Ai Okubo, a Chinese medicine pharmacist, tells us
Self-medication in August
vol.4 Treat fatigue and discomfort caused by ultraviolet rays frequently with food medicines
Speaking of August, there are more opportunities to go out for summer leisure. It seems that many places are restarting events such as festivals and fireworks displays that have been canceled for several years due to the coronavirus pandemic, and I think this is a month where you can make a lot of memories by enjoying outdoor leisure activities such as barbecues, marine sports, and glamping. Masu.
【table of contents】
・Trends in mind and body・Common disorders・Medication to solve problems
mind and body tendencies
The fun summer may seem like a long time, but it passes by in the blink of an eye, but it leaves behind the scars of summer on your body. External stresses that summer brings include strong ultraviolet rays, cold and dry air caused by air conditioners, heat that makes it difficult to go out, and a hot and humid environment that makes food spoil easily.
The heat continues until around the autumnal equinox at the end of September, so even if it's a small discomfort, if you don't resolve it each time, it will accumulate and become stronger and harder to cure.
In recent years, there has been an increase in typhoons and torrential rains in the second half of August, so it is necessary to support the spleen, which is affected by low pressure, high temperature and humid environments, in order to live a healthy life.
Disorders that are likely to occur
However, summer is the season when the bright sunlight shines down on us, giving us a positive mindset, increasing the number of things we want to do and interacting with other people, and making us feel more open. Therefore, you will be able to move around actively and have more opportunities to be exposed to strong sunlight. UV rays not only cause skin problems, but many people also feel tired because they generate active oxygen, which is a fatigue substance, in the body.
Even though you're not even exercising under the scorching sun, you may feel suddenly tired. Mitochondria, which produce energy to move the body, can also be damaged, leading to eye and body fatigue, poor thinking, and headaches. Sunglasses are also essential, as UV rays that enter through your eyes affect your entire body .
When the stimulation from ultraviolet rays is combined with the large temperature difference between the air conditioned indoors and the outside air, disturbances in the autonomic nervous system accelerate.
August is the month when the intense power of the sun takes away your beautiful skin, energy, and physical strength.
Additionally, in Chinese medicine, it is said that in the summer, people experience ``heart fever,'' which can lead to heightened emotions and difficulty falling asleep, which can lead to poor sleep quality. As a result, the secretion of leptin and ghrelin, which control appetite, may be affected, leading to increased appetite.
If you eat too much in the summer when you tend to exercise less, your weight will only increase. Let's take measures to avoid the triple punch of feeling sluggish, having poor skin condition, and gaining weight.
Trouble-solving medication
When it's easy to get ``heart fever'' due to strong ultraviolet rays, high temperatures, and poor body temperature regulation due to intense heat, the key to staying energized is to always maintain ``fresh heat and energy.''
Summer vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, okra, basil, and bitter gourd, which have distinctive aromas and colors, are rich in phytochemicals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and heat-clearing effects, helping to protect the body from summer damage. Helps defend.
Furthermore, in order to replenish the minerals and energy consumed by heat and sweat , strengthen the foundation of your body by incorporating foods such as blue fish and shellfish that are rich in minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein.
Also, speaking of summer, I think everyone knows the importance of maintaining antioxidant power. However, the antioxidant power obtained from ingredients does not last long. Therefore, it must be taken frequently.
Consciously incorporate nuts such as walnuts and almonds, which have high antioxidant properties, high cacao chocolate (over 70% cacao), cherry tomatoes, rooibos tea, rosehip tea, etc. into your daily snacks and hydration, to increase the antioxidant properties. Try to consume things frequently.
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Ai Okubo
Pharmacist, herbal medicine counselor. She studied Chinese medicine, medicinal cuisine, and oriental beauty at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and became the first Japanese to receive an international TCM cosmetology qualification. After managing herbal medicine pharmacies, dispensing pharmacies, beauty salons, etc., she became involved in product development, writing, and corporate consulting as a medical and beauty expert, including Chinese medicine and medicinal foods.
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