Every year during the three dog days of summer, Chinese medicine hospitals are always crowded with people who come to apply "sanfu patches". So, do winter diseases really benefit from summer treatment with sanfu patches?
Do Winter Diseases Benefit from Summer Treatment with Sanfu Patches?
"Sanfu patches" are a type of external treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. They are applied during the hottest days of the year, known as the three dog days of summer, using warm and pungent herbs on specific acupoints on the back to invigorate the yang energy, dispel internal cold, and improve the body's ability to fight against diseases.
However, applying sanfu patches for winter diseases does not produce immediate results. Moreover, this is only an auxiliary treatment method and does not work for all diseases.
Scope of Treatment with Sanfu Patches for Winter Diseases
Sanfu patches are effective for chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, weak colds with cough, rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, chronic diarrhea, loss of appetite in children, bedwetting, cold-induced headaches, pain in the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs, chest and abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and other conditions that fall under the category of deficiency-cold syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine.
When to Start Applying Sanfu Patches for Winter Diseases
Sanfu patches for winter diseases are generally started during the three dog days of summer. Through repeated practice, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have found that using acupuncture points and herbal patches during the hottest days of summer to treat diseases that are prone to flare-ups or exacerbation in winter has significant therapeutic effects. The three dog days of summer refer to the initial dog days, middle dog days, and final dog days, which are the hottest days of the year. The initial dog days start on the third geng day after the summer solstice, the middle dog days start on the fourth geng day, and the final dog days start on the first geng day after the beginning of autumn.
Of course, if treatment is not done during the three dog days of summer, sanfu patches can still be effective during the hot weather of summer when yang energy is at its peak.
Precautions for Applying Sanfu Patches for Winter Diseases
1. The patches are suitable for children over 6 months old and adults.
2. During the application, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming raw and cold foods, greasy and spicy foods.
3. After the application, there may be herbal residues on the skin, which can be wiped off with a damp towel.
4. Application time: 4-6 hours for adults, 1-2 hours for children.
5. Mild redness, pigmentation, and slight itching on the skin after application are normal reactions and do not affect the effectiveness of the treatment.
6. If there is severe itching, burning, or pain in the area after application, remove the patch immediately, avoid scratching, and do not apply any other medications. Usually, it will resolve on its own.
7. If there are severe reactions such as redness, swelling, or blisters on the skin, seek medical attention from a dermatologist.
8. Follow all other instructions from the doctor.
