On May 7th, we were delighted to present Professor Dalia Sekmokienė's lecture on preparing the body for summer according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Summer is associated with the element of fire, which, in Chinese medicine, governs the heart and small intestine channels.
These channels are active during summer, and the fire element represents warmth, expansion, activity, emotions, and social life. Spring must be harmonious (especially the functions of the liver and gallbladder) since it generates the energy of fire. The earth element is particularly important during the transition (spring → summer). Incorrect dietary habits or excessive consumption of sour/sweet foods can disrupt the transition and cause an imbalance in the body and emotions.
Summer is also a favorable time for harmonizing the body, feelings, and thoughts. Chinese medicine teaches that humans are a microcosm reflecting the macrocosm. The fire element encourages creativity, new ideas, and optimism. Imbalance in the three jiao and pericardium channels can lead to stress, anxiety, and even mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). The fire element is closely connected to metabolism, enzyme and hormone production, oxidation, and catabolism. The heart and small intestine channels are essential for nutrient absorption and emotional balance. Summer is the ideal time for health enhancement, meditation, light physical activity, and emotional management. Cooling foods are recommended (bitter flavors, green vegetables, watermelon, mint).
Prof. D. Sekmokienė offers practical advice for the summer season: drinking water at body temperature, practicing showers with varying temperatures, moderately enjoying coffee as it suppresses qi energy, and indulging more in herbal preparations (e.g., hawthorn, rosehips, licorice, turmeric, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg), which strengthen the activity of the heart and small intestine channels, improve metabolism, and reduce inflammation and cholesterol.
According to the scholar, physical activity in summer should be calm, slow, and harmonizing—such as walks in nature, outdoor meditation. It's important in summer to harmonize one's emotions, spiritual life and to understand one's life mission. This can involve simple actions: caring for family, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and being a positive example to others.
This lecture provided a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and energetic changes typical of the summer season, along with practical advice on maintaining health and harmony based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.