We look forward to seeing you at Red Lotus Wellness Center this month!
Summer brings about different changes in nature, and also brings about changes in the body. Chinese Medicine has centuries old modalities to help manage these changes to help optimize health, so you can stay connected with your body and nature – living your best life.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, and anxiety, improve fertility, manage thyroid symptoms, orto get that Radiant Beauty of freshly glowing rejuvenated skin before your summer vacation – we’re here to help!
Chinese medicine takes a seasonal approach to treating the body, taking into account what’s happening in nature and the environment. Centuries of observing nature and adopting practices and lifestyle shifts through these transitions is important for staying healthy.
In July’s blog we talk about incorporating different foods, herbs, diet and lifestyle shifts you can make to stay cool and well this summer, while supporting a healthy immune system.
There are five elements in Chinese Medicine: fire, earth, water, metal, and wood. Summer is related to the fire element, which governs joy, enthusiasm, and vitality. The heart is the organ most associated with the fire element. During summer, it’s essential to protect your heart health by taking preventative wellness measures to support the fire element and harmonize with the seasonal changes.
Below are some of the symptoms associated with the fire element being out of balance.
- Sensation of heat or feeling hot all the time
- Heartburn
- Stress
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety/Depression
- Feeling scattered
- Having a short temper
- Impatient, irritable and feeling agitated
- Mood swings
Here are a few ways to help you stay cool and manage your health this summer.
Eat Cooling Foods
Summer heat may cause sunburn, and heat-stroke if your aren’t mindful of the changing and increasing temperatures. It’s best to eat lighter meals that are easy to digest and are more cooling to the body.
Some of these cooling foods are string beans, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus, corn, spinach, tomato, salads, dill, cilantro, and mint.
Beneficial summer teas such as chrysanthemum tea, honeysuckle tea, and five flower tea, and green tea are cooling.
Eating foods with a high-water content, can help clear heat from the body and generate body fluids to keep your systems hydrated and replenished during hot days.
Stay hydrated
Although we know how important it is to drink adequate amounts of water each day, most of us don’t and are dehydrated. It’s especially important to do so when it’s hot outside.
Staying hydrated, helps to restore the electrolytes in your body by supplying it with the with minerals it needs which becomes depleted when you sweat.
In Jamaica (JA) drinking coconut water, especially in the hot summer months is considered essential. There’s nothing like a ‘cool jelly’ to quench your thirst.
Growing up in JA I would often hear the adults around me talk about it’s best to drink coconut water, or as we say ‘jelly, or jelly coconut’, especially the young ones, since the water ‘goes to the heart’ – imparting a protective and beneficial quality. I don’t know if there is any science to confirm this belief, but I know that there is nothing quite as refreshing as drinking coconut water to ‘cool you off.’ So, drink up that sweet refreshing coconut water (fresh would be ideal) as a great way to stay hydrated, in addition to eating other hydrating foods.
Make the Shift to Optimal Health
Red Lotus Wellness Center is an integrative medicine clinic incorporating acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the personalized care of our patients, with the goal to helping each and every patient “Live Their Best Life”.
Our mission is to help you understand your body better, to regain your power. Our integrative treatment and lifestyle plans equip you with the care, guidance, and tools to help you make the most of each new day.
Schedule an appointment with us today, so we can help you create the your lifestyle that empowers you to live your happiest, healthiest life.
Call to Schedule Your Appointment Today.
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!
Gift Certificates Available!
