Why You Should Skip Cold Water This Summer! Try These 3 Healing Foods!
Hi friends!
We hope your summer is filled with joy and sunshine! Are you staying cool and refreshed in this warm weather? We're excited to share a little TCM wisdom to help you thrive this season: Why You Should Skip Cold Water This Summer and Choose These Healing Foods to Support Digestion and Keep You Cool!
You might already know some of these tips, and they can help your patients too! These simple practices can keep our body balanced and full of energy. Explore the full details below and let’s embrace summer the TCM way!
Why This Matters In Summer ☀️
When it’s hot, we reach for iced water, smoothies, cold brew… but from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view, too much cold can damage the very system that turns food into energy: the Spleen–Stomach (脾胃 Pi Wei).
The Spleen & Stomach like warmth. Warmth supports the transformation & transportation of food → Qi & Blood. Cold slows these processes, leading to weak digestion.
Too much cold intake may contribute to:
- Bloating, gas, or fullness after eating (Stomach Cold Excess)
- Loose stool / diarrhea (Spleen Yang Deficiency)
- Fatigue or “food coma” feeling (Spleen Qi Deficiency)
- Damp accumulation (heaviness, puffiness) (Spleen Deficiency)
- Reduced appetite / weak digestion (Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency)
Quick TCM View: Cold is one of the Six Pathogenic Factors (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire). Excess Cold can obstruct Qi flow and force your body to spend energy re‑warming the Middle.
Summer Swap: Eat (or Sip Warm) Instead Of Icy Drinks
Your patients don’t have to give up refreshment. Tell them to try room‑temp or warm teas, broths, or water‑rich cooling foods instead of constant iced drinks.
Below are 3 foods that help balance summer Cold exposure + Heat.
3 Must‑Know Summer Foods (TCM Edition)
1) Ginger (生姜 Sheng Jiang)
Key TCM Actions:
- Warms Middle Jiao
- Expels / disperses Cold (esp. Wind‑Cold at surface)
- Stops nausea / vomiting
- Warms Lungs & stops cough
- Assists in resolving toxicity in some formulas
Use Ideas:
- Slice fresh ginger into warm water or mild tea after cold drinks.
- Add to soups, congee, or stir‑fries to support digestion.
- Combine with scallion & dates in light broths when chilled.
2) Lotus Seed (蓮子 Lian Zi)
Neutral, gentle — supports digestion without overheating.
Key TCM Actions:
- Tonifies Spleen
- Stops diarrhea
- Tonifies Kidney & astringes Essence
- Nourishes Heart & calms Spirit (Shen)
Use Ideas:
- Add to congee (rice porridge) for post‑cold‑drink bloat.
- Blend into sweet herbal soups with goji & jujube (adjust heat).
- Use in calming evening snack bowls (lotus seed + warm almond milk style).
3) Watermelon (西瓜 Xi Gua)
Cold, juicy — the classic Summerheat food.
Common TCM Functions:
- Clears Summerheat
- Generates fluids / relieves thirst
- Gently promotes urination to relieve mild heat‑damp
- Cools internal Heat when temps soar
Use Ideas:
- Eat fresh at room temp (not straight ice‑cold if digestion is weak).
- Blend with mint & serve cool—not freezing—to hydrate.
- Pair a small ginger tea later if you tend to get cold easily.
When To Dial Back Cold Foods
Consider reducing icy drinks if you notice: chronic loose stool, bloating after salads/smoothies, fatigue after meals, craving sweets, or feeling ‘heavy’ / puffy. Try 1–2 weeks of warm drinks + Spleen‑supportive foods and track changes.
Wanna learn more about Healing Foods Deck?
Healing Foods Deck — Limited Pre‑Order Bonus
Order by July 31 and receive:
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✅ 5 Bonus TCM Recipe Cards (digital)
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✅ Full Digital Version of the Deck
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✅ Early access pricing before wider release
* Quick Disclaimer
Educational TCM information only; not individualized medical advice. If you have a medical condition, consult a qualified practitioner.