the REN DAO Wellness Center Blog

This summer in New York City, we were hit by a heat wave that seemed to last most of July. Now almost midway through August, it is still just as hot.

Summer Heat
In Chinese medicine, overexposure to extreme heat can lead to a conditions called Summer-heat. Symptoms of summer-heat include; excessive sweating, thirst, shortness of breath, fatigue, and concentrated, dark urine. If extreme temperatures are accompanied by excess humility, additional symptoms may appear including; dizziness, heavy sensation in the head, nausea, poor appetite, diarrhea and overall sluggishness. If a person stops sweating, becomes pale and becomes uncoordinated and lacks focus, they can be experiencing a heat related medical emergency requiring first aid and medical attention.
Those who are most susceptible to summer heat are young children and the elderly who have limited or reduced capacity to respond to excess heat and to properly hydrate. Also at risk are those who are experiencing acute or chronic illness and those who have taxed themselves physically.

Enjoy direct sun in the mornings.
The safest time to enjoy direct sun on the skin is in the early morning and late afternoon. From 10am to about 3-4pm, the suns (ultra-violet) rays are most concentrated and damaging. In the afternoon, temperatures are at their hottest. Thus, after mid-day we should limit direct sun exposure, wear light colored loose clothing and seek shade.

Stay well well hydrated.
The bodies natural way to get rid of excess heat and cool off is to sweat. We normally lose about 3 to 4 cups of water as sweat and exhaled air in a day. In hot weather these numbers can easily double. If we are exercising, or exerting ourselves, we can lose a cup or more a hour.
Cool water is the single best way to re-hydrate the body. Drinking excessive amounts of ice cold water may feel good but over time can harm the digestion and cause internal dampness. Drinking lots of sugary drinks is also discouraged as this too can harm the digestions and provides little to no nutrition for the consumed calories.

Eat cooling foods
Foods that are cool in nature are generally light in color, are easy to digest, and contain water. They help the body to engender fluids and cool down. Eat light meals as they require less energy and heat to digest. Refrain from eating heavy meats, oily or greasy foods and hearty winter grains and vegetables.

The following vegetables are cooling in nature and are great for summer raw, lightly steamed or sauteed: lettuces, watercress, cucumber and mung beans, asparagus, sprouts, bamboo, bok choy, broccoli, corn, white mushroom, snow peas, spinach, summer squash, etc. Herbs like cilantro, mint and dill are also cooling.

Juicy Fruits
Juicy fruits are always refreshing as most fruit (except for cherry) are cooling in nature. Watermelon is the most cooling fruit. You can try drinking watermelon juice as well as eating the fruit. Lemon, lime or cucumber slices in water is cooling to the body and a great way to rehydrate. Other fruit to help clear summer heat are apples, apricots, peaches, bananas, all citrus and melon fruit.