"When Does Early Summer Begin? Nurturing the Heart in Early Summer and the Spleen in Midsummer"

Early Summer Dates and Characteristics

Early summer, commonly referred to as the transitional period between spring and summer, varies across different regions. In China, early summer typically spans from the beginning of the fourth lunar month to the early part of the fifth lunar month, which corresponds to mid-May to mid-June on the Gregorian calendar. As the first month of summer, it is also known as Mengxia. During early summer, temperatures rise, and nature flourishes in a verdant green scenery, marked by lush vegetation and the initial stages of natural growth. However, due to variations in geographical location and climatic conditions, there is no fixed standard for the specific dates of early summer.

Health Tips for Early Summer

1. Nourishing the Heart in Early Summer and the Spleen in Late Summer

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), seasons are closely associated with the health of human organs. Each season corresponds to a specific organ and related health principles. Early summer and late summer correspond to the heart and spleen, respectively, reflecting the wisdom of TCM health practices.

Early Summer Heart Nourishment:

• Timing: Early summer, roughly corresponding to the fourth lunar month (around May on the Gregorian calendar), marks the time when yang energy begins to flourish, leading to a gradual increase in heart fire.
• Health Principle: Nourishing the heart involves regulating heart function, maintaining a peaceful mindset, avoiding excessive emotional fluctuations, and preventing excessive heart fire.
• Food: Consume moderate amounts of lotus seeds, longans, red dates, and other heart-healthy foods.
• Exercise: Engage in heart-beneficial activities like walking, jogging, or yoga, avoiding intense exercise to prevent excessive heart fire.

Late Summer Spleen Nourishment:

• Timing: Late summer, approximately the fifth lunar month (around June on the Gregorian calendar), sees rising temperatures and humidity, which can affect spleen and stomach functions.
• Health Principle: Nourishing the spleen involves regulating spleen and stomach functions to maintain digestive health.
• Food: Incorporate moderate amounts of yam, lotus root, white hyacinth bean, and other spleen-healthy foods into your diet.
• Exercise: Practice activities like tai chi or walking that benefit the spleen and stomach, avoiding overexertion.

TCM emphasizes adapting lifestyles to natural changes in seasons and climates for overall physical and mental well-being.

2. Suitable Foods for Early Summer Health Maintenance

As temperatures gradually rise in early summer, the body may experience intense heart fire and damp-heat symptoms. Thus, diets should be light, easy to digest, and capable of clearing heat and toxins, while also ensuring adequate nutrition to adapt to seasonal changes. Some suitable healthy foods for early summer include:

• Green Beans: With the ability to clear heat, detoxify, dispel summer heat, and promote urination.
• Bitter Gourd: Clears heat, reduces fire, and detoxifies.
• Cucumbers: Cool in nature, cucumbers clear heat, detoxify, promote urination, and reduce swelling.
• Tomatoes: Rich in vitamin C and lycopene, they have heat-clearing, detoxifying, and antioxidant properties.
• Duck Meat: Cooling in nature, duck meat nourishes yin, clears heat, moistens dryness, and quenches thirst.
• Lean Meat: High in protein, lean meat helps strengthen the body.
• Honey: Clears heat, detoxifies, nourishes the lungs, and soothes coughs.
• Ginger: Warms the middle, dispels cold, promotes sweating, and relieves superficial symptoms.
• Green Tea: Clears heat, detoxifies, and revitalizes the mind.
• Tofu: