The concept of 解暑 is deeply intertwined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the philosophy of balance (阴阳, yīnyáng). In TCM, it's believed that the external environment (like summer heat) can create an imbalance within the body, leading to a condition known as “heatiness” or “上火” (shàng huǒ). Symptoms can include acne, a sore throat, or general irritability. 解暑 is the practice of counteracting this internal heat. This is achieved by consuming foods and drinks that are considered “cooling” (凉性, liáng xìng) in nature, regardless of their physical temperature. For example, watermelon, mung beans, and cucumbers are classic “cooling” foods used to 解暑. A helpful comparison is the Western vs. Chinese approach to a hot day. An American might grab a large, ice-cold soda to cool down. While this provides immediate, temporary relief due to its low temperature, in the Chinese view, the sugar and chemical additives might actually contribute to internal “heatiness.” A Chinese person, in contrast, might opt for a room-temperature or slightly cool glass of mung bean soup (绿豆汤, lǜdòu tāng) or sour plum soup (酸梅汤, suānméi tāng). These drinks are believed to have intrinsic “cooling” properties that work to balance the body's internal energy and truly 解暑 from the inside out. The focus is on holistic, internal balance rather than just surface-level temperature change.
解暑 is a very common and practical term used throughout the summer months in China.