Summer in Traditional Persian Medicine

How can we best deal with great heat and dryness?

In traditional Persian medicine, abstinence and prevention precede any treatment. For instance, health can be maintained by consciously abstaining from some food and adding others to the diet. It is important in this context to consider one’s temperament.

We should know which foods to avoid and which to consume in order to stay healthy through the summer.

According to traditional Persian medicine, every person – and every living being – has a temperament that has to be taken into account together with various circumstances and phenomena. The four seasons represent such phenomena. Therefore, every person should adapt one’s lifestyle to them, like the intake of food and sleep.

The summer season is hot and dry.

Temperatures reach their highest levels of the year and both air and nature experience the driest conditions. In summer, people with a hot and dry temperament are particularly at risk, as the seasonal circumstances impose additional stress on their insides. It is important to avoid foods and drinks that increase body temperature and cause dryness. Moreover, avoid spending too much time in the sun, reduce your physical activities and allow yourself more rest than usual.

What foods and drinks are to be avoided during summer?

Hot food such as pepper, ginger, saffron, mustard, onions, garlic and mint should be consumed as little as possible. People with a hot and dry temperament should refrain from them altogether. Furthermore, salty snacks or sweets should be avoided. If you wish to eat nuts, it is best to enjoy them raw – without salt or sugar. Products such as honey, sultanas, figs, bananas, pineapples and melons should not be consumed in excessive amounts – even in liquid form – due to their sweetness. Also bear in mind that red meat has a high internal heat and is therefore not recommended at all during summer. Refrain from alcohol as it dehydrates the body. Last but not least, do not fry or roast food. These preparations add heat and dryness to the products.

What foods and drinks are recommended during summer?

Being the hot season, it is advisable to consume cooling foods and drinks in summer time. People with a cold temperament must nevertheless keep in mind to not exaggerate with the consumption of these foods and drinks that are in principle useful in summer. Enjoy, for example, yoghurt, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, coriander, lemons and oranges. Consuming barley soup and sweet or sour fruits is also advisable. These include blackberries, raspberries, apples, cherries, peaches, apricots and pomegranates. In addition, eat white meat (like chicken) and fish. Fish is an ideal dish as it has a cold and wet temperament. People with a hot temperament can eat lemon daily, because it reduces the body’s heat, dilutes the blood and facilitates the digestion of fatty, sweet or heavy food. By the way: It is best to drink simply water in summer – without syrup or other sweeteners. Be sure to observe our tips for drinking water