Summer, Food and Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

The heat has arrived, the sun is shining, the days are longer and most people tend to have more energy.

We are in the depth of the summer season, this relates to the fire element, joy, and bitter foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you are not careful excessive fire energy can lead to over joy, over heating, irritability, digestive issues and sleep problems. This excessive heat can damage the body fluids (yin) in the body.

To prevent these negative effects and stay healthy, hydrated and strong to enjoy your summer, follow these tips:

1. Choose lighter meals and foods to avoid indigestion. Foods with low temperatures that have a cooling effect on the body and bitter foods. (Remember Chinese Medicine suggests to stay away from too much frozen and or raw foods as they slow down your digestive system and can cause bloating, food stagnation and indigestion).

2. Drink plenty of water, watermelon juice and green tea (Chinese medicine advises against frozen, icy drinks as it requires more energy to warm the systems to digest) Mint and Chrysanthemum both aid in cooling the body and skin and are a great combination in a tea.

3. Be mindful of the extreme temperature changes.

After a hard sweating session, mark sure to take time to cool down in the shade or indoors before jumping into a cold shower. Allow your temperature to change at

Enjoy these simple tips as you thrive through the summer season.

Refrences:

Melissa Carr, BSc, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

First published in the Inside Tract® newsletter issue 182 – 2012

Snow Xia L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist and the founder of Hima Acupuncture.

American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Chinese Nutrition Therapy, Joerg Kastner