The fine sand of the beach stores the warmth of sunlight; when a person stands barefoot on the warm sand, a warmth spreads from the soles of the feet throughout the body. This not only brings a comfortable experience for body and mind, but is also a health gift from nature.

Some people are enthusiastic about beach walking, while others like to bury their bodies in the warm sand to enjoy the comfort of "sand therapy." What kind of health-preserving wisdom does this contain?

Massage the soles, tonify the kidneys and benefit qi

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, the soles are regarded as a "microcosm of the zang-fu organs"; stimulating different regions can indirectly regulate the corresponding meridians and organ functions. "The feet are the root of essence, qi, and spirit." When we walk barefoot on warm sand, the sand's fine particles and temperature provide natural stimulation to the soles. This stimulation functions like an invisible "massage," quietly activating the body's health-preserving mechanisms.

The sole centers on the Kidney meridian of Foot Shaoyin. The Huangdi Neijing states, "The Kidney arises from Yongquan; Yongquan is the center of the foot." Stimulating the Kidney meridian's Yongquan point can nourish Kidney essence and strengthen the body. When the beach temperature is appropriate, walking barefoot allows the sand's warmth to transmit from the Yongquan point to the Kidney meridian, helping to stimulate the Kidney's essence and improve issues such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, lack of vitality, and decreased resistance. The sole also gathers the Spleen meridian of Foot Taiyin, Liver meridian of Foot Jueyin, Stomach meridian of Foot Yangming, and Gallbladder meridian of Foot Shaoyang; the combined stimulation of temperature and touch can regulate the functions of the spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and other zang-fu organs via the meridians.

Warming the soles, improving circulation

Traditional Chinese medicine says "warmth opens, openness prevents pain." The feet, as the body's "second heart," are farthest from the heart and are prone to poor blood circulation. When warm sand envelops the soles, it is equivalent to providing a natural moxibustion-like heat therapy for the feet.

The warming effect can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow velocity, like widening the "road" for qi and blood circulation, allowing nutrients to be delivered more smoothly throughout the body, improving lower limb circulation, and regulating the body's yin-yang balance. Many modern people exhibit signs of heat above and cold below: dry mouth and sore throat above while the limbs are chillier; oiliness and dampness in the head and face while the legs and feet are dry and desquamative; the upper body easily sweats while the lower body rarely does. Walking barefoot on sand is an effective method to correct a heat-above/cold-below constitution.

Connect with Earth's qi and regulate the mind

The Tao Te Ching states "Man models himself on Earth; Earth models itself on Heaven." Barefoot contact with the ground is a form of health maintenance that "grounds" the body

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the earth contains abundant jing and qi and is the basis for life. After sunlight heats the beach in summer, yin and yang harmonize; when walking barefoot, the body can connect with nature through the soles of the feet, helping to calm emotions and relieve stress, like "wireless charging" for an overexerted body and mind. In modern life, people easily develop disharmony of qi and blood, insomnia, anxiety, and other problems, and walking barefoot on sand is a simple and effective "return-to-nature" health practice.

Sand covering the body: "whole-body warm moxibustion"

In addition to walking barefoot on sand, covering the body with warm sand also has corresponding health benefits. Applying an appropriate amount of warm sand to the body is like performing whole-body moxibustion; heat transfers from surface to interior through layers of skin, flesh, vessels, tendons, and bones, moving from shallow to deep and gradually transmitting inward, causing stagnated qi and blood to flow again.

Sand heated by sunlight to around 38°C will dilate skin pores, allowing internal dampness to be expelled with sweat; this is gentler than sweating from exercise and is less likely to injure upright qi. Whole-body sand therapy can disseminate the lung, strengthen the spleen, warm the kidneys, regulate the triple burner, mobilize the body's damp-dispelling functions, and improve symptoms caused by phlegm-dampness predominance such as chest oppression, asthma, abdominal bloating, difficulty with defecation, bodily heaviness, oily hair, and lack of spirit.

Sand therapy is good, but should be used in moderation

There are certain contraindications for sand therapy. Patients with severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should not use it; if the sand temperature is too high, it can cause excessive dilation of systemic blood vessels, leading to abnormal blood flow. This is a challenge to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function. Severe renal insufficiency, the elderly, and frail individuals should not use it, as their visceral functions gradually decline and they are prone to heatstroke and dehydration during sand therapy due to inability to dissipate heat in time. People with diabetes and those with sensitive skin should use it with caution, since the resistance of their skin and mucous membranes is reduced; direct contact with sand at excessively high temperatures may cause skin burns, infection, or allergic reactions.

Those suitable for sand therapy should also pay attention to temperature, duration, and other precautions. Sand therapy can be performed when the sand temperature is 35–40 °C, and the duration should be controlled at 10–30 minutes. When performing sand therapy at the seaside, avoid the midday period of intense sunlight. During sand therapy, promptly replenish fluids with drinking water, sour plum drink, oral rehydration salts, and similar beverages; if symptoms such as burns, sunburn, palpitations, excessive sweating, or dizziness occur, treat them symptomatically in a timely manner.