Pick Three – Earth Brother Wellness

1. Xi Gua (Watermelon) and Summer Heat

The disease pattern of summer heat is one most of us are familiar with. Because summertime is the season of high heat and high dampness, those two climatic factors combine to create a sultry type of warmth in the body that is unpleasant at best and fatal at worst (think heat stroke). Depending on the amount of humidity in the environment, or the amount of pathological dampness in one’s system, it’s normal to get a little fuzzy headed along with a sweaty, sticky feeling on the exterior while engaging in outdoor activities on a hot summer day. But when things tip more toward nausea, exhaustion or blurry vision, those could be signs of bigger problems. Watermelon, in Chinese medicine, is used to clear summer heat with its cold nature and prevent complications with its fluid nourishing capabilities. Herbal formulas that work with this pattern use bitter cold medicinals, among others, that don’t taste very good, but watermelon is delicious and found just about everywhere, especially when in season which is when it’s needed the most. It’s almost as if nature is looking out for us and meeting our needs at all times.

2. Biolite

Many years ago I purchased a product from a kickstarter campaign, a small outdoor oven called the Biolite. It consists of a cylinder shaped oven and a power pack that connects right into it. The way it works is to drop a lit fire starter into the oven along with sticks and twigs which are usually available in abundance in almost any camping situation. The heat from the fire is captured by a probe connected to the power pack which converts it into electricity via a thermoelectric generator. The electricity is used to power a fan which stokes the fire and a charging port that connects to smart phones or other devices. Excess power is stored in the internal battery. It’s a wonderfully designed product and mine is still holding up after all these years. There’s a kettle pot that fits right on top which I purchased separately, and together with the Biolite itself it’s been a trusty source of freshly heated water for coffee or tea, or to reheat soups or stews, while camping. They also sell a modular grill setup if you want to cook food with it. I recommend this product as a sustainable, easy and reliable source of heat for all outdoor enthusiasts.

3. Keeping in step with the seasons: Connection. The organ system associated with summertime is the Heart, the basis of our personality that creates warmth, joy and connection. The Heart represents our true self, the fire that burns within us, and the warmer temperatures allow us to get outside and connect with one another, forming and reinforcing bonds and friendships. This is the time to get outside, attend a cookout or a festival, take in a performance or a sports event, and meet new people. Maybe there’s someone in your life that you haven’t spoken with in some time; the Qi of summertime is working in your favor to rekindle that connection. My favorite thing to do in the summer is to see live music, where one of the most authentic expressions of our true nature, dancing, is on display.

Zhi Zi, or gardenia seed, is one of the cooling medicinals used in the formula Long Dan Xie Gan Tang which I discuss in this month’s blog post. It is bitter and cold, a combination that makes its medicinal action more harsh than other herbs, and it is thought to clear heat from anywhere in the body as opposed to some herbs that tend to work in a more focused area. When heat leads to strong signs of irritability, as is common with menopause for example, Zhi Zi is an excellent herb to include in a formula.

2. Waking Up app, created by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, is an excellent way to begin or deepen a meditation practice. Harris narrates a daily guided meditation which is very useful, and the app includes short, digestible talks from Harris and others on various topics surrounding meditation, mindfulness and presence. The organization and production are polished and inspiring, and it’s clear that those creating the content are passionate about getting their listeners to unlock the full potential of their mind and spirit. https://www.wakingup.com/

3. Switchel is a natural and healthy electrolyte tonic that you can make at home very easily. With the weather beginning to slowly warm up, you’ll want to add this to your self care routine to help you stay hydrated during the summer months. You can add berries and fresh herbs such as mint or basil to increase the flavor. Sugar gets a bad rap but its healing properties of gently strengthening the Yang energy (which can get depleted in the heat of the summer) in a way that is nourishing to fluids makes it an essential ingredient in this delicious drink. https://plantyou.com/switchel-recipe/

Earth Brother Wellness LLC