15 Fire Fighters
It’s hot outside.
You probably have 15 fire fighters hanging out in your kitchen and your garden.
Before you get too excited, this isn’t a blog about handsome heroic hunks saving you and your puppies. This blog is filled with the simplest, most common foods and herbs to help you fight heat and fire in your body. As our summers get hotter it makes sense to have a few reminders or learn new tips to help us adapt and cool off.
My ground rules for this blog.
All of the recommendations are simple and pragmatic.
All herbs and foods are common, likely some are already in your cupboard or garden.
All have few or no contraindications so they are safe for young, old, and those taking medications. This also means they are safe to use frequently in moderate amounts and can be increased during greater times of need.
All clear and cool heat no matter what the cause.
Quick tip: As with all patterns, finding the root cause of the heat or fire in the body will aid in better treatment. Sometimes it is very simple - it’s 105 outside. For chronic patterns, I Recommend seeking out guidance to appropriately treat both the symptom and the cause. Also note that chronic conditions of heat and fires in the body may become worse during the hot weather. Schedule an Amma session or on line consultation for personalized focus and treatment plans.
Let’s quell fire, cool heat and nourish Yin
I have written full blogs for many of these tips, so feel free to dive deeper — the waters fine.
It’s a Yin and Yang thing. Fire’s opposite is water. Water is Yin and essential to cool, replenish and nourish Yin, fluids, and Blood in the body, as well as, controlling fire. Help your body to absorb the water faster by drinking your beverage at room temperature or slightly cool. Ice can be nice sometimes, but overly cold drinks and foods force the body to generate more heat to absorb them.
Cool salt is the only one of the 5 Flavors that is also an essential element. In the heat, you will sweat and lose precious Yin minerals. Taking a grain of salt with your water helps pull the water into your cells - you hydrate faster. Add a pinch of salt to your next glass of cucumber water or lemonade.
All mints help to move stagnation and heat. Peppermint and spearmint are the most common of the mints, and though they share many similar properties there are beautiful nuances we can recognize. Peppermint is slightly more warming and helps cool the body through diaphoresis - it opens the pores and helps you sweat - a very Yang function. Spearmint is more Yin and cools, by simply cooling - so very Yin. Either can be used, but if you are very Yin depleted and have lost a lot of fluids - I’m looking at all of you who have hot flashes and tidal fevers - spearmint may be the better option so you don’t sweat out too much. Can’t choose? Use both at the same time - delish.
A weed to some, purslane is a sublime healing herb that is rich in Omega 3’s (psst…oils are Yin in nature). Purslane helps clear heat, any kind of heat, anywhere in the body.
Beautifully Yin nourishing and cooling, especially helpful if excess heat affects your digestive system.
Eat them, add them to your water, use them topically.
Cooling and Yin nourishing. Check out the blog for a list of calcium rich foods.
Most edible flowers have a bitter or slightly bitter taste. That bitter flavor helps clear excess heat that may be agitating your Heart and Small Intestines. Very useful for those who experience anxiety and restlessness due to heat.
10 - Watermelon
Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew…oh, my. All the melons cool and replenish fluids. Pictured - this recipe has 4 Yin nourishing and cooling ingredients. I tossed together watermelon, purslane, mint, feta and a sprinkle of salt. Watermelon gazpacho?
Another one of our beautiful, blooming bitters. Bonus, lavender is a wise herb. It regulates, and can be used if you have excess or deficiency, are hot or cold, and it breaks through stagnation.
13 - Lemons
Lemons, lime and other citrus cool, nourish Yin and their sour flavor helps move digestive stagnation and reduce phlegm - especially helpful if you have nausea due to phlegm in the digestive system. Add them to your water, and teas, nosh on a bit of the peel too.
14 - Sprouts
Sprouts and leafy greens clear and cool heat, with the exception of some of the spicier greens such as mustard and wasabi lettuce. Alfalfa and mung beans sprouts are nice and chill, as is iceberg lettuce.
Berries have a sour - or tart - flavor. This means they move stagnation in the digestive organs. The little orbs are plump with water. Enjoy a variety of berries as they come into season. Freeze some for later.
Here’s to a cooler you!
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