Wellbeing

How to cool down this summer from a TCM expert

Integrated women’s health expert Emma Cannon explains how you can keep your cool in the summer with help from traditional Chinese medicine

In Cantonese, there is the expression ‘yeet hay’; meaning too much internal heat. It is used in association with consuming too many hot fried foods which creates too much heat in the body.

However, it isn’t just food that creates this situation. A hot constitution, too much alcohol, exposure to the sun and some medications also contribute to too much internal heat. Here are some ways to cool down your heat this summer.

Avoid the midday sun

When we were children, my mother would always keep us out of the midday sun. I actually, mostly, still agree with this notion.

At the height of the summer, in the middle of the day, the temperature and position of the sun means that it is at its most intense.

Of course, we need vitamin D so I am a big believer that allowing our skin to be exposed to the sun (in a safe way) is very important too. But to get your vitamin D boost safely, avoid the midday sun and don’t leave your skin exposed for long periods without protection.

Spice things up to cool things down

It may seem counterintuitive, but eating spicy foods in the heat actually reduces the body’s temperature. This is why they are often consumed in hot countries.

Spicy foods work to reduce heat and cool down the body by opening the pores and encouraging sweating, which has the effect of cooling down the body. However, if you have heat in the stomach (shown through acid reflux or heartburn), I would advise avoiding spicy foods. Turmeric in particular is a spice that cools the body.

Include cooling foods and herbs in your diet

Chamomile, peppermint, chrysanthemum and spearmint are all rolling in nature. I drink a lot of chrysanthemum tea in the summer as it cools the liver and also is very soothing on the eyes.

My eyes often get irritated and itchy and I regularly use my home-made tea to ease the discomfort.

Simply allow the tea to cool in the fridge and then make cotton wool compresses with the liquid to place on your peepers. It really is an excellent way to cool and soothe the eyes (and is also great for hay fever).

Keep your liver happy

We often relate the heat with anger – how many times have you said someone is hot-headed, or that they’ve lost their cool? In traditional Chinese medicine the liver is associated with anger and hostility, so it is important that you keep your liver happy and free-flowing to dial down your body’s heat.

In this way, learning to keep your cool and not to get too hot-headed about things is important for liver health. Equally, deeply-held resentments and hostility can put pressure on the liver.

Working on ways to deal with your anger and practising forgiveness are very important for keeping the liver healthy, as are yoga, tai qi, acupuncture and reflexology. But reducing alcohol, changing our approach to life as well as having good support from a partner (associated with higher levels of oxytocin) are also vital.

Emma Cannon is an integrated women’s health expert, registered acupuncturist and author. Check out more of Emma’s fantastic work at emmacannon.co.uk

Article by

Emma Cannon

Integrated women's health expert, registered acupuncturist and author

Emma Cannon is an integrated women’s health expert, registered acupuncturist and author. Check out more of Emma’s fantastic work at emmacannon.co.uk

Discover more

Article by

Emma Cannon

Integrated women's health expert, registered acupuncturist and author

Emma Cannon is an integrated women’s health expert, registered acupuncturist and author. Check out more of Emma’s fantastic work at emmacannon.co.uk

Discover more