Late Summer Musings

Late Summer in East Asian Medicine is considered a 5th season. It’s a pivotal shift from Fire to Metal, yang to yin, and regulates the “center” and has a harmonizing effect within the four seasons. It’s a transitional time between the high activity of Summer and the inward turn of Autumn. 

The earth element is associated with the spleen and stomach, and when the earth element dominates, we’re called to center, digest, and integrate.

When we attune to the earth element, we feel connected, balanced, centered, and stable. It’s the perfect time to listen to the subtle currents and slowly turn inwards to find inner harmony.

The emotions associated with the earth element is worry and overthinking which could lead to digestive issues and feeling “ungrounded”. 

How to find Balance during Late Summer:

Focus on eating warm cooked seasonal foods. Stick with room temperature water. The stomach and spleen doesn’t like cold foods, or iced drinks as it creates more dampness and also smothers the inner fire that assists with digestion leading to bloating, gas, and feelings of heaviness. Avoid overly sweet foods and processed sugars as it can also weaken the spleen.

Focus on foods like congee, grains like millet, rice, quinoa, yams, carrots, chestnuts, apricots, tofu. 

Eating light and simple can support healthy digestion and allows for ease as we transition into Fall.

During Late Summer, dampness is prevalent, which can invade the joints and channel pathways. It may impede movement, cause pain & swelling in the joints One may also feel heaviness, bloating, lack of appetite. If you’re experiencing any of these things: reduce cold, raw foods, mucous forming and inflammatory inducing foods. Less refined processed foods. 

Foods that dry damp: amaranth ,corn, aduki beans, celery, bitter and pungent taste.

Breathe: Focus on deep belly breathing down into the abdomen, the body’s center. Diaphragmatic breathing calms the nervous system supporting better digestion, assimilation, and elimination.

Enjoy the last few weeks of Summer, friends!

Jenny