Summer Energy Secrets: Flowing with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Flowing with summer Qi
Summer is the season of fire, joy, and expansion in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It’s when Yang energy peaks, encouraging our bodies to move, lighten up, and soak in the warmth. After years of observing patterns in my practice, I’ve noticed that summer brings both vitality and challenges—people feel more alive yet are more susceptible to overheating or emotional spikes.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to align with summer’s natural rhythm through TCM principles, support your body’s defenses, and fully savor the season without draining your energy.
Fire Energy – The Key to Summer Balance
In the Five Elements theory, summer is linked to fire and the meridians of the heart and small intestine. This means:
- More joy and social connections
- Increased physical activity
- A natural craving for light, fresh foods
But just like a summer bonfire, fire energy can flare out of control. I’ve seen people overwhelmed by heatwaves, restless nights, and racing thoughts that disrupt inner harmony.
Real Stories from My Practice
Case 1 – Too Much Sun, Too Little Rest
Karolina, 35, loved sunbathing. After two weeks of beach time, her heart felt like it was pounding nonstop, and her body struggled to keep up. From a TCM view, this was excess heat in the heart. We introduced:
- Cooling mung bean soups
- Jasmine and green teas
- Morning qigong sessions in shaded areas
A week later, she said, “This is the first summer where I feel relaxed instead of worn out.”
Case 2 – Holiday Stress and Digestive Discomfort
Adam, 42, went on vacation but couldn’t mentally leave work behind. The stress manifested as indigestion and abdominal tension. In TCM, this pointed to a disharmony in the spleen’s Qi. What helped:
- A herbal blend (Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan)
- Midday breathing exercises and meditation
- Easy-to-digest meals with veggies and jasmine rice
Summer Rituals with a TCM Twist
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views summer as a time of abundant Yang energy, where nature is in full bloom and life feels expansive. To stay in harmony with this season, daily rituals can help you stay energized, cool, and emotionally balanced. Here are three powerful practices you can weave into your summer routine:
1. Morning Qigong and Meditation – Awakening the Body and Mind
Summer mornings are full of fresh, vibrant energy, making them ideal for gentle movement. Practicing qigong outdoors at sunrise not only wakes up your muscles and joints but also nourishes your Qi—the vital life force. Movements such as “Drawing the Bow” or “Eight Brocades” help open the chest, improve circulation, and release excess internal heat.
Following qigong, spend five to ten minutes in seated meditation. Simply close your eyes, focus on your breath, and allow your mind to settle. This morning ritual helps regulate the heart’s energy, which is closely connected to joy and emotional clarity during summer. Many practitioners report that starting the day this way keeps their mood stable, even during hot and hectic days.
2. Green Tea – The Summer Ally for Hydration and Calm
Unlike icy drinks that can shock digestion, lightly cooling green tea works with your body to balance heat naturally. It gently clears internal fire, supports digestion, and provides antioxidants that refresh the body on sweltering afternoons.
To make it practical, brew a pot of high-quality green tea early in the day. Let it cool and carry it in a thermos or glass bottle. You can enhance the flavor with a few jasmine blossoms or a sprig of fresh mint. Drinking it in small sips throughout the day not only quenches thirst but also prevents summer fatigue.
In TCM, staying hydrated in a balanced way supports the spleen and stomach, preventing the sluggishness and bloating often experienced with cold sugary drinks.
3. Mung Bean Soup – A Cooling, Nourishing Hidden Gem
This classic Chinese dish is more than a meal—it’s an herbal remedy in food form. Mung beans have natural cooling properties that clear summer heat and detoxify the body. Traditionally eaten lukewarm or slightly chilled, this soup helps reduce internal warmth, especially if you’ve spent hours under the sun.
Preparing mung bean soup is simple: simmer the beans in water until they soften, sweeten lightly with honey if desired, and enjoy it as a mid-day refreshment or light dinner. Regularly including this dish in your summer diet helps maintain healthy circulation and calmness while preventing dehydration and overheating.
By combining mindful movement, cooling herbal tea, and restorative foods, these rituals help you flow with summer’s fiery energy without burning out. Even small daily practices create lasting balance, allowing you to fully enjoy the warmth, social gatherings, and joy of the season.
Herbal Support for Summer Energy
- Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan – for emotional balance during stressful moments.
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan – for boosting vitality after intense activity.
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi – commonly used for post-meal digestive discomfort.
3 Extra TCM Tips for Summer Harmony
Beyond fresh produce, avoiding icy drinks, and resting in shaded spots, here are three additional practices to fully enjoy summer’s energy while keeping your health in check:
1. Sip Cooling Herbal Teas
Summer heat weighs on the heart and circulation. Chrysanthemum flowers, or hibiscus teas naturally cool and hydrate without shocking your stomach. Add fresh mint to water for a simple refresher.
2. Choose Lightly Cooked Meals
Heavy fried foods add internal heat. Opt for soups, steamed veggies, and fish instead. Cooling, hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and lettuce help remove excess warmth and keep digestion smooth.
3. Evening Wind-Down Rituals
Long, bright days invite activity, but balance it with calming nights. Take slow evening walks, practice gentle breathing, or do light qigong to soothe the heart’s energy, improve sleep, and recharge. Even 10 minutes can restore harmony.
Acupressure: Qu Chi Point for Summer Relief
One simple self-care technique is massaging Qu Chi (LI11), located in the outer elbow crease.
- Why It Matters: This point, tied to the large intestine meridian, balances fire energy during peak summer heat. Stimulating it promotes natural cooling and calmness.
- How to Massage:
- Sit comfortably, bend your arm at 90°.
- Find the natural dip on the outer elbow crease.
- Use your thumb or index finger to massage in circles for 1–2 minutes on each arm.
- How to massage watch HERE
Pair this with slow breathing or qigong for a deeper effect. A friend of mine used this daily one summer and said, “It feels like my internal thermostat finally works.”
Simple Summer Recipe – Cooling Mung Bean Soup
Ingredients:
- 100g green mung beans
- 1 liter water
- Optional: a touch of honey
Steps:
- Rinse beans, soak for 1 hour.
- Cook in water for 30–40 minutes until soft.
- Serve slightly cooled with honey for sweetness.
This classic dish is a staple in Chinese summers, often sold by street vendors just like lemonade in the West.
TCM Summer Facts You Might Not Know
- In China, warm drinks are common even in summer—they help maintain Qi balance and handle heat better than ice-cold options.
- Studies in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine show qigong may help regulate body temperature in hot weather.
- A saying in Chinese culture: “Summer is when the heart blooms like a lotus under the sun.”
- Mung bean soup is so popular it’s available on street corners during heatwaves.
- Herbal patches on acupoints are a traditional summer trick for supporting natural recovery.
FAQ – Summer TCM Guide
Q1: Can I drink iced drinks in summer?
A: TCM advises against very cold drinks—they can shock digestion and weaken Qi. Warm or room-temperature drinks are more balancing.
Q2: How often should I do qigong in summer?
A: Daily short sessions (5–15 minutes) in the morning or evening help regulate heat and energy flow.
Q3: Is mung bean soup safe for everyone?
A: Generally yes, but people with very weak digestion or feeling cold should use moderation.
Q4: Which herbal tea is best for calming summer stress?
A: Chrysanthemum and green tea gently cools and soothes without over-cooling.
Closing Thoughts – Dance with Summer’s Fire
Living in sync with TCM during summer isn’t about strict rules—it’s about tuning into nature’s rhythm and your body’s signals. With mindful rituals—light meals, cooling herbs, qigong, and moments of stillness—you can make summer a time of vitality and ease.
Think of summer as a dance with fire—bright and full of joy, but without burning out your energy. So, how will you let your summer flow this year?
Where can I buy it?
If you’re looking for authentic, practitioner-recommended, high-quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas — available globally — we recommend the following herbal products. These time-tested formulas are crafted with the finest ingredients and are widely used to support emotional balance, digestion, energy, and overall wellness.
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Want more tips? Discover how Traditional Chinese Medicine can naturally support emotional balance in Ask a TCM Doctor archive
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