This summer, we enjoyed vibrant celebrations and serene escapes, from lively festivals to peaceful hikes and beach days. Amidst these joyful moments, we realized that maintaining our health was key to fully embracing the season.

By prioritizing our well-being and integrating the principles of Chinese medicine, we can enhance our vitality and balance. Here are seven Chinese medicine tips to ensure a healthy and joyful summer, helping you make the most of this vibrant season.

1.  Enhanced Energy Levels:

The Essence of Summer in Chinese Medicine

What is Yang?

Summer energy is Yang. Yang encompasses many qualities: above, full, expanding, hot, bright, active, exciting, and even spicy in taste. As we all see and feel, summer is the hottest time of the year, with the longest daylight and numerous outdoor activities. Therefore, we say summer is Yang, and its element is Fire.

In our solar system, the sun is a prime example of Yang energy. Similarly, in our physical systems, the most Yang organ is the heart. The heart, which is red and pumps blood continuously with its own pacemaker, represents Yang.

Furthermore, in a healthy state, Yang energy works in harmony with Yin energy automatically. In out of balance when Yang is much stronger than Yin to cope with, we’ll get fever, restlessness, thirsty, constipated or even super-active. On the opposite side of excessive Yin, we tend to get slumpy, slow, tend to be quiet, and lack of energy.

So, as we all love to enjoy every moment of summer but what if our body is gain too much Yang energy?

We need to balance it!

 “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 

– Albert Einstein

2. Improved Hydration: 

Staying Hydrated the Chinese Medicine Way

Replenishing body fluids is vital during summer, especially with hot and dry air in the desert. Dry heat wind can easily suck all moisture from any surface it moves through. While sweating is beneficial in moderation, excessive sweating can deplete too much Yin energy, causing Yin-Yang imbalance. We can reintroduce Yin into our bodies through food, drink, and herbal tea remedies.

What is Yin?

Yin has properties opposite to Yang: it is associated with heaviness, downward direction, stasis, cold, darkness, passivity, quietness, and a salty taste. Yin is dominant in blood, body fluids, and vital organs, whereas Yang is dominant in Qi (chi) function and digestive organs.

When body fluids are depleted to a certain point, we may experience symptoms such as nosebleeds or, in severe cases, syncope due to summer heat. This is just a simple example, but many factors contribute to the problem in various degrees.

What are some recommended summer teas?

Green tea

Green tea is a fantastic superfood, rich in beneficial compounds like catechin, caffeine, theanine, and tea polysaccharides. Research by Zhao et al. (2022) has shown that these components provide antioxidant, anti-tumor, and hypoglycemic effects. They play a crucial role in preventing and treating diabetes, hepatitis, infections, cancer, and skin inflammation. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, green tea has a cooling property that clears heat and supplements the heart and liver Yin, helping to reduce Yang symptoms. For the best quality, opt for whole food grade green tea, which can range from a few dollars to tens of dollars per ounce.

Reference: Zhao T, Li C, Wang S, Song X. Green Tea (Camellia sinensis): A Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. Molecules. 2022 Jun 18;27(12):3909. doi: 10.3390/molecules27123909. PMID: 35745040; PMCID: PMC9231383.

Some other great refreshers include mint tea, chrysanthemum tea, Job’s tear milk, and lemonade.

Herbal Tea

If you catch a summer cold caused by exterior heat or fire, prescribed herbal formulas can effectively address early symptoms such as:

Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle And Forsythia Powder)

Yin Qiao San is excellent for colds with a sore throat.

Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf And Chrysanthemum Decoction)

Sang Ju Yin helps with colds accompanied by a cough.

” If you catch a cold from air conditioning in an office environment, other formulas can be used, such as:

Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

Gui Zhi Tang for low fever and muscle aches.

Xiang Su San (Cyperus And Perilla Leaf Powder)

Xiang Su San for headaches, chest fullness, and lack of appetite.

Xiang Ru San (Mosla Powder)

In cases where a cold coexists with vomiting, diarrhea, head heaviness, fatigue, a stifling chest, chills, but warm skin, Xiang Ru San is recommended.

Practical Tips to Stay Hydrated This Summer:

• Drink a Big Glass of Water Right Out of Bed

• Carry a 35 Oz Water Bottle & drink 2-3 bottles throughout the day.

• Enjoy Infuse Water with slices of berries, lemons, cucumbers, or mint.

• Drink a Glass of Water 30 Minutes Before Meals to aid digestion.

• Hydrate and Replenish During Exercise

• Monitor Urine Color: slightly yellow urine indicates good hydration.

• Eat Water-Rich Foods: cucumber, lettuce, celery, radishes, tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and peaches.

3. Balanced Diet: 

Diet and Nutrition for Summer 

All we love to do after celebrating the 4th of July is eat, whether it’s desserts or drinks like juices, shakes, colorful shaved ice, venti Frappuccino’s, or tons of our favorite gelato because it’s so hot, like in the desert! It’s not a big deal if it doesn’t become a habit. But since we know that Yang needs Yin to balance, why not increase our Yin intake during this time? 

We’re not telling you to eat only the examples below, as they may not suit everyone due to individual various physical conditions.

Before diving into the list, it’ll make more sense to understand the big picture of how foods are classified into Yin and Yang energy. 

On a scale from 1 to 5, the lowest end is Yin, represented by 1, and the opposite end is Yang, represented by 5. Examples of Yang foods are meats and spices, while Yin foods include seafood, fruits, and leafy greens. 

In summer, we should eat more fruits and drink fruit juices such as apples, lemon, kiwi, melon, orange, pear, pineapple, and tangerine. Additionally, consume cooling foods like cucumber, Belgian endive hearts, lettuce, celery, radishes, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, and aloe vera. 

It’s beneficial to include more raw foods, yogurt, wheat, barley, green tea, mineral water, wheat beer, mussels, and rabbit in your diet. 

We should avoid high amounts of dry and energetically hot foods such as coffee, acrid spices, poultry, and red meats. Also, avoid ice-cold foods and beverages, including ice cream, as they abruptly block the stomach’s digestive energy, especially in children who have a physiologically weak center burner until they are about eight years old. 

Some foods are not only delicious but also provide herbal benefits. Here are some  example.

Cucumber

Cucumber clears heat, drains Yang, acts as a diuretic, reduces swelling, detoxifies, and clears the skin. It is good for general heat symptoms such as thirst, anxiety, swelling and pain in the throat, hoarseness, reddened and swollen eyes, acne, and skin inflammations. It also alleviates damp-heat in the large intestine or traveler’s diarrhea. 

Mung bean

Mung bean congee, which is cool in nature and lowers fever, especially from summer heat. 

Apples

Apple clears heat, relieves agitation, alleviates summer heat, creates body fluids, moistens the lungs, relieves diarrhea, and stimulates appetite. 

Lemon

Lemon juice mixed with sugar cane, raw cane sugar, or Rapadura helps clear heat or summer heat symptoms, or heat in the stomach, such as thirst, agitation, sweating, and nervousness. 

Watermelon

Watermelon reduces heat or heart fire flaming upward symptoms like thirst, mouth or tongue ulcers, mental restlessness, disturbed sleep (especially during summer), dark urine, and heart palpitations. 

Herbs

Fennel tea, spiced tea, and coffee with cardamom are good for diarrhea caused by eating too many cold foods (e.g., iced tea) during summer. 

If you want to learn more about Dao’s nutrition, please let me know! 

4. Heat Management: 

Managing Summer Illness & Symptoms of Heat Imbalance 

When our body has an excess of Yang energy, we may experience symptoms of heat imbalance. These include feeling unusually warm or hot, aversion to heat, preference for cold drinks and environments, thirst, red eyes, red face, red skin, high temperature, headache, sweating, dry mouth, dry lips, sore throat, barking cough, rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, burning pain in the body, constipation, yellow urine, nosebleeds, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms typically disappear once our body overcomes the heat or excess Yang. 

To enhance your recovery, we recommend visiting a licensed acupuncturist as soon as possible. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us. The sooner, the better!

Common self-care practices, however, can help you early on are:

Identify the Cause

When you notice signs and symptoms, slow down and determine the source of the heat, which could be overexposure to the sun or under-hydration. If you feel in danger, call emergency services immediately!

Seek Shade and Cool Down

If you’re in the sun, move to a shaded area. Vent heat from your body by taking off your shoes and socks, removing a sweaty shirt, using a fan, or placing ice or a cool pack on your forehead, back of the neck, back of the ears, temples, and armpits. Holding a cube of ice in your mouth can also help cool you down.

Ice, cold pack and shower

Hold the ice cube in the palms and put cold pack on the forehead, back of the neck, and main joints several times. Taking a shower is also helpful to clear superficial heat and dampness that block the skin pores.

Exhale Heat

Drain heat internally by exhaling through your mouth with your tongue protruded several times.

Perform Acupressure

Press or rub the center of your palms for overall heat symptoms. Other acupressure points include the tips of the fingers and toes, and the skin between the fingers and toes.

Cupping or Gua sha

If you know how to apply cupping, place a cup on DU14 or the conjunction points between C7 of your neck and around T1 – T2 on upper back for 5 minutes. If you got sunburn, avoid Gua sha or even cupping on the areas.

Take Herbal Remedies

Use herbal remedies as prescribed by a licensed acupuncturist.

Implement these tips yourself or contact us for help!

5. Emotional Well-being:  

Protecting the Heart  

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart is considered the housing of Shen, which represents the soul and mind. During the summer, the heart can be easily overstimulated by Yang energy from heat, excitement, or stress. This overstimulation can affect our emotional health, leading to feelings of agitation or restlessness.  

To maintain emotional balance during this time, consider the following practices: 

Emotional Awareness

Regularly check in with yourself to recognize and acknowledge your emotions. Joy is the emotion that affects the heart the most. Overjoy can exhaust the whole-body Qi and disrupt normal blood circulation. Repeatedly, the heart will be weak in future.

Mindfulness Meditation

Engage in mindfulness meditation to cultivate a sense of calm and clarity. Walking meditation, Jong-grom, is simply walking quietly back and forth. Recognize your sense of whole body while walking in that moment about 10 – 15 min a day for beginner. If any idea or picture comes up in your head, just acknowledge it, and recognize your walking body.

Quality Time with Loved Ones

Spend time with friends and family to foster positive emotional connections. Enjoying meaningful interactions can help ground your Shen and bring joy and relaxation to your heart. 

More! tips to Manage Stress and Stay Emotionally Balanced 

• Engage in Regular Physical Activity

• Maintain a Healthy Diet

• Get Adequate Sleep

• Set Realistic Goals

• Practice Deep Breathing Exercises

• Take Breaks and Rest

• Stay Hydrated

• Engage in Hobbies and Leisure Activities

• Limit Exposure to Stressors

• Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you want to know more how Chinese medicine helps support your emotional health, let us know! 

6. Skin Protection:  

Chinese Medicine Perspective on Skin Health 

The skin is considered an extension of the Lung functions, which belong to the Metal element. The Lung’s roles include producing Qi, assisting the heart in distributing blood, protecting the body, and spreading body fluids. According to the 5-element theory, the Metal element is easily influenced by the Fire element, explaining why excessive heat from the sun can negatively impact our skin and overall health. This highlights the importance of protecting the skin from strong sun exposure to prevent imbalance and maintain optimal health. 

Importance of Protecting the Skin from Excessive Heat 

Protecting the skin from excessive heat is crucial as it helps prevent Yin depletion and heat imbalance, reduces the risk of inflammation and skin conditions, and maintains the overall health and balance of internal organs. By taking proactive measures, we can ensure our skin and body stay healthy and resilient against the harmful effects of excessive heat.

Practical Tips for Skin Care and Sun Protection:

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher before going in the sun. 

• Wear hats, sunglasses, and long sleeves.

• Avoid direct sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM.

• Use Natural Skincare: aloe vera and green tea products. 

• Avoid harsh soaps and exfoliants.

• Monitor for changes or unusual marks on skin. 

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, incorporate balanced diet.

• Seek personalized skincare advice.

If you try to improve your skin health, let us know!  

7. Summer Exercise: 

Optimal Time  

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes the importance of aligning our activities with the natural rhythms of the body and the environment. When it comes to exercise, TCM identifies the morning and evening as the optimal times to work out, each serving a unique purpose in cultivating and circulating Qi (vital energy). 

Morning (3 am – 9 am)

The early morning is considered the best time for exercises that focus on Qi cultivation, such as Qigong, Tai ji and gentle stretching. During this time, the energy of the day is just beginning to rise, and engaging in activities that promote deep breathing, relaxation, and slow, deliberate movements can help awaken the body and mind.  

Evening (3 pm – 9 pm)

In the evening, the focus shifts to Qi circulation. After a day’s activities, the body’s energy pathways can benefit from exercises that help release tension, improve blood flow, and ensure that Qi moves freely throughout the body. Activities such as fast-paced walking, light jogging, or yoga are ideal for the evening. These exercises help to circulate Qi, promote relaxation, and prepare the body for restful sleep. 

By aligning your exercise routine with these optimal times, you can enhance your overall well-being and maintain a harmonious balance of Qi.

Tai Chi and Qigong 

Tai Chi and Qigong are traditional Chinese practices that promote physical and mental well-being through gentle movements, breath control, and mindfulness. Both are particularly effective for enhancing balance and cooling the body, making them ideal exercises for managing summer heat and maintaining overall health. 

Avoid Overexertion 

Overexertion can occur when you push your body beyond its limits, leading to various physical and mental symptoms. Common signs include excessive fatigue, persistent muscle soreness, joint pain, shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, dizziness, nausea, dehydration, headaches, decreased performance, irritability, poor sleep quality, loss of appetite, and frequent illnesses. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to rest, stay hydrated, and adjust your exercise routine.

Seek consultation with a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.

If you want to learn more about Tai Chi and Qigong, let us know! 

Recap what we learn!

1. Enhanced Energy Levels: Chinese medicine emphasizes balancing the body’s energy, helping us stay active and energized throughout the long summer days.

2. Improved Hydration by drinking herbal teas and eating cooling foods, keeping us hydrated, especially important during our beach outings and outdoor adventures.

3. A balanced Diet, incorporating seasonal and cooling foods into our diet supported digestion and overall health, allowing us to enjoy the culinary delights of food festivals without discomfort.

4. Heat Management: Techniques such as acupressure and herbal remedies aided in managing the summer heat, preventing overheating and promoting comfort during outdoor events.

5. Emotional Well-being: Practices like meditation and mindfulness, rooted in Chinese medicine, fostered emotional balance, enhancing our enjoyment of social gatherings and community celebrations.

6. Skin Protection: Natural remedies and skincare routines from Chinese medicine protected our skin from the harsh summer sun, ensuring we could spend more time outdoors without damage.

7. Exercise: Engaging in physical activities suited to the summer’s rhythm helped us maintain balance and prevent overexertion.

“Embrace these time-honored practices to fully enjoy the summer’s vibrant celebrations and serene escapes with renewed energy and balance. “

We invite you to engage with our business for more tips and products related to health and well-being. Explore our range of offerings, from herbal teas to skincare solutions, designed to help you maintain balance and vitality throughout the year. Connect with us to discover how our expert advice and services can support your journey to a healthier, happier you.

Join us and take the next step towards optimal wellness! 

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About Our Business: 

At Arogya Wellness and Acupuncture, we are dedicated to promoting health and well-being through the principles of Chinese medicine. Our services include acupuncture, herbal consultations, and personalized wellness plans.