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Mary Saunders, LAc, Natural Solutions guest expert and founder of Boulder Community Acupuncture
Summer is the height of yang activity, of manifesting and doing, and it is the season that corresponds to the Heart meridian in Chinese medicine. We all look forward to the long days of summer to get to our remodeling projects, gardening, summer school classes, vacations, entertaining the kids and out of town guests, and generally socializing much more.
All this activity is natural to this time of year. However, if not balanced through diet and lifestyle, patients complain of insomnia, feeling nervous, sad, worried, unmotivated, or “keyed up.” Possible causes for an imbalance in the Heart meridian are over-consumption of dairy products, eggs, meats, sugar, peanuts, and refined foods such as white flour products (all of which are heavy and create “dampness”), and tobacco, coffee, alcohol (which create “heat”). Mental over-stimulation and excessive thought also damage the Heart meridian.
What to do with your diet during these hot days of summer:
Tip #1 Eat less and lightly on hot days; include lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Tip #2 Choose simple meals with only a few ingredients.
Tip #3 Cook lightly, steam or simmer foods as quickly as possible.
Tip #4 Include brown rice and oats, as well as small portions of lean protein.
Tip #5 Drink hot liquids to induce sweating and to cool the body
Many patients who complain of fatigue at this time of year tell me they are eating lots of salads and fruits. These raw and cold foods, combined with summer heat, may weaken the digestion leading to fatigue and possibly loose stools.
The color that corresponds to the Heart is red so look to foods of that color to balance the Heart: red pepper, tomatoes, radish, cayenne, and watermelon in particular. To quench the Fire of the Heart, foods filled with water are also indicated: cucumber, celery, lettuce, and my favorite, watermelon.
The Heart is said to “house the mind.” This includes all mental activity, emotions, consciousness and thinking. The warmth of the summer days added to the heat generated by all our activity can be balanced by actions that cultivate a deeper awareness and calm the mind: prayer, meditation, devotional singing, and silent contemplation.
I have been needling a specific point on the Heart meridian a lot these past weeks to clear heat and regulate Heart qi. Heart 8 is on the palm of the hand, between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, where the tip of the little finger rests when a fist is made. It helps to balance the Heart, enabling us to feel the joy of connection to our true self as well as to others and the world.
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