~ Strategies for Heat and Dampness Pathogens and the Balance of the Heart, Liver, and Kidney ~
International Practitioner of Traditional East Asian Medicine: Tomomi Tamura
"Every year when summer comes, I feel more tired than usual," "My appetite decreases," "My body feels heavy and sluggish."
Many people experience these kinds of symptoms.
Summers in Asia are hot and humid, making them particularly difficult to endure. Outdoors, the oppressive heat causes heavy sweating, while indoors, air conditioning often makes the body feel cold.
In this article, based on the principles of Traditional East Asian Medicine, we will explore how to address the summer-related pathogenic factors of heat (shu xie) and dampness (shi xie). We will also explain the importance of maintaining balance among the Heart, Liver, and Kidney to stay healthy during the summer. Through practical summer self-care methods and the concept of balance ("Zhongyong" or the Doctrine of the Mean) in the Five Organs, we will provide guidance for maintaining well-being during this season.
Table of Contents
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Causes of summer fatigue? Understanding heat and dampness in Traditional East Asian Medicine
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Practical summer self-care methods you can start today
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Summer is governed by the Heart: What is the balance of Heart, Liver, and Kidney?
Causes of Summer Fatigue? Understanding Heat and Dampness in Traditional East Asian Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the human body is constantly influenced by the natural environment. If it cannot properly adapt and regulate itself, it becomes affected by pathogenic factors, which may lead to illness or discomfort.
The two main pathogenic factors to be especially aware of in summer are heat (shu xie) and dampness (shi xie).
Heat generates internal heat in the body and consumes both physical energy and vitality. Dampness causes fluid retention, leading to swelling, heaviness, fatigue, and digestive disturbances.
When the digestive system becomes weakened, the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food. This results in poor fluid metabolism, energy deficiency, and a weakened immune system, ultimately triggering physical imbalance.
If these pathogenic factors penetrate deeper into the body, they may lead to chronic health issues. Therefore, it is important to practice self-care early to prevent this from happening.
Practical Summer Self-Care Methods You Can Start Today
The following focuses mainly on dietary therapy, but it is also important to ensure proper rest and movement.
Strategies for Heat
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Eat summer vegetables to help cool internal heat, while avoiding excessive consumption of cold foods
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Combine sour and natural sweet flavors to replenish fluids (e.g., honey + lemon)
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Do light exercise such as stretching or walking during cooler hours, and take a 20-minute nap during the hottest part of the day
Strategies for Dampness
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Reduce foods that burden the digestive system (sweets, greasy foods, hard-to-digest foods, raw vegetables, sashimi)
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Use warming foods such as ginger, green onion, and shiso leaf to warm the body and eliminate excess dampness
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Include diuretic foods such as legumes (red beans, barley, black beans) and corn silk to help drain dampness
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Take a warm bath at 38–40°C to gently promote sweating and improve circulation
Air Conditioning Precautions
Air conditioning can also be a cause of discomfort in summer.
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Avoid direct exposure to cold air from air conditioners
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Keep the neck, wrists, and ankles warm (the "three critical points")
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Drink at least one warm beverage per day
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Avoid excessive cooling of the digestive system (prefer room-temperature drinks whenever possible)
These small adjustments can greatly contribute to maintaining good health.
Start by incorporating what you can gradually, and aim for a healthier and more comfortable lifestyle.
Next, we introduce the concept of "Zhongyong" (balance) of the Five Organs. Understanding this concept will help clarify how the above self-care practices work within the body to maintain balance.
In all seasons, the Five Organs naturally strive to maintain a harmonious state—neither excessive nor deficient. This state is called Zhongyong (the balanced middle way).
In summer, the Heart takes center stage, while the Liver and Kidney work together to maintain overall balance in the body.
Summer is Governed by the Heart: What is the Balance of Heart, Liver, and Kidney?
Summer is the season in which the Heart becomes the most active among the Five Organs. However, it is also a time when heat and sweating place additional stress on the Heart.
To support the Heart, the Five Organs work in coordination, with the Liver and Kidney playing particularly important roles.
The Liver helps promote and regulate the Heart’s function, while the Kidney helps suppress excessive internal heat, maintaining balance.
Now let us look at the functions of each organ.
The Heart
The Heart governs blood circulation and the mind/spirit (Shen).
Blood circulation nourishes the body, including the organs and tissues, through the movement of Heart Qi.
In Traditional East Asian Medicine, the Heart is also responsible for mental activity, consciousness, and thought processes.
Therefore, insufficient blood can lead to anxiety and insomnia, while emotional distress and insomnia can also affect the flow of Qi and blood.
The Liver
The Liver regulates the smooth flow of Qi (dispersing function) and stores blood (blood storage and regulation of blood volume).
These functions support the Heart and are also believed to relieve emotional stress.
The Kidney
The Kidney stores essence (Jing), the fundamental substance of life, and is responsible for fluid metabolism and respiration regulation (receiving and stabilizing breath).
Kidney Yin nourishes the Heart and helps suppress excessive Heart Fire, maintaining internal balance.
Although the Liver and Kidney influence the Heart, the Heart also influences other organs in return.
The Five Organs continuously interact with one another, maintaining balance and supporting overall health.
When viewed in this way, one naturally begins to appreciate the body more deeply.
By being grateful for the body that works tirelessly every day and avoiding overexertion during the summer, we can spend this season in a healthier and more balanced way.