Chinese Medicine teaches us that optimum health comes with being in total harmony with the cycles of nature, so with each new season, it’s important to adapt your lifestyle in order to deeply align with the healing energies each season has to offer.

Summer wellness is important because according to Chinese medicine, this is the time we restore the reserves that keep us healthy and strong all through the winter months. If you suffer from frequent colds and winter blues, now is the time to invest in your health, and it may be easier than you think.

Summer and the Fire Element

Early to mid-summer is ruled by the energy of the Fire Element. The days are at their longest and the bright sunshine invites us to spend time outside. If we align ourselves with this joyful season, we can tap into the powerful energetic movement of fire.

The Fire Element

Summer is associated with the element of Fire, which rules the heart and small intestine.

Fire is the most Yang of all the elements. You can perceive this expansive Yang energy in nature with the robust growth of plants, fruits, and vegetables, and in our lives, with the constant activity, abundant social events, and feelings of fullness that summer brings. Fire is associated with the emotion of joy. It brings warmth to our hearts, enthusiasm, and vitality.

When your Fire energy is in balance you experience:

Here are some indications that you might have a Fire imbalance:

Balancing the Fire Element for a Healthy and Happy Summer

Be Active

In order to keep this vibrant energy flowing through our beings, it is important to stay active, enjoy recreation, spend time in the sun, and nurture our creative endeavors.

Spend Time Relaxing

It is equally important to make time for relaxation. Hang out in the hammock, watch the branches sway in the wind, relax on the beach, take a quiet walk in nature, meditate… these are just a few ways to enjoy summer in a relaxed and restorative way.

Go with the Flow

The ancient Chinese text The Yellow Emperorʼs Classic of Internal Medicine explains that in summer “it is important to be happy and easygoing and not hold on to grudges so that the energy can flow freely.”

Hydrate

Drink lots of water and warm or iced tea. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables like melons and cucumber.

Try using our cold brew tea sachets for easy and convenient iced tea steeping at home.

Eat Fruit

Fruits are some of the most Yin foods so they help to balance the Yang energy of this season, and they are cooling and refreshing. Enjoy the abundant fresh fruits and berries this season has to offer!

Enjoy Bitter Foods

Bitterness is the taste associated with the Fire element, so incorporate a variety of bitter greens like dandelion greens, escarole, broccoli rabe, and endive. See what kinds of bitter vegetables are available at your local farmers’ market for a truly medicinal treat.

Acupuncture for Summer Wellness

Acupuncture can be very helpful to smoothly transition into a new season. If you notice that you exhibit some of the imbalances listed above, or you need any other type of support for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, get in touch to schedule an appointment to bring your body and mind into balance so you can enjoy life to the fullest this joyful season.

Fire Detox

One way to help balance the fire element if you notice symptoms of fire excess is with our Fire Detox herbal tea. It is formulated to detoxify and cool the fire energy within. When the fire element is no longer dominant, the other elements can be nurtured to restore one’s inner harmony.

by Chloe Bolton