Five Tips for Optimal Summer Wellness According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
(Eva Inglizian, L.Ac. is an on-site acupuncturist and herbalist at Natura Health and Wellness Clinic.)
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the seasons have a profound influence on our well-being. Each season has its own attributes and by truly aligning with them, they allow us to live in balance with nature and achieve vitality and health. In this article I share five wellness tips on how to tap into summer as a period of luxurious growth.
1. Embody Your Yang Energy
Summer is the season of utmost yang. Yang is the principle of growth, expansion, outward-focus, creativity and manifestation.
- Wake early and mimic what our garden flowers and feathery friends do.
- Feel nurtured by the sun, and blossom and shine your brightest expression.
- Play, adventure and be creative while enjoying the brilliance of the outside world.
Symptoms of yang deficiency are cold hands and feet, sluggish in the morning, loose stools, fatigue, and low libido.
As an acupuncturist I assist my clients with yang deficiency by activating certain acupuncture points to tonify and strengthen their yang energy. Boosting your yang energy now is beneficial as it sets you up with a strong immune system as we transition into fall and winter in a few months.
2. Summer Food Preparation
Prepare and enjoy all the brightly colored summer fruits and vegetables (I am loving the artichokes and dandelion greens that are fresh right now at the Saturday Farmer’s market).
- Sauté or steam your food lightly using a touch of pungent, spicy flavor to balance the cool nature of summer produce.
- Avoid oven use during the hottest months.
- Drink hot liquids and take warm showers to induce sweating when you feel overly hot.
- Eat smaller amounts, less protein, and practice mindful eating on cool patios, or enjoy a picnic in the forest.
Clients often come to me because of digestive issues. They may have symptoms of bloating, acid reflux, constipation or diarrhea.
I do acupuncture points that boost digestive energy, soothing stomach and spleen disharmonies along with nutritional suggestions for their constitution and the season. My favorite cooling summer tea is sun tea made of chrysanthemum and mint and my favorite summer salad is arugula, watermelon and feta salad with a drizzle of good olive oil.
3. Heal Your Heart
Summer is the season of the Fire Element, which rules the organs of the heart and small intestine. The heart acupuncture meridian affects the actual heart and the mind (spirit). The heart represents the emotional center of your body.
- When the heart is in balance we feel friendly, compassionate, have awakened minds and have a deep sense of clarity.
When there is an imbalance in the heart there is a scattered or foggy mind, depression, anxiety, memory loss, insomnia, pale face, and aversion to heat.
When my clients present with heart imbalances, I use points on the heart meridian, and use auricular (ear) acupuncture to calm the spirit, and tonify the heart allowing for peace, joy, and clarity to return.
4. Stay Hydrated and Nurture Your Yin
During the hot and active summer months it is vital to replenish your fluids (yin substance). Yin represents your cooling nature, your feminine energy (all genders have a yin-feminine side), and your introspection.
- Infuse your water with cucumber, strawberry, apple slices or mint.
- Although summer is the yang season it is important to not exhaust yourself with all the fun activities. Play hard, but remember to take care of your yin energy.
- Practice cold dunking in a fresh river or lake water to replenish your yin.
- Meditate under a full moon, and lather nourishing and lubricating oils on your skin to keep supple and soft.
5. Rest and Rejuvenate
In the midst of all the summer festivities, recreation, and fun, take time for some R & R. Acupuncture is a great way to harmonize your nervous system, reduce inflammation that may be causing pain, and deeply restore your reserves.
- Try Qi Gong tapping (gently tap along your arms, legs and torso) as a fantastic and easy way to release stagnant energy and open up the flow through the meridians to feel revitalized.
I offer facial rejuvenation acupuncture as well to my clients for a healing session paired with the ancient beautification techniques of facial gua sha, facial cupping and massage. My clients feel the benefits of regular acupuncture and their radiant vitality shines from the inside out.
About Eva Inglizian L.Ac
As a licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist, Eva Inglizian L.Ac is the third generation of healers in her family. Eva’s passion is in empowering individuals to feel their own sense of harmony and vitality and tap into their spiritual higher self. Eva’s clients come to her for health maintenance and preventive care, empowering them as unique individuals rather than a disease process. Eva has been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for 20 years. Born into a family of healers ranging from her Father, an Emergency Room physician and psychologist to her Mother a nurse, Eva has healing in her blood. Eva Inglizian L.Ac offers healing acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, cupping, and healing touch Qi Gong treatments. Eva looks forward to guiding you on your wellness journey.
Read more about Eva here.
Book a treatment with Eva at Natura now!