An Ancient Medicine Reignited

June is ‘National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month.’ This is quite appropriate when thinking of our health with respect to diet and the seasons of the year. The founder of modern medicine, Hippocrates, studied weather, the seasons and how climatic changes affected our health and the disease process. This has been lost since the development of pharmaceuticals; however, our ancestors, especially in Asia, knew that we are not separate from the natural world and that our health, in Mind, Body and Spirit, is intrinsically linked to the natural forces of nature.

I am blessed to have been shown an ancient way of healing, a way of looking at the world in a more integrated way. What we put into our mouths, which sustains our life, is the most fundamental part of health and healing.

There are two basic energies of the universe, Yin and Yang. We, as human beings, are not separate from this. In fact, we exist because these energies, concentrating (Yin) and expanding (Yang) interact together in such a perfectly balanced way to create and sustain life. When they are not in harmony together, dis-ease occurs, stagnation and inflammation arise.

We, at Natural Life Therapy Clinic, look at life and health from this perspective and attempt to help guide our patients according to the natural laws of our world. The warmer months, especially summer, are the more Yang/expansive times of year. We witness this in the natural world with the abundance of vegetation, of fruits and vegetables.

Ideally, we all would eat according to the season and climate we live in. The exceptions to this are if someone is sick, has a serious diagnosed medical condition, or has a compromised digestion system. What would this dietary practice look like? Let the natural world speak to you. Go to the farmer’s markets to educate yourself on what is growing now in late spring and throughout the summer. For general good health in the warmer months consuming lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and more raw food would be the focus of our diets. Some animal protein is fine, especially if you’re physically active, however, most of us need far less animal protein in the warmer months. The temperature is hotter so in order to create balance, focus on cooling foods. Cooling foods are raw food, fruits in general, and leafy vegetables of all kinds. Grains should be eaten year round because they, by their nature, strike a balance inherently. Save your heavier proteins, stews, root vegetables for the colder months; they warm you up.

As you pay attention to your body you’ll notice how your cravings change throughout the year, often during Doyo, the season in between seasons. This is the transitional time which lasts two to three weeks in between each season. So, listen to your body. If we get too far from following the laws of nature then there are repercussions. For some they may not show out for years, but for many your body will react to the imbalances in the following season. If one does not follow a more Yin (warming) diet in the wintertime they may experience some ill health effects in the spring or summer. This may show out as stronger allergies, digestive upset, or getting sick more easily or frequently. If you don’t adhere to a more Yang diet in the warmer seasons and burden your system with heavy, rich food, you may feel the repercussions in fall or winter. In the summer, due to its expansive, warm nature, you may not experience the effects of ‘wrong’ diet immediately, however, if you pay attention, you very well may see imbalances with your health in the following season.

Below I list any number of vegetables, fruits, grains, and lighter proteins that may be enjoyed in the warmer months. Again, if you have an autoimmune or digestive issue, or another serious condition and you’re not sure what role diet/foods may play, feel free to contact myself or Dr. Duckworth at Natural Life Therapy Clinic.

Top on the list in their balanced action in the warmer months are green leafy vegetables, including chard, kale, spinach, cabbage; also Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, arugula, artichokes, beets, mushrooms, snap peas and peppers of all kinds.

Fruits of the season: tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon and melons, berries of all kinds, grapes, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums and tropical fruits (pineapple, papaya, mango, bananas).

Many fruits and vegetables are naturally loaded with antioxidants, chlorophyll, fiber, vitamins and minerals, all of which can assist in balancing the body and mind, reducing inflammation and enhancing the immune system.

Grains ideally will be eaten in their whole form, i.e. brown rice, millet, quinoa, barley, oats; whole grain breads are okay too! We are better off focusing on lighter proteins in summer; fish of all kinds, especially wild salmon and combining grains and legumes (beans), which also gives you a nice protein hit.

As a general rule, sugars, especially in processed form, are over-expansive in nature, cause inflammation and the immune system to overreact. This is a challenge for all of us. I love my Ben and Jerry’s and margaritas…we can enjoy and indulge sometimes. Chew your food thoroughly, treat yourself and the food you consume in a sacred way.

We recommend Neel’s Pharmacy for questions you may have about supplements and pharmaceutical interactions. Patrice Neels Frieda, owner of Neel’s, is a kind, patient, knowledgeable health oriented pharmacist.

Best wishes,
Jason R. Hackler, L.Ac.;
www.nltclinic.com