Top Santé UK – August 2019

KEEPING COOL IN THE HEAT
During summer it’s easier to become hot,
sweaty, irritable and uncomfortable, and this
may lead to infl ammatory conditions, prickly
heat and sweat rashes. ‘Becoming dehydrated
can affect digestion, particularly in late
summer when we move into earth energy,
which governs the spleen, pancreas and
stomach,’ says Greg.
Some people are more used to the heat,
depending on their constitution but on a
baking hot day, most struggle, particularly if
working, looking after children or generally
being busy. ‘Now’s the time to eat foods that
have a “cooling” effect, which calm the
blood and reduce toxins and heat,’ says Greg.
Foods in TCM are categorised as cold, cool,
neutral, warming or heating. Cooling foods
are not literally cold in terms of temperature,
but eating them produces a cooling effect in
the body, reducing energetic ‘fi re’.
If overheating is a problem for you, these
foods will help to reduce heat. Foods with a
naturally cooling effect include apples,
grapefruit, cucumber, celery, leafy greens,
bamboo shoots, banana, asparagus,
watermelon, and mint and green tea.’
Perhaps surprisingly, TCM practitioners
don’t recommend icy cold drinks or foods
such as ice cream, as these will dampen down
your digestion, leading to bloating.

STAYING HYDRATED
‘The fi re element also has a drying effect, so
focus on juicy, watery foods to nourish the
fl uids in your body,’ says Greg. ‘Think melon,
grapes, berries, leafy greens and lighter
vegetables.’ Eating bitter foods will, perhaps
surprisingly, help your body during summer
as this is the taste associated with the fi re
element. ‘The bitter taste helps clear heat
from your body,’ says Greg. ‘Bitter greens and
vegetables support your heart and small
intestine. Green vegetables such as sparagus,
chicory, watercress, bitter endive, collards,
aragula (rocket), artichoke and dandelion are
particularly cleansing, while watery
vegetables, including courgettes and
cucumbers, are cooling and moistening.’
However, proponents of TCM don’t favour
eating raw foods, as ‘these slow down
digestion,’ says Jonquil. ‘You can still make
plenty of salads over the summer; simply use
a mixture of lightly cooked or steamed
vegetables and whole grains with other
salad ing redients.’

MOVING INTO LATE SUMMER

Late August to September, in TCM, is the

season of ‘late Summer’ and is presided over

by the earth element. ‘This governs the

spleen, pancreas and stomach,’ says Greg.

The weather becomes balmier and more

humid, and humidity has a damp quality to it

so it’s good to focus on foods that help to

reduce dampness during this time, such as

aromatic herbs (coriander, cardamon), brown

rice, oatmeal, beans and lentils.

The taste associated with the earth element

is sweet. ‘Introduce more root vegetables into

your diet, such as carrots, squash and sweet

potatoes, which will be in season. Also add

wholegrains and complex carbohydrates, as

these contain natural sugars to fortify,

strengthen and nourish your body,’ says Greg.

‘Reduce or avoid dairy foods, and sip herbal

teas (fennel, cardamom) to aid digestion.’

Understanding

the seasons

TCM divides the

year into fi ve

seasons: spring,

early summer

(June to August),

late summer (late

August to

September),

autumn and

winter. Each one

is associated

with a different

element, energy

and organs in the

body.

SPRING

Element Wood.

Organ Liver and

gallbladder.

Energy Creative,

expansive, new.

EARLY SUMMER

Element Fire.

Organ Heart and

small intestine.

Energy Hot,

energetic,

fun-loving.

LATE SUMMER

Element Earth.

Organ Stomach

and spleen

Energy Abundant,

full, plentiful.

AUTUMN

Element Metal.

Organ Lungs and

large intestine.

Energy Releasing,

introspection,

consolidation.

WINTER

Element Water

Organ Kidneys

and bladder

Energy Cool,

dark, restful.

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HEALTH | SUMMER NUTRITION