The weather in the four seasons rushes together, and the hot breeze brings the heat all night long. When the air is filled with the smell of heat wave and we hide under the trees to enjoy the coolness, summer is here.

In the past three months, the Yang Qi has become more and more prosperous, the Qi of the earth has begun to transpire upward, the Qi of heaven and earth mingle up and down, and various plants have begun to bloom and bear fruit.

So what does summer mean to children? Different from the common concept, Chinese medicine divides summer into summer and long summer. From today to the summer solstice, we call it summer. From the summer solstice to the beginning of autumn, we call it Long Summer. Summer governs the heart, and heart fire generates spleen earth; while long summer governs the spleen. These two seasons are the best time to take care of your spleen and stomach. And we know that the spleen is acquired, and a child’s resistance basically depends on the ability of the spleen.

Then, throughout the summer, we will also divide the spleen soil care into two stages, following the characteristics of the season, each focusing on building a strong body for the children.

From the beginning of summer to the summer solstice - nourishing the heart

Nourishing the heart focuses on nourishing the blood. Usually we say "working hard" and "exhausting all the effort". The heart and blood are inseparable. Blood is the messenger of the heart and often performs specific functions on behalf of the heart. The spleen governs the blood, and the first organ that receives nutrition from the blood is the spleen. "When the middle burner receives qi and takes juice, it changes and turns red, which is called blood ("Nei Jing")."

The essence absorbed by the spleen and stomach turns into qi and blood through the heat of the heart fire. Therefore, although blood is dominated by the heart, the source of qi and blood is in the Zhongjiao spleen and stomach. The essence absorbed by the spleen and stomach turns into qi and blood through the heat of heart fire. To help your child nourish Qi and blood every day, we should reduce the damage to the spleen and stomach, so that the spleen and stomach can absorb nutrients. At this time, if we slightly regulate the heart fire Qi, the child's Qi and blood will soon be full.

To take care of children in summer, master three key points.

Children’s hearts are often abundant, but their spleens are often deficient. Therefore, there are three key points to take care of children in summer.

1. Children must develop the habit of taking a nap.

We usually talk about "nourishing the heart" but not "replenishing the heart". Parents should distinguish the difference between the two. Because a child's heart is often overabundant and the spleen is often deficient, the heart will easily become overactive. An overactive heart fire will overpower the lungs and metal, and the child will easily suffer from respiratory diseases.

Because of the physiological and pathological characteristics of children who often have an excessive heart, it is easy for them to become overly angry. However, many foods that nourish the heart and dispel fire are very cold and are not suitable for children to eat. To protect the spleen and earth, we should not allow children to eat too many cold foods. So the best way is to calm down the child's mind. , sleeping supplement is the best way.

After the beginning of summer, parents had better make up their minds to help their children develop the habit of taking a lunch break. From 11:00 to 13:00 noon, it is the time when the Heart Sutra passes. You can move lunch a little earlier and let your children take a break after lunch and take a nap. Before going to bed, you must make the house a quiet, dark, and easy-to-sleep environment. You can play some soothing music. It is best for parents to accompany their children to sleep together.

2. In terms of diet, arrange foods that nourish the heart and spleen.

In terms of diet, in addition to the necessary foods that strengthen the spleen, you should also eat some foods that nourish the heart. Food, but there is no need for particularly bitter and cold food, such as bitter melon, lotus seeds, etc. These foods are too cold and the children cannot stand it, and may even cause diarrhea and damage to the spleen and stomach. It is best to choose foods that are mild to warm and can enter the heart meridian. I prefer kumquats, lilies, lotus seeds (with the heart removed), longans, sea cucumbers, etc.

However, there is still a need to pay attention to how to eat these foods, and parents must know how to mix them flexibly according to the nature and taste of the food. For example, although lily has a very good effect on nourishing the heart and calming the mind, it itself is relatively cold, so when eating it, it is best to pair it with some mild ingredients, such as two jujubes when cooking porridge. ; Another example is sea cucumber. Although I don’t recommend children to eat a lot of seafood, you can still eat some sea cucumber. It is easy to consume gas in summer. Sea cucumber can nourish the heart and make up for some lost gas. The best way to eat it is to cook porridge. Eat it 1 to 2 times a week, not too much.

3. Dehumidify moderately, but not excessively

Humidity has indeed been rising recently. It is good for parents to have the idea of ????dehumidifying their children, but it has not reached a particularly severe stage yet. , don’t dehumidify excessively. This solar term is the most generous and gentle, neither cold nor warm, neither too much nor too little. Excessive removal of dampness is not appropriate. Some parents boil barley water for their children when they think of removing dampness. I actually don’t recommend this.

Removing dampness and eliminating conduction have the effect of reducing it. Excessive use will reduce the yang energy, and the child will not be strong. This is the same reason why I don’t recommend that you overeat elimination. Starting from summer, the health care prescription can be changed to Jianxia prescription for children, which can strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, and effectively prevent summer infectious diseases.

Recently, many kindergartens and schools have experienced outbreaks of herpangina. I guess this situation will become more serious after the Beginning of Summer. In my opinion, herpangina is mostly related to the invasion of wind-heat and accumulation of heat in the spleen and stomach. In the final analysis, it is a problem of food accumulation. In the hot and humid summer, if a child accidentally eats too much, resulting in food accumulation, and fails to eliminate food in time to induce stagnation, the spleen and stomach will become stagnate and turn into fire, and the deficient fire will rise and burn in the throat, and they will easily get sick. Therefore, in the summer, parents still cannot lose their basic habits. They should observe their children's tongue coating, breath, stool, and sleep for 10 seconds every day. If 1 or 2 or more items are abnormal, use Sanxing Decoction to help the child's digestion.

Pediatric Jianxia Recipe

Ingredients:

15g fried white lentils, 10-12g Smilax, 10g kapok, 8g Ophiopogon japonicus, lotus seeds 8 grams, 2 grams of tangerine peel, appropriate amount of lean pork.

Method:

1. Remove the heart from the lotus seeds, put all the ingredients into a pot, and add about 800 ml of water;

2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat Simmer until about 100 ml remains, let it sit warm and drink.

For symptomatic patients, the effect will be better if they take it for 3 days.

Efficacy:

The whole prescription mainly focuses on strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and eliminating stagnation. It is combined with Ophiopogon japonicus to nourish yin, promote body fluid, moisten the lungs and clear the heart. It can nourish the spleen, stop diarrhea, and nourish the kidneys. Lotus seeds for the heart, and lean pork meat that nourishes yin and blood, nourishes qi and moisturizes the lungs, can remove dampness without damaging yin, eliminate stagnation without damaging righteousness, and are especially suitable for children's health care in summer.

What to avoid:

Suitable for those who are weak and prone to illness, have a strong stomach and weak spleen, have sores on the mouth and tongue, and have bad breath.

This recipe contains lotus seeds and should not be eaten with milk.

Take it based on syndrome differentiation for those over 2 years old.

It can be used for broad bean disease.

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