In Chinese medicine understanding, Summer and its extreme weather changes may damage our Spleen and Stomach (digestive) function, leading to bloating, abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, heavy legs and dull persistent headaches, flatulence, bland or no taste sensation, nausea and loose stools or alternating constipation and loose stools. When the weather is hot we naturally eat more cold raw food and icy drinks. If our digestion is weak, this may unbalance our gut flora, the cold drinks may congeal fats that are eaten at the same time (e.g. beer and pizza) resulting in the above symptoms as well as an increase in food intolerance’s.
This condition can be improved by avoiding foods that increase “Damp” seen in thick fur on your tongue) and put a strain on the digestion. These are sweets, molasses, wheat, tomatoes, dairy products, nuts, citrus, juices, oils, deep fried foods, ice-cream, pizza, pork, smoothies, pumpkin and icy drinks.
Foods That Clear Damp
These foods are used in Chinese medicine to alleviate some of the symptoms of damp. They are: adzuki beans, rice, alfalfa, mung and kidney beans, well cooked cabbage, sauerkraut, capers, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, chicken, clams, dandelion tea, kohlrabi, congee, mandarin peel, lettuce, rye, spelt, sweet potatoes, spring onion, tuna, vinegar, water chestnuts and grilled or baked (not poached) fish.
A cupping and acupuncture session may give immediate relief for the symptoms and a herbal tea may help to balance the digestion to consolidate this effect.
