Summer Wellness
Summer is the peak of Yang energy. Yang energy has been fully released outward and so we have sunlight, warmth, and plants and animals flourishing. The process of growing and ripening is underway. Yang qi also vaporizes moisture and can therefore create the condition of dampness in the environment. Interestingly, although yang is at its peak, summertime is also a time when yang is very much needed, and perhaps counterintuitively, Chinese health sciences would caution that we still need to be weary of cold things (food, environment, etc).
Summer corresponds to the Fire phase (huǒ 火), the heart organ system, and the bitter flavor. It is recommended to get up early in the morning, but we can go to bed a bit later. The qi of the heart system is abundant as this is the fire phase of the year. According to the theory of five phases (wǔxíng 五行) fire can distress metal, associated with the lungs. Therefore, in summer it is best to decrease bitter foods (associated with fire) and increase pungent foods to nourish the lungs such as white radish, onion, ginger, garlic, etc.
With yang at its peak and fully expressed outwardly, yin is born and internally there is a tendency to get cold in the abdomen. It is for this reason that, perhaps opposite of what one might think, it is recommended to eat some warming foods around the time of the summer solstice. Recall the saying, “eat radish in winter and ginger in summer and you won’t need a doctor’s prescription” (冬吃萝卜夏吃姜，不用医生开处方). Take care not to get diarrhea, as this drains precious yin qi. The kidneys are their weakest at this point in time and so it is recommended to tonify them. Despite the desire to scarf down iced foods and beverages (and also raw vegetables), it is best to avoid them as they will lead to “summer diarrhea.” Similarly, although on the hottest days we may not be able to avoid the use of air conditioning, it is best not to sit with it blowing directly on us, especially if our bodies are exposed and sweaty, as this can lead to wind invasion. In summer, we should eat lighter (as is often intuitive), limit fatty and greasy foods, and eat and drink warming things like cinnamon tea.
Red foods (red being the color associated with summer) are often recommended in summer. Tomato can help clear heat and detoxify, cool the blood, calm the liver, astringe sweat, stop diarrhea, and remove dampness. Red apple is good for cardiovascular health, can lower blood lipids and reduce cholesterol. Red beans have been called “valley of the heart” 心之谷 why Li Shizhen, and can clear heart fire and replenish heart blood, reduce swelling, promote diuresis, replenish blood, and strengthen heart and spleen. Cherries are said to replenish heart qi, nourish heart blood, and warm heart yang. Mulberries can nourish blood and yin, promote fluid production, quench thirst, and moisten the intestines.
The heart organ system is closely connected to the mind, and in summer it is especially important to cultivate peace and a tranquil state of mind. Taking a short nap around noon (no more than 30 minutes to an hour) can help to nourish the heart in summer. It’s good to get out and bask in the sun a bit and let nature’s yang energy replenish us. Moderate sweating is good in the summer as it can help to release heat and expel stale and turbid qi. Exercise is good but we should keep it moderate and not sweat too excessively.
Correspondences
Yin (Zang) Organ: Heart
Yang (Fu) Organ: Small Intestine
Direction: South
Color: Red
Flavor: Bitter
Climate: Heat
Orientation: Upward
Sense Organ: Tongue
Tissue: Vessels
Positive Emotion: Respect, Courtesy (li 礼)
Negative Emotion: Excessive Joy (xi 喜)
Recommended Foods
| Vegetables | Fruit |
| Cucumber Tomato Lettuce White radish Corn Bitter melon Silk gourd Summer squash Winter melon Celery Mushroom Eggplant Endive Dandelion Chinese yam (shan yao 山药) | Cherry Peach Honeydew Lemon Berry Plum Watermelon Elderberry Mulberry Prune |
| Protein | Carbohydrates |
| Mungbean Soy milk Plant-based proteins Azuki bean Yogurt | Millet Oat Pearl barley |
| Other | Eat Less |
| Basil Ginger Thyme Green tea Coriander Paprika Marjoram Rosemary Garlic | Fried and greasy food Alcohol Iced drinks Ice cream |
References
1. 广东中医药, “从《黄帝内经》看’夏季养生真谛'”. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dmLn7IfFq5ScRi8P6KDkGg
2. 河南中医药大学第一附属医院, “早养胃、午养心、晚养百脉，夏季养生三件大事请记牢”. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qHdFUEAJ2RCrt2eAWva21g
3. Fruehauf, H., Dharmananda, S., 2010: Promoting Health During the Four Seasons. http://www.itmonline.org/articles/four_seasons/four_seasons.html4. Lihong, L., 2019: Classical Chinese Medicine. The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press.
5. 国学精粹与生活艺术, “夏季养生：一觉，二瓜，三汤，四穴，五果”. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8ZHZpzAuGzNzbHvHjo9MoA
