In Chinese Medicine, the summertime is a time for maximum activity and symbolizes the greatest yang energy.
It is a time of heat, being outgoing and getting out into nature and enjoying the feeling of the Sun on our bodies. As a season, it is time to nourish and pacify the spirit while finding joy in our movement outdoors on those hot summer days and warm summer nights.
Cool Down with Chinese Medicine
Fire is the element that is engaged with Summertime. This element of fire corresponds to the heart and small intestine organs and affects them directly. The South is the direction, the color red, feeling happiness and joy, the sound of laughter, bitterness as its taste and the smell of burning things. Fire, as an element controls the blood vessels and we see its influence on the body in the face and complexion.
Signs that the fire element is in balance include a strong and healthy heart, a calm mind and the ability to sleep soundly. When the fire element is imbalanced, we may either lack joy (depression) or have an excess of joy (mania). Indicators of an imbalance in the fire element also include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia.
To have this element in balance we must have a healthy heart, a calm mind and we sleep soundly without excessive dreaming. When this balance is not maintained, we may lack joy, thus having depression or have an excess of joy which results in a manic state of being. Being fire, signs of burning are also an indicator of imbalance such as heartburn, agitation and nervousness.
For those of you who like to get treatment quarterly to maintain balance in your life, now is the time to get your summer treatment. Give a call today!