Late Summer Nourishment: Balance Your Body This Season
Late Summer: A Time of Transition and Nourishment
As we move deeper into August, we're entering a special season that often goes unnoticed in Western calendars—late summer. While many of us think of summer as a single season, traditional Chinese medicine recognizes five distinct seasons, each with its own energy, characteristics, and wisdom for how we should care for ourselves.
The Five Seasons in Chinese Medicine
Chinese medicine divides the year into five seasons rather than four: spring, summer, late summer, autumn, and winter. Each season corresponds to specific organs, emotions, flavors, and elements. Late summer, typically occurring in August and early September, is considered a transitional period—a time of balance and grounding before we move into the cooler months ahead.
Late Summer According to Chinese Medicine
Late summer is associated with the element of earth and represents a time of harvest, abundance, and transformation. It's when the energy of the year begins to shift from the expansive, outward movement of summer toward the more introspective quality of autumn. This season invites us to slow down, reflect, and prepare for the changes ahead. It's a time to consolidate our energy and focus on building strength from within.
The late summer season is also connected to the digestive system and our ability to process not just food, but experiences and emotions. It's an ideal time to strengthen our foundation and cultivate stability in our lives.
The Organs of Late Summer
In Chinese medicine, late summer is primarily associated with the spleen and stomach. These organs work together to transform food into energy and distribute nutrients throughout the body. The spleen is also responsible for our sense of grounding, our ability to focus, and our capacity to feel nourished and supported.
When the spleen and stomach are in balance, we feel energized, focused, and emotionally stable. When they're out of balance, we may experience digestive issues, fatigue, worry, or a sense of being ungrounded.
Nourishing Your Body During Late Summer
To support your spleen and stomach during this season, focus on warm, easily digestible foods. Cooked vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and bone broths are excellent choices. Avoid excessive raw foods and cold drinks, which can tax the digestive system. Yellow and orange foods—like squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots—are particularly beneficial during late summer.
This is also a wonderful time to incorporate warming herbal teas into your routine. A cup of I am Grounded or a blend that supports digestion can be deeply nourishing. At Hornby Island Tea, we believe in the power of thoughtfully crafted teas to support your wellness throughout the seasons.
Beyond food, late summer invites us to practice grounding activities: gentle walks in nature, meditation, journaling, or simply spending time in stillness. These practices help us cultivate the earth element's stabilizing energy.
The Next Full Moon
The next full moon will arrive on August 19th, 2026. This full moon carries the energy of culmination and illumination—a perfect time to reflect on what you've harvested so far this year and what you're ready to release as we move toward autumn. Consider using this lunar moment to journal about your intentions and to express gratitude for the abundance in your life.
King Tides on Vancouver Island
If you're living on or visiting Vancouver Island, keep an eye out for the upcoming king tides. These extreme high tides occur a few times each year and create dramatic shifts in our coastal landscape. The next significant king tides are expected in late August and September. They're a beautiful reminder of the powerful natural rhythms that govern our world—much like the seasonal cycles that influence our health and wellbeing in Chinese medicine.
As you move through late summer, take time to honor this transitional season. Nourish your body with warm, grounding foods, support your digestive system with healing teas, and embrace the invitation to slow down and find stability. The earth element is calling us to root ourselves deeply as we prepare for the shifts ahead.