With tall glasses of ice tea beading in the noontime sun, we know that summer has arrived. Unrelenting heat is a prime characteristic of the summer seasons strong, yang energy. Wherein wintertime is the apex of seasonal yin energy, directing energy inward; summertime is the height of yang energy, liberating an abundance of qi outward, promoting robust circulation with the external environment. With yang energy flourishing, it is a natural time for us to get out, move around, connect with our surroundings, and renew our relationship with things outside ourselves.

Of the Five Phase correspondences in traditional Chinese medicine, summer is associated with the Fire element. Fire is one of the most primal elements associated with human survival - physically, emotionally and spiritually. It provides heat, light, illumination and animation. Fundamentally, fire posses the ability to transform other substances, as in cooking, combustion, digestion, procreation, regeneration and alchemy. The cardinal direction related to the fire element is south. It s associated climatic factor is heat. Corresponding tissues for the fire element are the blood vessels, and the sense organ is the tongue. The daily cycle of the fire element peaks at noontime (11am-1pm). The seasonal flavor is bitter, which aids in cooling the body and dispersing accumulations such as lumps, bumps, cysts and constipation.

The heart is the yin organ of the Fire element. In Chinese culture the heart is associated with the Spirit and mind. It is considered the emperor of all psycho-physiological functions in the body. It occupies this noble position of emperor by abiding in stillness. When stillness is lost through heat or excitation of the heart/mind, the body can fall out of balance quickly. Insomnia, heartache or mental restlessness are ways a disrupted heart/mind may manifest. The corresponding yang organ of the fire element is the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for extracting essential nutrients from our food, and in Chinese medicine it plays an integral role in fluid physiology, functioning to separate the pure fluids from the impure. As the paired yang organ, the small intestine acts as a protective ally to the heart. It helps eliminate pathological heat that builds up from emotional distress which can disturb the heart  leading to bladder infections, mouth sores or gum inflammation.

Emotionally, the Fire element contributes warmth, friendliness, laughter and good humor. Character traits that most of us are drawn towards. However, a temperament that is prone towards inflammation may exhibit exaggerated bouts of drama, impulsiveness and rash reactions. Taken to the extreme, excessive Fire (often fueled by alcohol consumption) can prompt mental instability, hysteria, and wildly inappropriate behavior. Long standing virtues such as respect, ritual propriety and decorum are social means to help keep the fire element in check, reinforcing healthy boundaries and harmonious relationships

On its deepest level the fire element represents the sacred spark or intelligence that animates all life. In Chinese medicine this spiritual aspect of the heart/mind is referred to as Shen. Shen is visible in the physical body as a shining light in ones eyes. Shen imbues us with an inner sense of purpose, self-awareness, inspiration, and connectivity to others. By its very nature a healthy Shen demonstrates honor and respect for self, other, and the sublime. It is the domain of inspired poetry, art, music, philosophy; introspection, and courageous action that is free from self-concern. Our Shen instinctively pays homage to the ancestors, and showers us with a subtle joy when we abide in our spiritual connection to all that surrounds us.

Summer is a natural time for renewed relationships, outdoor adventures and freedom. It is a great time to expand one s boundaries and known limitations through harmonious interaction with our surroundings and our loved ones. The summer encourages us to partake in the seasons natural abundance, yet asks us to never lose sight of the fact that we are, in essence, playing with fire. Handling fire requires respect and awareness in order to avoid burning oneself or others in the process.

During pregnancy a mothers qi and blood reach maximum capacity. During labor there is a sudden loss of blood/essence and qi, producing a relative deficit. The mother's meridians (or energy channels) also reach a state of fullness and through the birthing process open up (dilate) as the newborn enters the world. These dramatic fluctuations in qi, blood and the meridian system leave the mother in a physically vulnerable state. Unfortunately, in the West, there isn't any strict post-partum protocol that addresses the mother's physical depletion or emotional concerns. In many cases, new mothers are left to tend to the to the needs of their infants on their own, despite deep physical exhaustion lasting for months or even years. Such chronic (qi and blood) deficiencies, when left untreated, can easily lead to post-partum depression and other more serious illnesses in the future. 

In contrast to the West, China has a long history of post-partum care woven into its medical tradition. During the post-partum phase, lasting approximately four months, family and friends support and encourage the mother's healing process. Such time-honored practices revolve around rest, restorative treatments and therapeutic foods. They include treatment strategies to help nourish the new mother's blood, qi and spirit back to a state of health and balance:

"Rest"oration period- In the post-partum phase, deep rest is essential to restore kidney energy, allow tissues to heal, as well as to replenish blood and fluids for ample milk production. In China, it is a traditional practice to avoid disturbing a new mother for the first few weeks after birth. During this time, no visitors are allowed other than to drop off meals, herbs and gifts. This cultural practice ensures that the new mother stays warm, gets proper rest and avoids exposure to external pathogens while bonding with her child. In the the West, a new mother's ability to obtain proper rest is often challenged by her infants ever-growing needs, and the lack of extended family available to attend to the baby. One can minimize this dilemma by taking short naps whenever possible. Over time this, too, will help the kidney's qi to replenish and tissues to repair. 

In addition to physical rest, it is essential that the mother restrain from heavy lifting and strenuous movement in order to allow her uterus and lower abdomen to thoroughly heal without re-injuring the area. Herbal sitz-baths are also commonly used to help decrease local swelling and pain in the perineum and encourage tissue repair.  

Nourishment- In China, there is a deep reverence for food. Food is seen as a binding force that supports the health of the individual as well as the family and even the nation. The post-partum period becomes an especially important time to nourish the mother, as her health directly impacts that of her baby. Many special dishes are prepared for the mother to help her regain strength. In particular, it is common for new mothers to eat herbally infused soups and meat based dishes that nourish blood, qi and essence. An example of one traditional dish is listed below in the post-partum foods post. 

China has a long tradition of prescribing food as part of medicinal treatment. They understand the therapeutic nature of food to be similar to that of herbs- each ingredient having its own energy signature, medicinal effect and temperature. In Chinese dietetics, as in Chinese medicine, it is important that the new mother avoid cold, damp (raw) foods, since these tend to injure the stomach/spleen energy interfering with blood production and nursing. On the other side of the spectrum, she must also be cautious eating strong, spicy foods, since they can disperse qi and create heat, disrupting the baby's ability to sleep well. 

Engaging with the world again- Once some basic rest, nourishment and healing has occurred, moderate activity such as daily walks are essential. However, post-partum protocol stresses the importance of the new mother staying warm and well protected from the elements when venturing out. Because her meridian system is still open, and her qi and blood is relatively weak, she remains vulnerable to her environment. The classics strongly caution new mothers  from going swimming or exposing themselves to water, wind or dampness, since these pathogenic factor can penetrate her bodies weaken state of wei qi (defensive energy).

Roasting- "Roasting" a mother with moxibustion is a traditional post-partum practice used to strengthen wei qi, build blood and expel any cold that may have entered her body. These treatments consist of burning moxa (mugwort) over the abdomen and/or low back until a deep sense of warmth penetrates these areas, about 20-30 minutes. This practice helps to seal the meridians and ming men (gate of life) build the blood and begin to balance wei (defensive energy) and ying (nutirtive energy).

Acupuncture, herbal prescriptions and massage (maya abdominal massage, in particular) are wonderful natural therapies that can treat problems that arise post-partum. In addition to fortifying the blood, qi and wei, these therapies assist repositioning of the uterus, support tissue repair and help to eliminate any stagnant blood or toxins that have lodged in the "lower tantien" during the birthing process. Chinese medicine also offers specific protocols to support milk production and address nursing issues.

*Special thanks to Cindy Micleu, MCTM, L.Ac. and the Jade Institute for providing the inspiration and core information for our Post-partum Care and Post-partum Foods posts.