In TCVM, we call summer a YANG season.
To stay in proper balance with summer, we aim to harmonize with the yang principle - it is important to expand or expend energy, grow, enjoy outside activities and soak in the warmth and sunshine.
The Heart:
- In TCVM, the heart governs the blood and blood vessels. It also keeps the mind calm.
- The organ associated with the heart is the tongue. The tongue can give us early warning signs of heart imbalances.
- The emotion associated with the heart is joy. If you notice your pet is depressed or does not seem to get as excited any more, he/she may be dealing with a heart imbalance.
- Frequent or aggressive dreaming can also indicate an imbalanced heart.
- Heart is the mother of digestion. Most digestive upset in summer is related to an unbalanced heart.
Our goal here is to keep our patients balanced. If your pet is displaying any of the signs above, we want to help correct those issues before they progress deeper.
And even if your pet is not displaying any heart imbalance symptoms, we recommend applying some important Chinese Medicine principles to prevent such disharmony.
Feed cooling or neutral foods primarily
Food List:
1. Proteins:
- Turkey
- Duck
- Cod
- Alligator
- Crab
- Oyster
- Scallops
- Rabbit
2. Grains:
- Millet
- Barley
- Brown Rice
- Mung Beans
3. Vegetables:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Celery
- Kelp
- Seaweed
- Alfalfa
- Cucumber
- Watermelon
- Dandelion
- Lettuce
More Tips for a Healthy Heart:
Recommended herbs for nourishing the heart:
- Hawthorn
- Coq10
- Reishi
- Poria Mushrooms
Recommended herbs for cooling the body and blood:
- Nettles
- Chlorophyll
- Honeysuckle
Do not use ice in water as that can damage digestion, offer a cooling mat, a raised bed such as a coolaroo, and/or a baby pool or dipping area.
Walk in the early mornings and late afternoons or evenings.
Ask about Dr. Natalie's specially formulated heart supplement. This formula will be specific for nourishing the heart for our pet patients that live in a southern (humid) environment.
