The famed attraction West Lake musical fountain has recently been suspended for four days, and the trigger turned out to be the extreme heat! Even old Hangzhou residents who have lived there for years sighed: "I know, living in a furnace is my destiny!"

What’s even more shocking is that today is already the Beginning of Autumn, one of the 24 solar terms. It is one of the "four beginings", signifying the start of autumn, when the grains begin to ripen and the harvest season arrives.

As usual, when the time comes, Hangzhoufeel is more than happy to share with you some knowledge and health tips in line with this solar term in the latest episode of video series “Solar Terms and The Universe” jointly launched with the International Education College and the International Office of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.

On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, Aya, an international student from Turkmenistan, came to ask Wang Ying, Director of the International Department of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, how to take care of her health. They came to Hangzhou’s time-honoured brand of traditional Chinese medicine, Fang Hui Chun Tang, with the help of Yu Botang (Master A Niu), the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of the manufacturing skills of Gaofang, or medical paste, found a wonderful way to nurse their body and mind in the scorching hot weather.

The Secret：Shou

The summer heat has not yet subsided, and suddenly there comes the Beginning of Autumn. Some may ask: "The temperature now is not much different from summer, so we can still refresh ourselves with cold drinks like we do in summer, right?"

Certainly, You can continue to enjoy the cold drink, but don't be too indulgent! On this day, the sun's direct rays shift southward gradually from the Tropic of Cancer, marking the official end of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The bible for the TCM practitioner the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic says: “the three months of autumn are the period in which the shapes of everything are formed gloriously and peacefully. The heaven-Qi becomes chill and swift, and the earth-Qi becomes clear. In autumn, it is desirable to sleep early and get up early at the crowing of a cock. It is desirable to maintain a peaceful will in autumn in order to slow down the killing effects of the autumn. In autumn, it is desirable to constrict energy of spirits in order to restrict the killing effects of the autumn; it is also desirable to refrain from moving into the outside world so that the energy of the lungs remains clean and clear. This is the good style to maintain in response to the autumn in order to rejuvenate and harvest. To live a lifestyle contrary to the autumn will cause harm to the lungs and one will suffer diarrhea with undigested foods in winter that follows, because there is a shortage of energy to store away in winter.”

You may notice that the word "shou" is repeatedly mentioned. Shou refers to the concept of ripening in TCM, which includes gathering the Qi, consolidating body fluid and converging emotion.

Gathering the Qimeans adjusting lifestyle according to nature. In autumn, the leakage of Qi and blood is greatly reduced, so you may eat less spicy and cold food, and focus on sweet and moist diet.

Consolidating body fluid refers to the fact that autumn is very dry, and dryness can easily injure the lungs and deplete body fluids. Choose foods that nourish yin and moisten the lungs, clear heat and reduce fire.

Converging emotion,is more like what people often say, learning to adjust yourself in the dry heat, to maintain optimism in autumn when people are more susceptible to sentiments, to extend the night sleep appropriately and to engage in outdoor activities.

How to eat?

In China, every festival is related to eating! Nourishing the body with diet is one of the mildest ways to maintain health.

The Beginning of Autumn is no exception. In some areas of China, there is a tradition called "bite autumn", that is, on this day to eat fruit like watermelon and other nourishing food to prevent dryness, and to welcome the arrival of autumn.

Master A Niu recommends us the autumn pear paste which is familiar to the Chinese and is effective in moisturising during the autumn dryness. Compared with other Gaofang, autumn pear paste is simple and easy to make, and many pharmacies have achieved mass production of them. Instead of bitter taste, it’s more like a sweet and sour drink.

According to legend, autumn pear paste was first made in the Tang Dynasty. You can use pears, monk fruit, red date, dried orange peel, crystal sugar, tendril-leaved fritillary bulb and ginger to make it, which can clear the lungs and moisten the lungs, nourish the stomach, smooth the bowel movement and clear internal heat.

Attention! Although autumn pear paste tastes good, it should not be taken as a drink that can be consumed all the time, especially for people with cold hands and feet.

The hot summer is followed by the subtle and gentle autumn. The occasional thunderstorm delivers a hint of coolness, rendering the dream of autumn all through the night.

With a calm gesture and the residual dry heat, the autumn starts.