Heat waves are among the deadliest natural hazards in the world. We can recall the 15,000 deaths in France in 2003. It's an opportunity for me to explain how Chinese medicine recommends getting through a heat wave safely. I try to go beyond the clichéd advice we're usually given, like drinking water or keeping the windows open at night. In this article, I propose to see how to survive a heat wave thanks to TCM.
The different climates in TCM
In Chinese medicine, six types of climate can influence our health:
- Dryness
- Dampness
- Cold
- Heat
- Wind
- Strong heat (like heat waves)
Our body has natural mechanisms to adapt to these conditions. For example:
- When it's cold, our body produces more heat to warm us up.
- When the air is too dry, it increases its internal humidity to avoid dehydration.
But these systems can tire over time. That's why some people are always cold, even in summer, while others are too hot in winter. This reflects an internal imbalance.
Chinese medicine helps strengthen these adaptive capacities. By rebalancing the body's energy, it allows us to better withstand climatic variations and feel good all year round.
Heat waves in TCM
In Chinese medicine, a heat wave is considered a true invasion of extreme heat (and I think in the West, we all agree on that!).
Imagine: it's as if a wave of fiery heat managed to break through our natural defenses. The more intense it is, the deeper it infiltrates the organism, causing imbalances. Heat tends to settle in and no longer leave.
The symptoms we know well?
- Sudden exhaustion
- Excessive sweating
- Hot flashes
- Headaches
It's the sign that our "internal air conditioning system" is overwhelmed. The good news? Chinese medicine offers just the right solutions to strengthen our defenses against these climatic attacks.
In Chinese medicine, when strong heat (like a heat wave) enters the body, it can remain trapped there. Unlike sweating, which evacuates some heat, this "pathogenic heat" accumulates deeply, like an overheating that stagnates in an engine.
Without external help, the body struggles to get rid of it on its own. That's why some people still feel hot flashes, restlessness or intense thirst weeks after the end of the heat wave. And also why it's possible to see a heat stroke years later, thanks to the study of the energetic pulses.
A traditional Chinese medicine practitioner acts as an "unblocker": with needles (acupuncture), medicinal plants or dietary advice, he helps the organism evacuate this residual heat and find its balance again.
Eating better during a heat wave
To consume without moderation
- Green tea: a powerful antioxidant, it helps fight the free radicals generated by thermal stress
- Chrysanthemum tea: it disperses heat and soothes irritations
- Lemon and honey: an ideal drink to rehydrate and nourish the body
- Umeboshi: this Japanese dried apricot is a real asset to rebalance energy
- Warm water: it is better absorbed by the body than ice-cold water
To prioritize in your diet
- Watermelon and cucurbits: rich in water and minerals, they hydrate deeply
- Cucumber and celery: refreshing and thirst-quenching, perfect for strong heat
- White fish and seaweed: light and nourishing, they provide essential nutrients
To limit
- Ice-cold water
- Spicy spices, fried foods and fatty cheeses
In periods of strong heat, heavy sweating causes a significant loss of minerals and trace elements. A nutrient-dense diet then becomes crucial to maintain the physiological balance.
Staying serene during a heat wave
- Avoid emotional excesses: they create internal imbalances that increase vulnerability to heat
- Calm activities: prefer meditation, reading or walks at the start of the evening
Signs of imbalance to watch for
Recognizing the warning signs of body overheating
Obvious signs (not to ignore)
- Burning skin and redness: a sign of heat rising to the surface
- Excessive sweating or absence of sweating: the body tries to regulate its temperature
- Intense and persistent thirst: heat consumes water reserves
- Dark and strong-smelling urine: an indicator of advanced dehydration
Subtle signs (to watch for)
- Sudden irritability
- Unexplained fatigue
- Intense headaches
- Nausea or dizziness
Emergency symptoms (require immediate medical attention)
- Mental confusion
- Fainting or tremors
- Dry and burning skin
Physiological mechanisms
Extreme heat causes:
- vasodilation
- dehydration
- thermoregulation failure
Living in the desert
Desert nomads have developed ingenious strategies over the centuries to survive extreme heat. Their know-how offers precious lessons that Chinese medicine knows how to exploit.
The cooling effect of hot tea
Counter-intuitively, drinking hot tea in the middle of a heat wave is a remarkably effective strategy. The heat of the drink stimulates sweating, which, as it evaporates, actually cools the body. It's the same principle used by nomads for millennia.
Why avoid excessive cold?
Ice-cold water or air conditioning at full blast may seem like an immediate solution, but in TCM, excessive cold closes the pores of the skin and prevents natural sweating. The body then finds itself trapped with its own heat inside.
An age-old lesson in adaptation
- Prefer lukewarm drinks to stimulate natural regulation
- Favor moderate sweating rather than sudden cooling
- Use plants like mint to cool from the inside
The wisdom of the nomads teaches us that adaptation is the key. Rather than fighting the heat with artificial means, they work with the body so that it regulates its own temperature. That's exactly the philosophy of Chinese medicine: to accompany nature, not to fight it.
This age-old approach, transferred to our daily life in the city, can make a real difference during heat waves. It's not about rejecting technology, but about using it with discernment.
This technique is to be avoided in places where there is a lack of wind (use a fan), and when it is too humid (don't do it in the jungle, for example).
Mehdi
I offer my Chinese medicine consultation services at the practice in Courbevoie (La Défense) as well as in companies.
Whether it's for an energy assessment or an acupuncture treatment, I support you in rebalancing your organism. Feel free to contact me to benefit from support adapted to your needs.
Residual heat after a heat wave?
An energy assessment can help you flush out the heat that remained trapped after a period of strong heat.
