Late Summer is a liminal fifth season in TCM, when we start transitioning from the Yang to Yin phases of our yearly cycle and are invited to undergo a clarifying process of integration. Corresponding to the Spleen and Stomach organ systems, this is a time to focus on digestion—both physically and metaphysically. Late Summer is governed by the spiritual force of Yi (intellect), a part of our psyche responsible for thinking, memory, concentration, and the generation of ideas. Just as the Spleen is tasked with metabolizing our food into Blood and Qi on the physiological level, the Yi (which resides in the Spleen) supports us in digesting and metabolizing the experiences and teachings of our year thus far. 

When Yi is balanced, we can think clearly, hold our center, and direct our thoughts purposefully. Able to process information and feel decisive in our actions, healthy Yi facilitates a practical devotion to making plans and taking steps toward the realization of our dreams. Emotionally, the Earth element that corresponds to Late Summer is tied to empathy. When expressed in healthy ways, our compassion is grounded—reflected in a balance between our own sense of agency in promoting positive change and the ability to surrender to what may be beyond our own purview or control. When excessive, sympathy and care can slide into self-sacrifice, people-pleasing, and an obsessive concern for others’ well-being—at the cost of our own clarity and health. Indeed, the pathological inversion of Yi manifests as the emotional state of worry and we can truly become “worried sick.” 

The Yi perfectly illuminates ancient TCM wisdom about the gut-brain connection, offering a highly multilayered approach to healing these largely season-specific imbalances. In TCM, there are six external pathogenic forces; during Late Summer specifically we are most susceptible to one called Summer Heat—a combination of Heat and Dampness. Damp Heat from seasonal humidity can weaken the Spleen’s tasks of transforming and transporting, leading to “mental dampness,” associated with feelings of heaviness, confusion, and excessive rumination. This circles back to being “worried sick,” characterized by mental spinning out and endlessly looping thoughts about that which is often out of our control. Unfortunately, as we are left feeling exhausted yet restless, this can be quite paralyzing, leading to both lack of clarity and lack of action. 

Outside of Late Summer, Dampness (and its more exacerbated expression of phlegm) most commonly originate in the digestive process, causing stagnation and obstructions to the free flow of Qi. Because these are considered root causes of so many health issues in the TCM framework, its nutritional guidance prioritizes the prevention of Dampness (e.g., limiting raw foods and iced drinks, especially in accordance with seasonal considerations and individual bodily constitutions). Importantly, the state of our Yi depends not only on the health of our Spleen, but also on the presence of pathogenic factors like Dampness and Phlegm—whether originating internally or externally. 

In a way, this is a loop that feeds on itself as imbalanced Yi also causes Qi stagnation that particularly affects the Spleen. Because it’s the Spleen that’s responsible for the utilization of nutrients, Spleen deficiency can lead to insufficient nutrients reaching the brain, resulting in indecisiveness, brain fog, and scattered thoughts—further signs of imbalanced Yi. Thus, overthinking injures the Spleen, and a weakened Spleen makes overthinking worse. As you can probably tell, there is a bidirectional relationship between the quality of Yi and the health of our organs of digestion, which we want to be nourished by what we allow into the body and psyche. This is true of both food and information. According to TCM wisdom, there are many pathways for supporting our physiological and psychospiritual clarification process during Late Summer. 

Here are some ideas for embracing a Rest and Digest state this season:

• Harmonize with herbs! Schizandra is always a top ally during seasonal transitions, in part thanks to its Yin/Yang balancing actions. As this entire season is characterized by transitional energy, Schizandra’s robust harmonizing properties are a godsend. This special berry also supports cognitive function and, as an adaptogen, regulates the body’s stress response via the HPA axis and sympathetic-adrenal system—this is crucial because elevated cortisol (produced in the adrenal glands) keeps the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) activated, causing us to be on high alert for potential threats aka worrying.

• Be your own gatekeeper! Avoiding information overload and minimizing the endless stream of digital input allows our bodies and minds to process and integrate what we have already received. Not only does this directly strengthen our Spleen and metabolic function, but helps us detox mentally from chronic overexposure to information. Utilizing this season as a pause is an opportunity to reset any anxious autopilot tendencies. Just as the Spleen is tasked with releasing impurities and retaining nutrients, nourishing the Yi can help us separate and clarify what’s ours (and/or what we choose to take on) from all of the other noise. 

• Support the Spleen! Yes, it’s still hot out and we are blessed with an abundance of fresh produce during this harvest season, but begin to find balance between raw foods and more cooked, easily-digestible options. Think warming, simple foods like congee and soup, stewed fruits and compotes, and adding warming herbs like ginger and cinnamon to your dishes. Some tonic herbs that support and tonify the Spleen include: Astragalus, Turkey Tail, Eleuthero, Reishi Spore, Chaga, Pine Pollen, Lion’s Mane, and Rose—which we also love for draining Damp Heat!