Cooling Down in Summer

The Mend - 001

I don’t know about you, but I feel like summer came out of nowhere despite the fact that it is late June. The 20th marked the Summer Solstice and brought the summer heat with it.

Here are some thoughts on heat this season and how we can navigate it to keep us in balance.

---

Summer heat

Summer Heat is hot, active, and dispersing. It easily agitates the Heart and scatters the Shen. Shen in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is related to the Heart Channel and the Mind connection. (Which we’ll dive into next time!) This disturbance is a leading cause to mental restlessness, insomnia, or erratic emotions. Summer heat itself is a Yang pathogenic factor and can tend to injure Yin / fluids in the body.

This can manifest with symptoms like: fever, aversion to cold, no sweating, headache, heaviness of the body, uncomfortable sensation in epigastrium, irritability and thirst.

---

Fire vs Heat

Fire can be internal or external, Heat is pathological. Heat and Fire have obviously the same nature and share similar characteristics; they will both cause thirst, a feeling of heat and in some cases mental restlessness.

TCM encourages us to avoid eating habits that scatter the mind or generate excess internal heat. These include:

• Meals with too many complex ingredients

• Very spicy or heavily seasoned dishes

• Fried and greasy foods

• Refined sugar and sweets

• Excessive coffee or stimulants

• Eating late at night

---

Cold vs Cooling

When the hot weather strikes we quickly turn to our iced drinks, smoothies and cold foods like salads and ice cream. While yes these are cooling in every sense they carry another unwanted element. Cold. In TCM this is a pathogenic factor that can lead to sluggishness, stagnation, contraction and slowing of the circulation in the body limiting functions.

I see the trend in patients that are having menstrual pain and having difficulty conceiving. Having disruption in digestion such as loose stools and abdominal pain and some cases no appetite. The common denominator is the vast amount of iced coffees/drinks, smoothies and raw salads in their diets.

Intake of cooling foods will help tremendously in this summer heat opposed to the overload of iced/cold shocks to your system:

A short list that you can reference here is:

• cucumbers

• celery

• lettuce

• mint

• watermelon

• spinach

• zucchini

• tomato

---

How Acupuncture Supports You in the Summer

Summer is vibrant and energizing—but it can also overwhelm the body, especially the Heart channel in Chinese Medicine. Heat, humidity, and nonstop activity can leave you feeling scattered, restless, or fatigued.

Even with the right foods, sometimes your system needs a deeper reset. Acupuncture helps calm Heart qi, clear internal heat, and restore balance in the body, so you don’t have to push through discomfort.

With the right seasonal support, you can feel lighter, more centered, and fully enjoy the rhythm of summer.

Let’s connect for a Free 15 minute consultation!

Interested in learning more about my offerings?

Catch ya next time!

With love, Shametra Rozzel, LAc

Your Own at Home Guide

This guide includes everything you need to support your body through the hot, active months of summer using the wisdom of TCM. From foods that help you cool down and nourish Yin, to habits that protect your Heart and calm the mind, this printable is designed to help you feel more balanced, rested, and vibrant all season long.

Below you'll find:

• Cooling foods and herbs

• Lifestyle to-do’s to avoid internal heat

• Foods and habits to avoid during peak heat

Use it as a reference, stick it on your fridge, or share this newsletter with someone who needs support this season.