Cycles Of Change
© 2002 Carolyn Eddleston
Home
About
contact
Acupunture
Philosophy
element types
advice
exercises
Nutrition
Links

  A New Vision of Health

  Back to Top

Seasonal Advice Sheet

Element

We are now in the summer season, a season of warmth, light and laughter. Summer in TCM is related to the fire element. The fire element is associated with several organs within the body and their associated meridians. Each one is more active in the summer. The fire element is also related to the colour red.

Organ Associations

The organs most dominant in summer are the heart, the small intestine, the pericardium (a protective layer around the heart), and what is referred to as the triple warmer, or sanjiao, a complex system that incorporates the endocrine system, and the connective tissue.

The heart in TCM houses the consciousness. This can be seen as the spark or twinkle. in the eyes. The heart is considered the supreme ruler of the entire body-mind, and is protected fiercely (interestingly in western medicine, cancer of the heart is extremely rare). The heart also rules the blood and vessels and controls the tongue (ulcers on the tip of the tongue indicate heat in the heart). The pericardium manages the circulation of blood and protects the heart from emotional knocks, shock, sorrow or overwhelming joy (leading to mania in its extreme), which can all injure the heart. Loss of consciousness is a direct assault to the heart, and there is often less energy or a feeling of disconnection after such an event.

Being an individual, yet connected to others is the true power of the heart.

Emotional Associations

Physically, the small intestine has the same digestive function as in western medicine. Emotionally, it filters out negativity that could injure the heart.

Each organ and element has a corresponding emotion associated with it. The emotions associated with the fire organs are love, laughter, joy, intimacy in social and personal settings and also the ability to separate pure from impure, or see the wood from the trees.

If you’re feeling generally enthusiastic, excited, compassionate, aware, loving, warm and intimate, your fire element is appropriately alight!

If however, you feel anxious, sweaty, you are having dream-disturbed sleep, are feeling low or flat, withdrawn, or burnt out, you need some support to balance your elements.

Seasonal Advice

If you know you are hot headed, drink some peppermint tea to cool your system.

Summer is a playful season - just observe the young animals. I would advise you to begin to move your body, particularly whilst in nature - we live within some beautiful countryside. You should be feeling more energetic and lighter. If not, invest in some acupuncture, which will support you to rebalance your 5 elements and hence your entire organ system.

Dietary Advice

Foods with a bitter taste will tonify the heart. Other foods that tonify the heart are: Chicken egg yolks, cinnamon twigs, mung beans, red or green peppers, saffron, watermelon and ginger. If you do have a lot of heat in your body, remember that these foods are warming the fire element, listen to what your digestive system is telling you.


Have a happy, healthy Summer!
Back to Top