The belief that nature is inherently intelligent shines through all of TCM, which teaches us to align ourselves with that intelligence in order to experience truly vibrant health. One of the simplest ways to attune to this brilliance and welcome its capacity to cultivate comprehensive internal harmony is by eating seasonally. Doing so greatly supports our bodies in recalibrating to the energetic shifts heralded by external circumstances like the changing seasons, with science continually bringing to light the details about why.
According to TCM’s Five Elements framework, Summer corresponds to the color red, and it’s no coincidence we find an abundance of seasonal red foods that deeply support our bodies’ current needs. When it comes to the bioactive compounds in foods, the discoveries of modern research again and again confirm the wisdom of TCM, highlighting the intricacies at play between season, color, and even organ affinities in this ancient tradition. Among these bioactives, it is the proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and lycopene in many red pigmented foods that especially stand out for the targeted and timely medicinal value they bring to the body this season.
Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a type of flavonoid polyphenol with powerful antioxidant activity found in many red foods, including cherries, hawthorn berries, grapes, and pomegranate. PACs help tame inflammation, support the integrity of our connective tissue and collagen, enhance circulation, and are cardioprotective. Indeed, by protecting the blood vessels and heart tissue, they support the organ system of the Summer season, which centers around the Heart. While the Heart is considered the “emperor” of all organs, governing the extremely vital substance of Blood and essentially commanding the entirety of our biology, it is also ultimately responsible for maintaining balance emotionally. Åccording to TCM, protecting the Heart and keeping it resourced to function optimally in a physiological sense therefore supports our psychospiritual health, and PACs have shown promise for their antidepressant activity.
Anthocyanins are a closely related flavonoid polyphenol present in more of Summer’s red foods, including raspberries, strawberries, plums, and cherries, offering similar but somewhat distinct benefits. While they don’t exhibit quite the antioxidant largesse of PACs, anthocyanins also help protect against oxidative stress that otherwise contributes to cellular damage. This bioactive compound likewise supports blood vessel tone and blood flow, thus helping to prevent the stagnation that is considered a root cause of health issues in TCM, while also, of course, supporting Heart function. Shen (spirit), one of the Three Treasures, resides in the Heart, presiding over our emotions, consciousness, and thoughts. It has a strong connection to the eyes—the clarity, brightness, and vitality of which are considered a window into the state of the Heart and spirit. As Shen is additionally the spiritual force of Summer, it’s amazing that anthocyanins have therapeutic effects related to eye health, helping to prevent ocular injury. On a related note, at least through a TCM lens, anthocyanins are thought to promote mood regulation, with emerging research highlighting their support of dopamine and serotonin pathways in the brain.
Lycopene is a carotenoid with antioxidant power that gives some foods their red color, and has rich stores in our abundant Summer harvests, including tomato, watermelon, and red bell pepper. It helps clear excess Heart heat and nourishes our fluids, which are largely Yin, bringing balance to the dominant Yang energy of the season and soothing internal dryness—one of the six external pathogenic forces in TCM. Lycopene is a wonderful seasonal ally for taming inflammation caused by heat and stress specifically, and offers profound support for the skin. In a remarkable testament to the wisdom that the foods we eat can deeply affect our outward radiance, lycopene has been shown to reduce skin sensitivity to UV, offering substantial protection from sunburns and photo-ageing. PACs also offer internal photoprotective activity, helping to protect skin cells and structures, and promoting the preservation of collagen.
By choosing red foods that grow in abundance during this season, we harmonize with nature’s rhythm and therefore support our own internal energetic balance. It’s also no coincidence that in TCM we rely on lots of red-hued herbs during Summer, including Schizandra, Goji berries (found in our Beauty blend alongside Schizandra), Rose, and Hawthorn berries. Because we are reflections of the earth that holds us, we can rely on the natural world to provide what we need exactly when we need it, while leaning on the wisdom of ancient traditions like TCM to help us find a sense of belonging and direction in the big, beautiful web of life.
