by Setareh Moafi, Ph.D., L.Ac. & Salvador Cefalu, M.S., L.Ac.

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which takeaway will you apply to balance the Fire element in your life?

In this episode we discuss the role of the Fire element as it relates to anxiety. This is especially relevant during the Fire season of Summer but also to for anyone generally struggling with anxiety yearlong.

During Summer, Fire energy is naturally more exuberant and conditions like insomnia and nervousness become much more prevalent. 

People in the Southern Hemisphere who are not in the Fire season may also experience Fire related imbalances. Diet, life stressors and challenging life circumstances can all determine whether Fire energy becomes more pronounced, leading to anxiety. 

In Chinese Medicine, this imbalance is attributed to the Heart and Kidney relationship. In Western medicine, we often accredit this to an imbalance of the hormone cortisol caused by overstimulation of the adrenal glands. In Chinese Medicine the Kidney organ system also encompasses the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, and govern the reproductive and urinary systems. The Kidneys also play a major role in controlling energy output to the Heart.

Excessive Fire in the Heart creates heat or inflammation that can also thicken the blood over time leading to clotting or stagnation.

Ultimately these imbalances can lead to cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in the United States. 

Diet is a major force in creating excess Fire—driven by high sugar content in our modern diet as well as excessive protein consumption in high protein diets such as the ketogenic diet.

In fact any diet advocating for excess amounts of a specific food can create energy imbalances so focusing on a personalized nutrition with your current health condition in mind is the best approach.

Since excess amount of anything — be it carbohydrates, protein, exercise, stress or even sex — can exacerbate Heat, moderation is the key to a balanced and healthy body. 

The natural state of Fire energy is to be calm, present and centered. More often than not we find ourselves burned out by doing excessive activities or taxing our adrenal glands and Kidneys and compromising their ability to temper the Fire of the Heart. This can lead to insomnia, anxiety and restlessness. 

Although Fire imbalance is especially prevalent in our modern society, there is still hope in addressing the root causes of the imbalance with Chinese Medicine.

Heart-Kidney communication is essential as the Kidney Water cools Heart Fire and the Kidneys are in turn stimulated by the Heart to encourage self-love and healing. 

4 Tips to Cool Heart Fire:

1. Stay hydrated to support proper circulation of Qi and blood. It also helps keep the Heat balanced. 

2. Eat more leafy green vegetables including spinach, chard and dandelion greens to cool your Heart and help it relax. Keep in mind to cook the vegetables.

3. Add adequate sea salt or other natural mineral salts to your food or water to support the Kidneys. We’ve discussed the essential role of salt in a previous episode. 

4. Eat more root vegetables to nourish the Spleen and help anchor your Qi. 

Joy is associated with the Heart element so when you help the Heart relax, you can naturally experience and express more joy. 

Want to learn easy ways to bring more joy and calm to your life, even during the most turbulent times?
Join us for the From Surviving to Thriving online course. 2023 enrollment begins for a limited time on August 1st! Click here to join the VIP waitlist and get your FREE eBook, 3 Toxic Beliefs that Keep You Stuck in Survival Mode, now!

Once you’ve listened, let us know in the comments below — which takeaway will you implement to balance the Fire element in your life?