LIVING IN HARMONY:
SUMMER PART 2
Seasonal Lifestyle tools and adaptions for Mind/Body Wellness
Vol. 1 https://www.resourcevitality.com September 28, 2020
The Element of Fire belongs to Summer. The Organ/Meridian Complex that composes the fire element is the Heart and Small Intestine.
Functions according to Western Medicine
Heart
• Removes metabolic waste
• Pumps blood throughout the body
• Facilitates the movement of oxygen, nutrients
and hormones
Small Intestine
• Supports the digestive process with the chemical
breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates
• Facilitates absorption of food molecules into the
bloodstream
• Aids in the secretion of bile, pancreatic and other
digestive fluids
Functions according to Eastern Medicine
Heart
• Controls sweat
• Controls blood vessels and circulation
• Supports and controls mental activities
• Manifests upon the complexion
• Houses the “Shen,” which is equivalent to the
mind
Small Intestine
• Governs ingested fluids and foods, separating
the “clean” from the “impure”
• Sends food to the Large Intestine for reabsorption
• Sends impurities to the Bladder to be released
as urine
When the Fire Element goes out of balance, you may experience some the following physical/emotional symptoms
Physical Symptoms:
• Anemia
• Angina
• Aversion to heat
• Celiac disease
• Difficulty turning head
• Frozen shoulder
• Hardening of arteries
• Hearing problems
• Heart attacks
• Hemorrhoids
• High blood pressure
• Hot and/or painful joints
• Hot flashes
• Insomnia
• Low blood pressure
• Pain in lower abdomen
• Poor circulation
• Red/ashen facial color
• Stiff neck and/or shoulders
• Tennis elbow
• Thrombosis
• Urinary problems
• Varicose veins
• Weak, irregular pulse
• Weak abdominal tone
Emotional Symptoms:
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Continuous laughter
• Critical, cynical behavior
• Excessive and/or vivid dreaming
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of joy or humor
• Lack of self-love
• Mania
• Mental confusion
• Poor self-esteem
• Restlessness
In order to enhance the Fire Element, there are foods to eat and food to avoid. One is trying to balance the internal heat of the body and the external heat of Summer.
Foods to Eat
• All fruit
• Amaranth
• Asparagus
• Basil
• Black beans
• Brussel sprouts
• Buckwheat
• Celery
• Chicory
• Chives
• Cinnamon
• Crab apples
• Cucumbers
• Dandelion
• Dark, leafy greens
• Dates
• Dill
• Endive
• Figs
• Grapes
• Green beans
• Kidney beans
• Lettuce
• Marrow soup
• Mung beans
• Nettles
• Olive oil
• Oysters
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Persimmons
• Quinces
• Raspberries
• Red beets
• Red lentils
• Salmon
• Squash
• Spinach
• Vegetables
Foods to Avoid
• Bacon
• Butter
• Candy
• Canned soup
• Canned veggies
• Fried foods
• Hot dogs
• High-fat snacks
• Ice cream
• Lard
• Mayonnaise
• Potato chips
• Salt
• Sugar
• Red meat
• Saturated fat
• Whole milk
Below are the Acupressure Points the are the most effective for balancing and maintaining the fire element throughout the Summer.
Heart 7
Location: With palm facing up, on the inside of the wrist, on the little finger side of the crease where the hand meets the wrist.
Function: Promotes a calm mind,
alleviates anxiety, stimulates
memory, and corrects insomnia.
Also useful in alleviating hysteria, sadness, fear and
fright, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
Pericardium 6
Location: On the inside of the forearm, in between the tendons, approximately 2.5 finger widths below the wrist crease.
Function: Used to reduce irritability, anxiety and stress. Helps regulate discomfort
and pain in the hypochondriac region and chest, relieves irregular or painful menses and PMS. Also good for poor memory, insomnia, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, wrist pain, and neck aches.
Heart 9
Location: On the top of the hand,
in the indentation next to the nail, on the radial side of the pinky finger.
Function: Used for dry mouth, night sweats, insomnia, mania, and mental restlessness. It is
also good for chest and rib pain, heart palpitations, cardiac pain, painful and swollen tongue, red and painful eyes, and contraction of hand and elbow.
This point has also been used in emergency situations for loss of consciousness and heart
attacks.
Small Intestine 3
Location: With palm facing up, make a gentle fist. The point is located on the outer edge of your palm, where the skin protrudes out.
Function: Used for stiff neck and shoulders, acute strain and pain of the lower back, headaches,
dizziness, earaches, ringing in ears, red eyes, nightsweats, sore throat, mania, and mouth and cheek pain.
Conception Vessel 17 • The Heart Alarm Point
Location: At center of sternum (breastbone), between the nipples.
Function: Restores balance to both the Heart and Small Intestine, regulates Qi and blood, strengthens the Lungs, benefits the breasts and promotes lactation. Also good for asthma, chest pain and tightness, indigestion, cough, dyspnea, hiccough, intercostal neuralgia, mastitis, palpitations, respiratory disorders, throat disorders, and wheezing.
Yoga Posses to help balance and open the Heart/Small Intestine Fire Element.
Forward Butterfly Pose
1) In a sitting position, place soles of feet together and press them together with your hands.
2) Pull your feet back as close to your groin as possible. Wrap your hands over your toes and
extend your elbows out, away from your body.
3) As you exhale, gently bend forward. Push feet together with your hands and keep thighs as
close to the floor as possible. Relax your neck and shoulders.
4) With each inhalation, use your breath to expand your rib cage and the upper part of your back,
behind your shoulder blades. Keep pressing elbows and thighs to the floor. With each exhalation, allow your body to relax and deepen into the pose.
5) Relax, breathe, repeat and return to a sitting position. Avoid if you have knee pain
Back Scratch Pose
1) Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with the right leg over the left. Slide your knees together until they are almost on top of each other, and your
feet are close to the opposite hip.
2) Raise your right arm straight up, bend the elbow, and reach your hand down behind your back. Bring your left arm behind your back and try to grab your
right hand. If you cannot clasp your hands together, place a belt or towel in your right hand and grab it with your left.
3) As you inhale, raise your head up, pressing it against your raised arm, and filling your back,
shoulders and chest with breath.
4) As you exhale, bend forward slightly. Hold this position for a few breaths. Gently rise, release your arms and reverse your leg and arm position. Left knee on top, left elbow pointing upwards. Do not attempt if you have a shoulder injury.
Side-to-Side Teeter Totter Pose
1) Place the soles of your feet together.
2) Pull them back as close to your groin as possible.
3) Place hands, palms up, under your ankles and hold them.
4) Rest your elbows on top of your inner thighs, keep your back straight, and apply a slight
downward pressure with your elbows.
5) Press your knees downward, closer to the floor,
without straining them.
6) Use your weight and elbow to press your right leg down, then release. Do the same for the left
side. Use the momentum to rock from side-to-side.
