In Chinese Medicine Late Summer is an unrecognized “season” approximately the last month of summer. It is the transition period between the expansive growth phases of spring & summer and the inward, cooler fall and winter seasons.In Chinese terms it’s a transition from yang (outward) into yin (inward).
The Earth Element, represented by the spleen-pancreas rules this season; it is generally thought of as the center of the 5 elements. How to stay Healthy? Choose foods that are harmonizing such as millet, corn, carrots, cabbage, garbanzo beans, soybeans, squash, potatoes, string beans, yams, rice, peas, filberts, apricots and cantaloupe. Food should be prepared simply with minimal seasonings. Rom the point of view of Chinese Medicine dampness (think diet), excessive worry, living in a damp environment (such as a damp basement or simply our usual rainy climate), harm the digestive system. Try to avoid damp forming foods such as sugars, dairy products,fats such as lard & butter, food that is highly refined or chemically treated, late night eating and overeating. These foods are bad for the Spleen/Pancreas (digestive system) and many chronic illnesses such as Cancer,AIDS,Chronic Fatigue and Rheumatoid Arthritis involve dampness from an Oriental Medicine Perspective.
Try to avoid excess worry, get proper exercise and relaxation (such as yoga, tai chi, qi gong or a relaxation tape). Who can digest well when they’re worrying all the time?
By building the Earth Element now we can build the Metal Element (think Lungs) whose season is the Fall. the fall has always been known as the harvest season, a time to store things up for the winter.It’s a time to pull inward form the open, perhaps scattered (busy) patterns of the warmer months. Diet should include; sourdough bread, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, grapefruit, yogurt, vinegar and note that small amounts are usually enough. the Metal Element is also affected by dryness (physically the Lungs need moisture). Foods such as apple,pear, tempeh, spinach, barley, milet, honey, rice syrup,crab and oyster can help. Finally, unresolved grief (sadness) can weaken the Lung. An example would be the phrase “All choked up”. Try to look within to identify unresolved sorrows and transform them by being mindful of them. I’ve found that breathing deeply & slowly from the belly button or Hara as the Japanese call it can not only calm & center a person but also increases lung capacity. In short, remember the three free therapies: good diet, proper exercise and relaxation/mediation. Lastly an Acupuncture Treatment and Chinese Herbs can help balance the body and calm the mind and keep us healthy!
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