Is it effective to use the "Sanfu贴" (Sanfu patch) during the hottest days of summer (Sanfu period)?
Dec 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Lingjuan
Introduction
If applied appropriately for symptoms, the Sanfu Patch is effective. The Sanfu Patch is a traditional Chinese therapeutic method whose main ingredients are Chinese medicinal herbs with warming properties, such as mugwort leaves. It is a treatment that combines acupuncture, meridians, and traditional Chinese medicine principles, producing mild chemical and thermal stimulation to achieve therapeutic and preventive effects.
Sanfu贴 (Sanfu Patch) is a traditional Chinese medical treatment. Many people like to use Sanfu patches to treat shoulder periarthritis and areas of bodily pain. Are Sanfu patches effective when applied during the "Sanfu" period (dog days of summer)?
Are Sanfu Patches Effective During the Sanfu Period?
If targeting specific symptoms, Sanfu patches can be effective. The Sanfu patch is a traditional Chinese therapeutic method whose main ingredients include Chinese herbal medicines with warming properties, such as mugwort leaves. It combines acupuncture, meridian theory, and traditional Chinese medicine into one treatment approach, creating mild chemical and thermal stimulation to achieve disease treatment and prevention. For individuals with generally weak constitutions, applying Sanfu patches can help regulate lung and spleen functions, continuously enhancing the body's immune function. This achieves effects such as reinforcing yang energy, promoting blood circulation, dispelling cold, and improving external defense capabilities.
The Sanfu patch is part of a holistic treatment strategy known as "treating winter diseases in summer." During summer, human pores are more open, which facilitates drug absorption and effectiveness. Sanfu patches help unblock meridians, regulate qi and blood, broaden the chest and reduce breathlessness, strengthen the spleen and stomach, replenish yang energy, regulate gastrointestinal function, and enhance overall immunity—thereby boosting yang, activating blood circulation, eliminating coldness, and improving surface defensive functions. Thus, using Sanfu patches provides excellent regulation and therapeutic benefits for those with deficient yang energy or low immunity. Additionally, because the body’s yang energy is most abundant in summer, symptoms related to yang deficiency and cold constitution can be effectively regulated and treated during this time with Sanfu patches.
Moreover, locally applying lung-moistening, blood-nourishing, and qi-and-blood-regulating medications on areas affected by dry skin or clogged pores also produces beneficial effects on local acupoint regulation. We hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness!
