Bill Klaproth (Host): This is The Healing Podcast, brought to you by MarinHealth. I'm Bill Klaproth. With me is Camille Loveman, a doctor of Chinese medicine at MarinHealth Integrative Wellness Center. In this four-part series, we're exploring traditional Chinese medicine as we discuss aligning with the four seasons.

On this podcast, we'll focus on summer. Camille, welcome.

Camille Langlois Loveman: Hi, Bill. Thank you.

Host: It's so great to talk with you again as we explore the four seasons of traditional Chinese medicine. So, we're in the summer season, so we're investigating summer, we're learning all about it. So, what makes summer unique from a healthcare perspective?

Camille Langlois Loveman: So in traditional Chinese medicine, the philosophy of each season is deeply connected to nature, the elements, and the cycles of life. So in TCM, we really think of the summer in terms of relationship to that yin and yang theory. Fall and spring are seasons where yin and yang are coming into each other and out of equilibrium. They're increasing and decreasing in terms of their relationship with one another. And with summer, it's the most yang expression time. So, it's a time to be outward. It's a time where there's a lot of energy. The days are longer, the nights are shorter. So, we're really looking at that balance of summer.

Host: So, I understand summer is also linked to the heart system. Can you explain that?

Camille Langlois Loveman: Yeah. So, we're looking at each season in terms of their corresponding organ and elements, and summer rules the heart. And the heart in traditional Chinese medicine is associated with fire. So as temperatures rise, the body's energy naturally moves upward and outward, making us more active. And the fire element within us drives that outward expression, social connection, and physical energy. The environment is dominated by heart and the heart element and the fire. So, we can have more expression, more light. And if it's out of balance, we're looking to kind of restore that warmth and that energy. But it can also be a time where there's more connection, more expression, more internal and external heat.

Host: So in summer then, more active, more social connections, more expression, more energy, things like that. So, people may feel pressure to stay busy during the active summer months, because it is summer and there's more things to do, as you said. There's more of these connections and energy and expressions. How can we embrace summer's active energy without maybe becoming overextended or depleted by trying to do too much?

Camille Langlois Loveman: Yeah, it's really important to listen to your body, and so to note any physical sensations that you might have because of the heat. There can be more thirst because of that outward heat. And then, with the heart system, we can have more internal fire, as we call it in TCM. So, you can become more thirsty. It's good to slow down, to drink more water. The prominent element if our bodies are in balance is joy. So, it can be a time to really have a lot of joy and have that social connection, so to embrace the joys and the more energy that we have during the summer. But if that turns to restlessness or anxiety, sometimes patients will get insomnia or irritability, or they may feel a flushed sensation of their face, like redness.

So, just important to listen to the body's sensations and give in to thirst. If you're thirsty, drink more water, to allow the body to cool down, but also to give in to some of that joy, energy, and that expression.

Host: So, work on embracing joy.

Camille Langlois Loveman: Yes.

Host: That is something we all should do. Love it. But you said with all of this energy and expression and emotion, it could lead to insomnia and irritability. So, what changes do you recommend around sleep, exercise, daily routines during the summer season just to make sure that you're staying balanced and that you are supporting overall wellness?

Camille Langlois Loveman: It's really important to stick to our routines that we have. And so, to go to bed, at a reasonable time and wake up and sticking to our schedules. With the longer days and giving in to joy, it's okay to break the routine a little bit, but to have maybe the 80/20 rule. So during the week, kind of stick to the schedule and, during the weekends, more expression.

With the physical environment feeling hotter, to use things that help to promote the environment circulation, so using fans and breathable bedding and making sure you can close your blinds or create a darkness in your room to get to bed early if you want to go to bed at a earlier time. with meals, we're looking at avoiding heavy meals and not having too much caffeine because the body also has a natural more energy during the summer months.

And then, shifting workouts to the morning, like doing our movement earlier in the morning to avoid the heat and peak temperatures. Enjoying the outdoors. It's a great time to be outside to do things like swimming and biking and walking in the park. And then of course, to just stay hydrated.

Hydration and movement are really important during the summer months.

Host: Okay. So, you mentioned food, so let's talk about nutrition. When we did our podcast on winter, you talked about warm soups and comfort foods and all that great winter stuff. So when it comes to summer, what foods or flavors or cooking methods are really most supportive during summer according to TCM?

Camille Langlois Loveman: Yeah. According to TCM, we should be adding more cool foods, foods that are naturally bitter in taste, and cooking our food in light cooking methods. So, foods like watermelon, strawberries, they kind of clear heat of the body and build fluids. Cucumbers, celery, spinach, bitter melon, all of that can help to naturally cool the body's temperatures.

Doing light protein like mung beans or tofu or a white fish can really help with the body's digestion. And good grains like barley and millet, they help to restore the body's fluids and support the energy of our stomachs.

Optimal flavors are bitter. So things like asparagus or green tea, they help to drain any excess heat, and also kind of calm our body. Sweet, natural flavors like whole grains and fruit, they strengthen digestion and also prevent fatigue that can happen during the summer.

Host: What a great list. So concentrate on cool foods, things that are bitter in taste. You mentioned watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, tofu, whitefish, some really great suggestions. Pay attention to bitter foods, whole grains, et cetera. So, those are really, really great tips. If someone is embracing joy and doing all of these things and feeling the energy and out there, and we talked about maybe getting burned out a little bit or irritable or insomnia, what are some of the signs that somebody might be doing a little bit too much during summer and that things may be out of balance? And what simple practices can help people get right back in balance?

Camille Langlois Loveman: Well, it's great that you're mentioning that because the fire element, as fire burns, it can burn too brightly, and it can overstimulate our nervous systems, draining the fluids of the body, and creating some of that dehydration. So if you're noticing a sudden irritability or a shorter temper, or if you're feeling, like, a little restless or anxious, that can be a sign that the body is out of balance.

Also during the nighttime, you can experience more insomnia, so vivid dreams or kind of tossing and turning, a hard time settling. And then, also, just looking for the colors, changes in color of the body, like a flushed face or, with urination, we can notice kind of a darker color. Things like that, that you can notice, or a heavy sensation of the body.

Sometimes I'll see patients and they feel a loss of appetite or they can get some nausea. So, just being aware of that. And there's things that you can do, like having some of the cooling foods can help with that or watermelon is really good to kind of clear that summer heat.

Host: Great suggestions. And if you start to feel that way, your body will let you know. Does it help to take a weekend off if you're doing too much just to stay in and read a book and maybe soak up some air conditioning? Does that work?

Camille Langlois Loveman: Yeah. I mean, air conditioning can kind of create a false environment, but it's good to use that as a tool and to really listen to the body. The summer can be so energetic, and we always have to restore. A restorative moment can be really, really helpful. Taking time off or taking a pause is really good.

Host: We always have to restore. What a great thought. So very true. If you're going to be at your optimum best, you always have to restore. Camille, I love this series. This is so great. Love talking to you. So to wrap up, as we talk about summer and TCM, can you share with us maybe one easy summer wellness habit that our listeners can start this week to feel more energized, balanced, and connected to the season?

Camille Langlois Loveman: I think embracing joy is a really positive one to just listen to your heart, listen to your intuition, and embrace the joy that can come with summer and make sure that with that you're creating balance and adding more hydration and enjoying your moments.

Host: Well, summer is linked to the heart. So when you say listen to your heart, that is great advice. What a great series this is. Thank you for helping us get the most out of each season. This is just such a great series. Camille, thank you again for your time, and I look forward to us getting into the fall season as well.

Camille Langlois Loveman: Thank you. II'm looking forward to it as well, and thank you for your time today.

Host: Absolutely. And once again, that is Camille Loveman. And this is a four-part series on traditional Chinese medicine as we discuss aligning with the four seasons. On this podcast, we have been focused on summer. For more information, you can go to mymarinhealth.org. And if you enjoyed this podcast, please share it on your social channels and check out the entire podcast library for topics of interest to you. I'm Bill Klaproth. This is The Healing Podcast, brought to you by MarinHealth. Thanks for listening