Stomach/Spleen Meridians affect, among other things, sinus congestion, and headaches on the forehead (a heavy feeling or a tight band around the head.
Year after year, a few weeks before the season changes, we see symptoms coming in. In Oriental Medicine, there is a season called “late summer.” And, it will be here soon!
The interesting part of this story is late summer brings on symptoms we all call “food poisoning,” or a “summer cold.” In Oriental Medicine, we have seasons that correspond with Meridians. The Spleen and Stomach Meridians will be focused in August. Oriental Medicine has in its corner thousands of years of watching people and their symptoms, matching them with the seasons…and all these years later, the explanations still apply. In my practice, I find these tried and true “seasons” help makes my focus on patients and their symptoms a bit easier. After 15 years in practice, I still see it…the same symptoms and problems every season – 2 weeks before the changes occur.
Stomach/Spleen Meridians work with digesting food, building blood, and transforming and transporting nutrients. It deals with dampness (heavy feeling), sinus congestions, headaches on the forehead (a heavy feeling or a tight band around the head), muscle cramps and aches, edema, diarrhea, nausea, and phlegm. These are the problems my patients are coming in for help with regularly right now.
The flavor of the season: SWEET
The flavor of this season is sweet. People LOVE ice cream this time of year. Ice cream is damp in nature. It also causes our blood sugar to drop during the night. If you eat it – do so after dinner – and add nuts. Or eat a protein with it (eggs, cheese, and meat).
Eating tips for your best health in late summer
The best foods for the next two months are barley, celery, clams, adzuki beans, garlic, green onions, green tea, horseradish, lettuce, mushrooms, parsley, pumpkin, and radishes. Incorporate them into your daily diet. Horseradish is great for sinus congestion.