The Traditional Chinese Medicine carries at its core the benefits of seasonal eating in harmony with internal and surrounding energies. In summer, it is the Yang energy of exteriorization that predominates. The heat spontaneously invites us to turn to a raw and refreshing food. Focus on the summer diet according to traditional Chinese medicine.
La diététique en médecine chinoise, une histoire d'énergie
According to traditional Chinese medicine, diet has an important place in supporting the body. In summer, we are naturally inclined to eat raw and refreshing food.
During the summer season, it is important to know that Yang energy is predominant. Yang energy has the ability to externalize and bring liquids to the surface to fight against heat. Sweat is a consequence.
The spleen and stomach are weakened by this externalizing energetic movement, so that we naturally have less appetite. It is as if these organs no longer receive the Yang energy necessary for their proper functioning, this same energy being mobilized to be evacuated in order to limit overheating.
Manger en conscience et en harmonie avec les énergies saisonnières
When we look at what nature offers us during the summer, we notice that all fruits and vegetables are cool and fresh in nature, rich in liquid to fight against heat and dryness.
Cucumber, zucchini, tomato, lettuce, melon, watermelon, pear, plum, apricot, peach, nectarine, all these foods put out the fire caused by the overwhelming heat. They rebalance the Yin (cool) and Yang (hot) energies by compensation.
However, if we do not support the Yang energy of the Spleen to promote digestion, we will become weakened. Indeed, we know that we need heat to digest well: think of the hot water bottle that we put on the liver when we have digestion problems!
This weakening may cause a decrease in energy and therefore a decrease in the body's natural self-healing abilities. The immune system is less reactive, which is the appearance of disease in autumn, when the weather cools.
Astuces pour rectifier l'énergie de la Rate
So, to overcome this energy deficit in the spleen, you can implement some of these tips to bring fire or support the yang energy of digestion:
Chew properly. Chewing not only prepares for digestion by insalivating food and starting the breakdown of sugars, but it also makes the stomach's work easier. The stomach has no teeth!
Aromatics. Remember to add aromatic plants from the garden to your dishes. Thyme, savory, bay leaves, oregano, parsley and chives are all plants that, when warm, help to warm up the digestive energy. Beware, however, of mint and coriander, which are cooling (Yin energy).
Condiments. Shallots, garlic and onions, when eaten raw, can attack the stomach (too much yang kills the yang), not to mention the peculiar breath that their consumption can cause... To limit these inconveniences while taking advantage of their heat contribution, you can let them macerate in an oil, a vinegar or a vinaigrette. This way, you can enjoy all their medicinal benefits that would have been altered by cooking.
Spices. Spices are well known to be warming. Ginger, cinnamon, cumin, pepper and cloves stimulate the digestive fire and improve digestion.
Drink infusions. Despite what it might seem, drinking tea and herbal teas in the summer is thirst-quenching. Moreover, this practice avoids thermal shock because let's remember that the body has an internal temperature of a little less than 37° and that cold drinks, coming out of the refrigerator or even the freezer are an aggression for your digestive system!
Pour conclure avec la diététique estivale selon la MTC
TCM has developed a dietary practice based on principles of taste, consistency, temperature, seasonality, temperaments, elements, etc... It is all about balance and harmony so as not to disturb the internal homeostasis. This is a real science with millennia of knowledge. To go further, the best thing to do is to consult a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine who will be able to advise you and guide you.