The wind outside rustles the leaves, bringing a scent both sultry and fresh. Sunlight filters through the blinds, casting slatted patterns on the wall as if reminding me—summer has arrived.

Summer, in ancient times, carried the meaning of "greatness," signifying that the plants sown in spring have now grown tall and upright. Therefore, the season of summer, when all things flourish, is precisely the time for nurturing growth as described in the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon."

Children grow very quickly during summer. This is because the abundant yang energy in summer stimulates various growth functions in the human body.

When the growth functions of human body are activated by summer's yang energy, children manifest this by growing faster and taller.

In adults, this growth phenomenon translates to accelerated metabolism, where newly generated cells work with full vigor to repair aging bodies and functions.

After becoming mothers, we often focus on whether our children eat well, sleep well, have proper bowel movements, and develop well. Today, let's talk about the "growth" aspect concerning women.

Proper "Growing" in Summer

It can slow down the rate of physical aging

All things are in a budding state during spring, just beginning to germinate. When summer arrives, they start growing vigorously.

Humans are also part of nature. For us, "growth" in summer doesn't mean gaining excess weight, but rather strengthening bones and muscles, improving skin health, and boosting vitality. For women, this kind of growth presents an excellent opportunity for both physical and mental development as well as reproductive health.

If we can focus on the key aspects of health preservation during this season and properly "grow," not only will we not gain weight, but we can also make our bodies slimmer, stronger, and more energetic, ultimately effectively slowing down the aging process.

Focus on Nourishing Two Organs

Heart and Lungs

Summer is an excellent time to nourish the heart.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that summer belongs to the "fire" element and is the season when heart fire is most vigorous. In summer, the body requires "growth," so it actively increases heart fire to promote metabolism and accelerate growth.

However, if heart fire becomes excessive, it can lead to "internal heat." Excessive internal heat may cause issues such as ulcers on the tongue tip, dark yellow urine, irritability, or insomnia.

1. Preventing excessive heart fire: moderately consume bitter melon and take afternoon naps.

Summer is the season when bitter melon is in harvest. With its ability to nourish heart yin and clear heat, bitter melon can be consumed in moderation.

Be cautious when excessive internal heat combines with hot weather and heavy sweating, as this increases the burden on the heart. Therefore, napping during summer is crucial as it allows the heart to rest properly.

Taking a proper nap between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM daily is highly beneficial for heart nourishment. However, naps shouldn't be too long—generally, within one hour is sufficient. For mothers who can't take a nap, simply closing their eyes and sitting quietly for a few minutes can also help nourish the mind and spirit.

2. Consume some pungent foods to disperse lung qi and expel pathogenic factors from the body.

Pungent flavors have dispersing properties that help eliminate superficial pathogens and expel internal pathogenic factors. Moreover, pungent flavors also promote sweating, so moderate consumption of pungent foods can assist in dissipating body heat.

However, spicy foods suitable for summer should also be classified as warm or cool.

One type is spicy and warm, such as scallions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, and black pepper. As the weather gets hotter, the body's yang energy rises to the surface, leaving the spleen and stomach feeling cold. Consuming spicy and warm foods can not only stimulate the appetite but also strengthen the spleen and stomach.

The other type is spicy and cool, such as mulberry leaves, mint, chrysanthemum, and honeysuckle. These can disperse wind-heat, prevent colds, and also relieve summer heat.

Woman's constitution is primarily governed by the liver

A healthy liver leads to a radiant complexion and good health

The liver governs regulation and prefers smooth, unobstructed flow; it dislikes stagnation and suppression.

Many mothers are quite delicate and sensitive by nature, yet accustomed to suppressing their emotions amid busy lives—this is actually very harmful to the liver.

Persistent emotional repression prevents the free flow of liver qi, causing it to stagnate and accumulate. This leads to irritability and anxiety, and over time may trigger various health issues such as headaches, insomnia, obesity, hyperlipidemia, irregular menstruation, and mammary gland hyperplasia.

1. Relax your mood and focus more on yourself.

Learn to regulate liver qi. When it comes to liver qi, emotions are inseparable from it because they are closely related.

Spring and summer seasons bring lush growth to all living things. In such beautiful seasons, you should pamper yourself more.

Try to follow your inner thoughts and desires as much as possible. Do what you want to do; buy what you like; eat what you crave.

Don't overthink things. Focus more on your inner self and maintain a joyful mood.

2. Use some liver-soothing medicinal foods to help regulate liver qi.

Many aromatic herbs and ingredients can help regulate liver qi and relieve stagnation. Pleasant fragrances can open the body's qi pathways. Regularly drink rose tea, mulberry leaf tea, jasmine tea, or liver-regulating menstrual tonic paste.

Adequate qi and blood bring vitality

Only then will one appear energetic rather than listless

With summer's arrival, several common issues often emerge - such as persistent fatigue, low energy, and poor complexion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this condition is called "qi deficiency."

People with qi deficiency often feel extremely listless – they'd rather sit than stand, and lie down rather than sit. They go through each day feeling sluggish and unmotivated.

Typically, mothers with insufficient qi and blood circulation tend to have poorer emotional control. While they may manage to suppress their emotions at work, whether they erupt or not when returning home becomes a matter of chance.

They also frequently lack patience. Though they may have many things they want to do in mind, they don't feel like taking action. When spending time with their children, they easily lose patience and can't fully engage, often ending up just going through the motions.

Our body's internal organs are all vital energy – only when our qi and blood are in good condition can we have more vitality to face everything in life and work.

Take care of yourself; don't dwell excessively on people or foods that drain you. Avoid staying up late to prevent the excessive loss of your already insufficient kidney essence.

To regulate and replenish qi and blood, you can apply traditional Chinese medicinal plasters to dispel cold-dampness, supplement yang energy, and warm the middle. To protect the spleen and stomach health of your whole family, try strengthening spleen plasters to nourish righteous qi.

After becoming a mother, when your hands have wiped away grease and dusted off dirt, you truly understand that a mother's greatness isn't just summarized by the word "hard work."

Wishing all mothers a happy Mother's Day in advance!