Attuning to the Summer Season: Perspectives from Traditional Chinese Medicine & Foot Reflexology!
With open arms, we welcome the long, balmy and social days of summer!! Chinese medicine theory considers the outgoing season of Spring and subsequent Summer Yang seasons. Yang energy stimulates growth, expansion, and outward movement. The Yang energy is reflected in the natural world bringing longer, warmer days and an abundance of growth. The hospitable weather encourages us to spend more time outdoors to enjoy summer activities, socializing, later bedtimes, seasonal foods and warmth in the body!
The interplay of Yin and Yang energies are reflected in cyclical seasonal transitions, with Spring, the gradual increase of Yang energy until we reach the peak level of Yang energy on the Summer Solstice. Following this, the natural cycle continues transition back to the Yin seasons of Fall and Winter.
In the northern hemisphere, the starting point of Summer is marked by the moment the sun is farthest north or the “Summer Solstice” around June 20-21. The Chinese seasonal calendar recognizes the 4 seasons (Spring-Summer-Fall-Winter) in addition to a brief 2
week transitional period when energies shift between seasons based on the location of the sun in relation to the earth.
The term “solstice” originates from the Latin words “sol” meaning sun and “sistere” meaning to stand still. As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, it signals the shift of seasons and offers the opportunity to embrace change and foster growth. It’s transitions such as this that encourage us to move in alignment with the natural rhythms of life, not unlike the principles of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Summer is associated with the Fire element and the Heart and Small intestine organ systems. Being the most yang of all elements, Fire manifests as heat, maximum activity and expansion. Joy is the emotion associated with the Fire element. While a balanced expression of joy supports emotional health, excess or deficiency can lead to disturbances such as mania or depression. Excess exposure to heat can manifest as irritability, insomnia, excessive sweating, fatigue, palpitations, and red eyes. Hence, when enjoying the active and stimulating energy of Summer, we need to be mindful not over-extend or allow ourselves to over-heat as too little and too much can disrupt our internal homeostasis.
We hope to provide some accessible practical traditional strategies to keep you balanced and grounded to bask in Summer’s glory as well as introducing some clinical supports from members of the H&H practitioner team!
Enjoy the heat in moderation!
In the full-on, full Yang of Summer heat, it is tempting to match the energetic intensity of the season by increasing our output to the max. However, if we are looking to cultivate a middle path of balance to keep ourselves from going off the rails, we need to find opportunities to cultivate Yin within ourselves as a cosmic counterpoint. If things are bigger/louder/hotter, seek out the smaller/quieter/cooler if you are finding yourself drifting into overwhelm or overstimulation.
In Summer this balance looks like moderation. Try to spend equal time in the shade as you do in the sun –
or better yet just lay in the dappled sun under a tree and get the best of both worlds. People who take certain medications find themselves prone to overheating much more quickly in full sun than others might, as do those with whiter complexions. Drink plenty of water (Yin) to replace those you have sweated out.
Be aware of your own limits and needs when heading out for a big day of Summer fun. Be mindful and stay hydrated so you can play for longer!
Eat fresh, cooling & hydrating
It’s finally salad season and we encourage you to take advantage of the seasonal bounty of abundant fruits and veg of summer!
The focus is on fresh, hydrating and energetically cooling foods to counterbalance the heat. Crisp, juicy fruits and veg such as lettuces and other leafy greens, cucumber, tomatoes, watermelon and fluid-rich stone fruits, like peaches and plums. The caveat is to be mindful of your specific constitution and if you have weak digestion to limit over-consumption of cold, raw foods and if necessary, to lightly steam or stir fry your veggies for optimal digestibility.
Bitter flavor is associated with the Heart system. Incorporating bitter foods like dandelion greens, arugula, radishes and green tea supports Heart health and digestive functions. Chrysanthemum tea is also a common summertime beverage consumed during the intensely humid and hot summers in Asia, which acts as a cooling, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating tonic that helps reduce symptoms like thirst, sore throats, and acne. It is often served chilled with sweeteners like rock sugar or honey.
Be conservative with your consumption of spicy, greasy, and heavy foods, as they can add internal heat and overload the digestive system. As with anything, moderation is key!
Foot reflexology for your Summer symptoms
As we are approaching the summer season, governed by the Fire element, an opportunity for healing the circulatory system and anxiety symptoms opens up. When in balance Fire makes the sun shine, and we feel joy in our heart. But when in imbalance we may feel restless, hyperactive, or have difficulties getting sleep.
The summer is an excellent season to work away your anxiety symptoms, and care for your circulatory system. Foot reflexology focuses on pressing targeted points in your feet to relieve stress and aid circulation. Foot reflexology will keep you grounded while caring for your swollen legs during the summer months
Interested in learning more about what Foot Reflexology can do for you?
You can find Violan in our schedule THURSDAYS 11:00am – 7:00pm!
Acupressure for clearing heat
Here are a few simple to locate points that will help cool you down and clear heat internally if you’re feeling overheated and ungrounded.
Once you locate the point, press with firm pressure to elicit what may feel like heavy, achy or possibly tingly sensation. Hold for at least 30 seconds or 10 deep diaphragmatic breaths to give adequate time for the qi to circulate.
PC 3 (Qu ze) – on the inner elbow crease, in the depression medial (pinky finger side) to the biceps tendon.
Clears heat from the Qi, nutritive and Blood levels. It is also the Water point of the Pericardium channel
HT 8 (Shao fu) – on the palm, in the depression between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, where the tip of the pinky finger rests when making a fist.
Clears heat from the Heart and Small Intestine systems. Calms the spirit and regulates Heart qi. It is the Fire point on the Heart channel.
LI 11 (Qu chi) – At the elbow, at the lateral (thumb side) end of the elbow crease.
Clears heat, cools the blood, eliminates wind, drains damp and alleviates itching.
*Super helpful for heat rash!
If you’re in need of more comprehensive care to beat the summer heat and keep you balanced and smooth during the active, sunny days of summer, not to mention keeping regulated in our ever chaotic world, this is your PSA to book your summertime acu-naps!
Seasonal Balance Acupuncture for Heat conditions
We’ve mentioned before seasonal balance in Wood season being useful for seasonal allergy sufferers, and as Classical Chinese medicine practitioners we can find corresponding patterns in Fire season as well. If the onset of Summer brings excessive sweating, rushing headaches, swollen limbs, or heart palpitations, you might benefit from a seasonal balance treatment.
Heat conditions – like sweating (profuse- or night-), palpitations, some anxieties, red and itchy skin eruptions, fevers, canker- or cold sores, reflux – often see a seasonal upswing in the hotter months. By ‘converting’ corresponding treatment protocols for Fire season, we can touch into the expression of this cosmic timing through your human form, and the imbalance that it creates.
Additionally, finding ourselves in Fire season during a Fire Horse year, we are likely to see an even greater exacerbation of heat-type pathologies in 2026 than we are used to seeing. We will probably all need more tools to help maintain our systems and our dynamic homeostasis. Seasonal balance acupuncture alongside the other tips in this article are going to be everyone’s best friend while navigating a very FIERY time!
Get some help with putting out the (excess) Fire, come cool down and book your summer time Community Acupuncture sessions today!
