Ready for the Sanfu Days?

Patients are receiving the Sanfutie. [Photo/Xinhua]

This year's Sanfu Days, or dog days of summer, is supposedly ten days longer than the usual 30 days, according to a calculation of the Purple Hills Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Monday.

The calculation show that China has entered Toufu, the first phase of Sanfu on July 13, and the Sanfu Days won't fade out till August 22.

Sanfu in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, refers to the three 10-days periods that are predicted to be the hottest days of the year, which are called Toufu, Zhongfu and Mofu respectively. It is between mid-July to mid-August, and the beginning days of Sanfu varies year from year, in accordance with the ancient Chinese dates designated by Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.

One effective way to beat the heat is careful dieting. Health experts say that in Sanfu Days, it's better not to drink too much icy drinks nor eat much ice-creams, as the heat within one’s body is usually felt on the surface of the body, not in the internal organs.

Zhang Zhongjing, an ancient Chinese doctor from the Eastern Han Dynasty, wrote in his Shanghanzabinglun, (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases), that to prevent and treat heatstroke, the right way is to drink some hot water and sweating, as it is good for the blood circulation.

Eat more vegetables, less meat and oily foods are also useful tips to make yourself comfortable in those hot summer Days.