Cooling the Fire: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Supports Late Summer Wellness
As we move deeper into summer, the days are still long and hot—but in Chinese Medicine, we're already beginning to sense the shift into Late Summer, a transitional season that starts to arrive in late July and carries us into August. It’s a time to cool the fire of early summer and begin grounding into the Earth element, which governs digestion, emotional balance, and overall stability.
In Chinese Medicine, Late Summer is ruled by the Earth element, which governs the Spleen and Stomach, our digestive organs responsible not just for breaking down food, but also for processing thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It’s a time to care for our inner soil—to support digestion, calm the mind, and restore balance after the intensity of summer.
Common Late Summer Symptoms:
As we move into this new season, some people feel off-balance and don’t know why. You might notice:
Fatigue or sluggish digestion
Brain fog or difficulty focusing
Sugar cravings, bloating, or swelling
Increased worry or overthinking
Skin issues or lingering inflammation
These are all signs the Earth element may need extra support.
How Acupuncture Can Help:
Acupuncture helps bring the body into harmony with the season by:
Cooling internal heat from summer
Strengthening digestion and nutrient absorption
Balancing mood and calming the nervous system
Supporting fluid metabolism to clear dampness and inflammation
With consistent treatment, patients often feel more grounded, nourished, and clear—both physically and emotionally.
Easy Ways to Support Your Earth Element at Home:
Eat warm, simple foods: Think lightly cooked veggies, soups, rice, and seasonal fruit- peaches, pears, melons
Avoid excessive raw, cold, or sugary foods that can weaken digestion.
Stay hydrated with room-temperature water and minerals like LMNT.
Slow down and ground: Establish a daily rhythm, spend time barefoot outside, and prioritize rest.
Be gentle with yourself—this is a time to integrate, not initiate.
🌿 TCM Wisdom: The Five Elements & Seasonal Flow
In Chinese Medicine, each season is tied to a natural element and organ system:
Spring – Wood (Liver/Gallbladder): growth, vision, movement
Summer – Fire (Heart/Small Intestine): joy, expansion, expression
Late Summer – Earth (Spleen/Stomach): nourishment, grounding, integration
Autumn – Metal (Lungs/Large Intestine): letting go, clarity, grief
Winter – Water (Kidneys/Bladder): rest, stillness, deep wisdom
By syncing our lives with these seasonal rhythms, we strengthen our health and emotional resilience.
Chinese Medicine teaches that healing is not a straight line—it’s a cycle, just like the seasons. As we shift into Late Summer, this is your invitation to pause, come home to your body, and nourish the parts of you that are ready to be tended.
If you're feeling scattered, heavy, or in need of a reset, acupuncture may be exactly what your body is asking for. I'd love to support you in finding balance, clarity, and ease as we transition into fall.
Love, Dr. Kallie
