On hot summer days, we often feel heavy and sluggish. Therefore, it's a good opportunity to focus on health and wellness. During the dog days of summer, many people like to use dog day plasters. But where should you apply these plasters? And what ailments can be treated with them? Let's find out!
Where to Apply Dog Day Plasters
Lung Yu Acupoint
The Lung Yu acupoint is located on the back of the body, two finger-widths away from the spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra.
Da Zhui Acupoint
The Da Zhui acupoint is situated at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra.
Shan Zhong Acupoint
The Shan Zhong acupoint is found on the midline of the body, at the midpoint between the nipples.
Tian Tu Acupoint
The Tian Tu acupoint is located in the neck, on the midline of the body, between the clavicles, in the central depression of the suprasternal notch.
Gao Mang Acupoint
The Gao Mang acupoint is situated on the back of the body, four finger-widths away from the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertebra, on the inner side of the scapula. It is tender when pressed.
What Ailments Can Be Treated with Dog Day Plasters
As the saying goes, "treat winter diseases in summer." During the dog days of summer, when the yang energy is at its peak, it is an opportune time to treat chronic diseases and stubborn ailments.
Chronic Diseases
Various pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary heart disease, chronic cough, recurrent colds, chronic rhinitis, and chronic pharyngitis.
Rheumatic and Joint Diseases
Rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Stubborn Ailments
Chronic gastritis, chronic gastric inflammation, stomach pain, peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea.
Pediatric Diseases
Loss of appetite and bedwetting in children.
Cold Deficiency Diseases
Headaches caused by cold deficiency, pain in the neck, shoulders, waist, and legs, chest and abdominal pain, and dysmenorrhea.
What are Dog Day Plasters?
Dog day plasters are a type of plaster made from Chinese herbal medicine. They are applied to specific acupoints on the body. This practice follows the principle of "treating winter diseases in summer." By applying these plasters during the hot dog days of summer, one can treat and prevent illnesses that commonly occur in autumn and winter. It is a popular method of health and wellness during the summer.
What are the Dog Days of Summer?
Summer has a period of extreme heat known as the dog days of summer. The dog days are divided into three periods: early dog days, mid-dog days, and late dog days. Each period brings progressively hotter temperatures, with the peak occurring during the mid-dog days.
2018 Dog Day Plaster Application Schedule
Pre-dog days: July 3, 2018 - July 16, 2018
Early dog days: July 17, 2018 - July 26, 2018
Mid-dog days: July 27, 2018 - August 15, 2018
Late dog days: August 16, 2018 - August 25, 2018
Post-dog days: August 26, 2018 - September 5, 2018
