March is the month that Spring officially begins! Hooray! After such a deep freeze this past month, it’s wonderful to think about things warming up and the seasons changing.
There are actually 5 seasons according to Chinese Medicine, Five Element Theory. The fifth, and less well known season, is called “Late Summer”. Interestingly, Late Summer isn't just the end of Summer, it’s an interval of time between each of the seasons. Late Summer is the “in-between” transition of one season to another. Late Summer appears for a few weeks 4 times a year, collectively equaling a season unto itself.
In 5 Element Theory, Late Summer is connected to the Earth Element which governs the function of both Spleen and Stomach. So essentially, Late Summer is Spleen/Stomach season! This is the season we’re currently in.
So what do your Spleen and Stomach do? Well, from a Chinese Medicine perspective these two organs work together to nourish your body. The stomach does exactly what you’d expect- it receives and breaks down food. The Spleen, a much overlooked organ, is the star in this pairing. The spleen is in charge of transformation and transportation: a function that takes the nutrients from the food the stomach has decomposed and turns them into energy, blood, and other necessary body fluids. The spleen is also responsible for holding organs in their proper place, as well as keeping a proper flow to bodily functions (ie: food going down, instead of coming up; the digestive tract absorbing nutrients and moving at a consistent pace).
Most people don’t notice when the Spleen and Stomach are in good health, but when there is dysfunction in this area, the signs are not always what you’d expect. A person with a healthy Spleen/Stomach will have a good appetite, enjoy the foods they eat, experience easy digestion, have good strength and energy, etc. It would be logical to think that the signs of a sick system would be the opposite: lack of appetite and flavour, gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, feeling lethargic- all of that is true. However, other indicators of a dysfunctional Spleen/Stomach system include: sugar cravings, pale complexion and/or lips, weak voice, water retention or weight gain, excess phlegm, shortness of breath, brain fog, prolapsed organs, easily bruising, and weak muscles- just to name a few!
Whatever the season, the organ that is associated with it is the most impacted at that time of year. It really comes as no surprise then that the spleen and stomach, which are in charge of transforming food to nutrients, are most affected by the transforming of seasons, or the fact that this happens consistently throughout the year. Our digestion and gut health play a huge role in our overall health and consistently needs to be looked at, adjusted, and supported.
If you’re wondering how to best support your Spleen and Stomach this Late Summer season, my 5 top suggestions are:
Acupuncture- of course! Acupuncture is fantastic for helping support the functions of the spleen and stomach and for getting them back on track if digestion is off. Herbal formulas can also be effective when this system is really off-track.
Skip the iced drinks and avoid too many raw veggies. Opt for warming beverages, and steamed or lightly stir-fried vegetable selections. If this is really too much to ask, add some “warming” herbs like cinnamon or ginger to your food and drink.
As much as possible, stay away from dairy. Typically, dairy isn’t great for anyone, however, if you’re someone who usually tolerates it well, it’s still ideal to cut it out, cut back, or at the very least, opt for lactose-free during Late Summers.
Go easy on the sugars! Even natural or “healthy” sugars are hard on the spleen. Again, while this is something to be more aware of during the changing of seasons, it’s always a good idea to eat as few refined sugars as possible!
Finally, and most importantly: Get outside to enjoy the fresh air and the sun! (While there’s still crispness in the air, continue to keep your neck and ankles warm while doing so).
If you read this and thought, “Oh, my spleen and stomach are definitely impacted by this season!”, be sure to book an appointment with me so that we can get you back on track. I look forward to seeing you soon!
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