegm-dampness, it will make it even harder to resolve and expel.
Next, we have the beginning of spring and the New Year. A new year is about to unfold.
But with the possibility of COVID-19 resurgence and the prevalence of cold dampness, let’s not fear viruses, starting with a bowl of Apple, Snow Pear, and Radish Water.
