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Summertime means Yang energy = heat, activity, fullness and expansion. Manifestations of the seeds planted in spring.

Color: Red Emotion: Joy

The summer season in TCM is related to the HEART and SMALL INTESTINE system.

(Late Summer is related to SPLEEN and STOMACH)

The HEART circulates oxygen rich blood throughout the body, and assures proper assimilation in the SMALL INTESTINE, for digestion.

The SMALL INTESTINE separates the “pure” from the “impure”.

Summer’s element: Fire

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Heart controls the Blood and stores Shen (The Spirit). When the Heart function is weak with respect to Yin and Blood, Shen (The Spirit) does not rest well and causes restlessness, palpitations, and forgetfulness. One may also have difficulty staying asleep, be troubled by dreams.

Emotionally, when the heart is unbalanced, there may be a lack of joy, which progresses into depression; or excess joy which progresses into manic behavior.

Symptoms associated with imbalances (excess or deficiency) in the Fire element include the following:

Excessive perspiration, or lack of perspiration
Excessive energy, or fatigue
Rashes, hives, or hot skin eruptions, tongue ulcers, hemorrhoids
Sleep disturbances, insomnia, and restless sleep
Palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat
Restless, agitated, or explosive energy
Inappropriate laughter
Nosebleeds and early or brightly colored menstrual cycles

Fire heats up the organs and blood, and makes the energy rise (as in hypertension).

Some examples of “organ fire”:

Liver Fire–Anger, outbursts, red burning eyes, irritability, headaches, sensation of heat

Stomach Fire–Gnawing, burning hunger, constant thirst, bad breath, bleeding gums, ulcers and GERD

Phlegm Fire Obstructs the Mind–Western translation–ADD, ADHD, and mania disorders.

Heart Fire–Anxiety, nervousness, stuttering, insomnia, irritability, panic and irrational fears.

Eat cooling foods, abundant in summer

Foods: raw foods, fruits, vegetables, seaweed, fish, mung beans, mint

Coconut Milk: Slightly Sweet, ranges from warm to neutral Nourishes Spleen, Stomach, & Kidney. Generates fluid, relieves thirst

Cucumber: Sweet & Cold, Nourishes Stomach & Small Intestine. Clears heat, relieves thirst, promotes urination, clears toxins

Watermelon: Sweet & Cold, Nourishes Heart, Stomach, Bladder. Clears summer-heat, eliminates restlessness, relieves thirst & promotes urination. (Cautions: Not good for diarrhea due to Spleen deficient cold or for diabetics)

Avoid: excess alcohol; spicy, rich and greasy foods.

Heart Health

Products spotlight:

Active Herb “Heartvigor” -Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan (Tian Wang Bu Xin Pian, HeartVigor™) is a famous herbal formula in traditional Chinese medicine used to replenish the Blood and Yin, and strengthen Heart functions. The herbs are combined according to the TCM principles so that they can act optimally to strengthen the heart.

Slimin™ - promotes digestive health and a healthy body weight. In TCM, a combination of Astragalus, Poria, and Atractylodes is well known to aid digestion, which means that nutrients are better absorbed from food. The more nutrients your body gets, the more it can convert them into Yin, Yang, Qi energies and etc. Higher levels of Yin, Yang and Qi are beneficial for general health.