TCM Summer Guide: Support Your Heart, Cultivate Joy, and Embrace the Fire Element
- Isabelle le Goaec
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Summer is the season of vitality, warmth and expansion. Nature is in full bloom, energy is at its peak, and many of us feel a natural pull toward connection, celebration and outward expression.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer aligns with the Fire element, which governs the Heart and Small Intestine. These organs not only play essential physical roles, but also act as gatekeepers of our emotional and spiritual wellbeing – especially in terms of how we connect with others and experience Joy.
Learn more about the interconnections between the seasons, elements, organs and emotions in TCM here!
Fire Element: The Spark of Life
The Fire element is all about movement, warmth and transformation. When the Fire element is in balance, it brings:
Joy, vitality, enthusiasm and charisma
Clear communication and emotional resilience
Restful sleep and a deep sense of connection to ourselves and others
But when Fire burns too brightly – or dims too much – it can lead to imbalance. This may manifest as restlessness, insomnia, anxiety or emotional dullness. Many of us are particularly prone to Fire-related imbalances in the summer, when the external heat interacts with our inner fire element. Integrating this vibrant energy can help us stay centred and connected – within ourselves and with others – during this active, outward-facing TCM summer season.
The Heart and Small Intestine: Circulation, Clarity and Integration
In TCM, the Heart is known as the “Emperor” – the ruler of the body, mind and spirit. It’s responsible not only for circulating blood, but also for housing the Shen – our spirit, consciousness and mental clarity.
The Small Intestine is one of the Heart’s chief “ministers”, playing a supportive but vital role: it separates the pure from the impure, both in digestion and in perception. Energetically, it helps us discern truth from distortion, making it crucial for decision-making and clear thinking.
When these organs are in balance:
Circulation is strong and steady
The mind is clear, focused and calm
We can process experiences and emotions with insight
When out of balance:
Symptoms may include palpitations, hot flushes, mouth ulcers or restless sleep
Mentally, we may feel scattered, overstimulated or confused
Summer is the ideal time to focus on heart and small intestine health, as the rising Fire energy enhances circulation, digestion and nutrient absorption – laying the foundation for physical vitality and emotional balance.
The Emotion of Summer: Joy
The emotion linked to the TCM summer season and to the heart organ/meridian sounds like good news – you can’t go wrong with “joy”, right?!
And indeed, as a reflection of balanced fire/heart qi, joy (“xi”) is that feeling of buzzing happiness that money just can’t buy. But the way TCM talks about emotions is a bit different – words like “joy” or “anger” are just rough translations of deeper energetic patterns that can either support or disrupt our well-being.
“Xi” refers to a stimulating, expansive emotional state – a kind of excited happiness or elation – that, while uplifting, can become excessive or overwhelming.
Balanced Joy:
A calm, steady sense of inner happiness
Openness to life, playfulness and meaningful connection
A clear, centred mind and a compassionate heart
Imbalanced Joy:
Excessive joy (often triggered by over stimulation or excitement) can scatter Heart qi, leading to insomnia, anxiety and over-talkativeness
Deficient joy may feel like flatness, sadness, or lack of emotional engagement
So – how to embrace the summer’s vibrant Fire energy while staying grounded and balanced,supporting our heart and nurturing inner joy? Let’s dive in with some practical tips, from Qigong and acupressure to diet... and more!
Summer Qigong for a Healthy Heart, Clarity and Joy
Join me for this short Qigong routine to tap into the season’s energy! These simple movements help to balance the Fire element, nourish your heart and small intestine, and cultivate joy and clarity.
SUMMER SOUND IN TCM
- HAAAAAAA...
New to self-acupressure? Check out our guide for tips on how to get started!
Acupressure for Balanced Fire Qi, Heart & Gut Health
Stimulating acupoints along the Heart, Small Intestine and Pericardium meridians can help regulate emotional expression, support restful sleep, and keep our fire burning at the right intensity.
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HEART MERIDIAN
Spirit Gate or Shen men – HT7
Location: On the wrist crease, in line with the little finger, in the small hollow just below the bone at the base of the hand.
Benefits: Calms the mind, nourishes the heart, eases anxiety and promotes restful sleep.
Try gentle circular pressure with your thumb for 1–2 minutes, especially before bed.
SMALL INTESTINE MERIDIAN
Back Stream or Houxi – SI3
Location: Make a loose fist. SI3 is on the edge of your hand just below the knuckle at the base of the little finger, where the skin folds when the fingers are curled.
Benefits: Clears heat from the heart and mind, helps with neck tension, and improves clarity and decision-making
PERICARDIUM MERIDIAN
Inner Gate or Neiguan – PC6
Location: Three finger-widths up the inner arm from the wrist crease, between the two tendons.
Benefits: Harmonizes the heart and stomach, soothes nausea, calms anxiety and stabilizes mood swings.
See also Introduction to Body Meridians to learn more about Acupressure Massage Therapy
TCM Summer Wellness Tips to Balance Fire Energy
Stay Cool - but Not Too Cold:
Avoid too many iced drinks, which can harm digestion. Drink plenty of room-temperature water – try adding mint, cucumber or lemon to cool down, refresh and support Heart qi.
Eat with the Season:
Enjoy seasonal produce like watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers, leafy greens, and bitter foods (like dandelion or arugula) to clear excess heat and support the Fire element.
Cultivate Joy Mindfully:
Engage in joyful activities – dancing, connecting with friends, creating art – but stay mindful of over stimulation. Create space for rest and reflection to balance all the outward energy.
Sleep Well:
Summer’s yang energy can disturb sleep. Prioritize winding down in the evenings – gentle stretches, calming tea and acupressure can help prepare for deep rest.
Protect the Shen:
Limit screen time before bed, avoid emotional over stimulation late in the day, and nourish your spirit with nature walks, journaling or calming meditation.
Connect Authentically:
The Heart thrives on authentic connection. This season encourages healthy emotional expression–speak your truth kindly, and take time to listen deeply.
Also check out our summer guides for healthy skin and hair!
From Fire to Earth: Prepare for the Next Seasonal Shift
As summer peaks, the natural energy will begin to descend into the Earth element of late summer, inviting us to ground and digest the abundant experiences of the season.
Until then, let your inner fire guide you – but not burn you out. Keep the heart open, the spirit calm, and joy flowing freely.
Wishing you a joyful, balanced, and radiant summer!
That’s the last in Katoka’s series of newsletters on the links between seasons, elements, organs and emotions, along with our specially curated qigong routines! If you missed the previous ones, check out the links below.
And while this series focuses particularly on the seasonal connections, we all have our own unique constitution, dominant elements and emotions according to TCM – so for example, if anger is bugging you or you feel like your liver needs a boost, no need to wait until next spring to apply the practical tips from that blog!
We’ll be back soon with more TCM-inspired wellness blogs, featuring acupressure tips, lifestyle hacks and more. If there are any particular areas you would love to see us cover, get in touch!
