As the angle of the sun shifts, and the glorious weather of late summer lingers, a sense of melancholy permeates the air. In Chinese cosmology, the start and end of a season is not dictated by the calendar, rather by events in nature. While this time of year is often referred to as autumn, autumn really doesn’t begin until there is a noticeable sharp, crisp change to the air.
In late summer, the dark vibrant green in the trees begins to fade into a more yellow hue. Orange and yellow vegetables such as pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes and yams are abundant. These veggies match the color and sweet taste of the season which are considered nourishing to the Earth Element that corresponds to Late Summer.
As always, taking dietary cues from nature is the best way to support your system, especially your digestive system. Fresh fruits have ripened; grapes, apples, figs and pears are in abundance and their natural sweetness support the Stomach and Spleen, which are the organs corresponding to Late Summer.
Late summer helps us transition from the heat of summer – the most yang time of year, into fall and then winter – the most yin time of year. As we straddle this transition, moving away from cold and raw foods into warm, cooked foods will be somewhat of a natural shift. If you are still craving cold food and drinks, it could point to too much heat in your system, especially in your Stomach.
Too much heat in the Stomach could show up as acid reflux, constant thirst, insatiable hunger, sour stomach, or nausea after eating. To help with excess heat in the Stomach it is best to avoid spicy food and acidic foods, alcohol and too much meat. Visiting a Chinese Medicine practitioner who uses herbs, dietary recommendations and acupuncture treatment is a great way to alleviate these symptoms.
Even if you have no symptoms, it is time for your 'seasonal tune-up'! Getting rebalanced with acupuncture treatment when you are well helps ensure you stay healthy through the seasons!
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