No matter adults or children, when it comes to the dog days, they always feel that they have no appetite. Why do people lose their appetite in summer? What can we do about it? Some experts in traditional Chinese medicine believe that the Ran Gu acupoint is the key point for digestion. Massaging the Ran Gu acupoint can quickly stimulate your appetite.
Why do we lose our appetite in summer?
1. High temperature leads 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 temperature affects the body, it transmits the heat through neural conduction to the temperature regulation center in the brain, which then inhibits the appetite through the connection between the temperature regulation center and the feeding regulation center, resulting in a decrease in food intake.
2. Reduced metabolism due to less exercise in summer
In summer, sweating occurs during exercise, so people tend to reduce their physical activity to avoid sweating. However, reduced exercise leads to a slower metabolism, decreased energy consumption, and slower gastrointestinal peristalsis, which in turn reduces the need for food intake and leads to a decrease in appetite. Over time, this can result in insufficient intake of nutrients, which is detrimental to overall health.
3. Inadequate water replenishment
Due to the high temperature in summer, more sweating occurs and more body fluids are lost. The amount of drinking water is higher than in other seasons. However, if the amount of drinking water is insufficient, it can affect the secretion of digestive fluids, thus affecting the appetite.
4. Excessive water intake or excessive fruit juice consumption
In summer, with increased sweating, it is important to drink more water. However, if large amounts of water are consumed, the digestive fluids in the stomach will be diluted, which can affect the digestion function and lead to a loss of appetite. Drinking excessive amounts of water can also occupy limited stomach capacity, resulting in a loss of appetite. In addition, some people may consume large amounts of fruit juice or sweet beverages to quench their thirst. The sugar in fruit juice and sweet beverages can increase blood sugar levels and affect appetite. Moreover, regularly drinking chilled beverages can disrupt the normal function of the spleen and stomach, causing digestive disorders and bloating.
Massage the Ran Gu acupoint to stimulate appetite
The Ran Gu acupoint is an acupoint that enhances the function of the spleen and stomach and promotes better digestion. Massaging the Ran Gu acupoint can quickly generate a feeling of hunger and can also treat discomfort after overeating. It has a dual-regulating function. In short, massaging the Ran Gu acupoint daily can improve your appetite and keep your intestines clear.
Ran Gu acupoint image
Massage method:
First, accurately locate the Ran Gu acupoint and press it firmly with your thumb, then release the pressure immediately. When you press down with your thumb, you will feel a strong tingling sensation around the acupoint and throughout the leg along the kidney meridian. However, the tingling sensation will quickly fade away as you relax your fingers. After the tingling sensation subsides, repeat the massage method 10-20 times. Both feet should be massaged at the Ran Gu acupoint. 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 side of the foot, below the prominence of the talus bone, at the junction of the red and white flesh. It is the Ying acupoint of the Kidney meridian.
2. Locating method
The Ran Gu acupoint is located on the inner side of the foot, below the prominence of the talus bone, at the junction of the red and white flesh. It can be accessed while lying on your back or sitting upright.
Quick locating method: Sit with your feet hanging down, and you will find a clearly visible bony landmark on the front lower part of the inner ankle, which is the depression just below the prominence of the talus bone, and that is the Ran Gu acupoint.
3. Anatomy of the acupoint
Below the Ran Gu acupoint are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, tibialis anterior muscle, and long flexor muscle of the toes. It is supplied by branches of the medial and dorsalis pedis arteries. It is also distributed with the cutaneous branches of the medial leg nerve and the medial plantar nerve.
