Pulling Down the Moon

Summer in Traditional Chinese Medicine

May 25, 2015

It’s finally summer! Time for street fairs, farmers markets, outdoor concerts and hitting the beach. Summer in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the most yang time of the year. Corresponding to the fire element, a time for heat, we will find growth both in nature (gardens are sprouting!) and our own lives. The fire element is associated with the heart/ small intestine, the emotion of joy, the color red and bitter taste. Our heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout our body and in TCM it also houses our “shen or spirit. When the fire element is balanced and in harmony, the heart is pumping strong and is healthy, the spirit is calm and sleep is sound. When the fire element is unbalanced or in disharmony, depression or insomnia may arise.


TCM based Nutrition categorizes food based on their energetic properties and temperature. Eating foods that are moistening and cool in nature will help to keep you hydrated.


Avoid dehydration by eating “cool this summer with these tips!

  • Add cucumber or mint to your water
  • Eat more fruit and veggies, take advantage of farmers markets and eat what’s in season Examples: lettuce, watermelon, spinach, corn, broccoli, asparagus, watercress
  • Avoid hot, greasy or spicy food
  • Add more seafood and fish to your diet


Swimming, meditation and yoga can keep the spirit calm, maintain good sleep and help your personal growth this summer season. Now get out there and enjoy, after all, joy is the emotion of the season!

Share on Social

Discuss With Us

Our Latest Resources

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
A man is comforting a woman who is sitting on a couch.
January 27, 2025
Connect with others who understand your journey. Discover online infertility support groups to share experiences, gain advice, and find emotional sup
January 21, 2025
Discover Our New Testing Options to Support Your Fertility Journey
More Posts
Share by: