Summer TCM Therapeutic Diet

 


Summer TCM Therapeutic Diet

 Authors: Shang-May Chen, M.S., L.Ac.


Summer time is hot. It's the foremost time of flourishing and growing for life. It's the season of Heart. The human metabolism rate is vigorously alive due to evaporation of Yang Qi and body fluids in the body due to hot temperature. It's natural to eat lighter during the summer, and you can easily do so without feeling deprived beceause of heat. When it is raining seasons in the summer time in some parts of the world, there is increasing dampness accumulation in the body. We may consume foods which have the functions to clear summer fire, drain dampness but prevent dehydration, like lotus, tofu, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, bitter melons, water melons, pear, cantaloupes, lemons, licorice, mung beans, seeds of job's tears (Yi Yi Ren), sprouts, lettuce, banana, egg white. High fiber fresh salads will help to take away excessive heat in the body. Formula Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Astraglus & Atractylodes Combination) is a beneficial formula for replenishing deficiency caused by excessive summer heat and dampness as well as strengthen digestion functions in summer.


Be careful with food storage hygiene in summer. People can easily have some indigestion or stomach flu problems due to rotten or unclean contagious foods. People enjoy cold beers and ice cream in summer, which is not a wise choice according to TCM. Any icy cold foods can instantly restrict the blood vessels, blood circulation and cause some damage in a lot of organs later on. Especially avoid fried or hot spicy foods to keep body and sprit cool in summer time.

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* Articles Originally Published in SUN TEN Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2006

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