Maintain health in summer, protect the mind and nourish the spleen and stomach

Start of Summer Wellness: Nurturing the Heart and Spleen

The Start of Summer (Lixia), the first solar term of summer, signals rising temperatures and increasing yang energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This season emphasizes nourishing the heart (*xin*) and strengthening the spleen and stomach (*piwei*), as they are vulnerable to summer’s heat and dampness.

The heart, corresponding to fire in TCM, governs mental and emotional activities. Excessive summer heat can disturb the heart, causing symptoms like irritability, insomnia, or restlessness. To protect the heart, incorporate cooling foods: mung beans, watermelon, and chrysanthemum tea help clear heat, while goji berries and longan (in moderation) nourish heart blood. Emotionally, practices like meditation, deep breathing, or gentle morning walks (before 10 a.m.) calm the shen (spirit), preventing stress from overwhelming the mind.

Simultaneously, the spleen, responsible for digestion, weakens in damp weather. Overconsumption of cold, raw, or greasy foods can impair its function, leading to bloating, fatigue, or poor appetite. Support the spleen with warm, easily digestible foods: congee (rice porridge), yams, and pumpkin. Avoid excessive iced drinks; instead, opt for warm herbal teas like ginger or astragalus. Light exercise, such as tai chi or qigong, also boosts qi and aids digestion.

By balancing heart-nourishing and spleen-strengthening practices, we align with summer’s rhythms, fostering vitality and resilience for the season ahead.