Rikka: Summer Wellness to Calm the Mind

Hello everyone. This is Yuyu Kampo.

Around May 6th, we welcome the twenty-four solar term of "Rikka" (Beginning of Summer). As the name suggests, according to the calendar, this day marks the start of summer. How are you all spending this season, when the leaves on the street trees are growing lush and green, and the scent of greenery mingles with the breeze? It is a season when the sun grows stronger day by day and both body and mind want to be active, but at the same time, I often hear people say they feel "somehow restless," "emotionally volatile," or "unable to sleep at night." In fact, from the perspective of Kampo, these may be signs unique to the season of the "Heart" (Shin) that come with Rikka.

🔥 The Deep Connection Between Rikka and the "Heart" (Shin)

In Oriental medicine, the year is divided into the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and summer is considered the season of "Fire." The Five Zang organs corresponding to "Fire" is the "Heart"—a very important organ that governs not only the heart in modern medicine but also the control of spirit, consciousness, and emotions. The strong Yang energy of summer activates the "Heart," but if it becomes excessive, "Heart Fire" flares up, easily manifesting as "Heart"-related ailments such as irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and hot flashes. "Summer is the season to nourish the Heart"—this is the foundation of summer wellness in Oriental medicine.

🌱 "Three Rikka Wellness Practices" You Can Start Today

1. [Diet] Cool Down the Heat of the Heart with Bitterness

In Oriental medicine, it is believed that "bitterness enters the Heart" and helps to calm excessive Heart Fire. Try to consciously incorporate familiar bitter ingredients such as bitter melon, garland chrysanthemum, celery, and green tea. Also, tea made with {Ophiopogon Tuber (Bakumondo) or {Lily Bulb (Byakugo) has long been cherished as a wellness drink that calms heat while protecting the moisture of the heart and body.

2. [Movement] Protect the Heart with Early Rising and "Naps"

From Rikka onwards, the basic wellness practice is to "wake up early and go to bed late" (the opposite of the winter practice of "early to bed, late to rise"). Move your body a little during the cool morning hours and freely receive the Yang energy. Also, a summer nap is very effective for the recovery of the "Heart." A short nap of about 15 to 30 minutes helps with afternoon concentration and emotional stability.

3. [Mind] Use "Don't Over-Joy" as a Keyword

In Oriental medicine, "joy is the aspiration of the Heart," and it is believed that continued excessive excitement, joy, or mental stress can damage the Heart. When you experience what is known today as "burnout syndrome" or "intense emotional swings," it may be a sign that your Heart is tired. Especially during the Rikka season, making time to "spend time slowly" is an important wellness practice.

🌸 In Closing

Rikka is an important time to stand at the entrance of summer and prepare for the coming season. Spending time with a calm mind, moving moderately, and enjoying seasonal ingredients—that is the "wisdom for living a healthy summer" passed down by Oriental medicine. If you are concerned about insomnia, palpitations, or mental fatigue, there are also Kampo prescriptions such as {Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sansonin-to) or {Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin (Seishinrenshi-in) that nourish and calm the Heart. Please consult your regular pharmacist or doctor.

May a refreshing early summer breeze blow around you.
May your every day be even a little more energetic and comfortable. This was Yuyu Kampo.