Tag: #yin energy

Da Shu – Major Heat – 22nd July – 6th August

July 28th, 2026

Da Shu, meaning Major Heat, is the hottest and most humid Solar Term of the year. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Yang energy reaches its annual peak, yet beneath the surface the body’s digestive fire can become weakened. Excessive heat, humidity and sweating place the greatest strain on the Heart and Spleen, leaving many people feeling tired, heavy, irritable and mentally drained.

Mind and Meditation

High temperatures can agitate the Heart, causing restlessness, poor sleep and irritability. Slow the pace of life where possible and make time for meditation, gentle breathing or quiet reflection. Even a short period of calm each day can help cool the mind and restore emotional balance.

Food and Drink

Choose light, freshly prepared meals that help clear Heat and reduce Dampness. Foods such as winter melon, tomatoes, watermelon, bitter greens and adzuki beans are particularly beneficial. Drink regularly throughout the day but avoid excessive iced drinks, which can weaken digestion. Room-temperature or lightly warm drinks are kinder to the Spleen than ice-cold beverages.

Exercise

Exercise only during the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. Walking, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and gentle swimming are ideal. Avoid strenuous activity in the midday sun, as excessive sweating depletes the body’s fluids and places additional stress on the Heart.

Rest

Listen to your body’s need for rest. A short midday break of 10–20 minutes helps replenish energy during the hottest weeks of the year. Aim for a regular sleep routine and avoid staying up late, allowing the body time to recover from the day’s heat.

Lifestyle

Keep your home comfortably cool without overusing air conditioning. Large temperature differences between outdoors and indoors can place unnecessary stress on the body. Maintain good ventilation and reduce indoor humidity where possible. Wear loose, breathable natural fabrics and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunshine.

Seasonal Advice

Da Shu reminds us that true cooling comes from balance rather than extremes. Instead of shocking the body with ice-cold drinks or excessive air conditioning, support your Heart and Spleen with gentle cooling foods, adequate rest and moderate activity. This is also the traditional season to strengthen the body’s Yang through treatments such as moxibustion during the San Fu period, helping prepare the body for the colder months ahead.

Disclaimer

This content is offered to support awareness, not to “fix” you. It reflects a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective and is for informational purposes only—and is not a substitute for individual medical care or a one to one consultation and treatment.

For more information about how Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can assist you in this season, please make an appointment
Slight Heat – Xiao Shu – 8th July – 22nd July

July 8th, 2026

Xiao Shu, meaning Slight Heat, marks the beginning of the hottest and most humid period of the summer, known as the “Dog Days” or “San Fu Tian” lasting until the end of August. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this combination of Heat and Dampness can leave us feeling tired, heavy and restless while placing extra strain on the Heart and Spleen.

Mind and Meditation

The summer heat can make us feel irritable or unsettled. Take time each day for quiet reflection, meditation or slow breathing. Gentle activities that calm the mind, help keep the Heart balanced.

Food and Drink

Although iced drinks are tempting, they can weaken digestion (TCM spleen), choose warm or room temperature drinks instead and eat light, seasonal meals. Include foods that gently clear heat and dampness, such as lotus root, mung beans, (please ask for Recipes). Reduce greasy foods, excess chilli and large, heavy meals.

Green tea with mint, chrysanthemum and watermelon rind tea can help cool the body while remaining gentle on digestion. While a morning warming ginger tea can gently support the spleen.

Exercise

Exercise during the cooler parts of the day, preferably early morning or late evening. Gentle exercise such as walking, Tai Chi, Qi Gong or swimming are ideal. Avoid intense workouts that cause excessive sweating, as this can deplete the body’s energy and fluids, aim for a fluid movement and a gentle glow of sweat.

Rest

Aim to be asleep before 11pm and, if possible, enjoy a short rest around midday of about twenty minutes, this could be a quiet relaxation, helping restore energy during the hottest weeks of summer.

Lifestyle

Humidity is just as important as heat during Xiao Shu. Keep your home well ventilated, dry bedding thoroughly in the sunshine and avoid cold air blowing directly onto your abdomen. Sip water regularly throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts in one go.

Clothing

Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton or linen. Long breathable garments protects you from the sun while allowing sweat to evaporate slowly, helping you stay cooler.

Seasonal Advice

The key to Xiao Shu is balance. Although the weather is hot, your digestive system (TCM Spleen) benefits from warmth and gentle care. Eat lightly, rest when needed, move gently and avoid overcooling the body.

By following nature’s rhythm during this Solar Term it will help you maintain energy and wellbeing throughout the height of summer.

Treatment Advice

If you naturally have a Yang deficiency (Yang deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Characterised by insufficient warming energy, causing coldness, fatigue, sluggishness, pale complexion, weak circulation, and oedema.) Why not book in for – for a speciality treatment of – “treating winter conditions in the summer”

Disclaimer

This content is offered to support awareness, not to “fix” you. It reflects a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective and is for informational purposes only—and is not a substitute for individual medical care or a one to one consultation and treatment.

For more information about how Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can assist you in this season, please make an appointment.
Hot Weather Survival Guide

June 23rd, 2026

“The Jade Fluid Practice”

Practice the “Jade Fluid Practice” – to help replenish fluids without the shock of cold water.

This is a classical Yang Sheng practice that is especially relevant during the summer months when heavy sweating rapidly depletes your body’s vital fluids.

1- Sit quietly for a few minutes.

2- Begin to slowly and gently click teeth together 36 times.

3- Let the saliva accumulate in the mouth.

4- Swirl the collected saliva three times around the mouth.

5- Swallow it in three intentional portions.

6- Follow the movement of each swallow down into the stomach.

7- Rest in the calm space for a few minutes before resuming your day.

This nourishes your natural yin and provides hydration at your bodies natural temperature.

Why does this work?

Clicking the teeth stimulates the salivary glands and is believed in TCM to activate Kidney Qi — as the teeth are governed by the TCM Kidneys.

Saliva is considered a precious fluid in classical TCM — called 金津玉液 (Jīn Jīn Yù Yè — Golden Fluid, Jade Liquid). Swallowing it intentionally nourishes internal Yin from within

When summer heat is stealing your fluids through sweat, this practice helps replenish them quietly and efficiently, at body temperature, without shocking the Spleen the way cold drinks do.

Best time: Anytime of the day but especially Morning after waking, or in the evening before sleep.

By gently changing habits you can move smoothly and comfortable

through even the stickiest days of the year.

“Cooling Breath”

1- Sit quietly for a few minutes.

2- Keep your head, neck, and spine in a straight line.

3- Breathing slowly and relaxed, through the nose.

4- With your lips form the shape as if you are going whistle.

5- And now gently breathing in through your mouth directing the thin stream of breath onto your tongue.

6- You will feel the cool air hitting your tongue and the back of your throat.

7- Close your mouth, and swallow feeling the cool sensation descending into the core.

8- Exhale slowly and completely through your nose.

Repeat: Continue this cycle for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing your breath to return to normal afterward.

Alternative breathing method:

You can practice this by lightly pressing your upper and lower teeth together and part your lips to expose the teeth to the air.

Inhale slowly through the gaps in your teeth, focusing on the hissing sound.

Close your mouth, and and swallow feeling the cool sensation descending into the core.

Then exhale slowly through your nose.

“Two Hands Upholding the Heavens”

Stretching the arms and torso upward and opening the chest and abdomen. This movement gently opens the body’s internal water pathways allowing stagnant Damp-Heat to drain downward and giving the Chinese Medicine Spleen room to breathe.
Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi) (21 June – 6 July 2026)

June 23rd, 2026

The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year and the peak of Yang energy. Nature is at its most expansive, vibrant, and outwardly active. Yet within this peak lies the first stirrings of Yin. Ancient Chinese wisdom teaches that when anything reaches its zenith, it begins to transform into its opposite.

While the world appears full of heat and activity, this is also the moment to begin conserving energy and protecting the body’s fluids.

The Heart, associated with the Fire element and Summer, is at its strongest influence during this period. Excess heat, overexertion, and emotional agitation can disturb the Shen (Spirit), leading to restlessness, irritability, poor sleep, and mental overactivity.

Mind
A time to cultivate calm within activity. Although the season encourages socialising and outward expression, balance comes from moments of stillness and reflection. Protect the Shen by avoiding excessive stimulation, emotional drama, and overcommitment. Quiet meditation, mindfulness and gratitude practices.

Spending peaceful time in nature help anchor the Heart and maintain emotional balance.

Exercise
Continue to move the body, but avoid exercising in the strongest heat of the day. Early morning and evening are ideal. Walking, Tai Chi, swimming, gentle cycling, and moderate outdoor activity help circulate Qi without exhausting body fluids or overheating the Heart. Excessive sweating should be avoided, as it depletes both Qi and Yin.

Food
Choose foods that gently clear Heat, nourish fluids, and support digestion. Watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, celery, courgette, tofu, mung beans, berries, and lightly cooked seasonal vegetables are excellent choices. Bitter foods such as rocket, chicory, and pak choi can help clear excess Heart Fire. Avoid excessive spicy foods, alcohol, greasy meals, and overeating, all of which can generate additional internal heat.

Clothing
Wear loose, breathable clothing made from natural fibres that allow heat to disperse. Protect yourself from prolonged exposure to strong midday sun, and stay hydrated throughout the day. While keeping cool is important, avoid excessive use of air conditioning or ice-cold drinks, as sudden cold can weaken digestion and disrupt the body’s natural balance.

The Character of Xia Zhi:
At the height of Yang, begin nurturing Yin.

Remain active, but do not exhaust yourself.

Remain bright, but cultivate inner stillness.

In the longest days of the year, the greatest wisdom is moderation.

Tag: #yin energy

Da Shu – Major Heat – 22nd July – 6th August

Slight Heat – Xiao Shu – 8th July – 22nd July

Hot Weather Survival Guide

Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi) (21 June – 6 July 2026)