Transition between autumn and summer
Although autumn has officially begun, the global heatwave continues. Extreme weather has caused temperatures in California, USA, to reach 52 degrees Celsius, and even the Arctic Circle has seen 30 degrees. While the situation in Hong Kong is not yet as severe, temperatures remain at 30 degrees Celsius after the start of autumn, which leaves us physically and mentally exhausted. This might be a continuation of the symptoms of "bitter summer."
Bitter summer is not an illness, but it can lead to reduced appetite, fatigue, and low spirits. One of the reasons for bitter summer is that when the weather remains hot, people often consume excessive amounts of cold food and drinks, causing the body to struggle with adjustment and leading to an imbalance. This originates from the spleen and stomach, so timely conditioning of these organs, such as drinking buckwheat tea, can help alleviate the discomfort during the transition from summer to autumn.
According to "Compendium of Materia Medica," "Buckwheat has a bitter taste, is neutral to cold in nature, strengthens the intestines and stomach, boosts energy, and refreshes the spirit." Buckwheat is very effective in promoting spleen and stomach function and increasing appetite. It can be steeped in hot water for ten minutes and then consumed, aiding digestion and nourishing, warming, and strengthening the stomach. Buckwheat is not a medicine; it belongs to the category of whole grains. It is rich in lysine, iron, zinc, and other trace elements, and its dietary fiber content is ten times that of rice. However, buckwheat is cold in nature and is not suitable for individuals with a cold and weak spleen and stomach or those who frequently experience diarrhea.
Fighting heat with heat is the correct approach to combat high temperatures. While cold drinks can provide an immediate cooling sensation, they do not truly relieve heat. In contrast, drinking hot tea promotes sweating, which helps dissipate heat, and also assists the spleen and stomach in digestion, allowing the body to truly absorb fluids.
If we do not want extreme weather conditions and the pleasant autumn to become increasingly shorter, for ourselves, for future generations to still see polar bears, and to do our part for the Earth, environmental protection is truly an urgent matter.