The health of individuals and communities is society's most valuable asset. However, against the backdrop of climate change and delayed climate action, people's health and lives are exposed to higher risk. It is also taking a toll on the economic and social fabric that underpin health and wellbeing.

In 2023, COP28 contributed to integrating health into the global climate change agenda. It was the first COP to dedicate an entire day to health and hosted the inaugural climate and health ministerial at a COP.

With health set to have a bigger spotlight at COP29, today we will have traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)in the limelight and delve into its close-knitted interaction with climate.

TCM is the crystallization of ancient Chinese wisdom, one of the popularly applied health resources across the globe. TCM as a contributor to world medicine, puts emphasis on the integration of nature and mankind. It deems meteorological factors as the most crucial environmental factor affecting the human body in nature.In TCM, there are 5 main “climates” or environmental influences related to our health.

These are: COLD, HEAT, WIND, DAMP, DRYNESS.

Microculture lecture about TCM and health preservation, and climate change credits to CMA Training Centre (WMO Regional Training Centre Beijing)

A typical case in point in terms of the impact of climate on the culture of TCM is "People still require warm clothing for the spring, but wear as less as possible in autumn. ". This is because the outdoor temperature in China's spring (taking spring as an example, autumn on the contrary) rises sharply, while the indoor temperature increases slowly, therefore, people who often stay indoors and call for warm clothing.

Understanding our bodies will be continuously subjected to the challenge of seasonal weather changes and potential extreme climate conditions, we can take precautionary measures accordingly.

According to the seasonal and climate change, TCM recommends adjusting our diet. Eating hot meals, such as ginger and garlic, during the cold season helps to ward off the cold. During summer, we can eat more cool food, such as watermelon, cucumber,which can help us cool down. Drinking water in moderation and maintaining a water balance is also of vital significance.

TCM believes that seasonal and  climate changes exert a profound impact on human health. By adjusting our diet, clothing, herbal prescription, lifestyle and mood, people can better respond to climate change and maintain their balance and health.

As climate change exerts more impacts on human health, it’s more imperative to care for our body and TCM is just a ideal option. 

Editor: LIU Shuqiao