Eating bitter melon in summer helps clear internal heat.
Tips
culture
清热 is a core concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医). 'Internal heat' (上火 shànghuǒ) is the catch-all explanation for sore throat, mouth ulcers, acne, and irritability. Common 清热 foods: 苦瓜 (bitter melon), 绿豆 (mung bean), 菊花茶 (chrysanthemum tea), 凉茶 (Cantonese herbal tea).
usage
Stock four-character combinations: 清热解毒 (clear heat, detoxify), 清热降火 (clear heat, lower fire), 清热润肺 (clear heat, moisten lungs). These appear on packaging of TCM remedies and herbal teas.
