The Perfect Timing: Care for Your Lungs During the Hottest Days, Breathe Easier in Fall and Winter

The Dog Days

are the hottest stretch of the year.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine,

this period is considered an ideal time to treat winter illnesses during summer

and a prime season for strengthening and nourishing the lungs.

We are now in the middle of the dog days of summer.

By taking a science-based approach to staying healthy during this period,

you can help strengthen your lungs and reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses in the fall and winter.


“Nourish yang in spring and summer,nourish yin in fall and winter”is a core idea in Traditional Chinese Medicine,reflecting the belief that good health comes from living in harmony with nature.The dog days of summer mark the peak of yang energy in the natural world—and in the human body as well.


Health practices during this period aim to harness this strong natural energy to help dispel deep-seated“cold”in the body.This is considered especially beneficial for people with colder constitutions or those who are prone to respiratory problems.

During the dog days,the body’s yang energy tends to move toward the surface,and the pores are more open.Prolonged exposure to air-conditioned cold air can easily weaken the lungs’natural protective function,making the body more vulnerable to external irritants and increasing the likelihood of symptoms such as colds or coughs.

In hot weather,many people also tend to consume large amounts of cold foods and drinks,such as ice cream and iced beverages.From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective,this can introduce“cold”into the body,weakening digestive function and disrupting normal fluid metabolism.Over time,this may lead to the buildup of phlegm and dampness,which can interfere with healthy lung function and contribute to symptoms like coughing and white phlegm.

For this reason,the dog days of summer are an important time to focus on dispelling internal cold and supporting lung health.


The 2025 dog days of summer will fall on the following dates:

Initial Fu:July 20–29

Middle Fu:July 30–August 8

Final Fu:August 9–18

In Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),the Sanfu period is considered the most effective time to apply Sanfu Tie therapy,often described as achieving“twice the result with half the effort.”

Sanfu Tie takes advantage of the intense summer heat,when Yang energy is at its peak and the skin’s pores are more open.Warming herbal patches are applied to specific acupuncture points,allowing the medicinal ingredients to be absorbed through the skin and transmitted along the meridians to the internal organs.This approach is believed to strengthen Yang energy,warm and unblock the meridians,dispel internal cold,and help regulate immune function.

Hydrogen–oxygen mixed inhalation,as a newer supportive therapy,offers several key advantages:

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects:Hydrogen can selectively neutralize excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS)involved in airway inflammation,helping reduce mucosal swelling and mucus production,and easing symptoms such as coughing and wheezing[1].

Improved oxygenation:During acute flare-ups of allergic cough or asthma,airway spasms can limit ventilation.Hydrogen–oxygen inhalation improves oxygen diffusion,helps correct tissue hypoxia,and reduces the risk of respiratory muscle fatigue[2].

Synergy with medications:When used alongside inhaled corticosteroids,hydrogen–oxygen therapy may help lower required steroid doses and reduce side effects associated with long-term use.Its safety has been supported by multiple clinical studies,including its use as an adjunct therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)[3].

References:

[1]Zhang et al.Inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture can prevent a subtype of Pulmonary Hypertension(PH)-Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease(PVOD).Inhalation of hydrogen gas protects against mitomycin-induced pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.Respir Res.2024 Jul 16;25(1)

[2]Zhang et al.Inhalation of hydrogen gas attenuates airway inflammation and oxidative stress in allergic asthmatic mice.Inhalation of hydrogen gas attenuates airway inflammation and oxidative stress in allergic asthmatic mice.Asthma Research and Practice.2018 Mar 15;4:3

[3]Lin et al.A Review of Medical High-Concentration Hydrogen-Oxygen Gas for Alleviating Symptoms and Reducing Hospitalization Time in COVID-19 Patients.Taipei City Medical Journal.2022.