Seasonal Nodes : Minor Heat

Photo by @sergiunista

This year the heat of Summer is definitely here now and it is right on time, as today July 6th, starts the next seasonal node of 2020 - known as Minor Heat.

The Minor Heat seasonal node marks an important change in the movement of Qi in the natural world. Summer Solstice began the transition from Yang-expansion to Yin-contraction in the environment. Therefore, Minor Heat is the first seasonal node in the Yin time of the year. However, although we are transitioning into the Yin time of the year, it will still be hot and getting hotter. Weather changes happen slowly. The movement of the seasons move like waves - a little at a time. Once we have flipped the switch from Yang to Yin, the weather still continues to warm for some time before the very slow movement in the opposite direction begins.

The most important thing for us to do during this time is to nourish the Heart by maintaining an optimistic outlook. Why? June and July are the months associated with the Fire phase. Also, if we overlay the 12 time periods of the day with the 12 months of the year, June is the time of the Heart channel and July the Small Intestine channel. Both are Fire phase. We nourish the Heart by keeping a calm mind and being optimistic. Pessimism or other negative emotional states can lead to patterns such as Liver stagnation, which in turn can transform into heat and agitate/stress the Heart. You can also nourish the Heart and regulate the Fire phases by doing some specific Qigong exercises that relate to the Fire channels in the body.

During this seasonal node, the first 5-day period is known as - Sultry Winds Arrive. This certainly describes what is happening in the weather right now, especially in the Northeastern United States. The weather has been hot, and dry until recently and now we are experiencing humidity. Therefore, we need to be careful about environmental dampness damaging the body. The main thing to avoid this time period is undue exposure to cold and excessive consumption of cold items (both cold temperature and cold thermal nature). Furthermore, the overconsumption of cold (and especially cold and sweet) food and drink damages the Spleen leading to more damp accumulation. Instead, we should drink beverages that are cooling, as well as either bitter (to drain), or acrid (to move). This will cool the body without developing damp stagnation. Examples include green teas, or chrysanthemum and mint herbal teas.  

Diet for Minor Heat

As we mentioned above, during Minor Heat there is significant dampness and heat in the environment. Therefore, we should consume foods that are cooling and either bitter or acrid. For example, this is the time of year to consume in-season fresh greens. In addition to chrysanthemum and mint we can also consume lotus leaf tea; lotus is a plant with a summerheat cooling nature that is also slightly bitter to drain heat and dampness. Sip fluids throughout the day so they don’t dehydrate rather than drinking copious amounts of iced beverages all at once that may contribute to damp conditions.

One traditional recipe for this time of year is congee made from pearl barley and adzuki beans. This basic combination is mild and neutral in temperature, and both the barley and adzuki beans drain dampness, strengthens the Spleen and clear heat as well.