Whether adults or children, during the dog days of summer, they always feel that they have no appetite. Why do people lose their appetite in summer? Some experts in traditional Chinese medicine believe that the "Ran Gu" acupoint is the key acupoint for digestion. Massaging the "Ran Gu" acupoint can quickly stimulate your appetite.
Why do we lose our appetite in summer?
1. High temperatures lead to aversion to hot food
In summer, the temperature is already high, so people naturally tend to avoid hot and steaming food. Moreover, when the high environmental temperature affects the human body, the heat stimulation is transmitted to the temperature regulation center through nerve conduction. Then, through the connection between the temperature regulation center and the appetite regulation center, it will have an inhibitory effect on the appetite regulation center, resulting in a decrease in food intake.
2. Reduced metabolism due to less physical activity in summer
During summer, people sweat a lot when exercising, so they tend to reduce physical activity to avoid sweating. However, reduced physical activity leads to a slower metabolism, decreased energy consumption, slower gastrointestinal motility, and a decrease in the demand for food intake, resulting in a loss of appetite. Over time, this can lead to inadequate intake of nutrients, which is detrimental to overall health.
3. Inadequate hydration
During summer, the temperature is high, leading to increased sweating and more water loss from the body. Drinking water should be increased compared to other seasons. However, if the water intake is insufficient, it can affect the secretion of digestive fluids and thus affect appetite.
4. Excessive water intake or excessive consumption of fruit juice
Due to increased sweating in summer, it is necessary to drink more water. However, if a large amount of water is consumed, the digestive fluids in the stomach will be diluted, which can affect digestion and lead to loss of appetite. Drinking excessive water can also occupy the limited capacity of the stomach, further reducing appetite. Additionally, some people tend to drink large amounts of fruit juice and other sugary beverages to quench their thirst. The sugar in fruit juice and other sugary beverages can raise blood sugar levels and affect appetite. Moreover, regularly consuming chilled beverages can hinder the normal function of the spleen and stomach, causing digestive disorders and leading to bloating and diarrhea.
Massage the "Ran Gu" acupoint to stimulate appetite
The "Ran Gu" acupoint is an acupoint that enhances the function of the spleen and stomach, promoting better digestion of food. Massaging the "Ran Gu" acupoint can quickly stimulate hunger and also treat discomfort after overeating. It has a dual regulatory function. In short, massaging the "Ran Gu" acupoint daily can increase appetite and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Image of the "Ran Gu" acupoint
Massage method:
First, accurately locate the "Ran Gu" acupoint and press it firmly with your thumb, then immediately relax. When pressing with the thumb, there will be a strong tingling sensation around the acupoint and even along the entire leg meridian. However, as you relax your fingers, the tingling sensation will immediately disappear.
Repeat this massage method 10-20 times after the tingling sensation subsides. Both "Ran Gu" acupoints on both feet should be massaged. If you are massaging yourself, you can massage both acupoints simultaneously.
How to locate the "Ran Gu" acupoint?
1. Standard positioning
The "Ran Gu" acupoint is located on the inner edge of the foot, below the prominence of the navicular bone, between the red and white skin.
2. Method of locating
The "Ran Gu" acupoint is located on the inner side of the foot, below the prominence of the navicular bone, between the red and white skin. It can be located while lying flat or sitting upright.
Quick positioning: Sit with your feet hanging down, and the obvious bony landmark in the front and below the medial malleolus is the depression where the navicular bone is located.
3. Anatomy of the acupoint
The "Ran Gu" acupoint is composed of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, tibialis anterior muscle, and long flexor muscle of the toes. It is distributed with branches of the medial and plantar arteries of the foot. It is also the distribution area of the cutaneous nerve endings of the medial leg and the medial plantar nerve.
The skin is innervated by the cutaneous branches of the medial leg nerve. This area is the transitional area between the sole and the dorsum of the foot. The tibialis anterior muscle is innervated by the medial plantar nerve, and the long flexor muscle of the toes is innervated by the muscle branches of the tibial nerve.
