08/11/2026
š» Late Summer & the Earth Element
I came across a memory in my phoneā¦ beautiful sunflowers at St. Lukeās Anderson Campus from a few years ago and they immediately made me think of Late Summer in Chinese medicine. š»
Late Summer is a little season tucked between the fullness of summer and the beginning of fall. Itās associated with the Earth elementānourishment, grounding, and returning to our center.
And maybe thatās part of why Iāve always loved the idea of Late Summer. Thereās something about this time of year that feels like both holding onto summer and slowly preparing for what comes next.
š¾ The organs: Spleen & Stomach
In Chinese medicine, the Spleen and Stomach are associated with digestion and nourishmentātaking in what we need and transforming it into energy.
But I think one of the most beautiful things about the Earth element is that nourishment doesnāt have to mean only food.
What truly nourishes you?
What leaves you feeling more like yourself afterward, rather than more depleted?
š» The color: Yellow
Sunflowers might be the perfect Late Summer flower.
Golden fields, squash, corn, sunflowers and that warm golden light August seems to haveāall beautifully reflect the yellow and golden tones associated with Earth.
š The flavor: Naturally sweet
Not necessarily sugar, but the gentle sweetness found in whole foods:
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Squash
Pumpkin
Corn
Oats and rice
Dates
Apples and pears
š„£ Warm & cooked foods
As we slowly begin moving toward cooler months, Chinese medicine often favors foods that are a little easier on digestionāparticularly when weāre feeling tired, heavy, cold or depleted.
That can mean gradually shifting from an abundance of cold and raw summer foods toward roasted vegetables, warm grains, soups, stews and cooked fruit.
Although you absolutely do not need to start eating pumpkin soup while itās still 85 degrees outside. š
Itās less about following a rule and more about noticing the transition happening around usāand noticing what our own bodies are asking for.
š¤ Earth is also about grounding.
And I think a lot of us could use a little of that right now.
Vacations are wrapping up. Kids are heading back to school. Fall sports and activities are starting. Schedules are changing again.
Late Summer can be an invitation to come back to simple things:
Regular meals.
Warm food.
Rest.
Time outside.
A little less rushing.
And practices that help you feel at home in your body again.
That last one is a big part of why I love the work I do.
Massage and acupressure give us an opportunity to slow down enough to actually notice ourselves againānot necessarily to fix everything, but sometimes simply to reconnect with the body carrying us through all of it.
And, if Iām being completely truthful, coming to work and hiding in a dark, quiet massage room is often one of the most peaceful parts of my boy-mom life. š¤£ Sometimes the grounding goes both ways.
My September massage schedule is now available. š»
