Summer in Chinese Medicine: Nourish Your Heart, Cool Your Spirit

Have you noticed that Summer can make you feel both energised and a little agitated?
You might wake earlier, crave more connection, and feel inspired — yet also find yourself more easily overstimulated, restless, or worn out by the heat.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these shifts aren’t random. Summer is connected with the Fire element, which governs the Heart and Small Intestine. It’s the season of warmth, joy, and growth — nature in full bloom, mirroring our potential to open, connect, and express.
When the Fire element is balanced, we feel vibrant, joyful, and emotionally steady. When it becomes excessive or depleted, symptoms like headaches, reflux, insomnia, anxiety, agitation, or fatigue may appear. The same energy that brings light and expansion can also lead to burnout if we don’t balance it with stillness and rest — something acupuncture supports beautifully.

The Heart and the ShenIn TCM, the Heart is more than a physical organ — it’s the home of the Shen, or spirit.
When the Heart is balanced, the Shen is calm and we experience joy, clarity, and connection. When out of balance, the Shen can become unsettled, leading to emotional sensitivity, poor sleep, or feelings of disconnection.
Acupuncture during the Summer months helps to harmonise the Fire element, regulate the Heart, and calm the Shen. Treatments may help cool internal heat, improve sleep, and settle the nervous system — offering acupuncture for stress relief, anxiety, or perimenopause symptoms. Many people describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more grounded after treatment, as though their energy has softened back into alignment.
If you’ve been searching for acupuncture near Yandina or a holistic acupuncturist on the Sunshine Coast, this is the perfect season to support your wellbeing.

Living in Tune with the SeasonSummer invites us to embrace the world with open hearts while remembering to stay centred.
Rise early, enjoy the warmth of the day, and make time for laughter and connection — but also balance outward activity with moments of rest. Finding calm within the movement helps prevent the Fire element from becoming excessive.

Cooling Foods for SummerEat light, hydrating foods to support digestion and keep the body cool. Nature provides exactly what we need:

• Watermelon and cucumber
• Lettuce, celery, and zucchini
• Berries, citrus, and kiwi
• Mung beans, tofu, and sprouts

Try to limit heavy, greasy, or spicy foods that generate internal heat and slow digestion.

Cooling Herbs for SummerThese gentle herbs help balance the warmth of the season, calm the mind, and support digestion — harmonising the Fire element so you feel grounded and at ease. They can be enjoyed as tea, alone or in combination:

• Bo He (Chinese Mint / Mentha haplocalyx) – cooling, aromatic, clears the head, and refreshes the mind.
• Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum Flower / Chrysanthemum morifolium) – clears Heat, supports the Liver, and eases tension.
• Luo Shen Hua (Hibiscus / Hibiscus sabdariffa) – cooling, slightly sour, quenches thirst, and supports fluid balance.
• Lu Cha (Green Tea / Camellia sinensis) – gently cooling, clears Heat, supports alertness, and dispels Dampness.
• Western herbs like peppermint, lemon balm, rose, and chamomile are also beautiful summer allies for the Heart and nervous system.

Restore Balance with Acupuncture on the Sunshine CoastLiving in harmony with the Fire element means allowing yourself to experience joy without depletion — to shine without burning out.
If you’ve been feeling the effects of the season — restlessness, heat, poor sleep, tension, or simply a sense of being “overextended” — acupuncture can help restore calm and balance.
At Flux Acupuncture & Wellness, Dr Erin Horne (Acupuncture) offers gentle, holistic acupuncture on the Sunshine Coast — supporting both physical and emotional wellbeing. Treatments address a wide range of conditions, including acupuncture for pain relief, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, women’s health, and stress-related symptoms.
🕊️ Clinic Days:

• Mondays & Fridays – Yandina, at Luna Wellness Collective
• Thursdays – Yeronga, at Indigo Soul Wellness

Learn more or book online at www.fluxwellness.com.au.
Wishing you a peaceful, heart-centred Summer.