Acupuncture & Self-Care for Fire Season

By Dr. Dalite Sancic, DACM, L.Ac., MS

As the sun reaches its peak and the days stretch long and bright, we find ourselves in the Fire Season, a time ruled by the Heart and Small Intestine organ systems in Chinese Medicine. Just like fire, this season brings passion, joy, movement, and sometimes unpredictability.

When in balance, Fire energy helps us connect with others, feel inspired, and express ourselves fully. When out of balance, however, it can show up as restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, overheating, or even burnout. You might also notice more skin inflammation, constipation, hot flashes, or blood pressure changes.

How to Stay Cool, Calm, and Connected in Fire Season

1. Cultivate Heart Joy. Fire season is about emotional expression and connection. Make time for laughter, creativity, and relationships that bring you lightness and ease.

2. Balance with Water. The Water Element (ruled by the Kidney and Bladder systems) helps cool, calm, and stabilize Fire. Prioritize daily rituals that restore your reserves: meditation, gentle breathwork, or a quiet bath in the evening.

3. Wake with the Sun. Aligning your body with natural light rhythms improves sleep, mood, and metabolism. Morning sunlight also helps regulate melatonin and serotonin, essential for restful nights and peaceful minds.

4. Eat Cooling, Hydrating Foods. Nature offers the best remedy, fruits like watermelon, cucumber, mint, and berries naturally cool the body and support heart health.

5. Move with Intention. Light daily exercise, such as swimming, tai chi, or brisk walking, supports circulation, lifts mood, and releases excess heat stored in the body.

6. Book Your Seasonal Tune-Up. Acupuncture and massage sessions to help regulate your nervous system, clear internal heat, and strengthen your body's ability to adapt to seasonal changes. It's an ideal time for a mid-summer reset.

Fire Season Recipe: Minty Watermelon & Feta Salad

This light, refreshing salad combines hydrating summer fruits with mineral-rich herbs and cooling ingredients to nourish your Heart system and help regulate body temperature.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon, cubed

• 1/2 cucumber, sliced into half moons

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (or a plant-based alternative)

• A handful of fresh mint leaves, torn

• Juice of 1 lime

• Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

• Optional: Sprinkle of hemp seeds or toasted pumpkin seeds for added minerals

Directions: Toss all ingredients in a large bowl and let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled. This salad is great as a snack, a side dish, or topped with grilled shrimp or chickpeas for a heart-healthy meal.

The water-rich fruits help replenish fluids, mint cools the system, feta adds a savory balance, and lime supports liver detoxification, making this dish a perfect seasonal tonic.

Enjoy these long days with presence and pleasure, and remember: Fire is a beautiful force when channeled well. Keep tending to your inner flame with care.