The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. This year, the Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term of the year, begins on Aug 7.

中国传统农历将一年分成了24个节气，立秋是第13个节气，今年的立秋从8月7日开始。

The Start of Autumn reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching.

立秋意味着夏天渐渐进入尾声，硕果累累的秋天即将到来。

As autumn begins, it will become less humid and conditions will become much drier. Here are some foods recommended by Chinese traditional medicine doctor Wang Dongxu to keep you in good health through the changing season.

随着秋天到来，湿气减少，天气也会更加干燥。这里是中医王东旭为你推荐的一些食物，可以让你在季节交替时保持健康。

A soup made with lotus seed and lily bulb, a braised white fungus¹ soup with pear and an agaric soup with sesame can all help to keep you hydrated and decrease internal heat during the hot period.

莲子百合汤、雪梨银耳汤、芝麻木耳汤等都能帮助你在炎热的天气里滋润降火。

Eggplants

茄子

Fresh, ripe eggplants in autumn boast a special flavor. The vegetable contains micro-elements and rich vitamins such as vitamin P, which can help maintain cardiovascular health.

秋天，新鲜成熟的茄子有一种特殊的香气。它含有微量元素和维P等丰富的维生素，对心血管健康有益。

Pumpkins²

南瓜

Pumpkins are full of water so keep you hydrated and can offer people a sense of satiety³. Regularly eating the vegetable can also help to reduce the risk of cancer.

南瓜水分很足，食用它可以感到很滋润，还能产生饱腹感，常期食用还能降低患癌风险。

Red beans

红豆

Ever since the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279), people in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have eaten red beans on the Start of Autumn. They take seven to 14 little beans, swallowing them with well water. When consuming the beans, it’s said that one must face west. By doing so, it’s said one can avoid dysentery throughout the whole season.

自唐(公元618到907年)宋(公元960到1279年)两朝以来，浙江省义乌的人们就有在立秋吃红豆的习俗。他们会拿出7到14颗小红豆，用井水服用。据说在吃红豆时，人们必须面朝西边，以免在秋天的时候患上痢疾。