Online Sharing Session Registration
Date and Time: 4 May 2026, 7:00 PM Singapore Time
Zoom Registration：https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RhSB4nkYTtapI4-FPo37ow
You are welcome to register and share this with friends who may be interested.
Dear Participants and Friends,
As we approach Li Xia 立夏 on 5 May 2026, we enter the traditional beginning of summer in the Chinese calendar.
Although Singapore does not have four distinct seasons, our body still responds clearly to changes in heat, humidity, rainfall, wind and daily temperature patterns. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, these environmental changes may affect how our body regulates Qi, fluids, digestion, skin, mood and rest.
For Li Xia 2026, Singapore’s weather gives us a timely reason to pay attention. The first fortnight of May 2026 is expected to remain warm, with thundery showers over parts of the island on most afternoons. Some showers may extend into the evening, and Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds on one or two mornings. Daily maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 33°C and 35°C on most days, and may slightly exceed 35°C on a few days.
Towards late May or early June, Singapore is also expected to gradually transition into the Southwest Monsoon period. April and May are climatologically among Singapore’s warmest months, and for April–May 2026, temperatures are predicted to be above average. Climate models currently indicate ENSO-neutral conditions during April–May 2026, with many models predicting a possible transition towards El Niño conditions in June–July 2026, although forecast certainty is lower at this time of the year.
For this reason, Li Xia 2026 is a useful reminder to adjust our lifestyle, diet and self-care habits for the warmer months ahead.
Li Xia and the TCM View of Summer
In TCM, summer corresponds to the Fire element and is closely related to the Heart system.
The Heart in TCM is not only about physical circulation. It is also associated with:
- Mental clarity
- Emotional balance
- Sleep quality
- The spirit, or Shen 神
When the weather becomes hot and humid, the body may perspire more, lose fluids more easily and feel more tired. Heat may also disturb the Heart and Shen, leading to irritability, restlessness, poor concentration, light sleep or a general sense of internal agitation.
This is why summer wellness is not only about avoiding heatstroke. It is also about learning how to clear heat, transform dampness, protect digestion and calm the mind.
Common Summer Health Concerns in Singapore
During the Li Xia period, three TCM patterns are especially relevant in Singapore.
1. Heat 暑热
Heat may lead to thirst, fatigue, headache, irritability, mouth ulcers, constipation, red eyes and poor sleep.
2. Dampness 湿
High humidity can make the body feel heavy and sluggish. It may also affect digestion, causing bloating, poor appetite, loose stools, water retention and brain fog.
3. Damp-Heat 湿热
When heat and dampness combine, symptoms may include skin rashes, eczema flare-ups, acne, urinary discomfort, sticky stools, body odour and a bitter taste in the mouth.
The seasonal principle for Li Xia is therefore simple:
Clear heat gently, transform dampness, protect the Spleen and calm the Heart.
Practical TCM Health Tips for Li Xia 2026
1. Drink Before You Feel Thirsty
In hot and humid weather, we may lose fluids through perspiration even when we are not exercising. By the time thirst becomes obvious, the body may already be mildly dehydrated.
A practical habit is to drink small amounts regularly throughout the day.
Avoid relying too much on iced drinks. While they may feel refreshing, excessive cold drinks may weaken the Spleen and Stomach system, especially in those prone to bloating, loose stools or fatigue.
2. Protect Your Digestion
During summer, many people naturally crave cold drinks, ice cream, chilled fruits and raw foods. However, taking too much cold or greasy food may impair digestion and increase dampness.
Suitable seasonal foods include:
- Winter melon
- Bitter gourd
- Cucumber
- Mung bean
- Barley
- Chrysanthemum tea in moderation
A cup of warm water in the morning is a simple way to support digestion. For suitable individuals, a small amount of warm ginger water may help awaken the Spleen and reduce the effect of excessive cold foods.
Those with strong internal heat, sore throat, mouth ulcers or obvious heat symptoms should use ginger cautiously.
3. Take Care of Skin and Damp-Heat Symptoms
Hot and humid weather can aggravate skin problems such as rashes, eczema, acne and itchiness.
Helpful habits include:
- Showering after heavy perspiration
- Keeping the skin dry
- Changing out of sweaty clothing promptly
- Reducing fried, spicy and greasy foods
From a TCM perspective, many summer skin problems are related to the interaction of Heat, Dampness and Wind. External hygiene is important, but internal balance is equally important.
4. Manage Headaches and Weather Sensitivity
Sudden changes in heat, humidity, rain and air pressure may trigger headaches or fatigue in some people.
Before relying on medication for every mild headache, it is useful to ask:
“Is my body overheated, dehydrated, tense, tired or overloaded?”
Simple steps such as drinking warm water, resting the eyes, stretching the neck and shoulders, taking a light meal and reducing screen exposure may help.
However, sudden severe headache, chest discomfort, fainting, weakness, numbness, persistent vomiting or very high blood pressure should be assessed medically.
3 Recommended Acupoints for Li Xia Wellness
The following three acupoints are simple, practical and suitable for general seasonal self-care.
Apply gentle pressure for 1 to 2 minutes per point, once or twice daily.
1. Nei Guan 内关 — PC6
Main use: Calms the Heart, regulates emotions, supports digestion and eases chest tightness or nausea.
Location: On the inner forearm, about three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons.
This point is useful during the summer season when heat, stress or digestive discomfort affects the Heart and Stomach systems.
2. Zu San Li 足三里 — ST36
Main use: Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, supports Qi, improves digestion and helps reduce fatigue.
Location: About four finger-widths below the kneecap, one finger-width lateral to the shin bone.
This is one of the most commonly used points for maintaining general vitality and digestive strength.
3. Shen Men 神门 — HT7
Main use: Calms the Shen, supports emotional balance and promotes better rest.
Location: At the wrist crease, on the little-finger side, near the tendon.
This point is especially relevant in summer because the Heart system is more easily affected by heat, restlessness and mental overactivity.
Simple Seasonal Herbal Recipes for Li Xia
The following three recipes are suitable for the Li Xia season in Singapore, especially when the weather is hot, humid and rainy. They are selected to support the seasonal principles of clearing heat, transforming dampness, protecting digestion and calming the Heart-Shen.
As individual body constitution differs, these recipes should be taken in moderation and adjusted according to personal health conditions.
1. Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Barley Dessert Soup
莲子百合薏仁糖水
This recipe helps to strengthen the Spleen, clear mild heat, drain dampness and calm the Shen.
It is especially suitable for those who feel mentally restless, sleep lightly, have poor appetite, feel tired easily or experience heaviness in the body during humid weather.
Ingredients
- Lotus seed 莲子 — 20g
- Lily bulb 百合 — 15g
- Barley / Coix seed 薏仁 — 30g
- Red dates 红枣 — 3 pieces
- Rock sugar 冰糖 — small amount, optional
- Water — about 1.2 litres
Method
Rinse all ingredients. Soak the barley and lotus seed for about 30 minutes. Add water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until the ingredients soften. Add a small amount of rock sugar if needed.
Caution
Those with very weak digestion, frequent loose stools or cold body constitution should take this moderately.
2. American Ginseng, Ophiopogon and Chrysanthemum Tea
花旗参麦冬菊花茶
This tea helps to nourish Qi and Yin, clear mild heat, generate fluids and relieve dryness.
It is especially suitable for those who experience dry throat, dry mouth, tiredness from heat, mild irritability, eye strain, or fatigue from prolonged speaking, teaching or screen work.
Ingredients
- American ginseng 花旗参 — 3–5 slices, approximately 3g
- Ophiopogon 麦冬 — 10g
- Chrysanthemum 菊花 — 5g
- Honey or rock sugar 蜂蜜 / 冰糖 — small amount, optional
- Hot water — 600–800ml
Method
Rinse the herbs briefly. Add hot water and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. The tea may be refilled with hot water once or twice.
Caution
Those with cold stomach, loose stools or very weak digestion should use with care. Avoid taking this tea too late in the day if American ginseng makes the person feel more alert.
3. Winter Melon, Lotus Leaf and Coix Seed Soup
冬瓜荷叶薏仁汤
This soup helps to clear summer heat, promote urination, reduce dampness and relieve heaviness in the body.
It is especially suitable for those who feel heavy, bloated, swollen, sticky in the mouth, tired in humid weather, or prone to water retention.
Ingredients
- Winter melon 冬瓜 — 300–500g
- Dried lotus leaf 干荷叶 — 10g, or ½ piece dried lotus leaf
- Coix seed / Barley 薏仁 — 30g
- Red bean 赤小豆 — 20g, optional
- Lean pork 瘦肉 — 150–200g, optional
- Corn 玉米 — 1 cob, optional
- Water — about 1.5 litres
Method
Rinse all ingredients. Soak the coix seed and red bean for about 30 minutes. Add all ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for 60 to 90 minutes. Season lightly if preparing it as a savoury soup.
Caution
This recipe has a cooling and damp-draining nature. Those with weak digestion, cold limbs, frequent loose stools or pregnancy should take it with caution.
These recipes are not meant to be taken excessively. In TCM, the key is always suitability according to one’s body constitution. During the Li Xia period, the aim is to stay clear, hydrated and balanced without weakening the digestive system.
Upcoming Li Xia Sharing and Course Preview
As part of this Li Xia seasonal update, I will also be conducting a short sharing session and course preview for participants who wish to continue learning practical TCM health betterment methods.
During the session, I will briefly discuss the growing concern of sleep issues in modern life, and how stress, body constitution, heat, overthinking and poor routines may affect our ability to rest well.
I will also introduce some of the recent digital wellness tools and apps that I have developed to support structured health betterment, relaxation and daily self-care.
My teaching approach remains the same:
TCM should not be mysterious. It should be understandable, practical and responsibly applied.
Through structured learning, we can better understand our body constitution, recognise early signs of imbalance and take timely steps to support health before problems become more serious.
Online Sharing Registration Details
English Session
Date and Time:
4 May 2026, 7:00 PM Singapore Time
Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RhSB4nkYTtapI4-FPo37ow
Chinese Session
Date and Time:
4 May 2026, 8:30 PM Singapore Time
Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1jgcWM0tToOR9w64EPu-2g
You are warmly invited to register for the session, and you may also share the registration links with friends who are interested in TCM seasonal wellness, sleep health, and practical daily health management.
Closing Reflection
Li Xia is not merely the beginning of summer. It is a reminder to adjust.
As Singapore moves through hotter, humid and sometimes rainy months, we should pay closer attention to hydration, digestion, skin health, emotional balance and rest.
Health betterment does not always come from dramatic changes. Very often, it comes from timely awareness and simple habits done consistently.
I look forward to sharing more with you during our Li Xia update.
Warmest regards,
Dr Clement Ng Shin Kiat
Founder, TCMandYou Pte. Ltd.
President, Singapore Acupuncture Association