When your head is clear, it means you're in place and everything around you falls in place as well. It means both your feet are on the ground - you're quiet but strong, you're calm but collected.

Late Summer - Stomach & Spleen

It is late summer and the Chinese believe that now the Earth Element, which is comprised of the Stomach (yang organ) and Spleen (yin organ) meridians, is highlighted. Late summer falls somewhere midway between June 21st and September 21; the solstice and the equinox. From what I understand, this season is more of a feeling rather than an exact date – just like you can tell when the fruit is ripe or the fields need harvesting – you’ll know when you’re in the Earth Element because there will be a feeling of fullness or ripening of life-force. The taste of late summer is sweet, its color is yellow, the sense is taste, the smell is fragrant, the sound is singing, and the mental quality is clarity. It governs the mouth and muscles and its negative emotion is anxiety and its positive emotion is empathy. In the Chinese cosmos, the Earth lies in the center of the five elements, and to the other directions (north, south, east and west) are the other 4 elements or seasons, in direct relationship to the Earth. The Earth element supports nurturing, abundance, centering, and conservation. The Earth is the balance of the yin and yang, the feminine and the masculine principles and strives to bring harmony, grounding and stability.

stomach meridianThe Stomach receives, stores and partially digests food particles, which it then passes to the small intestines and the spleen by breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones. On a more metaphysical level, the stomach represents how well one can take a bite out of life and assimilates life’s joy and contentment. It absorbs our thoughts and mental attitudes about the Earth and helps to determine where we stand on it. How well we nurture, nourish, feel secure and enjoy life will dictate the Stomach meridian’s ability to balance and support the flow of qi. When we are balanced in the Earth meridian, we feel centered, grounded, fulfilled.

 

 

Helpful Tips for Digestion

Oils that calm and soothe an upset stomach are basil, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, fennel, and peppermint. A combination of these oils, in a carrier oil, can be massaged onto the belly in a clockwise direction around the navel.

 

Tea that supports stomach distress

Black Pepper is one of the first ingredients to stimulate the body as it works with the taste buds and their relationship to the stomach.  The taste buds signal the stomach to excrete hydrochloric acid which is necessary for digestion of proteins and other food components.  If food goes undigested by the stomach it can sit sedentary for hours.  This leads to symptoms of indigestion and/or heartburn.  If undigested food moves into the intestinal tract it begins to rot.  The intestines are meant for absorbing nutrients not digesting them.  As the food begins to rot it becomes an ideal place for gas producing, diarrhea inducing, and constipation causing gut bacteria.  In addition the outer layer of the peppercorn helps stimulate metabolism and breakdown existing fat cells.

Cinnamon is considered to be one of the world’s oldest known spices.  There was a time when it was considered such a commodity it was used as a type of currency.  It is found in nearly every Chai.  It aids in digestion by calming the stomach, fighting bacteria and fungus.  It has been shown to increase production of insulin in test tube trials and has anti-nausea and diarrhea attributes.  Cinnamon also enhances the effects of other herbs and bridges the gap between flavors.

Fennel has also been well known for centuries by the Greeks, Egyptians, and Eastern cultures for its culinary and medicinal uses.  It is one of those super foods as it contains Vitamin C & B, supports liver, gall bladder, and spleen function, as well as aiding in digestion by dispersing flatulence causing bacteria.  Fennel is also a good source of fiber so it helps to keep the large intestine and colon healthy.

Ginger is the only root employed in medicine and cooking.  It has a mild, cool flavor that helps settle the stomach.  The gingerols and shogaols found in Ginger have been proven to ease the effects of motion sickness.

Cloves are often found in various Chai Teas.  They are revered for their ability to kindle the digestive fire.  Cloves are also good for soothing the throat and mouth and are sometimes incorporated into lozenges or sprays for such purposes.

Peppermint Some health benefits of peppermint herbal tea are that it can help with digestion and is useful for treating and soothing upset stomachs. The properties found in peppermint inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, and can help relax muscles. In addition, peppermint produces fresh breath, treats headaches and sinuses, and also fights gingivitis. Drinking it in tea form will help you obtain some of these benefits.

Imbalances of the Digestive system can result in lethargy, low energy, digestive upset. On a mental level, cloudy thinking, mental fog, below are some helpful solution, drink green tea

Like the rest of the world, you well know that Tea is good for your body- but are you aware of the wonders that tea can do to your mind?

Research has finally named the secret that has linked tea with mental vitality. It's called Theanine and it's found almost exclusively in the tea plant. Not a lot of people may know what it is but Theanine is certainly one of the big reasons why more and more are turning to tea nowadays as their beverage of choice.

Theanine is the magical component in tea that does two things at khe same time: it relaxes you by reducing mental and physical stress, yet at the same time raises your level of mental alertness.

And just as you're perfectly settled , Theanine raises your level of mental alertness by stimulating your brain to increase its production of alpha brain waves. The effect is higher mental focus, better concentration and sharper memory. Studies have also pointed out how Theanine could effectively promote creativity Now that's when the miracle of Theanine unfolds. The unique combination of relaxation and alertness , of increasing mental sharpness while at your most comfortable state of mind and body, results in this renewed clarity of thought and mental vitality. Cup after cup after cup, the power of the leaf brings you to your natural groove.

So clearly, if clarity of mind is your cup of tea and natural is your kind of thing, don't forget to drink tea, it's all in the bag. Scientific research has validated the link between Theanine and a perfect state of calmness. Theanine is the very reason why you're not as hyperactive when you drink tea as compared to when you drink coffees. But it's also the reason why you don't feel sleepy when drinking tea. In short, it's the Theanine in your cup of tea that calms you in just the right way to put you in place and bring you to your comfort.

 

Theanine

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Not to be confused with theine, a seldom used name for caffeine.

Theanine (pronounced /ˈθiːəniːn/; gamma-glutamylethylamide, or 5-N-ethyl-glutamine) is a glutamic acid analog or amino acid derivative commonly found in tea (infusions of Camellia sinensis), primarily in green tea,[1] and also in the basidiomycete mushroom Boletus badius and in guayusa.[2] More specifically, this compound is called L-theanine, being the levorotary enantiomer. In 1950, the tea laboratory of Kyoto successfully separated theanine from gyokuro leaf, which has high theanine content. Theanine is an analog to glutamine and glutamate, and can cross the blood-brain barrier.[3] It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement, and is FDA confirmed as Generally recognized as safe (GRAS).[4] The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare approved the use of theanine for universal consumption in 1964.[5]

 

 

spleen meridian

When the Stomach meridian is out of balance we feel disoriented, ungrounded, tired, confused and impaired in our thinking.

The Spleen is also said to house thought processes, and if we think too much, the Spleen meridian may suffer. Over-thinking (like worrying) leads to Spleen qi deficiency.

Late summer, is the time to count your blessings, get back to a normal schedule, slowing down the pace of life,drink green tea, get back to a regular exercise program, add meditation, journaling, begin to add warming food to the diet, begin to reserve your energy so you are well rested and healthy as we prepare for the next season.