Tips for Summer Health - Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fresh Vegetables - The Hallmark of Summer

Today, as promised in my previous blog post on Traditional Chinese Medicine, we will revisit the subject of TCM and the maintenance of seasonal health and will continue to do so, periodically, as we move through each of the five seasons.  Yes, you read correctly.  In TCM there are five seasons of the year.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine summer is the warm, sun and fun drenched season in which we are most drawn outward into nature and into the activity of living.  It is the most yang time of the year and according to the five element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine summer is governed, not surprisingly, by the fire element which element is said to rule and influence the heart, mind and spirit.  By turning our attention to our heart, mind, and spirit and giving them top priority we will be able to maintain optimum health and energy during the summer months.

TIPS FOR SUMMER HEALTH

According to TCM it is important to maintain a sense of emotional poise in the summer - to avoid anger and to remain calm and even-tempered.

Ideally, in the summer we should have the energy to retire later, rise earlier, and rest at midday.

It is important to stay hydrated and to drink plenty of fluids in the summer.

Summer is a time to focus on eating a tempting array of freshly prepared fruits and vegetables which help us to remain cool and balanced during hot weather.  The summer season is a time to enjoy lighter fare with less emphasis on heavy animal proteins, and fried food preparations.  Incidentally, fish and seafood have a lighter and more cooling energy than red meats and poultry.  Though iced drinks and frozen desserts such as ice cream and sherbets are often tempting on hot summer days, ideally, the consumption of these cold foods should be limited, or if our digestion is weak eliminated altogether, as the cold nature of these foods will further imbalance our digestion and weaken or damage the digestive fire.

FOOD TO EMPHASIZE IN THE SUMMER

Melon
Lemon
Radish
Peach
Sprouts
Apricots
Broccoli
Bok Choy
Corn
Cucumber
Cabbage
Summer Squash
Watercress
Sea Vegetables
Mung Beans
Cilantro
Mint
Dill