Sanfu moxibustion and a range of other traditional Chinese medicine therapies designed to tackle winter ailments during the summer heat have become more varied in their applications and increasingly popular among the public, medical experts said on Wednesday.

医疗专家在周三称，三伏灸以及一大批用来盛夏调理冬日旧疾的中医疗法，施治方式更加丰富，也受到大众的热烈追捧。

The three hottest stretches of the Chinese lunar calendar are known as sanfu, and this year they run from Wednesday through August 24. In TCM theory, these days offer the ideal window to drive out excess cold from the body and fend off winter illnesses ahead of time.

三伏是农历一年中三段最热的时期，今年三伏从周三持续至8月24日。中医理论认为，三伏是排出体内寒气、提前预防冬季疾病的最佳时机。

Sanfu moxibustion — which involves applying warm herbal plasters to specific acupuncture points — is the best-known example of this approach and is widely used for respiratory conditions.

三伏灸是将温热的中药膏药敷在特定穴位，是冬病夏治最具代表性的疗法，普遍用于呼吸系统疾病调理。

Jiang Zhihui, deputy director of the outpatient department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that as of Tuesday, about 7,000 people had booked appointments for sanfu moxibustion at the hospital — on par with last year and slightly up from 2024.

北京中医医院门诊副主任姜志辉表示，截至周二，已有约7000人预约该院三伏灸，预约人数和去年持平，较2024年略有上涨。

He added that the TCM principle of "treating winter diseases in summer" is now being rolled out in a variety of forms to address different medical needs.

他补充道，“冬病夏治”的中医理念如今衍生多种疗法，以此满足各类诊疗需求。

According to Jiang, this year, the hospital has pooled resources from eight clinical specialties, including respiratory medicine, cardiology, gynecology and pediatrics, to create a comprehensive treatment system that goes beyond herbal plasters to include TCM formulas, herbal balm massage, and other therapies.

姜志辉介绍，今年医院整合呼吸科、心内科、妇科、儿科共八大临床科室资源，搭建综合诊疗体系。治疗方案不再局限于膏药敷贴，还包含中药方剂、药膏推拿等疗法。

Meng Meng, a physician in the hospital's gastroenterology department, said that conditions tied to coldness or qi deficiency are generally considered suitable for summer intervention.

该院消化科医师孟梦表示，体寒或者气虚引发的病症大多适合在夏季调理。

Conditions treated by her department include chronic stomach discomfort and diarrhea. She noted that her team now offers not only sanfu moxibustion, but also regular moxibustion and hot compress packs during the summer heat, combined with herbal decoctions, to achieve optimal results.

该科室主要医治长期胃部不适、腹泻等病症。她介绍，酷暑时节科室搭配常规艾灸、热敷包和中药汤剂，和三伏灸联用，以此达到更好疗效。

"We've also seen more and more young people coming in for sanfu moxibustion and other TCM treatments to relieve stomach issues, likely because of their heavy consumption of cold drinks, spicy food and other unhealthy lifestyle habits," she said.

她说：“越来越多年轻人前来做三伏灸调理肠胃，根源大多是频繁饮用冷饮、嗜食辛辣，养成了不良生活习惯。”

Meng Guangsong, a physician in the hospital's respiratory department, said that in addition to the usual sanfu moxibustion patients, such as those with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or frequent colds, there has been a marked rise in people with allergic conditions seeking relief through this therapy, including children and a growing number of younger adults.

呼吸科医师孟广松讲到，除慢性支气管炎、哮喘、反复感冒的常规就诊人群，前来利用三伏灸改善过敏问题的患者大幅增多，其中不乏儿童和青年群体。

He also pointed out that TCM therapies like sanfu moxibustion are best for managing chronic conditions and generally have no adverse effects. However, acute symptoms such as severe coughing are better treated with TCM formulas or Western medicine.

他指出，三伏灸这类理疗更适合慢性病调养，基本无副作用；剧烈咳嗽这类急性病症更适配中药或者西医治疗。

Meng added that these therapies take time to show results, and patients should stick closely to their treatment plans.

孟广松补充，这类疗法见效缓慢，患者需要遵照疗程坚持治疗。

moxibustion /ˌmɒksɪˈbʌstʃn/艾灸；灸术

ailment /ˈeɪlmənt/小病，慢性病

acupuncture /ˈækjupʌŋktʃə(r)/针灸

chronic /ˈkrɒnɪk/慢性的

deficiency /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/亏虚，不足

acute /əˈkjuːt/急性的