The Summer Solstice or first date of Summer in 2020 is Saturday June 20th.
Summertime and the living is easy……..for those of us who have the opportunity to take some time off and away from their daily and work routines. If vacation is not an option, pardon the cliche but take time to stop and smell the roses.
Allow yourself to PLAY and RELAX!
Summer as we all know is when the Heat is turned up! Yes, it is the Season of the Fire Element.
According to Chinese Medicine’s Five Element Theory, the Heart and its paired Yin and Yang organ systems are directly affected during this time. All of life is impacted by the Feminine and Masculine energies of Yin and Yang. Another analogy would be that Yang draws its energy from the substance that is Yin. The Heart and the Small Intestine, with the Heart being Yin (known as the Wife) and the Small Intestine, a Yang Organ (being the Husband). The Chinese biological clock for the Heart is 11 AM to 1 PM and the Small Intestine is 1 PM to 3 PM. We also have another set of Yin and Yang Organs that are under the auspices of the Heart’s energy. They are the Pericardium (the sac that protects the heart) a Yin Organ (Feminine, Nurturing) and the Triple Warmer a Yang “Organ” (Masculine, Transforming). The Triple Warmer is an organ unique to Chinese medicine it is like a long cocoon which encompasses all the internal organs starting from the neck down to the reproductive organs, it is in charge of maintaining the correct heat for all of these Yin & Yang Organs. The biological clock for the Pericardium is set at 7 PM to 9 PM, and the Triple Warmer is 9 PM to 11 PM. All Ancient Traditional Medicinal Philosophies regard the emotional, mental and physical aspects of nature and man as one entity….there is no separation, all of these aspects work interdependently with each other.
In Modern Times we have named this Mind, Body & Spirit. The color is RED, direction is South, the Climate is Heat which can injure the Heart. The secretion is sweat, external manifestation is the complexion. Sound is Laughter and the positive emotions are Joy & Levity. In Chinese Medicine, Strong Heart Qi/Blood and the Expression of Joy bring about true cardiovascular health.
This is the time of transformation of what had started to grow in the spring will now grow to maturation. Spring which is the element of Wood feeds the Fire known as Summer.
The energetic or power of this time is growth, impulse, consciousness, spirit and mental processing. The Heart is known as the “Emperor” the embodiment of Heaven and Earth, it has the dual function of governing the Blood and housing the Spirit – Mind known as Shen.
This is where Peace, order and ruler ship radiate from the center, it manifests in our ability to relate to the world. Depletion or injury to the Heart may also result with inappropriate and excessive responses in certain situations. The Heart opens to the tongue and is expressed as speech. Good Shen (Spirit) can be seen in those with sparkling eyes as its brilliance glows in the face. The energies from the food we eat (Grain Qi) are transformed into Blood. Blood is the root of the Mind, it embraces and anchors the Mind (Spirit-Shen). What this means that if the Blood that runs through our vessels is not vitally enhanced by a balanced diet of food, rest and emotional well-being our Heart-Mind cannot be grounded. When our fluids are depleted by excessive heat via sweating what ensues is dryness and a myriad of the resulting imbalances may affect our mental functions, consciousness, spirit, thinking and sleep. Overheating and over perspiring has a dramatic impact on our Heart health and therefore our entire well being; dehydration, anxiety, blushing, being flustered and palpitations will occur.
We are in a very Yang Season, so it is imperative that we are mindful of not draining our Yin, which consists of our body fluids including Blood.
There are many ways to allay the injuries of Heat upon our Hearts:
Reduction of heat and sun exposure, this is a concept that most are aware of, from 11 AM to 3 PM., please take this seriously.
Easy to Moderate exercise such as walking should be done very early in the day or later in the afternoon. Excessive exercise will further deplete your body.
Focused or mindful exercises are recommended such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga and Meditation.
Hydration and repletion of fluids to maintain mineral balance are a must. Stay away from icy cold beverages as they shock the body, drinking beverages at a slightly cool temperature during the summer is fine.
A nutritious and cooling fruit is watermelon, eat this away from other fruits and only AFTER you have eaten a whole foods meal with protein as a component. This also applies to eating any other of the deliciously sweet summer fruits, be moderate in their consumption.
Make certain that you are replacing your depleted minerals by eating an abundance of green plants. They are Yin and cooling.
Our Herbal Allies for the Heart are: Hawthorn Berry, Motherwort, Angelica Root (Dong Gui) and Longan Berry.
Finally…but of most importance……… Be with Nature, this is where you and your Shen (Heart-Mind) truly reside. Drink in Summer’s beauty, lighten up your step fill your Heart with Gratitude for all of the gifts offered to us at this time of the year!
Breathe Well, Eat Well and try not to take yourself too seriously!
Lorraine Hughes, Registered Herbalist (AHG)