Summer Wellness: TCM and the Seasons – Summer Heart Fire Balance Strategies

Of course, I’m going to continue this series because while I write these for you all, it gives me the opportunity to step away from the clinical aspect and learn, too! We may know a lot in school, but it’s impossible to learn EVERYTHING!

We’ve chatted about winter and spring, but now as we enter into it, summer is on the table to chat! This season brings unique challenges and opportunities for summer wellness through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

The summer season is associated with the element of fire (naturally), and the channels are the small Intestine and Heart, San Jiao, and the Pericardium. The latter two are more conceptual for Westerners than tangible since they aren’t really organs we can draw likeness from or to, but nevertheless, they are still affiliated with the summer in TCM.

Along with the elements, the emotion of summer is JOY! No wonder, right? It’s hard to be unhappy with the sun shining at its brightest. More socialization is happening and overall human connectedness with gatherings and events most commonly taking place during the warmer months—an important aspect of summer wellness.

Strangely, however, unlike the other seasons that seemed to have obvious relationships with their flavors, the flavor of fire (or summer, as it stands) is bitter. Most people have averse to bitter foods; they’re not foods we readily seek out or anticipate enjoying. But this is perhaps why writing these posts is helpful for me as is reading them for you.

I come from a place of deconstruction, so let me analyze this walking backwards, so to speak. As much as I practice acupuncture, I am a naturopathic doctor at my root, and when I think of bitter, I can’t help but think of digestive bitters, or just gastrointestinal (GI) functions in general. If you hail from the “roaring 20’s” you’ll well remember the bitters that were included in cocktails; they’re the same bitters I’m talking about right now.

What many people of that time didn’t know was that bitters activate the bitter receptors on one’s tongue. This begins to stimulate the digestive process: secretion of digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and all the other triggers to assist in proper digestion and assimilation of our food into nutrients. While bitters may not be used as often in cocktails today, they still exist in tincture form and I often prescribe them in my practice for these exact reasons—supporting summer wellness by enhancing digestion.

But how does this relate to fire, summer, and the heart and small intestine?

Summer Wellness Insights: Balancing Heart Fire with Traditional Chinese Medicine

An obvious connection would be the small intestine’s involvement in digestion. While the Chinese Small Intestine does stake some claim in digestion, it also has more abstract purposes. In TCM, the small intestine separates the clear from the turbid—not just physically but also mentally, such as when we struggle to sift through pros and cons in decision-making.

It’s also possible to juxtapose the flavor bitter with the feeling, too. The heart is easily damaged by bitter feelings, especially because it seeks out JOY! It’s worth noting that when utilizing bitters as a digestive aid, it provides an invigorating sensation that can help awaken the circulatory system, of which the heart plays a vital role.

Even if this post wasn’t primarily about digestion (my favorite topic!), it somehow went there. Some could say it’s a myopic viewpoint—I just say that everything is related back to your gut :).

Summer Wellness Tips: Supporting Heart and Small Intestine Health Naturally

Additional Tips for Enhancing Summer Wellness Through TCM. To truly embrace summer wellness, consider incorporating bitter foods and herbs into your diet such as dandelion greens, arugula, and gentian root tinctures. These can help balance heart fire and support the small intestine’s function. Staying hydrated with cooling herbal teas like chrysanthemum or mint also supports the heart and clears heat.

Physical activity during summer should be moderate and mindful—think tai chi or gentle yoga outdoors—to promote circulation without overtaxing the heart. Prioritize rest and joy, as emotional balance is key to maintaining heart health in the summer.

Finally, protecting yourself from excessive heat and sun exposure is essential. Overheating can exacerbate heart fire imbalance, leading to irritability, insomnia, or palpitations. Wearing light clothing, seeking shade, and cooling practices like misting or cold compresses can help maintain summer wellness.