In Taoist philosophy and Chinese Medicine, yang reaches its fullest expression in summer. Energetically, summer is a time when we can shed some layers and blossom. The risk of spring frost is long gone, and now, for a brief window of time, the natural world opens its wings wide and shares its beauty and colour with the world. Just as the natural world is expressing its total abundance this time of year, we, too, are supported in expanding and expressing.
Learn more and don’t miss the summer cooking video below!
Summer and the Fire Element
Summer, of course, is a time when heat increases. In Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga), we say that pitta increases this time of year, and in Chinese Medicine, summer is the time of the fire element.
The Chinese character for the fire element represents rising flames, indicating the natural tendency for fire to spread upward and outward. In the cycle of the elements, fire is a time to enjoy life through connection with others, inspiration, and self-expression. It also empowers us to develop contentment, awareness, compassion, and love.
Counteract Heat and Nourish Yin in Summer
When practicing self-care during the fire element season and summer, the key is enjoying the gifts of fire while maintaining balance. When out of balance, heat can manifest in the body and mind as restlessness, insomnia, rashes, breakouts, urinary tract infections (UTIs), irritability, and digestive troubles. As the weather gets hot, we must adjust our lifestyle and food choices to align with the natural world. It’s essential to remain calm and cool, both physically and mentally, and protect the nourishing yin fluids in the body.
Follow these few tips to support your fire element in the summer from Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine:
- Eat lighter, bitter, and cooling foods to protect against external heat. Excess heat and yang can damage body fluids and yin, so less food and foods that are cooling and build yin and body fluids are recommended:
- Zucchini, green tea, cucumber, green beans, melons, celery, water chestnut, mung sprouts, apple, watermelon, pear, tofu, coconut, flower teas, green tea, mint, and aloe
- Stay hydrated with not just water, but also electrolytes. Hydration will support the yin and Kidney Qi, which are essential for maintaining good energy during the warmer months.
- Don’t overdo cold foods and cooling activities. Excessive air conditioning and iced drinks can cause cold dampness to accumulate in the body. Over time, this can worsen digestion, leading to pain and sluggishness.
- It’s best to do vigorous activity and get sunshine early this time of year. Early morning sunlight will help reset your circadian rhythm and support a good mood. Avoid activity and excess sweating midday when fire is highest.
- Small amounts of pungent flavoured spices, especially warming ones like chilli, black pepper, and ginger, help the body sweat and cool down.
- Summer is the season of the Heart and the emotion of joy. Make time to do things you enjoy, share your happiness with others and enjoy various colourful foods with others.
Creamy Summer Squash Soup
This creamy yet light soup has to be one of my favourite summer recipes. It’s effortless to make with only two main ingredients. I always find it extremely satisfying as an early dinner on a warm summer evening. Larger or older squash tend to lose their delicate flavour, so choose fresh, medium-sized summer squash. They are the stars of the show in this recipe, and their flavour really stands out!
The various summer squashes, like zucchini and pattypans, have astringent and bitter qualities, according to Ayurveda, making them especially helpful in the summer. In Chinese medicine, they are classified as sweet, bitter, yin, and cooling, making them refreshing and helping counteract heat.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 medium-sized summer squash (pattypan, crookneck or zucchini work well)
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Roughly chop basil and trim the zucchini.
- Slice zucchini into rounds
- Heat oil in a pot and add zucchini. Sauté until tender.
- Add chopped basil and salt and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add water and boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove the soup from the heat and use an immersion hand blender until it is smooth.
- Add black pepper to taste
Acupressure for Summer
In Chinese Medicine and Taoism, there is a focus on the fire element organs, specifically the Heart, Small Intestine, San Jiao, and Pericardium, during the summertime.
HEART 7 - Spirit Gate (Shenmen)
This point calms the mind and nourishes the Heart. It also helps to support the Heart if there is excess heat or blood disorders, leading to insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety. The Heart is related to the spirit and is often connected to excess heat and blood disorders, so this point can also help with insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety.
In daily life or during movement/yoga practice, access this point with firm but gentle pressure from a finger or thumb. Use it during a back-bending yoga practice to stoke the fire and joy of the Heart. Or use it during a forward folding or restorative practice to calm the Heart-Mind.
LOCATION: Located on the inner side of the pinkie side of the wrist crease. The point is located on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris.
Learn more about the Heart Meridian here.
Find more resources on Summer and the Fire Element below:
- The Heart’s Guardian – Acupressure and TCM for the Pericardium
- Calm Heart, Clear Mind – Healing the Shen with Food as Medicine
- Yin Yoga Sequence for the Heart and Lung Meridians
I hope you enjoy these suggestions and your summer days!
