In Chinese medicine, the body is a microcosm of the natural world, waxing and waning with the seasons. The Chinese dietary tradition focuses on eating foods that harmonize with the season we are in.

In winter, the focus is storing energy, rest and meditation. Strengthening, warming foods like soups or porridge, along with immune-enhancing herbs are eaten.

In spring, the cycle begins anew. Warming and building foods are replaced by cleansing and revitalizing foods like leafy greens and sprouts to harmonize the body with a season of rejuvenation and growth.

As summer begins, the diet might be melons and citrus fruits, leafy greens and cool liquids.

++Summer in Chinese Medicine____

Element - Fire, Color - Red, Nature - Yang
Organs - Heart, Small Intestine, Emotion - Joy

Summer is the season of yang, a time when the body undergoes vigorous metabolic (body energy) processes. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends cultivating yang energy in spring and summer, while protecting yin energy in autumn and winter.

Chinese Medicine believes summer belongs to fire, one of the five elements. Fire is symbolic of maximum activity or greatest yang; a time of heat, outgoingness, and moving outward in nature and in our lives. In human anatomy, the heart, mind, and spirit are ruled by fire, so priority is given to heart, mind, and spirit for staying healthy in summer.

The heart’s main function is to pump blood through the body. In Chinese medicine, mental activity, memory, thought processes, emotional well-being, and consciousness are attributed to the heart and fire element.

When Fire is in balance, the heart is strong and healthy, the mind is calm and sleep is sound.

When Fire is imbalanced, we may lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (mania). Indicators of an imbalance in the fire element include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia.

To prevent summer ills and remain in harmony with summer:

- Awaken earlier in the morning.
- Go to bed later in the evening.
- Rest at midday.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Add pungent flavors to your diet.
- Refrain from anger; keep calm and even-tempered.
- Keep water with slices of lemon and cucumber and sip throughout day.

Eat in moderation - over consumption of food, especially cooling foods, can lead to indigestion, sluggishness and diarrhea. Stay away from dairy, heavy, greasy, and fried foods.

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