Beat the Heatwave with Chinese Medicine
Global warming has significantly increased the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves, . According to climate reports from 2025, heatwaves are now longer-lasting, more severe, and more geographically widespread than ever before.
Extreme high temperatures not only cause discomfort; they can pose serious health risks, especially when combined with factors such as high humidity, intense sun exposure, stagnant air, and poor air quality. Key health impacts include:
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which are among the most serious risks during hot days and require immediate medical attention.
- Dehydration, often caused by excessive sweating and inadequate fluid intake.
- The body attempts to cool itself by increasing blood flow to the skin, which places extra strain on the heart.
- Mental health can deteriorate under extreme heat, leading to anxiety, depression, irritability, and impaired cognitive function. Sleep quality may also be affected.
- Existing health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and respiratory illnesses can worsen in extreme heat.
As global temperatures continue to rise, adapting to extreme heat is becoming increasingly important, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning. Raising public awareness and adopting protective measures are essential steps to safeguard health and well-being.
Both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer unique strengths in managing heat-related illnesses, and they can complement each other effectively. Western medicine focuses on rapid intervention, that applies physical cooling, intravenous fluid replacement, and medications to quickly reduce body temperature and correct imbalances in water and electrolytes. This approach is direct and fast-acting, making it especially suitable for emergency situations such as heatstroke.
Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the other hand, focuses on holistic regulation and enhancing the body to counteract heat effects. It employs techniques such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, and gua sha (scraping therapy) to relieve heat symptoms and restore internal balance. The goal is to support optimal bodily function, improve its long-term resilience and adaptability to hot environments.
> Common Heat-related Problems in Hot Summer and their Management
> Chinese Medicine Views on the Harm of Summer Heat
> Treating Summer-heat Injury with Chinese Herbs
> Acupoint Therapy for Heat-related Problems
> Scraping Therapy for Heat-related Problems
> Herbal Bathing to Counteract Summer Heat
> TCM Summer Health: Living in Harmony with the Heat
> Disease Prevention in Summer
> Treating Winter Diseases in Summer
Main Chinese Medicine References
> Common Heat-related Problems in Hot Summer and their Management
> Chinese Medicine Views on the Harm of Summer Heat
> Treating Summer-heat Injury with Chinese Herbs
> Acupoint Therapy for Heat-related Problems
> Scraping Therapy for Heat-related Problems
> Herbal Bathing to Counteract Summer Heat
> TCM Summer Health: Living in Harmony with the Heat
> Disease Prevention in Summer
> Treating Winter Diseases in Summer
Main Chinese Medicine References
- Li QiZhong Compiled, Comprehensive Interpretations of TCM Basic Theories, Public House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2006.
- Zhu WenFeng (editor-in-chief), TCM Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis, People's Medical Publishing House, 1999.
- Wang WeiHeng et al (editor-in-chief), 500 Questions on TCM External Therapies, Anhui Science & Technology Publishing House, 2004.
- Wang YuChuan (editor-in-chief), Science of Health Maintenance of TCM, Shanghai Science & Technology Publishing House, 1992.
- Ren Quan et al (editor-in-chief), Herbal Bath Therapy, China Building Materials Industry Publishing House, 2005.
- Qin PeiRan (editor-in-chief), Encyclopedia of Unique Therapies in TCM, Wen Hui Press, 1993.
