Chinese Medicine & The Summer Season
We are now in the full on swing of summer. Here in San Diego, we’ve only just begun. As those of us who have lived her for a long time know, the hottest days are yet to come and continue well into October.
Summer is considered to be the time of the fire element. In TCM it is governed by the heart, and small intestine. The heart is considered as the most important of all of the organs. Some of the heart's functions are closely related to Western medicine's thought in which it controls and regulates the flow of blood throughout the body, creates healthy tissue by blood flow, a warm body, and a regular pulse. It also supplies us with vim, and vigor. Ancient texts also state that the heart houses the Shen. Shen according to TCM is known as psyche, mind, or spirit. The heart is the residence of the mind. Balanced Shen can be seen in the bright, shining, clearness of the eyes in men, women, and children that are in good spirits, and experiencing joy in their lives. When Shen is out of balance, mental activity, consciousness, memory, thinking and sleep are affected. The heart and small intestine are the most alive, active, and accessible to health, healing and development in the summertime. All around us gardens are blossoming and bearing fruit. According to the ancient writings of Chinese medicine, The Inner Classic, this time of year expresses the Yang principles-expansion, growth, outward activity, lightness, and creativity. The heart and small intestine are the organs that we can create more balance in every summer.
The heat of the summer can cause excessive heat in the heart. Ways to calm this heat are by consuming cooling foods such as mint, basil, melons and cucumber. Drink an extra amount of water and avoid exertion during the hottest times of the day as well as consuming spicy food at this time of year. In the evenings, open your windows to allow fresh cool air into your room for a more restful night of sleep.
The heat of the summer can also alter our cycles, you may find they become shorter to do excess heat. Lighter or lack of a cycle can be due to yin deficiency which is more common during the summer. Yin is the fluids of the body. Excessive heat and sweating can diminish our fluids and affect our flow. This is also a time where perimenopause or menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or night sweats may become more pronounced. Be sure to get yourself in for Acupuncture during this season as a way of prevention. We can also look at proper food therapy and herbal medicine to help combat your imbalance.