5th Season Late Summer

The fifth season of Late Summer is the shortest that we experience, being only about 4-5 weeks from the end of August until the fall equinox. Late summer is the last breath of high summer just before we fully exhale into fall. The land is still lush, the crops are just turning golden from a long productive season, and the air has a familiar but fleeting morning chill. We are right on the edge of fall, but these last weeks are a steady pause before the full transition when we can experience the overlap of high summer energy with the inward invitation of fall.

During the change of season, we more acutely notice shifts in our body. We are all sensitive to the change in air, the change in foods, the change in day length, and the subtle shift in seasonal energy. This is sometimes when we notice symptoms of change internally and externally. Our digestion may feel a little off. We may notice changes in our skin such as acne, eczema or dryness. Our sleep may be disturbed. Our energy is a little different. 

Seasonal transitions are the ideal time to tend to our body’s balance, as we are most susceptible to subtle imbalance at this time. 

Focus on digestion:

Those with vata dosha are more likely to experience digestive changes during the change of the seasons, especially the transitions from warm to cool seasons. They may experience sporadic appetite and irregular bowel movements, and are especially nostalgic for the consistently warm days of summer. Colder patterns can quickly impact a vata person, and maintaining a balanced internal and external temperature is very grounding, comfortable, and therapeutic for the vata individual, especially for maintaining a healthy digestion.

Lemongrass & Ginger Tea is a warming yet energetically balanced tea designed to maintain healthy digestion while providing circulatory support during the transition from summer to fall. It can be enjoyed by all doshas - including pitta and vata types, and is particularly loved by vatas!

How to Maintain a Healthy Digestive System

Focus on healthy cleansing:

Gentle, seasonal cleansing can support all of our organ systems, especially the liver. The best way to engage in a healthy cleanse is through the foods you eat each season, and with supporting herbs and spices via tea or culinary ingredients. There is rarely a strong benefit in doing an intense cleanse, but rather engaging in healthy, supportive practices each day will enhance your body’s natural cleansing and detoxification systems gently and efficiently. 

Cleanse tea is a perfect seasonal companion to support liver health, nutrient balance, and blood building with Fair Wild nettle leaf, dandelion root and fennel seed, cooled with peppermint and aloe vera. Enjoy 1-2 cups daily between meals for late summer cleansing support. 

Help Me Glow: Cleansing Herbs & Recipe

Focus on skin health: 

Our skin is our direct interface with the world, and takes the brunt of environmental changes both externally (from pollutants and air quality and temperatures), and internally from our natural detoxification processes. The largest organ of the body, our skin is affected by our environments, stress, nutrition, hormones, and topical products. We can best support our skin health by eating whole nutritious and seasonal foods rich in antioxidants, eating for our dosha, managing our stress, getting good quality sleep, and supporting our natural detoxification processes with enough water, nutrients, exercise and liver supporting herbs and spices (such as ginger, turmeric, fennel, dandelion root, and artichoke).

Blackcurrant Beauty tea - a delicious, antioxidant rich herbal tea formulated to support vibrant skin and cellular health, made with ethically sourced and 100% organically grown ingredients. Enjoy 1-2 cups per day, anytime day or night. 

Routines to Support Late Summer 

• Wake with the sun, and try to go to bed at a consistent time in the evening, ideally around 10pm. 

• Consume your first meal at a consistent time in the morning, ideally within 1-2 hours after rising, Enjoy warm, cooked whole foods such as overnight oats with fresh or cooked berries and sunflower seeds. 

• Take 30 minutes midday to practice mindfulness by going for a quiet walk, enjoying a gentle yoga practice, or doing your meditation and breathing practice. 

• In the evening, take a few minutes to release worry, anxiety, and daily tensions. Take a bath, do self oil massage, or gentle stretching to settle your mind and calm your spirit. 

• Enjoy your daily tea ritual. Morning, afternoon or evening, take a few minutes to pause and sip on some warm herbal tea. Cleanse, Lemongrass & Ginger, or Blackcurrant Beauty are ideal options for later summer!