“Late summer is a pleasant, tranquil and flourishing season, it is as if time stops here and activity becomes effortless, dreamlike. Unity, harmony, and the middle way are summoned between the extremes.”
Quote from Healing with Whole Foods, by Paul Pitchford, 1993
Chinese medicine recognizes late summer as a distinct season giving us 5 seasons a year to correspond with the 5 elements.
What qualities do you associate with late summer? What subtle influences shape your mindset, the foods you eat, your activity level?
In Chinese medicine late summer is characterized by transformation. Late summer is a transitional time between Spring and Summer, and Fall and Winter. It happens to fall more or less at the mid-way point of the Chinese Year.
During the Spring and Summer, “Yang”, the active and warm energies are building and reaching their peak. In late summer “Yang” peaks and begins to transition to the “yin” qualities of Fall and Winter, the cooler and less active seasons. Our gardens die back. The days shorten. We move towards hibernation, or at least the desire to hibernate……even if the back-to-school and holiday bustle betray that.
Late summer is the pendulum swing between two extremes. It is associated with the Stomach and Spleen organs in Chinese medicine, which reflect qualities of the Earth Element. It is thought that the Earth Element and its centering influences play a role in the transition between all of the seasons.
From Pitchford again, “The Earth Element has a strong influence over the 15 days surrounding each of the two equinoxes and the two solstices (7 1/2 days before and after). These are neutral buffers between the seasons, which change at the equinoxes and solstices. The interchange periods represent pivotal pauses in the light patterns we experience from the sun, the center of our solar system.”
The lag in the increase or decrease of the days length around these seasonal transitions can be referenced in the newspaper or daily almanac.
Let’s get to know a little more about the role of the Stomach & Spleen to better understand how we can harmonize ourselves with the Late Summer season upon us.
The Stomach and Spleen are primarily responsible for the digestion and distribution of food and nutrients. The stomach does the ‘rotting and ripening’. Spleen, also referred to as Spleen-Pancreas, for its role in digestive enzymes and reproductive hormones, produces the blood that nourishes the heart, warms our digestive fire, nourishes our flesh, and strengthens our four limbs.
Late Summer can favor:
- Increased digestive power
- Better nutrient absorption
- Improved energy levels
- Enhanced immunity
Some potential challenges to the functioning of the Stomach and Spleen are:
- Dampness accumulation from Late Summer’s humidity: You may experience lethargy, fatigue, achiness, and brain fog.
- Digestive issues: Consuming too many cold and damp foods such as too many uncooked fresh fruit and veggies available, as well as ice-cream can burden the Stomach & Spleen which rely on a certain amount of digestive fire to perform their duties. Signs of overconsumption of cold and damp are bloating, loose stools, nausea, and lack of appetite.
- Worry and overthinking: In Chinese Medicine excessive worry and overthinking can damage Stomach & Spleen qi.
Here’s how you can fall into step with the natural rhythm of Late Summer and support your Stomach and Spleen.
Dietary Recommendations:
- Eat warm, cooked foods.
- Incorporate yellow and orange foods. These colors resonate with the Earth Element.
- Choose naturally sweet flavors from in-season fruits such as apples, and root veggies such as carrots and beets.
- Avoid excessive cold or raw foods.
Below is my favorite congee recipe. So tonifying for the Stomach and Spleen. So warming on these slightly cooler Late Summer mornings:
For a single serving:
- 1/2 cup quick organic oats
- 3 cups of water
- 5 pitted dates, chopped
- 1 TBSP of butter
- Combine ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
Lifestyle Recommendations:
- Enjoy food preparation. The digestive process actually begins while you are preparing your food.
- Practice mindful eating. Chew thoroughly and avoid overeating.
- Establish regular eating times.
- Engage in gentle exercises like Tai Chi and QiGong. Both draw blood into the four limbs and center the mind, thereby reducing stress, worry, and overthinking.
- Receive bodywork. Stomach and Spleen are associated with nourishing and nurturing and they govern the flesh. Nourish your flesh with nurturing touch and support your Stomach and Spleen.
- Receive acupuncture and moxabustion, a warming technique which is particularly beneficial for the Spleen.
May this Late Summer bring you unity, harmony, and sweet moments of effortlessness as the peak of summer pauses then gives way to Fall.
Sources:
Healing With Whole Foods, Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. Paul Pitchford, 1993. North Atlantic Books. (pp. 299-306).