Seasonal Wellness
Summer Digestive Issues from AC? Xianglan Drink (Huoxiang + Peilan) to Soothe the Stomach
In hot summer, large temperature differences between air-conditioned rooms and outdoors often cause functional dyspepsia (acid reflux, nausea, bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite). In TCM, this falls under “oppression and fullness” and “stomach pain,” often caused by temperature changes and emotional stress affecting the spleen and stomach. This article introduces Xianglan Drink: 9g Huoxiang (patchouli) + 9g Peilan (eupatorium), decocted for 30 minutes. Huoxiang relieves summer heat, regulates qi, and stops vomiting; Peilan awakens the spleen, resolves dampness, and opens the stomach. Together, they aromatically resolve dampness, harmonize the stomach, and stop vomiting. Daily lifestyle tips are also included.
In hot summer, air conditioners are often used in homes and offices. The sudden temperature changes between cool indoors and hot outdoors cause many people to experience functional dyspepsia, with symptoms such as acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and belching. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this condition falls under the categories of “oppression and fullness” (pǐ mǎn) and “stomach pain” (wèi tòng). It is often caused by external temperature changes and internal emotional fluctuations, leading to an imbalance in spleen and stomach function. The treatment approach typically uses aromatic herbs to resolve dampness and strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach. Below is a simple, convenient, and effective remedy called Xianglan Drink.
Xianglan Drink Recipe:
Take 9 grams of Huoxiang (patchouli, Agastache rugosa) and 9 grams of Peilan (eupatorium, Eupatorium fortunei). Mix them together, decoct (simmer) in water for 30 minutes. This drink is suitable for long-term consumption.
Huoxiang is pungent in flavor and slightly warm in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. Its functions include relieving summer heat and releasing the exterior, aromatically resolving dampness, regulating qi, and stopping vomiting. It is commonly used to treat chest tightness, fatigue, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sinusitis with headache, malaria, and halitosis caused by summer-dampness. The Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica (Bencao Tujing) records that Huoxiang “is the most important herb for treating vomiting and regurgitation due to spleen and stomach disorders.” Modern pharmacological studies have found that Huoxiang has significant antifungal and anti‑rhinovirus effects, promotes gastric juice secretion, and aids digestion.
Peilan is pungent in flavor and neutral in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. Its functions include relieving summer heat and resolving dampness, awakening the spleen and opening the stomach, and aromatically releasing the exterior. It is commonly used to treat nausea, vomiting, headache, internal retention of damp‑heat, epigastric oppression without hunger, sweetish greasy sensation in the mouth, and halitosis. Modern pharmacological studies have found that Peilan inhibits various pathogenic microorganisms.
When the two herbs are used together, they aromatically resolve dampness, clear heat and relieve summer heat, harmonize the stomach and stop vomiting, and awaken the spleen and open the stomach.
Daily lifestyle precautions:
- Maintain a regular daily routine. Adjust your clothing appropriately when entering or exiting rooms. Do not rest for long periods in air‑conditioned rooms. Avoid exposing your body to sudden temperature changes.
- Drink plenty of plain boiled water to help regulate the body’s metabolic balance.