Summer and Heart Care: Cooling Foods and Practices from Chinese Medicine
Staying Cool in the Middle Eastern Summer
In the Gulf countries, where temperatures exceed 45 degrees, heart care in the summer is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
Why Is the Heart Affected in Summer?
In Chinese medicine, the heart is the "emperor" — it governs blood circulation and houses the spirit. Excess heat consumes the heart's energy and causes:
- Palpitations and rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Irritability and nervousness
- Excessive sweating that depletes the body's fluids
12 Cooling Foods for Summer
- 1. Watermelon 2. Cucumber 3. Tomato 4. Mint
- 5. Coconut water 6. Yogurt 7. Zucchini 8. Green beans
- 9. Lotus seeds 10. Tofu 11. Barley 12. Celery
8 Summer Drinks
- 1. Watermelon juice with mint 2. Chilled rose water 3. Iced chrysanthemum tea
- 4. Lemonade with a little ginger 5. Cucumber and celery juice 6. Iced hibiscus
- 7. Coconut water with mint 8. Iced green tea with lemon
Movement Tips for Summer
- Exercise only in the early morning or after sunset
- Avoid strenuous exercise between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Slow tai chi exercises are better than running
