The start of Fu marks the entry into the period of the year with concentrated rainfall and the hottest days.
The ancients believed this time to be characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, and long daylight hours, as well as a period when Yin energy begins to rise. As the saying goes, “The coldest time is in the three Nines, and the hottest is in the three Fux.”
“Fu” means to hide Yin energy within intense heat, serving as a warning. According to the ancient text “The Book of Flowers,” “The heat has not yet reached its peak during this period.” The “Book of Han: Notes on Suburban Sacrifices” explains, “Fu refers to the rising of Yin energy, which is suppressed by the remaining Yang energy and cannot ascend. Therefore, it hides, hence the name Fu period.”
In addition to sun protection and heat prevention, tea enthusiasts should also seize the opportunity to properly care for their bodies. There's a popular saying that “three Fux are for health preservation, and winter illnesses can be treated in summer.” So how should one preserve health during the initial stage of Fu? During the three Fux, even light work or exercise can cause heavy sweating, leading to intense thirst.
Thus, hydration becomes the top priority during the three Fux. Three periods are most prone to dehydration: upon waking up, before sleeping, and after bathing. It's important to replenish water at these times appropriately.
“Summer Solstice plus three Geng periods marks the start of Fu,” the period when heatstroke is most likely to occur.
This year's three Fux are particularly long, lasting a total of 40 days.
The old saying goes, “Summer Solstice plus three Geng periods marks the start of Fu,” and July 11th officially marks the start of Fu. The three Fux refer to the three “Fu periods” of summer: the Initial Fu (10 days), Middle Fu (10 days or 20 days), and Final Fu (10 days).
During this period, the temperature is high and the humidity is great, making it the hottest time of the year and the period when people are most susceptible to heatstroke.
To handle the high temperatures and humidity, it's important to have a reasonable diet and supplement water and salt. Opt for light meals and avoid fatty, meaty, and spicy foods. At work, prepare cooling Drinks such as cold saltwater, cool boiled water, and mung bean soup. Ensure sufficient sleep and rest, as adequate sleep relaxes both the mind and body, which is an important measure to prevent heatstroke.
If symptoms of heatstroke appear, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, profuse sweating, weakness, pale complexion, and rapid pulse, rest in a cool and ventilated area and replenish water and salt. If there's no improvement, seek medical treatment promptly.
How to Select Pu'er Tea for the Start of Fu?
1. Raw Pu'er Tea, Quenches Thirst
With the arrival of the Fu period, raw Pu'er tea is a good choice. Its overall aroma is high and its taste is fresh and refreshing, with effects like reducing heat, quenching thirst, and boosting alertness. Drinking a cup during moments of fatigue provides significant recovery.
However, since raw Pu'er tea belongs to the category of post-fermented teas, it tends to be slightly cold in nature when new. For those with a cold constitution or weak spleen and stomach, it's not recommended to overindulge in new tea. Instead, aged raw Pu'er, which has become gentler over time, is more suitable for a wider range of people.
2. Ripe Pu'er Tea, Removes Dampness and Warms the Stomach
During the Fu period, many people choose to Drink cold beverages to relieve the summer heat, but doing so can easily harm the body, allowing dampness to invade and causing discomfort in the stomach, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In such cases, a cup of fragrant and smooth ripe Pu'er tea can aid digestion, warm the stomach, remove dampness, and dispel cold.
Drinking several cups of hot ripe Pu'er tea each day, with its rich and sweet flavor, will make you feel relaxed.
3. Honeysuckle
According to Traditional Chinese medicine, honeysuckle is sweet, cold, and aromatic. It cools the body without harming the stomach and effectively dispels pathogens. Honeysuckle can clear heat and detoxify, disperse wind and heat, and cool Blood to stop dysentery. It is effective for various heat-related conditions, such as fever, rashes, spots, carbuncles and boils, and sore throats.
Honeysuckle, being sweet and cold, has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying while dispersing wind and heat. It cools the body without harming the stomach and helps to dispel wind and cool the blood, making it very suitable for cooling off during the summer months.