[Theory of Japanese Luck] Health Preservation Methods for the Fourth Qi

In 2025, the year is 乙巳 (Yǐ-Sì). The Five Movements and Six Qi for this year are: Metal movement insufficient, Juéyīn Wind Wood governs the heavens, and Shàoyáng Ministerial Fire resides below. In the first half of the year, wind qi dominates; in the second half, fire qi prevails.

For the Fourth Qi period, from July 25 to September 26:

“The Fourth Qi, starting from the exact day of Dàshǔ (Great Heat) to the exact day of Qiūfēn (Autumn Equinox), lasts for sixty days plus a little more. The main qi is Tài Palace Earth, the guest qi is Shàoyīn Fire. With Metal movement present, Fire overcomes Metal. Stifling heat arrives, dampness and heat blend together, contending in the upper left. People may develop jaundice and swelling. Treatment should focus on the guest qi of Shaoyin.”

The main qi in this period is Tàiyīn Damp Earth. The guest qi for the Yǐ-Sì year is Shàoyīn Sovereign Fire. The main movement of the Five Movements is insufficient Metal. In the Five Phases, Fire overcomes Metal, leading to extreme muggy heat where dampness and heat converge. People are more prone to jaundice and edema. During this time, the key point for health preservation is to address the Shaoyin channel’s fire qi.

Because the muggy heat can cause damp-heat and symptoms such as swelling, foods that clear damp-heat are recommended. For example, watermelon—red in color—connects to the Heart and Small Intestine channels, helps to clear body heat, and calms the mind. With more than 90% water content, watermelon was historically used for water storage and hydration during long journeys, making it ideal for replenishing fluids.

For hydration, Job’s tears tea (coix seed tea) and dandelion tea are also beneficial. Watermelon, Job’s tears tea, and dandelion tea all promote urination. When sweating heavily, urine volume often decreases, but it is still important to ensure adequate urination.

Acupoints that promote urination include Guānyuán (CV4), the front-mu point of the Small Intestine meridian. Applying moxibustion to Guanyuan can boost vitality. Before succumbing to summer fatigue, practice health preservation by applying moxibustion at Guanyuan.

2025年是乙巳年。本年的五运六气为：金运不及，厥阴风木司天，少阳相火在泉。上半年风气主导，下半年火气主导。

四之气（7月25日–9月26日）：

“四之气，自大暑日子正，至秋分日戌正，凡六十日有奇，主位太宫土，客气少阴火，中见金运，火胜金，溽暑至，湿热相搏，争于左之上，民病黄瘅而为肿，宜治少阴之客。”

此时的主气为太阴湿土，乙巳年的客气为少阴君火，五运的主运是金运不及。五行中火克金，溽热至极，湿热交蒸，人们容易患黄疸、水肿等病症。此时养生的要点是调理少阴经的火气。

由于湿热易致水肿，宜选用能祛湿清热的食材。例如西瓜，色赤，通心经与小肠经，能清热安神。西瓜含水量90%以上，古时常用于储水或长途行旅的水分补给，非常适合夏季补水。

补水饮品可选薏米茶（薏苡仁茶）和蒲公英茶。西瓜、薏米茶、蒲公英茶均有利尿作用。夏季大量出汗时，尿量往往减少，但排尿仍需顺畅，以助排湿。

有助利尿的穴位包括关元穴（小肠经的募穴）。关元施温灸，可振奋阳气。夏季炎热未至极度疲乏前，可先在关元温灸以养生。

2025年は乙巳(きのと・み)です。乙巳の五運六気は金運不及、厥陰風木司天、少陽相火在泉です。1年の前半は風気が支配し、後半は火気が支配します。７月25日から9月26日にあたる四の気について、以下の記述があります。

 

四之气，自大暑日子正，至秋分日戌正，凡六十日有奇，主位太宫土，客气少阴火，中见金运，火胜金，溽暑至，湿热相搏，争于左之上，民病黄瘅而为 肿，宜治少阴之客。

 

四の気の主気は太陰湿土、乙巳の客気は少陰君火、五運の主運は金運不及です。五行の火は金を克し、蒸し暑さが極まり、湿熱があいうち、人々は黄疸やむくみになりやすくなります。この時期の養生のポイントは、少陰経の火の気を治療することです。

 

蒸し暑さからくる湿熱でむくみなどの症状が出るので、湿熱を取る食材がおすすめです。例えばスイカは赤色で、心経と小腸経を通じさせ、からだの熱をとり、精神を安定させます。90％以上が水分のスイカは、昔は水分の貯蔵や長旅の水分補給減として用いられていたように、水分補給にも適します。

 

水分補給にはハトムギ茶やタンポポ茶もよいです。スイカやハト麦茶、タンポポ茶には利尿を促す働きもあります。汗をたくさんかくと尿量が減りますが、尿は尿でしっかりと出していくことが必要です。

 

利尿に働きかけるツボとして、小腸経の墓穴である関元穴が役立ちます。関元に温灸をすると元気が出ます。夏の暑さにバテてしまう前に、関元に温灸をして養生しましょう。