Chinese Medicine Summer:
Seasonal Chinese Medicine

Chinese medical theory is based on the balance in nature: yin and yang, hot and cold, dark and light. In Chinese medicine, all of the seasons are linked to colors, tastes, flavors, body systems, disease patterns, and health blueprints. Looking to nature, helps us better understand how to balance our bodies and our health. This is a vital point, because what is a healthy activity level or dietary choice in winter may be very unhealthy in the summer, and vice versa. We do not exist in a vacuum. We are part of nature, part of our environment, part of the season. How can we use this knowledge to benefit us?

In Chinese medicine, summer is one of five seasons. (The fifth one, “late summer,” occurs between summer and fall.) Summer is a time of profound outward growth. The flowers bloom, vegetables ripen, and we, too, thrive outdoors.

Summer's element is fire, relating to circulation and heat in the body. The fire organs in Chinese medicine are the heart (associated with clarity, leadership, and compassion), the small intestine (associated with appropriate digesting and assimilation of nourishment), the pericardium (the protector of the heart and its functions), and the triple burner or 'san jiao' in Chinese. The san jiao or triple burner is an energetic organ that produces the energy and heat needed for bodily processes. The upper jiao or burner is associated with breathing, the middle jiao or burner is associated with digestion, and the lower jiao or burner is associated with eliminating waste or that which no longer serves.

If it resonates with you, spend some time meditating or reflecting on these themes--clarity, compassion and nourishment--and see what comes to you.

Also keep in mind that summer is a hot season, and a cooling diet is needed to balance the body in its environment. Fresh fruits and vegetables from the abundance of local farmers markets are very beneficial. Be careful not to overdo caffeine, alcohol or spicy foods during this time as all of these are heating. Be sure to exercise, outdoors if possible, and stay hydrated with clean, pure water.

Be well!

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