Stay balanced and refreshed with Traditional Chinese Medicine wisdom
As summer blazes on in Vermont, it’s not just the air that gets hot — our bodies feel it too! Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes that seasonal changes deeply affect our health, and in summer, that means managing the “Yang” energy that dominates during the warmest months of the year.
To help your body stay cool, hydrated, and energized, TCM offers guidance in the form of food therapy, herbal medicine, and lifestyle tips rooted in thousands of years of observation. Let’s dive into some of the best cooling foods and herbs to support you through the rest of the summer.
TCM and the Summer Season:
The Fire Element
In TCM, each season corresponds to one of the Five Elements, and summer is ruled by Fire. Fire relates to the Heart and Small Intestine meridians, both of which are responsible for circulation, mental clarity, joy, and emotional balance. When Fire becomes excessive — as it often does in hot, humid weather — we can feel irritable, overheated, restless, or fatigued.
Symptoms of Summer Heat Imbalance:
- Excessive sweating
- Thirst and dehydration
- Red face or skin rashes
- Insomnia or vivid dreams
- Irritability or anxiety
- Digestive upset
Sound familiar? Let’s bring that Fire back into balance with food and herbs that clear Heat, nourish Yin, and support the Heart.
Cooling Foods to Include This Summer
TCM categorizes foods not just by nutrients, but by energetic properties — whether they are warming, neutral, or cooling to the body. Here are some cooling foods perfect for summer:
1. Cucumber
- High in water and very cooling.
- Supports digestion and soothes skin irritation.
- Try adding to salads, smoothies, or infused water.
2. Watermelon
- A classic heat-clearing fruit in TCM.
- Helps reduce thirst, cools the blood, and supports urination (which helps release internal heat).
- Enjoy fresh or blended as a hydrating juice.
3. Mint
- Aromatic and slightly cooling.
- Traditionally used to clear heat from the head (great for summer headaches).
- Steep as a tea or add fresh leaves to food.
4. Mung Beans
- A staple in TCM summer soups and teas.
- Known for clearing Heat and detoxifying the body.
- Boil into a soup or make a cold mung bean porridge with coconut milk.
5. Bitter Melon
- Strongly cooling and detoxifying.
- May help regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
- Best stir-fried or cooked into broths (a bit of an acquired taste!).
6. Greens like Romaine, Bok Choy, and Dandelion
- These support liver function and gently clear heat.
- Dandelion greens also support skin health and detox pathways.
TCM Herbs for Cooling and Balancing
Many traditional Chinese herbs help release excess heat, calm the mind, and promote fluid balance. Some commonly used ones include:
- Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua): Clears heat from the eyes and head; great in tea.
- Lotus Leaf (He Ye): Used in summer herbal blends to reduce heat and support digestion.
- Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi): While not cooling, it preserves fluids and supports the Heart and Kidneys — ideal when there’s heat with sweating or fatigue.
Note: Always consult your acupuncturist or herbalist before taking herbs, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on medications.
If you’re interested in cooling herbal formulas tailored to your constitution
Lifestyle Tips for Staying Cool
- Hydrate with room-temperature water — avoid ice-cold drinks, which can impair digestion.
- Nap or rest in the early afternoon when heat is most intense.
- Practice gentle movement like walking or Qi Gong in the morning or evening.
- Wear loose, light-colored natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
- Get acupuncture to balance your body’s response to heat — it’s one of the most effective tools in TCM for calming internal Fire. Book your summer session here.
Lifestyle Tips for Staying Cool
- Hydrate with room-temperature water — avoid ice-cold drinks, which can impair digestion.
- Nap or rest in the early afternoon when heat is most intense.
- Practice gentle movement like walking or Qi Gong in the morning or evening.
- Wear loose, light-colored natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
- Get acupuncture to balance your body’s response to heat — it’s one of the most effective tools in TCM for calming internal Fire. Book your summer session here.
Does Summer Heat Affect Health? What the Science Says
From a Western perspective, excessive heat exposure can contribute to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sleep disturbance. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and irritability during hot weather are common — and align closely with what TCM calls a “Summer Heat” pattern.
While modern medicine doesn’t use the same framework as TCM, both agree that supporting hydration, cooling the body, and maintaining rest are key to summer wellness.
Stay Balanced This Summer
TCM teaches us that wellness isn’t just about avoiding illness — it’s about staying in harmony with nature’s rhythms. Eating cooling foods, drinking supportive teas, and adjusting your lifestyle even slightly can make a profound difference.
Let us support you through every season. Come in for a tune-up acupuncture session, pick up custom herbal teas, or get personalized food therapy recommendations.
