Simple ways to prevent AC sickness

As summer arrives, the unbearable heat makes it difficult to avoid air conditioning, especially when stepping from the outdoors into a shopping mall, where the temperature difference can be more than ten degrees Celsius. In addition to being susceptible to colds, if the air conditioning blows directly on the face, it can cause blood vessels in the head to constrict, slowing down blood circulation in the head and leading to headaches and dizziness. When consulting a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, you often hear the term "external contraction," which refers to six external pathogenic factors: wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, and fire. These are harmful energies that arise from extreme changes in weather. Air conditioning creates an environment with excessive cold qi. When entering and exiting air-conditioned places, where there are large temperature differences, the body struggles to adapt quickly, making it easy to damage the yang qi and develop cold symptoms. In summer, yang qi thrives, and although the body's yang qi is vigorous, it is easily expelled through sweat. Therefore, it is important to nourish yang in summer. The "Huangdi Neijing" (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states, "Nourish yang in spring and summer, and nourish yin in autumn and winter," emphasizing the importance of adapting to nature and the weather to balance the body's yin and yang. Many people in summer only crave coolness and drink iced beverages, which can easily unbalance the body. When using air conditioning, it is also important to warm the body to ensure that vital energy remains within. The simplest method is to prepare about 5 slices of ginger, steep them in hot water for 10 minutes, and then drink the infusion. You can also add honey for flavor. After drinking, the body will perspire slightly. There's also a common saying: "Eat radish in winter and ginger in summer, and you won't need a doctor's prescription." Ginger has a pungent taste and warm nature, and it enters the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can warm the lungs and stop coughs, and induce sweating to release the exterior. It can treat colds due to wind-cold, spleen and stomach deficiency cold, or disharmony of stomach qi.