From an Eastern perspective, summer is associated with the HEART energy and with FIRE. Interestingly, the Heart does not like heat yet is susceptible to heat damage. The Heart is responsible for circulation of blood in the body (much the same as Western medicine).  The Heart also "houses the mind". Thus, it is responsible for clear thinking, sleep, memory, and plays a role in our ability to have a healthy relationship. An imbalance in the Heart organ can lead to anxiety, palpitations, excessive sweating, disturbed sleeping, panic attacks, insomnia, excess or no laughter, and forgetfulness.

  

Many factors can affect the Heart. Emotions are a big one! The heart's natural emotion is joy, yet excessive joy or worry can damage Heart Qi.  Calcium malabsorption and high-protein diets also affect the heart.

  

Diet can play a positive role in helping nourish the Heart.  Foods that help Heart function and cool the body are salads, cucumbers, cherry, pistachio nuts, red lentils, beets, okra, red bell peppers, scallions, and tomatoes.  However, chocolate, sugar, kale, onions,  and caffeine can damange the Heart meridian by creating too much heat and mucos.  Other cooling foods that are beneficial for the Heart are: tofu, lemons, seafood, yogurt, and summer squash.  To preserve the cooling effect of your food, reduce cook time by steaming or sauteeing.   

  

While common sense would suggest you eat cool foods and drink cold drinks in the summer, you would do the opposite.  Drinking warm liquids and eating warm foods actually promotes sweating, which allows the body to cool itself.  Too much coolness constricts the fluids and the body and hampens digestion. 

  

This summer, stay cool by warming up!