Ah, summer… We look forward to it all year, and when it arrives we want to make the most of it! We often associate this season with sunshine, holidays, the beach, lazing around and relaxation, but beware… TCM warns us: "We must follow the four seasons harmoniously. In spring and summer, the sage carefully preserves his Yang; in autumn and winter, his Yin."1 So watch out for our Yang!
Summer in Chinese medicine
Summer is one of the five seasons recognised by traditional Chinese medicine. It usually begins around mid-May and ends in the last days of July. As with every season, TCM associates summer with specific elements: its colour is red, its organ is the Heart, its flavour is bitter and, unsurprisingly, its phase is Fire.
Unlike winter, which is seen as a time to rebuild strength and rest, summer heralds the arrival of a new energy: it's the perfect time to soak up warmth, get moving and spend the strength built up over winter. TCM therefore strongly encourages us to reconnect with nature during this period, when physical activity and walks are the order of the day.
The Heart, the organ of summer, houses the Shen ("the Spirit"), one of the Three Treasures of TCM along with Jing ("Essence") and Qi ("Energy"). The Shen stimulates mental and emotional functions, animates consciousness and houses the natural Fire (Ming Men Huo). It is nourished by the Blood and in return ensures that the Blood circulates well.
In TCM, well-being rests on the harmony of energies. Summer, the season of Yang and Heat, calls for particular attention, since an excess of this dynamic can disrupt the body's natural balance.
Imbalances to watch for this season
Some discomforts appear and spread specifically during the summer season. For example, caused by heatwaves and unusual sun exposure, urinary imbalances, a feeling of heaviness in the legs and sunburn are very common in summer. The ears are also put to the test during this season. Summer swimming can sometimes be risky: water seeping into the ear canal can encourage the growth of micro-organisms and cause sensitivity in the lining. So cases of ear infections are also very numerous.
As summer encourages micro-organisms to multiply, throat sensitivity, often linked to a thermal shock, is particularly frequent during this season. Moving abruptly between heavily air-conditioned places and the heat outside can weaken this area. What's more, with the gradual lifting of health measures and lockdown, the body, which was less exposed until now, once again has to face various external aggressions, which can encourage chills and temporary skin reactions.
Strengthening your immune system is essential all year round! In summer, the heat threatens to open the door to pernicious energies. What energetic dangers are we exposed to, and how can we keep them away?
The pernicious influences of summer
The consequences of excess Heat or Fire
Heat (Re) is one of the six Excesses listed by TCM. Associated with Yang, it is an energy that can disrupt the body's balance, whether it is external or internal in origin, regardless of the season. When there is an abundance of it in the body, it brings on fever, intense thirst, heavy legs, excessive sweating and deep fatigue. In some cases, excess Heat can cause overactivity of the organs and agitation of the Spirit, and exhaust the body's Fluids. If it accumulates, this energy can give rise to Fire (Huo). Unlike "natural" Fire, which supports the production of Qi and the proper functioning of the body, excessive external Fire can disrupt the internal balance and create various imbalances.
Pathogenic Fire, known as "Great Fire" (Zhuang Huo), is more aggressive than Heat: it feeds on Qi and weakens it, dries up the Body Fluids and can cause dizziness, redness, a feeling of excessive heat or ear discomfort. It creates Dryness in the body, which gives rise to signs such as constipation, changes in urinary comfort, a dry throat or increased thirst. When it attacks the Heart, Great Fire agitates the Shen (or Spirit), leading to irritability, anxiety or even sleep disorders.
Fire and Heat are therefore real dangers for the body: they consume Qi and exhaust the Body Fluids. They can cause sensations of internal overheating and discomfort linked to an excessive rise of heat. When they act together, we speak of Re Du, or Toxic Heat.
In summer, beware of Summer Heat!
Summer's worst enemy is Summer Heat (Shu)! Born of extreme Heat, it is also one of the six Excesses. An external pathogenic energy of a Yang nature, Summer Heat is climatic in origin and only appears in summer. It resembles Heat in its similar signs, but it often combines with Dampness, adding to the (already long) list of signs: nausea, a feeling of oppression, digestive discomfort and a deep feeling of heaviness
Summer Heat has the particularity of drying out Yin, so it is advisable to stay well hydrated by drinking water or mint tea, for example. TCM suggests eating light and advises against foods that are too cold, to avoid "Stomach cold", which can cause stomach aches.
As we all know, a healthy diet is essential for physical and emotional fitness. Depending on whether it is balanced or not, food can be a source of problems just as much as a remedy. So what diet should you adopt to enjoy summer?
Eating well to protect the body
Chinese dietetics is a fundamental branch of TCM. Its aim is to nourish healthily, improve health and sustain life. In 2019, a study stated that one in five deaths worldwide was due to a poor diet2. Dietary imbalances are often at the root of various ailments, and dealing with them inevitably means adopting the principles of dietetics to restore harmony in the body.
In summer, energy sits at the surface of the body, so the digestive functions (governed by the Spleen and Stomach) are weakened, which is why it is important to eat light. TCM makes a point of our diet being in perfect harmony with the season we are in. It therefore encourages us to make the most of summer and eat seasonal fruit and vegetables, and of course, above all, red ones!
"Let food be your first medicine," said Hippocrates. Diet therapy (treatment through food) treats energy disorders in depth. To combat the pathogenic energies that lurk in summer, you need to eat the right foods! Aubergine, lettuce, crab, kiwi, melon, pear and soya are formidable allies for clearing Heat. As for driving out Summer Heat, TCM encourages eating lemon, melon, pineapple or lotus leaves.
Plants that will do you good
As you'll have gathered, in summer everything is a question of balance, and excess is to be avoided at all costs. Nevertheless, don't panic! TCM has a solution for people who find it hard to hold back: the use of medicinal plants.
The Chinese pharmacopoeia recommends a wide choice of plants for enjoying summer, managing excesses, clearing Heat and keeping Summer Heat away. Among them are:
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Jin yin hua (Japanese honeysuckle), reputed to drain Fire, clear Heat and promote the circulation of Qi.
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Qing hao (Sweet wormwood), which calms fever and drives out Summer Heat and Damp-Heat.
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Lü Dou (Mung bean), very popular in China, is the main ingredient of a traditional soup recommended for combating the stifling heat of summer. Its use is suggested to clear Summer Heat and Heat.
Acupressure points to stimulate in summer
There are certain acupressure points to stimulate every day to be at your best in summer. Because the Heart is the organ of the season and is in charge of emotional stability and blood circulation, it is the one to call on to protect the body from pathogenic energies.
However, acupuncture never acts directly on the Heart. It is the Heart Protector (or Pericardium) that is stimulated in its place. This meridian is in a way the Heart's shield: it protects its energy, makes sure the Blood circulates properly and abundantly in the body, and settles emotional troubles by stabilising the Shen.
The important acupressure points on the Pericardium meridian are located mainly on the palm of the hand. We can mention PC9 (Zhong Chong), PC8 (Lao Gong) and PC7 (Da Ling), the last of which lies slightly higher up, at the wrist. Pressing these points with your fingers every day will help protect you from bad energies during the summer.
Summer is therefore the perfect season to set off on adventures, blossom and spend your energy while enjoying the fine weather. However, TCM stresses the importance of keeping your Yang in check during this period and recommends adapting our diet to this new energy so that we live through this change of season in complete harmony.
