Combat Summer Heat with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Author: Blake Estape L.Ac.

With the hotter months comes all the staples of summer; oppressive heat, high humidity, and biting sun. As the temperatures climb our bodies are subjective to rapid and intense changes, which in turn can lead to a number of health issues unique to this time of year.

The first and top concern is sunstroke. The Chinese called it Summer Heat and defined it as the following constellation of symptoms:

·         Excessive thirst that is difficult to quench

·         High body heat

·         Palpitations

·         Constipation

·         Headache

·         Nausea

·         Dizziness

In Traditional Medicine, diseases are sometimes compared to elements as a way to direct treatment. Summer heat is ascribed to the qualities of fire – heat, expansion (inflammation), upward motion (high blood pressure/headache), dryness (thirst/constipation) etc. It can be helpful to think of diseases in this way so that we know how to combat them. So what are some things we can do ourselves to protect us from scorching summer days?

1. Watermelon

There are a handful of foods and herbs in TCM that are especially well suited for treating summer heat. One of them is watermelon, both the pink center and the rind. Yes, the green part we throw away is not only edible but also beneficial. It reduces heat, lowers blood pressure and is rich in fiber. Every part of the watermelon is excellent for protection from summer heat, but be careful about eating too much as it can cause stomach discomfort.

Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe:
2 cups watermelon
1 cup watermelon rind
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion
1 garlic clove
1 large tomato
5 basil leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Puree all ingredients and enjoy cold or room temperature.

2. Apples

Sweet, sour and cooling apples are excellent for reducing heat. They’re especially good for heat in the lungs that produce a dry cough, as well as generating fluids for parched mouth and throat.

Apple Coleslaw:
2 cups chopped cabbage
2 large chopped apples
½ grated carrot
1/3 cup chopped bell pepper
1 chopped onion
3 tablespoons cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons brown sugar
lemon juice to taste

1. Combine apples, cabbage, onion and bell pepper in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl mix in mayonnaise, lemon juice and sugar.
3. Pour over salad mixture. Enjoy cold or room temperature.

3. Barley

Barley has a slew of benefits, from helping to settle the stomach, to generating fluids, soothing inflamed membranes, easing urination and more. Roasted barley in particular is an excellent way to ease thirst and reduce internalized heat during hot days when made into a tea.

Barley Tea:
1. Combine two teaspoons of roasted barley with eight cups of water in a pot.
2. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes
3. Remove the water and allow to cool.

You can keep the roasted barley for a second or third decoction. While best unsweetened, you can add a small amount of honey to fight the bitterness.

4. Pineapple

Make sure to eat pineapples that are very ripe and sweet. After removing the exterior, soak in clean purified water with one tablespoon of salt for thirty minutes to counteract the ‘tingling’ sensation and stomach irritation it can cause. Rinse and enjoy. Pineapples are also an excellent remedy for sunstroke.

5. Cucumber

Cucumber is particularly useful during hot dry times, where it can also be used topically to help burns. Like watermelon, eating cucumber with its skin increases the medicinal value

Cucumber Soup:
4 cups chopped cucumber
2 cups water
1 cup oatmeal yogurt
1 clove garlic
3-4 mint leaves
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dill weed

Puree ingredients and serve chilled.

6. More…

Other good foods to help with summer heat are; summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, lemon/lime, coconut milk, pear, chrysanthemum, grapes, lotus root and strawberries.

Of course the best way to keep ourselves safe and healthy is prevention. Don’t spend too much time in direct sun, hydrate with water as needed and if you start to feel uncomfortable find somewhere shaded and cool. Try to avoid switching from somewhere very hot to somewhere cold – for instance, walking into an air-conditioned shop after being outside for a while. This puts considerable strain on the body and can reduce your ability to fight off illness.

If you struggle with heat on a regular basis you may need to address an underlying issue. Traditional Chinese medicine excels at helping the body to rediscover and maintain homeostasis. Call Miami Acupuncture and Herbal Solutions to learn more. (786) 514-3942.