Manage your inner heat
Summer is an important time for us to replenish. This is not just because it’s traditionally a holiday period, but because we have greater access to the sunlight and its positive qualities.
The heat comes from the sun. The Sun is a big fire ball and FIRE, in addition to the heat Sun. Our bodies are a reflection of our external environment and the Sun, as a star is found in our Heart. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Five Element Theory educates us how in addition to the warmth, energy, this is a place where we can find, and nurture the feelings of joy, strength, passion, energy, fun, play and it has the potential to transform.
Are these qualities important to you?
You know, these qualities are of great importance of our whole health and when the fire element is out of balance excess internal heat that can manifest as:
feeling overheated
menopausal hot flushes
headaches and migraines
cankers sores
nosebleeds
red eyes
constipation
high blood pressure
heart attacks
These symptoms may be in line with hormonal changes during the menopause, as well as conditions diagnosed, or showing signs of, vascular disease or ‘metabolic’ conditions such as diabetes or/and thyroid dysfunction. I wrote more about the fire imbalance in this BLOG.
Summer is a season of the Fire element, the season when we can replenish these vital energies with the support of the heat. I support you here to understand how YOU CAN INFLUENCE that thermostat and make it be a comfortable season.
Keep it cool
Staying in the shade or air-conditioned spaces, keeping shutters or curtains closed, dipping in cold water, cool application on the neck and head, cool clothing, wearing a hat … are some really helpful and, for some, life saving! strategies. However, once we move away from those, the shock of the heat can hit as harder and compromises our tolerance and ability to adjust to the heat. There are things we can do!
ADAPT YOUR ACTIVITIES
Taking time off work.
Get up earlier to do high demand or outdoor work.
Reduce the intensity of the task.
STAY HYDRATED
Drinking plenty of water is an obvious thing that we do in the heat, but whilst chilled water can feel refreshing, this can weaken our organs, more specifically, spleen and kidneys. The spleen is well known for its role in our immunity, but there are numerous other functions, including distributing blood and nutrients throughout the entire body, creating and circulating the Qi (our Life or Vital Force). Healthy Qi flow plays a key part in our digestion, absorption, immunity, blood circulation and with this the heat distribution in our body. Drinking water at room temperature helps maintain the health of these vital organs.
Also, avoiding drinking liquids with meals - 1/2 hour either side of the meal, is advisable, as liquids act as ‘putting water on the fire’ and as such dilute the digestive fire of the stomach. This hinders the breakdown process of the food, causes indigestion and diminishes our ability to process and absorb the nutrients from what we have eaten effectively.
EAT COOLING FOODS
TCM and ayurvedic medicine explain that certain foods have heating (yang) properties whilst others are yin, cooling. Our bodies need the balance of the two and with the right balance we can assist our internal heat regulation.
Here is a list of some of the cooling and heating foods:
Please note that the foods not listed here are considered ‘neutral’.
You may find that when it comes to food choices, just avoiding those that are ‘heating’ such as caffeine and spiced food may be of significant help during the heat of the summer months.
9 Essential Homeopathic remedies for regulating heat in the body
In homeopathy we choose the remedies according to the presentation of the symptoms, where in the body these are, the triggers contributing to the onset ie hormonal changes, environmental factors, as well as emotional triggers, alongside of what makes the presentation (symptoms) better or worse, rather than ‘diagnosis’ as such.
🔥 Pulsatilla
Flushes of heat, especially in the evening or night.
A person feels worse in warm, stuffy rooms—craves open air, even if it's cold.
Heat with reddened cheeks. Can have alternating hot and cold sensations "changeable symptoms" - neither consistent or predictable.
Relief from open air is Pulsatilla’s most telling sign (a keynote). They may even sleep with an open window in winter or step outside to cool down. During high fever, heat or hot flushes, they will throw covers away, but soon get cold and put them back on (changeability is another keynote symptoms for Pulsatilla)
Typical Pulsatilla Personality
They are emotionally very sensitive, mild, weepy, and affectionate and will seek comfort, reassurance, and company.
Symptoms are often worse in the evening, after fatty foods, or from heat.
Often associated with hormonal changes (e.g., puberty, menstruation, menopause).
🔥 Sulphur
Intense internal heat—especially in the head, palms, soles, and chest.
Flushes of heat with redness (face or upper body). A feeling of heat rising in the body.
Burning sensations: eyes, skin, rectum, or feet.
Worse from heat or bathing; often feels better in cool air.
Sweating, especially at night or from exertion.
Heat intolerance, especially in a crowded room or under covers. Kicks blankets off at night because the feet feel too hot.
Typical Sulphur Personality
Mentally active, philosophical, even eccentric.
Can appear messy, disorganised, or careless about appearance.
Often loves theorising but may neglect practical matters.
Craves sweets and spicy food, but digestion is often poor.
🔥 Lachesis
Hot flashes with redness, especially in the face, neck, or chest.
A sensation of heat rising upwards—from chest to head.
Worse on the left side, or symptoms starting on the left and moving to the right.
Heat is often worse during sleep or on waking.
Profuse sweating, particularly at night.
Strong intolerance to tight clothing, especially around the neck and waist—even a collar may feel suffocating.
Typical Lachesis Personality
Talkative, energetic, and often sharp or witty.
May appear intense or excitable, even jealous or suspicious.
Feels worse from suppressed emotions or repressed sexual/creative energy.
May have sleep disturbances, especially trouble falling asleep because the mind is racing.
One of the top remedies for menopause, especially when:
Hot flushes come in waves with profuse sweating.
The woman becomes irritable, sensitive, and emotionally intense.
There’s a sensation of choking or a tight throat during flushes.
Remedies for Heat/sun stroke
☀️ Natrum carb
Particularly suited for people who are very sensitive to the sun and heat exhaustion and as such I may use it for more constitutional/chronic prescribing. Acutely it’s one to consider for sunstroke, sun headaches, and digestive disturbances from heat.
Worse from sun, heat, mental exertion
Better in cool environments, rest
☀️ Belladonna
Indicated for sudden onset of heatstroke or sunstroke with a red face, dilated pupils, and throbbing headache. High fever, hot and dry skin, sensitivity to light and noise, possibly delirium.
☀️ Glonoinum
Indicated for sunstroke or heat exhaustion with a pounding headache, flushed face, and confusion.
☀️ Natrum Muriaticum
For after effects of sun exposure, especially headaches and fatigue.
Dehydration, dry mouth, irritability, and craving salt.
☀️ Apis
Heat rash or swelling due to sun exposure or overheating.
Red, swollen, itchy skin with a burning or stinging sensation.
☀️ Carbo Veg
Fainting or collapsing from heat with cold sweat, clammy skin, and exhaustion.
The person wants to be fanned, very weak and may feel suffocated.
How to take/give homeopathic remedies in acute situations:
Potency: 6c. 30c or 200c (whatever you have access to), repeated every 15–30 minutes until improvement. If not improvement, change the remedy to one that matches symptoms better or/and consult a homeopath.
Why homeopathy?
In comparison with conventional medicine, homeopathy helps us heal rather than suppress. Suppression can result in complications or long term effects on our health. Conventional medicine with its suppressing (anti- this, anti-that) action often dis-regulates another system in the body for which more medication is then needed.