It’s the end of September and here at the clinic we are all well into “back to school” vibes.
We’re also into the Earth season in Chinese Medicine as, well as Mabon in the Pagan Wheel, both of which are all about gathering in the harvest as we move towards the sleep of winter.
It’s time to take stock, drink in the celebration and abundance of summer, and let that nourish our body and mind.
During this time of year, we focus on the digestive system, nourishment, and stability.
The Spleen and Stomach
The Spleen is in charge of making our body's qi and blood, which are the vital substances needed to stay healthy. Additionally, the spleen “holds” the blood in the vessels, and ascends energy to prevent prolapse of various organs like the uterus and bladder. Most importantly, the Spleen transforms the food we eat into energy and transports that nutritive energy (“ying qi”) to other parts of our body. When the spleen is weak or out of balance, various health issues from digestive to gynecological to emotional arise.
The Earth element relates to issues of dampness (humidity, heaviness, phlegm) - the climate of late summer. Dampness shows up in the body in many ways: physical fatigue, mental fatigue, worry, digestive problems, and muscle weakness to name a few. Because the spleen and stomach meridian systems are particularly impacted by dampness, food therapy becomes so important to keep everything on track.
Seasonal Wellness
Now is the time to reinforce the vitality of the earth element and spleen Qi- acupuncture, food therapy, and mindfulness are important to counteract illness, as winter is coming and we want to to tonify our immune systems. I always give my children probiotics at this time of year as they go back to school.
As summer draws to a close, it’s time to phase out your consumption of cold raw foods, including smoothies, ice water, and salads. Dairy, refined sugars, and fatty and greasy foods also contribute to dampness. Do include warm, cooked meals. Aromatic spices like ginger, fennel, coriander, caraway, and cardamom help to warm things up, resolves dampness, and strengthen the spleen Qi.
The color of the Earth is yellow. The Su Wen Chapter 10 states that, “yellow corresponds to the Spleen”. Eating foods that are yellow and orange are especially supportive for Spleen health. Examples include squash, sweet potato, yams, corn, papaya, and carrots.