9 Foods To Keep You Cool As a Cucumber

This summer there have been a few scorchers. And there are bound to be more as summer continues to heat up. You may be feeling the burn as temps rise and being extra sweaty is not the most comfortable. But, you’re in luck! Some foods can help you cool you down.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), foods have always been used to help balance the body’s energy and to treat/prevent dis-ease.

The best acupuncture treatments include lifestyle recommendations, evaluating your environment, addressing emotions, and a profoundly vital nutritional and herbal guidance. It is not just about “healthy” eating. Foods are categorized based on a number of properties and how they impact our body. Foods can have thermal properties, be assigned specific flavors that are associated with certain organs and can even promote movement of energy through designated meridians.

In addition to literally being hot and perspiring from the beating sun, there are also certain conditions in TCM that are considered warm or hot and create heat within your body & constitution.

For instance, here is a small list of symptoms that may indicate heat in the body:

• Constipation

• Headaches

• Ulcers

• Anxiety

• Gas & Pungent Stools

• Excessive Thirst

• Perspiration

• Redness of the skin or eyes

• Heartburn

• Dark Yellow Urine

• Vivid Dreams

• Tongue With Yellow Coating

Cooling foods help to clear that heat, nourish yin and calm the blood.

If you are experiencing symptoms like these, eating cooling foods and avoiding warming foods could help. You may get relief but don’t be discouraged if your symptoms don’t resolve. It is usually a little more complicated than just eating cold property foods alone. Using the Whole TCM System can help identify the root issue and restore balance. If you want to learn more or schedule an appointment just send us a note!

Foods With Cooling Properties

Fruits:

• Watermelon

• Lemon

• Star Fruit

• Strawberry

Vegetables:

• Daikon Radish

• Green Leafy Vegetables

• Cucumbers

• Water Chestnuts

• Asparagus

Bonus: A major tip to keep cool & healthy is to stay hydrated! Water is the essence of life and it has major benefits besides quenching thirst. Additionally, optimal hydration can help reduce symptoms like headaches and even help improve your skin. Drink up!

Cooling Beverages:

There is a trick to this, so don't cheat and drink a mint Snapple! Use fresh water and infuse it with the herb, fruit or veggie.

• Peppermint Tea

  1. Mint Tea

  2. Cucumber Water

  3. Lemon Water

*Note: This is not an extensive food list not a representation of the only things you should consume. If you have food allergies or sensitivities to any of the above, please do not consume.

Pro Tip: If you are already experiencing signs of heat in the body, we recommend also avoiding damp foods. This combination of heat and dampness produces stagnation. For example, if you add heat to cheese it gets sticky and gooey. If you apply this concept to energy and blood, you get an idea why it makes things harder to freely flow in your body. To learn more about dampness, check out or video!