Medicine of Late Summer

I have found myself repeatedly drawn in by the subtle shift that I’ve sensed as the summer season entered into August and I can’t help but write about it.

Before you read on, might you pause to take a deep breath and reflect upon this season we are in for just a moment (or longer)?

“June and July blur together in a beautiful way

And then comes August

Different, but how?

Peak summer to late summer

The shift is subtle yet so profound

Can you feel it too?

Can you feel the shift in nature's energy,

How the morning and evening just are just not the same as they were in June or July,

How there’s this feeling that change is coming and still the flowers are blooming and the harvests are abundant,

How there's this duality- feeling a pull to ground down yet also to make the most of the fading Summer sun.

It is no longer peak Summer.

And it is not quite Autumn.

Here we are in Late Summer.”

-:-:-

“Late Summer”, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is the fifth season. It is a transitional season between Summer and Autumn*.

The mere fact that such an ancient practice such as TCM acknowledges this time of the year as an entire season in itself feels significant and worth paying attention to. It affirms that this season, even though it doesn’t dramatically stand out like the other seasons, plays an important role in nature’s rhythm and therefore our own rhythm and health as well.

Nature, generally speaking, has found a sustainable rhythm through its seasons.

Each season holds different qualities and offers different gifts.

Although we often forget, we, too, are Nature.

We, too, thrive when living in rhythm with the seasons.

As magical as it may sound to live in perpetual Summer, it isn’t sustainable.

Ignoring the seasons which our whole being longs for only sets us up for imbalance, which may lead to dis-ease and possibly disease.

How we tend to ourselves in this season impacts how we move through the next.

If you are someone who really struggles in Autumn, possibly:

• catching whatever bug may be making its way around

• feeling stuffy and miserable with allergies

• not sleeping and/or not feeling rested

• experiencing seasonal digestive disturbances

• or any combination (or something different all together)…

  
  

Explore making some changes in this season. Below, I’ll list some simple ways we can tend to ourselves in Late Summer, which sets us up much better for Autumn. Try picking one or two bullet points and incorporate them into your routine and see how that goes with some time.

I can’t not mention that meeting with an herbalist for a seasonal visit to get the support your body is looking for is also incredibly supportive! A simple check-in 4-5 times/ year (aka: seasonally) makes all the difference in one’s health, both in the short-term and in the long-term 🙌

~Back to Late Summer in TCM and how to tend to ourselves well~

In TCM, each season, including Late Summer, is correlated with a different element, organ pairing, taste, emotion, etcetera.

Late Summer correlates with the Earth element, stomach & spleen, sweet taste, and the emotion of worry.

As promised, here are some simple practices to lean into this season to support us now while also preparing our bodies/minds for the coming season of Autumn:

Late Summer Eating:

• Start reducing raw and cold foods/beverages and increase the warm and cooked meals

• Add in some warming spices: ginger, fennel, coriander, cardamom..

• Savor nourishing sweets: sweet potatoes, stewed apples, carrots, millet, rice..

  
  

Late Summer Activities:

• Take a slower pace - go for a slow nature walk or choose a nature sit spot to savor the abundance and the season

• Practice deep breathing and/or meditation

• Take part in any practice or activity that helps you to feel centered and grounded

Just remember, simple doesn’t mean insignificant. Small actions/changes really do add up.

Be well,

~ Kara

*I am not traditionally trained in TCM. I simply find its structure, which parallels nature, to make a lot of sense and to be rather intuitive.

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Late Summer Nourishing Infusion

This combination has been my go-to over the last week and I don’t see it leaving my side for a little while (fingers crossed my order of jujubes arrive before I run out!)

In a 1qt Jar:

- 1 big handful Oat Straw

- 1 thumb-sized piece of Fresh Ginger, chopped

- 1 Jujube, ripped up and seed removed

Pour over just boiled water to fill the jar. Lid and let sit on the counter for 4-10 hours (or overnight). Strain and enjoy!