The hot summer weather, along with air conditioning, cold drinks, and heavy humidity, can easily cause minor discomfort. Having a few common Chinese patent medicines at home can be a big help in critical moments, and both adults and children may find them useful. The following six types are quite practical and easy to find:

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water (or Capsules/Dripping Pills): for treating "air-conditioning sickness" and diarrhea caused by excessive cold intake

When to use it? When you've been in air conditioning for too long and feel dizzy, heavy-headed, stuffy in the chest, nauseous, and have no appetite; or when you have stomach pain, diarrhea, and loss of appetite after eating chilled watermelon or cold drinks.

Why is it effective? This condition is often described in traditional Chinese medicine as "cold-dampness trapping the spleen and stomach." Huoxiang Zhengqi Water can dispel external cold, resolve damp-turbidity in the spleen and stomach, and restore physical comfort. Note: Avoid alcohol-containing formulations if driving; opt for alcohol-free versions.

Shengmai Yin (Dangshen or Red Ginseng Formula): Replenishes qi for those who "sweat excessively and feel heart palpitations"

When to use it? When you sweat profusely and feel weak, exhausted, and experience palpitations and shortness of breath with even slight activity in summer, along with a constant feeling of dry mouth and throat.

Why is it effective? Excessive sweating not only depletes fluids but also consumes *qi* and *yin* (the body's energy and foundational substances). Shengmai Yin can tonify qi (supplement *qi*) + nourish *yin* and promote fluid production, helping the body replenish its depleted vitality. The Codonopsis formula is milder, while the Red Ginseng formula has stronger qi-tonifying effects.

Xia Sang Ju Granules: Relieve restlessness and clear "internal heat" (上火, *shàng huǒ*)

When to use it? When hot weather makes you feel restless, agitated, and unable to sleep well, accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth, a dry and sore throat, red eyes with bloodshot vessels, or yellow, scanty urine with a burning sensation during urination, and even dry, hard stools.

Why is it effective? These are classic signs of "summer-heat disturbing the upper body or damp-heat accumulating internally"—colloquially known as "internal heat" (上火, *shàng huǒ*), particularly excessive heat in the heart and liver. Xia Sang Ju Granules can dispel wind-heat, clear the liver to improve vision, and clear heat and toxins, effectively cooling the body down.

Jingfang Granules: For the initial stage of a cold due to catching cold (with clear runny nose)

When to use? After getting caught in the rain during summer or catching cold from air conditioning at night, starting to sneeze, having a clear runny nose, a stuffy nose, feeling chills, and coughing up thin, clear phlegm.

Why does it work? This is the initial manifestation of a "wind-cold type common cold." Jingfang Granules promote sweating to relieve the exterior, disperse wind, and eliminate dampness, driving out the invading cold. Remember: The key is the "cold" syndrome, with both nasal discharge and phlegm being clear.

Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid (or Granules): For a heat-type common cold (with sore throat and yellow nasal discharge)

When to use it? When you have a cold, your nasal discharge turns yellow and thick, your phlegm becomes yellowish, and you experience severe sore throat, redness, and swelling, possibly accompanied by a slight fever.

Why does it work? This is mostly due to "wind-heat cold" or cold pathogens entering the interior and transforming into heat. Shuanghuanglian can dispel wind, relieve external symptoms, and clear heat and toxins, specifically targeting heat symptoms such as throat swelling and pain.

Shenling Baizhu Pills (or Granules): For loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and heavy dampness during hot weather

When to use? In summer, often feeling bloated, indigestion, no appetite for food, drowsy and lethargic, possibly with loose stools (that stick to the toilet).

Why does it work? In summer, dampness is prevalent, and it is most likely to harm the spleen. When the spleen is deficient and dampness accumulates, the ability to digest and transform food diminishes. Ginseng and Poria Atractylodes Pill can tonify the spleen, boost qi, dispel dampness, and relieve diarrhea, helping the spleen and stomach regain their vitality and expel excess water and dampness.

Real Family Scene: Auntie Li's Weekend

Last weekend was particularly muggy, so Aunt Li's family kept the air conditioning on for a long time during the day. For dinner, she prepared a cold salad and cut some chilled watermelon. In the middle of the night, her daughter started complaining of a stomachache and diarrhea; her husband woke up the next morning feeling dizzy and nauseous; Aunt Li herself felt dry-mouthed, flustered, and unusually fatigued (she normally tends to sweat a lot). Fortunately, their home medicine cabinet was well-stocked:

They gave their daughter and husband Huoxiang Zhengqi Dripping Pills (alcohol-free), and within about half a day, their stomach discomfort and nausea eased.

Aunt Li herself brewed Shengmai Yin (with Codonopsis pilosula) and drank it for two days, which significantly alleviated her fatigue and palpitations.

At the same time, the family kept their diet light for those few days and cooked some coix seed congee to help remove dampness.

Important reminder:

Accurate syndrome differentiation is key: The above recommendations are based on common typical symptoms. If you are unsure (such as being unable to distinguish between wind-cold and wind-heat), or if there is no improvement or even worsening after 1–2 days of use, be sure to seek medical attention promptly!

Read the instructions carefully: Before using any medication, be sure to read the drug instructions to understand the ingredients, dosage, contraindications, and precautions. Extra caution is required when administering medication to the elderly, children, pregnant women, or patients with chronic illnesses.

Not a substitute for treatment: These medications are primarily used to alleviate mild symptoms or as supportive care. If the condition is severe or does not improve over time, be sure to seek medical attention.

Storage precautions: Store according to the instructions on the label and regularly check the expiration date.

With these essentials at hand, dealing with summer's little annoyances becomes much easier!