With its nuanced, practical philosophy, the mosaic of traditional Asian medicine provides an extraordinary window into the understanding of the human body, the myriad manifestations of nature, and the rhythmic cadence of the seasons. At the bedrock of this age-old wisdom sits the revered Huangdi Neijing Suwen, a cornerstone tome that guides practitioners across generations.
A deeper exploration of the profound integration of Asian medicine, the interpenetration of Chinese philosophy, and the time-honored reflections embedded in classical texts offers the ability to comprehend the spirit of the summer season within the frame of holism. This understanding paves the way for the discovery of tangible techniques, exercises, meditations, and herbal adjuncts tailored to optimize health during the sun-drenched days of summer. Furthermore, a critical examination of the role played by environmental elements, with particular attention on the theory of the six pathogenic factors or Liu Qi, allows for an understanding of immune health maintenance. This is especially relevant in our contemporary world where we oscillate between the sweltering heat of the outdoors and the chill of climate-controlled environments.
The three months of summer,
they denote opulence and blossoming.
The qi of heaven and earth interact and
the myriad beings bloom and bear fruit.
Go to rest late at night and rise early.
Never get enough of the sun.
Let the mind have no anger.
Stimulate beauty and have your elegance perfected.
Cause the qi to flow away
as if that what you loved were located outside.
This is correspondence with the qi of summer and
it is the Way to nourish growth.
2-9-3
Neijing Suwen: Unschuld and Tessenow Translation
The philosophy underpinning Chinese medicine is inherently holistic, viewing health and well-being as a gestalt rather than the sum of its parts. Daoist philosophy underscores the importance of living in harmony with the cosmic rhythms of the universe, striving to balance our internal and external world, encapsulated by the expression: 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī). The Huangdi Neijing Suwen is a testament to this orientation, offering a treasure trove of wisdom, harmoniously blending these principles to decode the enigma of health, equilibrium, harmony, and the different ways in which disharmony manifests.
TCM teaches that each season is inextricably linked to a specific element or phase (五行 wǔxíng), weather condition (天氣 tiānqì), and a particular set of organ systems (臟腑 zàngfǔ). The summer season aligns with the fire element, symbolic of the highest expression of the yang principle. Within the human body, this movement manifests through the Heart/Small Intestine and Pericardium/San Jiao organ-systems and channels/collaterals: 經絡(jīngluò). The climatic factor associated with summer is heat, necessitating an important balance between the external environment and the body's thermoregulation.
The theory of the six pathogenic factors, or liu qi, provides a conceptual framework to understand how well-being may be influenced by external factors. The liu qi (six qi) are wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, and fire (or heat). The nature, location, and severity of the symptoms provide clues as to which pathogenic factor is involved.
As the primary pathogenic factor, wind is often combined with others like cold or dampness. The Huangdi Neijing Suwen states, "Wind is the root of all diseases." It is characterized by rapid onset and changeability of symptoms, and usually affects the upper body, head, and neck causing symptoms like headaches, chills, and fever.
Associated with constriction and stagnation, cold can cause symptoms of pain, tightness, or reduced mobility. It tends to slow down bodily functions and can cause fatigue, a desire for warmth, pale complexion, and cold extremities.
As mentioned in the Shanghan Lun, summer-heat primarily occurs during hot seasons or in hot environments, causing symptoms like fever, profuse sweating, excessive thirst, and possibly heatstroke.
As per the Nanjing (Classic of Difficult Issues), dampness is heavy and tends to descend, causing feelings of heaviness, fatigue, and sluggishness. It often affects the digestive system, causing symptoms like nausea, poor appetite, and loose stools.
Often occurring in autumn, dryness can affect the lungs and skin causing cough, dry skin, and dry mouth or throat.
As an excess of Yang, heat (fire) is associated with hyperactivity in bodily functions and can cause symptoms like high fever, inflammation, redness, and constipation.
While each of the Liu Qi can cause dysfunction, TCM views them as a normal part of the environment that only leads to disease when the body's defenses (ying-wei qi) are weak or when there is an extreme exposure. Understanding and applying the theory of Liu Qi allows TCM practitioners to design appropriate interventions to expel the pathogenic factors and restore the body's balance.
During the summer, excessive heat coupled with the frequent transition between the scorching outdoor environments and air-conditioned indoor spaces can interfere with the body's innate ability to regulate temperature and potentially upset the harmonization of ying and wei qi.
The Ying and Wei Qi play an integral role in guarding against the intrusion of external pathogens. Exposure to intense heat and sudden temperature fluctuations can disrupt the smooth flow of qi and upset the balance between yin-yang, thereby compromising the functionality of these protective aspects.
This imbalance often manifests as symptoms such as fatigue, poor digestion, irritability, and a weakened immune response.
In the spirit of protecting health during the ever-hotter summer season, it is beneficial to consider practical activities, such as exercises and mindfulness-based practices, into one's daily routine. Gentle exercise systems such as qigong, taijiquan, and related practices are designed to harmonize yin-yang, and regulate the flow of qi. With qi in rhythm, the ying-wei harmonize, immune health is strong and the mind is tranquil. Engaging in outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day, wearing proper clothing, maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte balance are equally essential for maintaining well-being.
Excessive sweating may injure the yin and qi, stressing the Heart zang, and potentially procure an environment whereby the strength of summertime may truly overwhelm the body’s equilibrium, especially when there is an incessant alternation of hot outdoors with chilly climate-controlled environments. A star herbal for these challenges of summer is Panax quinquefolii American ginseng (xi yang shen). By tonifying both the yin and qi, and clearing fire from deficiency, American ginseng may be leveraged to bastion yin-fluids during times of excessive sweating from sweltering summer-heat. In this same vein, mai men dong and wu wei zi provide similar assistance. This naturally evolves into the Kan formulation Wise Judge. Indicated for a variety of fluid-based syndromes, Wise Judge is an effective tool for promoting body-fluid generation following excessive sweating. Other remedies to consider are food-based, such as berries, cucumber, and watermelon.
Employing strategies that support balance and harmonize the body's metabolism and defense mechanisms can help maintain a robust immune system during the balmy summer months. Maintaining proper hydration, protecting from excessive heat, adapting to temperature changes, regulating indoor environments, embracing cooling foods, and engaging in mindful breathing and meditation are all helpful practices for protecting health during this time.
By aligning ourselves with the natural rhythms of the earth, equilibrium becomes attainable. Through understanding the impact of environmental factors on immune health and optimizing our physical and emotional well-being, cultivating a sense of harmony and resilience, we thrive, even amidst the fluctuations and tremendous heat of the summer season.