Summer Health

It’s Summer Solstice time! As the seasons change, so does our health focus.

Health Focus: Heart & Small Intestine

In Chinese Medicine, there are two organs that correspond to the summer season: the heart and small intestine, the organs of the Fire element. They are responsible for warming and circulating.

The heart is most active in the summer season as it regulates blood circulation. If there’s imbalance in the heart channels, you can have high or low blood pressure, shortness of breath, weakness. or lethargy. Heart channel imbalance can also cause emotional disturbances such as lack of enthusiasm or joy, nervousness, and lower energy.

The small intestine works to digest foods, absorb their nutrients, and send them into the blood supply. If digestion is sluggish, you can feel bloated and gassy, or experience abdominal pain, heartburn, or general abdominal discomfort. Emotionally, a sluggish small intestine makes you feel overwhelmed, indecisive, or stuck.

Focusing on supporting these two organ channel system is key to having a light, energetic, and vital summer season.

 

Summer Food:

In the summer months, a focus on lighter foods is key. Luckily, Mother Nature provides for this perfectly.

Visit your local Farmer’s Market and buy all those fresh local, organic vegetables and fruits.

Eat less congesting foods during these months. Cutting back on dairy, heavy meats, fried goods, etc. will allow your body to better handle the summer heat.

Try making some cooling fruit waters, such as cucumber or lemon. Add fruit to water and keep chilled in the fridge.

Try brewing hibiscus tea, a cooling herb, and don’t forget to drink plenty of clean fresh water.

 

Summer Body Movement:

Exercise keeps your circulation moving and strengthens the fire element. During the summer months, don’t be afraid to break a sweat. Sweating clears the pores, enhances circulation, and helps the body with its detox mechanisms.

You don’t have to do anything fancy. Try walking for 30 minutes each day. If you haven’t been exercising for awhile, try starting with just 10 minutes and work your way up.

Need some other ideas for making exercise more fun? Check out this blog.

 

Summer Herbs:

Red Clover: an infusion of red clover is an excellent blood cleanser (red clover is a blood thinner, so please be advised.)

Nettle: nettles nourish and support every system in the body and from plentifully in most areas in the summer.

Dandelions: add the leaves to tea, salads, and smoothies for extra nutrients and enhanced detoxing.

Mint: all mints are cooling and make delicious sun teas.

Hibiscus: one of the best cooling herbs I know!

 

Summer is a great time for dusting off your battery and getting your ride moving again. We’ve had one heck of a year.

Go ahead and allow yourself some summer fun.

Take a break.

Soak up some rays.

Move your body.

 

If things don’t feel like they’re moving like they should be, it’s time for an appointment. Schedule yours here now.