Summer is the Element of Fire and is a Yang Season a time of warmth, outward activity, growth and maturation as can be seen in the luxurious growth of nature with blooming flowers and ripening fruits.
According to Chinese Five Element theory the Organs associated with the Element of Fire are the Heart, Pericardium, Small Intestine and Triple Heater which maintains proper temperature and warmth of the body. The Heart is most active in the summer Season and regulates blood circulation with its rate and rhythm determining our breathing.
The Heart has to do with understanding, seeing clearly, intuitively and compassionately. The Small Intestine functions to receive and assimilate nourishment on all three levels of bodymindspirit. The function of Fire not only gives heat to the body but enables us to give warmth to others. The Heart relates to the energy of creativity, enthusiasm and governs our mental and emotional states. The Emotion associated is joy, or its opposite sadness which can occur from imbalance in the Fire Element.
The Climate for Summer is Heat. This is the time to utilise the full solar power but this Fire must be balanced with Water inside and out. So suitable protection is required from the intense sun of high Summer and plenty of fluids are required to balance the water inside as minerals and oils are sweated out and must be replaced.
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 Summer is Bitter which can replenish the Fire Element by cleansing the Heart and arteries of deposits and cooling an overheated Heart. Though this flavour tends to be associated with herbs, some foods that are Bitter include rye, alfalfa sprouts, artichoke, kale, scallion, green leafy vegetables, watercress, lettuce, cucumber and rhubarb.
On the hottest days eat more cooling fresh foods such as salads, cucumber and fruits such as apples, watermelons and limes. Eat less and lightly, reducing your intake of meats, eggs, and excesses of nuts and grains.
To make a mint tea place fresh or dried leaves into hot water, infuse for 5 minutes, then sip while hot (honey can be added to taste). You can drink this tea after meals or before, during or after your mint bath to help cool you down.
Pour a hot bath and add a handful of fresh mint leaves tied into a muslin bag or two tea bags and soak for 15 minutes. Afterwards rest and do the bodymindspirit breathing. This will act as a gentle stimulant giving a refreshing wakefulness due to the inhalation of the volatile essential oil evaporating from the hot water.
Or alternatively to cool the body drink your hot mint tea then take a warm shower to induce sudden sweating. For those of you suffering from heart problems, high blood pressure, then this treatment is inappropriate.
In keeping with the Qi of the Summer Season it is important to wake much 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.
Dancing of any type is a fun way to get your necessary aerobic activity or tennis, net ball, swimming or any other active sustained exercise to keep the Fire Element strong.
Rest lying prone for twenty minutes and create warmth in your hands 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 reasonably 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 Summer around you. Become aware and mindful of the beauty of the 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 and having picnics to ensure you receive the best of the summer sunlight, but be sure to protect yourself from the possibility of sunburn.