Late Summer is the Element of Earth and is a short relatively unrecognised season. It is the point of transition from the Yang Seasons of Spring and Summer and the Yin Seasons of Autumn and Winter. It is a time of unity and harmony.
According to Chinese Five Element theory the Organs associated with the Element of Earth are the Stomach and Spleen which are primarily responsible for the digestion and distribution of food and nutrients. The Qi energy and other essences formed are utilised by the body to create immune function, formation of tissues, vitality and warmth.
The Earth element gives us mental function, the ability of manifestation and to create thoughts and opinions. When in harmony the Earth element enables us to be centred and grounded.
The Climate for Late Summer is Moistness or Dampness. Or typically it can be considered as humidity. The key to good health during this Season is to regulate your eating habits to keep your digestion working efficiently thereby maintaining effective function of the Stomach and Spleen.
According to Traditional Chinese Medical theory the healthiest diet is composed of clear, bland foods consisting mainly of grains, beans including tofu, dark green leafy and red, yellow vegetables and fruits. As these foods are considered highly nutritious and easily digested. Also to include only small amounts of meat, eggs and dairy as these foods though necessary to repair the body can be difficult to digest and can clog the body with dampness and phlegm.
You should avoid fried, roasted, fermented, pickled or hot natured foods as these can be very drying, toxic and create disease. Instead it is best to steam, boil or lightly cook, as cooking pre-digests the food into a soup-like consistency which enables better assimilation and digestion and prevents food stagnation / indigestion.
Always eat regularly three times a day, moderate amounts and only when hungry. Be sure to eat slowly, chew thoroughly and avoid distracting thoughts or activity such as reading or watching television as this can effect your appetite and result in poor digestion. Also never prepare or eat food when emotionally upset as this too will impair your digestion. Avoid eating late at night as this disturbs your quality of sleep and leads to unnecessary weight gain.
Avoid iced water and drinks and keep fluid intake to a minimum during meals because their chilled nature reduces your digestive fire. Also an excess of fluids can overburden the kidneys and create unnecessary abundant urination. Ideally fluids are best taken between meals and only when thirsty so as not to overburden the digestive tract and flood the kidneys with too much water. But a hot drink taken after meals will enhance digestion.
A diet should include all the five flavours pertaining to each season but a persistent usage of one of the flavours can cause and imbalance in the organs and so should be avoided.
The Taste / Flavour of Late Summer is Sweet which is replenishing and nourishing particularly of the Spleen and Stomach. There are many foods that incorporate this sweetness, which includes most meat, legumes, nuts, dairy and starchy vegetables. These foods are moistening and so benefit dryness and can be considered as cleansing and cooling.
To make a chamomile tea place fresh chamomile flowers into hot water, infuse for 5 minutes, then sip while hot (honey can be added to taste). This tea has a soothing effect upon the Stomach, stimulates the appetite and helps calm the nervous system. You can drink this tea after meals or before, during or after your bath to help cool you down.
Pour a hot bath and add a few sprigs of dried rosemary tied into a muslin bag
soak for 15 minutes. This will alleviate both mental and physical tiredness,
improve memory and indigestion. Afterwards rest and do the bodymindspirit
breathing.
For those of you suffering from heart problems, high blood pressure, then this
treatment is inappropriate.
In keeping with the Qi of the Late Summer Season it is important to wake earlier and ideally take a bodymindspirit walk and do the bodymindsprit breathing.
Do not eat immediately prior to sleep as this will affect the quality of your sleep and lead to obesity. Be sure to try to quieten down your activities prior to sleep and therefore your mind in order to maximise a deep restful sleep. Since a large part of our lives are spent sleeping in our bedrooms try to minimalise all electrical appliances such as electric blankets, clocks and telephones etc. as this can interfere with your Qi. Keep your room well ventilated, warm and harmonious without unnecessary clutter.
Any exercise is appropriate that helps tone the muscles as the muscles are associated with the Earth element. Such exercises would be callisthenics, isometrics and pilates.
Rest lying prone for twenty minutes and create warmth in your hand by rubbing them together then place both your hands just below your navel onto your Dan-Tien (a powerful energy centre of the body). Breathe deeply and slowly into this area while you imagine an hot sun revolving and generating energy from this area to the rest of your body. You can do this anytime to ease stress and fatigue as it will enhance your energy. If done after meals this breathing technique will also aid digestion.
For your walk set a reasonable brisk pace for yourself and keep to it, empty your mind listen to your breath and breathe in unison with your walking pace. By stopping your thoughts you will notice the sounds of nature's Late Summer around you. Become aware and mindful of the beauty of the Late Summer Season. Do not dawdle but maintain the pace and momentum of your movement especially from your lower abdomen & hip region. Feel yourself grounded in your Dan-Tien and stay present to each moment and your own rhythmic pace. Breath deeply and rhythmically. Do this for at least 20 minutes after meals or three times a week in order to improve your lung function and increase your cardiac output.
Thinking is also an activity so it is important to become aware of the excess chatter of your thoughts and try to stem unnecessary excessive thinking which can turn into worry or obsessional thoughts. Apart from various meditation techniques one easy method is to set time aside each day for deep relaxation and either listen to non-lyrical music or a guided relaxation tape. By relaxing the body you can calm and empty your mind inducing necessary quietude. As the mind and body are so interdependent this method of relaxing the body will have a positive impact upon your mind and spirit and enhance body health.
Take advantage of the warm weather and spend more time outdoors walking to ensure you receive the last of the Late Summer sunlight.