Breathe Easier This Summer: The Ancient Healing of San Fu Tie
Each year, the hottest days of summer—the San Fu Days—bring not just rising temperatures, but also a unique opportunity in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to strengthen the body’s defenses and address chronic conditions. This opportunity comes in the form of San Fu Tie (三伏贴), a centuries-old therapeutic practice that applies powerful herbal patches to acupuncture points to harmonize the body’s internal systems.
At our acupuncture clinic in Basking Ridge, NJ, we’re proud to offer this time-tested treatment to patients who suffer from asthma, allergies, sinus congestion, frequent illness in winter, and other lung issues. If you’re looking for natural ways to fortify your health and prevent flare-ups in the colder months, San Fu Tie may be the answer.
What Is San Fu Tie?
San Fu Tie translates to “Summer Moxibustion Patches,” and the treatment is administered during the three hottest periods of the year according to the Chinese lunar calendar. These days—called San Fu Tian—are believed to be when the body’s Yang Qi (warmth and energy) is at its peak, and thus most receptive to absorbing herbal therapies.
By applying warming herbal pastes to specific acupuncture points, San Fu Tie opens the meridians, dispels cold and dampness, and boosts the body’s immunity.
How Does It Work?
The herbal paste used in San Fu Tie typically includes ingredients like:
- Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed): Warms the lungs and opens the chest
- Xi Xin (Asarum): Disperses cold and alleviates pain
- Gan Sui (Euphorbia): Drains phlegm and toxins
- Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis): Invigorates Qi and alleviates pain
These herbs and others are ground into a paste and placed on adhesive patches, which are then applied to key acupuncture points on the back, points associated with the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney meridians.
What Conditions Can San Fu Tie Help?
San Fu Tie is particularly effective for chronic or cold-related conditions that tend to worsen in winter. It is most commonly used to treat:
- Chronic asthma and bronchitis
- Seasonal allergies and sinus congestion
- Chronic rhinitis or COPD
- Fatigue and immune deficiencies, frequent illness in winter (colds, flu, etc)
- Cold hands and feet, or intolerance to cold
It is considered both preventative and therapeutic, strengthening the body’s resistance and reducing the frequency and severity of recurring symptoms.
What to Expect During Treatment
- Consultation
Each treatment begins with a consultation to assess whether you are a good candidate. San Fu Tie is not advised for individuals with skin allergies, active rashes, or pregnancy. - Application of Herbal Patches
The prepared patches are applied to selected acupoints. You may feel a warming or tingling sensation, which is normal. - Duration
Patches stay on for 1–4 hours, depending on your skin sensitivity and constitution. Some redness or mild blistering may occur—this is a sign that the herbs are stimulating the meridians and opening stagnation. - Treatment Schedule
Traditionally, San Fu Tie is applied three times across the hottest 30–40 days of summer.
A Brief History
San Fu Tie dates back to the Qing Dynasty and is rooted in the classic TCM principle of “treating winter diseases in summer.” Chinese medicine views many chronic illnesses as rooted in cold and internal deficiency. Applying warming herbs during summer—when the body is most open and the Yang is strongest—drives out cold from the deepest layers of the body, where acupuncture alone may not reach.
Why Do It?
In today’s world of over-reliance on pharmaceuticals, San Fu Tie offers a safe, natural, and proactive way to:
- Prevent illness before it flares up
- Strengthen the immune system naturally
- Prevent allergies for the following seasons
- Reduce dependence on inhalers, antihistamines, and painkillers
- Support long-term vitality and balance
Ready to Try San Fu Tie?
Our clinic offers customized San Fu Tie protocols tailored to your constitution and condition. Treatments take just 30 minutes and may result in benefits that last all season—and beyond.
We recommend booking your session in advance, as appointments fill quickly around the official San Fu Days. The 2025 San Fu Tian dates are:
- First Fu (初伏): July 21
- Middle Fu (中伏): July 30
- Last Fu (末伏): August 9
We’ll guide you through every step of the process with the warmth and expertise you expect from our dedicated team.
Don’t wait for symptoms to return. Harness the power of summer to stay strong through winter.
Call us at (908) 719-1362 or book your San Fu Tie session online today.