Summer Dampness: Why Humid Days Slow You Down
There's an old Cantonese saying: 未食五月粽，寒衣唔入櫳. Until you've eaten the zongzi of the Dragon Boat Festival, don't pack away your warm clothes. The Dragon Boat Festival (端午節) falls in late May or June, and in Chinese tradition it marks the point where summer truly arrives.
Heat isn't the only thing that climbs. As the temperature rises, so does the humidity, and in Chinese medicine that matters.
WHEN THE AIR GETS HEAVY
Chinese medicine calls excess humidity Dampness (濕). Think of a damp towel: heavy, slow to dry, and it clings. Dampness in the body behaves the same way. It slows the flow of Qi (氣), the body's energy, and it weighs on digestion.
The Spleen (脾), which in TCM is in charge of turning food into energy, is said to like dryness and dislike dampness (脾喜燥惡濕). So on humid days, many people lose their appetite, feel heavy after meals, or feel sluggish for no clear reason. It's something I hear often from clients once the weather turns.
WHY ICED DRINKS HIT HARDER IN SUMMER
This part surprises people. In Chinese medicine, summer draws the body's warmth outward to the surface, which is part of why we sweat. That leaves the inside relatively cooler. The old texts describe it as 夏月伏陰在內: in summer, coolness hides within.
So an iced drink on a hot day isn't landing on a warm stomach. For people who already have weaker circulation or low Qi, ice cold drinks and a lot of raw food are more likely to cause discomfort. Warm or room temperature drinks and cooked meals are often the gentler choice, even when it's hot out.
SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME TO SWEAT
There's a good side to all this. The Huangdi Neijing (黃帝內經) advises that in summer we rise early, enjoy the long days, and let the body's energy flow outward (使氣得泄). Summer's warmth works with you, which makes it a great season to move your body and break a healthy sweat. It keeps Qi moving and helps the body shake off that heavy, damp feeling.
If poor appetite or digestive discomfort sticks around, please check in with your doctor as well.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a health concern, please consult a qualified health professional.
