The core of traditional Chinese medicine health preservation lies in the harmony between human and nature and living in accordance with natural rhythms. The cyclical rotation of the Five Elements corresponds to the alternation of four seasons, as well as the waxing and waning of qi movement in the five zang-organs of the human body.

Different from the conventional four-season division, TCM adopts a five-season health regimen to balance the body and mind: nourish the liver in spring (Wood), nourish the heart in summer (Fire), nourish the spleen in late summer (Earth), nourish the lungs in autumn (Metal), and nourish the kidneys in winter (Water). Only when the five zang-organs are in harmony can the body stay comfortable and balanced.

Summer, also known as the three months of summer, is the most distinctive season of the year, divided into early summer, midsummer and late summer. Early summer and midsummer belong to the Fire element, with a focus on heart nourishment; late summer belongs to the Earth element, prioritizing spleen nourishment.

Two Five Elements and two zang-organs govern the entire summer. Conducting health conditioning in phases aligned with summer seasons represents the authentic way of summer wellness.

Nourish the Mind and Calm the Spirit in Early Summer & Midsummer

Early summer and midsummer correspond to the fourth and fifth lunar months. This period boasts the most vigorous yang qi all year round with rising summer heat. Governed by the Fire element, it is associated with the human heart.

Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic) records: “Fire and heat dominate summer, corresponding internally to the heart. The heart governs blood vessels and stores the spirit.”

When summer Fire prevails, yang qi and qi-blood diffuse outward. In addition, many people nowadays stay up late frequently, crave cold food, take greasy diets and overthink, which easily lead to restlessness and mental unease.

In line with seasonal characteristics, the key to wellness during this phase is mild relaxation and emotional composure to adapt to the rhythm of hot weather.

Based on ancient Five Elements formulas, FNY launches the Three-Huang Eight-Treasure Heart-Nourishing Ointment suitable for early summer and midsummer. Formulated on the basis of the Eight-Treasure Decoction, it integrates the Four Gentlemen Decoction and Four Substances Decoction, and draws on the formula of the Ten-Ingredient Great Tonifying Decoction for optimization.

The “Three Huang” of the ointment refer to Astragalus, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared) and Yunnan Polygonatum. Together with Ginseng, Codonopsis, Poria cocos, Chinese wolfberry and roasted licorice, these eight medicinal and edible ingredients follow ancient compatibility principles with mild and balanced proportions, ideal for daily mild conditioning in summer.

Consolidate and Protect the Spleen Earth in Late Summer

Late summer serves as a special transition linking summer and autumn, generally referring to the sixth lunar month (July 7 – August 6 in the Gregorian calendar). Its most prominent feature is lingering summer heat coupled with rising dampness, forming a steaming hot-humid environment.

Governed by the Earth element, late summer corresponds to the spleen. The spleen governs transportation and transformation and is the foundation of acquired constitution. The pervasive damp-heat in late summer tends to obstruct spleen and stomach qi movement, resulting in heavy body sensations, poor appetite and mental fatigue.

Unlike the heart-nourishing focus of early summer and midsummer, the core of health preservation in late summer is to gently nourish the spleen and stomach and regulate internal dampness.

For the hot-humid climate of late summer, FNY Five Elements Herbal Ointment presents the Nine-Ingredient Ginseng and Poria Spleen-Tonifying Ointment. Its formula originates from the Ginseng and Poria Atractylodes Powder, combines the Four Gentlemen Decoction and Lizhong Decoction, and absorbs the essence of the Aucklandia and Amomum Stomach-Regulating Decoction.

Developed in line with traditional spleen-tonifying compatibility theories, the ointment features mild and well-balanced ingredients. Centered on Ginseng, it contains Poria cocos, Chinese yam, lotus seed, hyacinth bean, coix seed, dried tangerine peel, platycodon grandiflorus and roasted licorice. Adapted to the hot-humid weather in late summer, it can be used as daily dietary supplementation.

Daily Wellness Regimens for a Comfortable Summer

Among four-season health preservation, dietary supplementation is merely auxiliary. Regular daily routines and stable moods are the fundamental guarantee for spending summer in peace.

By adjusting daily habits to match the climate characteristics of the three phases of summer, people can easily adapt to seasonal changes and enjoy a stable summer.

1. Follow seasonal schedules to nurture the spirit

Summer features long days, short nights and exuberant yang qi. Avoid staying up late which consumes vital energy. Keep early bedtime and early rising, and take proper daytime rest to contain outward-diffusing yang qi and maintain physical and mental comfort.

2. Moderate diet suited to seasonal conditions

Cut back on cold and dry-heat foods in early summer and midsummer to ease emotional restlessness. Avoid heavy greasy food in late summer to reduce metabolic burden on the spleen and stomach. Stick to light and mild daily diets.

3. Maintain emotional tranquility to relax body and mind

The heart prefers calmness and dislikes dryness; the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. Slow down the pace of life in summer, calm impetuous emotions, reduce excessive thinking, and sustain a relaxed mental state. The qi movement of five zang-organs will flow naturally.