Indian Summer (late summer) is the season of the earth element.

It is a time to slow down and observe the abundance created during summer. It is also a time of self-reflection and self-awareness. With self-awareness, we can be cognizant of our needs and nourish ourselves. When our needs are met, we have the surplus energy to be sensitive to the needs of others.

In order to move forward with ease, we must be grounded in our center. The earth element provides us with this grounding and balance. It is the transition point between the seasons. The earth element is present late summer, late autumn, late winter, and late spring.

The energy pathways associated with the earth element are stomach and spleen. Tips to support the spleen and stomach energy are:

• Avoid excess consumption of cold tea, liquor, cold melons, and sweet greasy foods.
• It is important to exercise at least three days a week. Long periods of inactivity are harmful to spleen and stomach energy.
• Eat a healthy, nutritional diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, a little protein and some grain.
• Yellow and orange foods, foods harvested in late summer and root vegetables are very good to support stomach energy.
• Eat dinner by 6 or 7pm each night if possible. To give the stomach time to digest before sleep.

Adrenal fatigue often occurs when we are experiencing prolonged periods of excessive stress. During this time the adrenal glands produce excessive levels of cortisol to aid in the flight or fight response of the body. Since most of the time we are responding to everyday deadlines or relationship stresses, we are not physically fighting or fleeing and do not use the cortisol. This cortisol then becomes stored around the abdomen as excess weight. Over time the adrenals become exhausted as do the kidneys which sit below them.

When the kidney energy(water) is low it is unable to hold down the fire energy generated by the heart. This heat is needed for the organs below the heart to function properly. Without heat, our other systems, digestion, elimination (large intestine, small intestine, bladder) will be adversely affected.

Some symptoms of weak kidney and adrenal glands are:

• Allergies – the intestines are not getting adequate blood flow to digest and assimilate food. This inadequate oxygenated blood flow can also cause inflammation which can adversely affect the immune system.
• Dizziness or light headedness
• Increase or decrease in blood pressure
• Frequent urination
• Sleep issues, overactive mind, racing heart or palpitations
• Low energy and extreme exhaustion
• Body pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Brain fog

Adrenal exhaustion can occur after long periods of excessive stress. This is much more common than we realize today since so many people are multitasking, having schedules which run them ragged and working long hours each day.

The symptoms of adrenal exhaustion are many and varied from dizziness and lightheadedness to frequent urination, pain, and anxiety to name a few. Today I want to address solutions to this issue.

Since this condition of adrenal exhaustion and weak kidney energy has occurred over time there is no magic bullet to reverse it. It will take a multi-faceted approach to improve the condition and restore the kidney energy over time. The normal aging process weakens the kidney energy to a certain extent, but when we experience long periods of extreme stress without adequate rest or nourishment for the kidneys, we accelerate the aging process.

To restore the balance of fire and water energy, we need a whole-food-based diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and warming spices.

Foods which support the kidney energy are:

• black or dark-colored (i.e. black rice, black sesame seeds, black beans)
• salty or savory in flavor :
• dark leafy greens
• seaweed
• kelp
• eggplant
• unrefined sea salt
• pink Himalayan salt
• bone broth
• dark mushrooms
• sardines
• kidney beans
• organ meats, oysters, root vegetables with dark color

Creating lifestyle habits which promote mindfulness will also help. Practices such as:

• Meditation, yoga, prayer, tai chi, walks in nature, Epsom salt baths will all support the kidney energy.
• Have the same bedtime each night, try not to be on a computer or watch tv for an hour or two before bedtime. The blue light coming from our tv or computer screens can prevent us from getting restful sleep. Avoid having this light in your bedroom. Restful sleep is one of the most effective things to nourish our kidney energy.
• Holistic modalities such as acupressure, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, craniosacral therapy and others can help us release physical and emotional stress that we are unable to release on our own.
• Chinese Herbal tonics can be very important in supporting kidney and adrenal health. If you feel that you may need an herbal supplement, it is best to consult with a qualified acupuncturist.
• For lighter kidney support, herbal teas such as, chamomile, Tulsi, passionflower and Reishi mushroom can be helpful.

Though technically it isn’t summer until the summer solstice on June 21st, we can feel the shift in the weather with the longer days and the warmer weather. The summer has begun.  This season represents abundant energy, expansion, growth, activity, and creativity.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is ruled by the fire element, the color is red, the emotion is joy, the organs most active are the heart and small intestine, pericardium and triple warmer.  It is the most yang(active) of the seasons; life and energies are at their peak.

In TCM mental activity is associated with the heart and therefore our memory, thought processes, emotional wellbeing, and consciousness are also attributed to the heart and fire element.  When the fire element is in balance, the mind is calm and sleep is sound, the heart is strong and healthy.  When the fire element is unbalanced, either lack of joy (depression) or excess joy (mania) can occur.

Symptoms of imbalance include agitation, nervousness, heartburn, and insomnia. Growth, joy and spiritual awareness between the heart and mind are the focus of this season.

Tips for summer health:

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids
• Wake up earlier in the morning, go to bed later in the evening, if possible, rest at midday.
• Stay cool and hydrated
• Eat lighter and cooling foods such as salads and fruits
• Add pungent flavors to the diet
• Keep calm and even-tempered (anger exacerbates heat)

During this beautiful time of year when nature is awakening and sending its energy up and outward, the energies most active play an important role in our modern world. The Gallbladder Meridian, which begins in the head and ends between the 4th and 5th toes, is responsible for decision making and overcoming obstacles. It’s partner, the Liver Meridian, controls our ability to plan our lives.

It is said that the gallbladder energy carries out the plans of the liver. The emotions connected with the Liver Meridian are anger, resentment, and frustration.

In our present-day society of deadlines and responsibilities, a healthy gallbladder and liver energy is essential to good decision making. Difficulty with procrastination or frustration level are symptoms of gallbladder and liver imbalance.

Diets which are high in processed carbs, fried food, trans fats dairy and fructose can lead to gallbladder imbalance. Some pre-disposing factors to liver disease include diabetes, alcoholism, drug abuse, malnutrition, and viral liver infection.

To improve gallbladder and liver health:

• Juice a combination of beets, apples, lemon, carrots, and dandelion greens.
• Eat more leafy greens, walnuts, olive oil, asparagus, garlic, turmeric, cauliflower, tart cherries, broccoli, and kale
• Get some type of exercise every day

www.energeticsynthesis.com/Gallbladder Meridian

In Traditional Chinese Medicine each of the twelve meridians has a specific two-hour time period when the Qi (energy) is at its peak in that meridian. The Gallbladder Meridian is most active between 11:00 pm and 1:00 am. Its partner meridian, Liver, is most active between 1:00 am and 3:00 am. If you are consistently waking during these hours, it is an indication of imbalance in these energy pathways.

When the energy of a meridian is blocked and not flowing freely due to an overload of stress, poor eating habits or overexertion, physical symptoms appear.

Causes of Gallbladder dysfunction include:

• Excessive consumption of processed, greasy and fatty foods
• Anger, frustration and bottled up resentment
• Excessive consumption of dairy products
• Insufficient water intake

To support a healthy Gallbladder Meridian:

• Exercise (yoga is especially helpful)
• Start your day with a glass of lemon water
• Identify food sensitivities
• Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruit and smaller portions of antibiotic-free protein