As the hottest months of summer start to loosen their grip, we begin to enter the “fifth season” recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Late Summer. The Law of Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine connects the qualities of each season to corresponding organs in the body. Each of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal and water—connect our bodies to the seasons and our environment, and each season and element relates to different emotions, activities, foods and treatments that are nourishing or harmful for us during that time. In this way, Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us how to harmonize ourselves with the rhythms of our environments to optimize health and healing.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer naturally relates to the fire element. As the weather heats up, so does your system, and internally the fire element emphasizes your heart and circulation. By contrast, “late summer” represents the element of earth, and focuses on the spleen and stomach. This gentle, gradual move towards autumn is an opportunity to strengthen your connection to nature and support your health during this seasonal transition.
Late Summer Abundance Strengthens Spleen and Stomach
The late summer and earth element are associated with the harvest and growth. Gardens are abundant with fruits and vegetables which provide nourishment and energy. The harvest also enables us to store food in preparation for the colder months to come. Since the earth offers an array of food during harvest, this season naturally relates to the stomach and spleen.
The stomach is where the digestive process begins, where food is broken down and nutrients are absorbed. The spleen then transforms and transports essential nutrients the body needs. As part of the lymphatic system, the spleen influences the movement of fluids throughout the body, especially blood. Swollen legs, poor lymphatic drainage, sluggishness and weight gain are all associated with poor functioning of the spleen. When our spleen is weak, the body experiences “dampness,” or an excess of fluids. This, in turn, leads to feeling heavy or bloated.
Transitioning from summer into late summer, our natural cravings generally shift from light, refreshing foods to sweet, denser foods, such as squash, yams, peaches, dates, carrots, etc. Avoid dairy and very heavy, greasy foods during late summer as these foods are difficult on the stomach and spleen and encourage further “dampness”. Also, eating slowly and enjoying smaller meals more frequently will help to support the stomach and digestion and help balance your body’s energy levels.
Digestive Support and Balance
During the late summer season — and all year round — it’s important to support the body’s digestive system. EcoNugenics Integrative Digestive Formula® combines the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tibetan herbal medicine, and Western medicine to create a natural, effective and non-habit forming supplement that promotes healthy digestive function.
Critical digestive enzymes, including amylase, alpha-galactosidase, protease, phytase, invertase, and lipase, assist in food breakdown and the absorption of nutrients. Zinc and chromium are included to increase digestive function, along with a synergistic blend of 19 herbs and nutrients which work together to soothe and strengthen the small intestine, support nutrient absorption and promote healthy liver function. Pomegranate, cardamom, galangal, cinnamon, ginger and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) work synergistically to support overall digestive function naturally. Created by Dr. Isaac Eliaz, MD, M.S., L.Ac., this formula promotes long term digestive health while also improving occasional digestive discomfort.
Learn more about Integrative Digestive Formula now!
EcoNugenics honors the wisdom cultivated by Eastern medicine, and reflects these principles in our unique integrative formulas. Designed using components from both modern and ancient medical systems, we provide gentle, natural, and effective solutions to achieve holistic balance and wellness throughout the year.