NOURISHING YOUR EARTH ELEMENT

According to the Five Element theory in Chinese medicine, there are five seasons that correlate to the five elements. Late summer is correlated with the element Earth. Late summer, or “Indian summer,” is an important time of preparation and readiness for the year’s work. Nature is rich and full as this is a great time for harvesting; and it is also a time for many of us to return to school or work and make new plans. This period marks the shift from the outward expression of spring and summer to the inward focus of autumn and winter. Late summer is a short season, but it can be a time of intense change and transformation in nature and within ourselves.

The Earth Element: Stomach, Spleen, and Pancreas

The Earth element symbolizes being grounded – as having our roots in a solid base. The earth relates to the cycles in nature and is central to all other elements. This element is also represented by the stomach, spleen, and pancreas. In Chinese medicine, the spleen is a central organ, both physiologically and anatomically. Defects in its energy can affect the whole body. The spleen distributes the energy obtained from foods through the body. The other organs depend on it for life. The stomach is the receiver of nourishment, taking the energy from food for the spleen to distribute.

All of these organs are essential for the digestive process. The digestive organs and their functioning reflect the influences of diet, mental activity, and emotions. The whole digestive system is finely tuned by the nervous system, so stress of any kind affects its function. The state of your emotions is closely linked to your eating habits and your ability to process food. Being emotionally upset or under stress affects your appetite and your nourishment, while feeling happy and clear stimulates your hunger, digestive ability, utilization, and appreciation of foods.

The spleen stores blood and destroys old blood cells, and is the reserve organ for blood formation in the adult. In the fetus, it is an important organ for blood formation, especially red blood cells. The spleen consists of lymphatic tissue and produces plasma cells, which make antibodies, tying the spleen to the immunologic system and thus, protection against various diseases.

The pancreas secretes hormones into the blood, regulating the body’s use of glucose. Insulin, the pancreas’ main hormone, lowers the blood sugar level by stimulating glucose use by the cells, or the pancreas may secrete the hormone glucagon into the blood, raising the blood sugar level. The other function of the pancreas is the secretion of pancreatic enzymes directly into the small intestine assisting in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Sweet Food and It’s Impact on the Earth Element

The flavor of sweetness is associated with the Earth element. Just as a little sweetness stimulates the spleen and pancreas, too much sweet food can injure them, and diminish your energy level. This suggests that excessive use of sugar may overwork and thus weaken the pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin or a weak insulin response. This creates the inability to clear and use up the sugar in the blood, leading to high blood sugar known as diabetes. An over-response of the pancreas from sugar and food intake, putting out too much insulin, is the mechanism involved in the problem of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

The Late Summer Diet

Late summer diet is the beginning of harvest time. Fruits and vegetables are ripe and plump. As we come toward the autumn equinox, the cycle of darkness becomes dominant, and our balance shifts inward. This is a time when you can begin your building and toning program, which includes diet and exercise.

A building diet will give you a greater proportion of protein-rich foods; a little more fat than during spring and summer; and lots of good fuel from whole grains. Eating lots of fresh and steamed vegetables, some seeds and sprouts, nuts, beans, dairy and eggs, increasing consumption of fish and poultry, and adding only a little of red meats can help build and tone the body. Additionally, for a few days to seven days in mid-autumn, it is recommended to do a juice cleanse to help eliminate the toxins that these richer, building foods introduce.

Exercise

A good exercise program that induces sweating helps to eliminate and cleanse toxins out of the body. A building exercise program could involve working with weights, repetitive exercises like sit-ups, leg-lifts, or push-ups, as well as running, swimming and other sports. To complement these exercises as nature turns towards an inward cycle, make sure to do loosening and stretching exercises to help your body and joints stay loose and supple. Yoga, qi gong, and pilates are great complements to building your core as well as strengthen and loosen tight muscles and joints while enhance body function and relieve daily stress.

Herbs To Support A Healthy Digestion

The following are some recommendations to harmonize the digestive system:

For weak acidity, and to stimulate hydrochloric acid in the stomach for better digestion, make a mild tea from rosemary, dried orange peel, and/or ripe juniper berries, and drink a small cup one-half hour before meals. These herbs can be steeped by pouring boiling water over them and let them sit in a covered pot for 15-20 minutes.

For weak digestion, avoid cold foods and drinking anything with your meals. Bitter foods, such as endive, dandelion greens, or chicory, will help strengthen the digestion.

For gas, indigestion, or hyperacidity, drink a seed tea like fennel, anise, fenugreek, or cardamom seed. These can be simmered in a closed pot for 15 minutes and then allowed to sit another 15 minutes before drinking.

Licorice root is a soothing and popular Chinese herb for the digestive tract. It promotes calmness and works as a mild laxative as well. It is also commonly used for sore throats, coughs, and colds. This is also a good tea after dinner mixed with peppermint and fenugreek seeds.

For building immunity and increasing resistance to illness, fresh romaine, parsley and celery juice can help as well as calm the nerves.

Chamomile flowers are also good for the stomach and spleen. It acts as a soothing relief for the stomach, stimulates the appetite, and helps in calming the nervous system. It is also used for menstrual irregularities and good for a relaxing and calming bath.