Summer is upon us here in Vermont! And what a damp one it has been! This kind of heat can easily lead to anxiety, insomnia, fevers, and heat exhaustion. The dampness in turn can lead to sluggishness, swelling, and digestive issues. The intense winds we have been having can also lead to spasms, stress and muscle tightness. And after such a long winter, having to contend with grey summer skies can absolutely lead to depression. What can be done for all this? Keep taking your cod liver oil! This will keep up the Vitamin D stores in your body that were depleted this spring and winter. Bergamot essential oil is great for depression and do try to get out for walks when it is sunny. Get out of your wet clothes! Eventhough it is hot, after the rains, it is important to get out of wet clothes to keep from catching a chill or taking in too much dampness. This holds true for sweaty clothes as well. Foods that are great for dampness and regulating digestion are barley, bland foods, sweet potato, butternut and acorn squashes, as well ginger and orange peel tea. Add cardamom to your food and drink, and dry off well after that swim. Avoid fried foods, dairy and alcohol, as this all encourages dampness in the belly. Enjoy!
As far as cooling foods go, melons and cucumbers are great, as are salads and corn on the cob. If you are feeling a lot of digestive discomfort, however, raw food isn't so easy to move through the body. Fresh veggies steamed up and lightly seasoned with plenty of greens are always a great way to go. Coconut water and lemon water with mint are also really great summer beverages. Staying hydrated, wearing a hat in the sun, maintaining some amount of shade, and getting into cool water should all help with heat exhaustion as well. If you find yourself getting really over heated put an ice pack or ice cube in the crook of your elbow to release the heat. Other points to do this on are against the wrists, right below where the neck meets the shoulders along the spine, and anywhere along the side of the neck. Check for ticks! This summer, ticks are particularly abundant, so please make sure to end each day with a tick check, playing close attention to armpits and groins.
Come in for a treatment! Acupuncture can help with everything I have mentioned, and we have plenty of herbal formulas here at the clinic as well. Hope to see you soon! Happy summer and enjoy the fireflies!
