Cooling the Fire
- Claire Skinner
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 4
Acupuncture for Summer Heat, Inflammation & Emotional Balance
Meraki Acupuncture | July 2025 Blog
Introduction
Summer is a season of light, expansion, and outward activity, but for many, it can bring a different kind of heat: irritability, restlessness, poor sleep, or inflammatory skin flare-ups. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer is governed by the Fire element, connected to the Heart and Shen (mind/spirit).
At Meraki, we work with patients to stay balanced in every season. This blog explores how acupuncture helps cool internal heat, calm the nervous system, and restore clarity when the Fire element takes over.
The TCM Perspective: Fire Element, Heart & Shen
The Heart governs circulation and houses the Shen, the aspect of consciousness that regulates sleep, insight, mood, and mental clarity. When summer heat (or internal Fire) overwhelms the system, we may experience:
Racing thoughts or anxiety
Insomnia or vivid dreams
Restlessness or irritability
Red skin or tongue
Flare-ups of acne or eczema
In TCM, this is often diagnosed as Heart Fire or Heart Yin Deficiency, a pattern where heat rises due to a lack of cooling Yin fluids. This affects both body and mind. The good news? We can address this before it leads to burnout.
The Science: Inflammation, Thermoregulation & the Nervous System
Modern research supports what TCM and Acupuncture have known for centuries: internal heat and inflammation often underlie both physical and emotional symptoms.
Evidence-Based Benefits of Acupuncture:
Reduces inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, key markers in systemic and neuroinflammation (Kim et al., 2017)
Engages the parasympathetic nervous system to promote cooling and rest (Lee et al., 2010)
Modulates the hypothalamus to support thermoregulation (Tang et al., 2021)
This makes acupuncture a powerful ally for managing summer-related issues like skin conditions, hot flushes, sleep disturbance, or mood volatility.
Acupuncture Points to Clear Heat & Calm the Shen
In clinic, we may use the following points depending on your presentation:
Heart 8 (Shaofu): Clears Fire from the Heart and Small Intestine. Useful for anxiety, ulcers, and emotional agitation.
Pericardium 8 (Laogong): Clears internal heat. Indicated for hot palms, irritability, and restlessness.
Large Intestine 11 (Quchi): One of the most effective points for clearing systemic heat and inflammation. Often used in skin conditions.
Yintang: Calms the Shen, helps regulate sleep and emotional overload.
Kidney 6 + Heart 7: Together nourish Heart Yin, helping with dryness, insomnia, or heat disturbing sleep.
Note: While these points are well known for clearing heat, acupuncture is never one-size-fits-all. At Meraki, your treatment begins with a thorough consultation, exploring your physical symptoms, emotional state, medical history, sleep patterns, and lifestyle. Only then is your treatment plan created to suit your unique constitution.
Summer Shen Disruption: When the Heat Gets Emotional
Summer is outwardly active and socially expansive, but all that yang energy can easily overwhelm more sensitive systems. If you feel:
Overstimulated or emotionally reactive
Unable to wind down after long days
Disconnected from rest, despite sleeping
More prone to skin irritation or digestive flare-ups
...these may be signs your Shen is being affected by seasonal heat.
Acupuncture helps restore parasympathetic tone, regulate the HPA axis, and calm Heart Fire. It doesn’t suppress emotions, it helps the system re-integrate them without overwhelm.
TCM-Inspired Summer Tips
1. Cool the Body Gently:
Choose cooling, lightly cooked meals: cucumber, mint, watermelon
Avoid spicy, fried foods that feed internal Fire
Sip room-temperature teas like chrysanthemum or peppermint
2. Shift Your Schedule:
Siesta-style rest from 1–3 pm if/when possible
Limit intense activity during peak heat hours
Walk or stretch after sunset to settle Yang
3. Sleep Like a Summer Sage:
Natural fabrics + cotton sheets
Dim lights and screens by 9 pm
Try breathwork or self-acupressure at the Yintang point before bed
Who Benefits from Summer-Acupuncture?
Clients often see improvement in:
Hot flushes, night sweats, or heat intolerance
Skin conditions (eczema, acne, rosacea)
Sleep issues and dream disturbances
Mood fluctuations, frustration, or social burnout
Acupuncture can also be used preventatively to prepare the system for extreme weather shifts or hormone-related heat symptoms.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to dread the heat. Summer can be a time of connection, energy, and brightness when balanced.
If you’re feeling overextended, inflamed, or emotionally wired, this may be your body asking for support. Through acupuncture, nutrition, and TCM-informed self-care, we help you meet the season with clarity, calm, and resilience.
References:
Kim, Y. K., et al. (2017). Acupuncture suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production. Mediators of Inflammation.
Lee, B., et al. (2010). Acupuncture and HPA axis in stress models. Neuroscience Letters.
Tang, Y., et al. (2021). Acupuncture and thermoregulation. Journal of Integrative Medicine.
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