Energize Your Summer: Heart Health, Acupressure, and a Hibiscus Mocktail
The sun is out and the days are long. The yang energy is at it’s peak so go out and use it! Â
The summer is represented by the heart and small intestine. Â Its color is red and climate is dry. Â The heart is connected to our tongue and blood vessels. Â When in balance the summer energy is full of joy and happiness, self awareness, compassion and empathy.
There is connection to our true nature which doesn’t have to do anything. The heart’s calling is not to do, but to be. When it’s off there can be erratic behaviour, low self esteem, difficulty expressing ones self, and a hard time relating to others.Â
By taking time to enjoy yourself this summer, watch a sunrise and be active, the heart is able to nourish our bodies allowing for meaningful connections and the energy to get things done!
Heart 1 – Ji Quan – Supreme Spring/ Utmost Source
This point is located at the apex of the axillary fossa or simply the centre of the armpit.Â
HT1 is the entry point of the meridian and regulates qi flow from the torso to the arm and vice versa.  This activates the meridian. It frees the chest and benefits the arm. This also helps to move heart blood stagnation.  Ji Quan is a spirit point that connects our consciousness to the universal consciousness and aligns our personal heart with the heart of the universe.  Overall this promotes emotional warmth.Â
What does this all mean?Â
On a physical level this point helps remove chest congestion, calms heart palpitations, and relieve shortness of breath. This is a great point for people with heart disease.  Heart 1 can help relieve pain in the shoulder, arm, chest and side, as well as the upper thoracic area or upper back. Something I’ve personally been dealing with is frozen shoulder.  This point is great to warm the cold and numbness that’s associated with this condition.Â
The time associated with the heart is between 11am and 1pm which is when it will work to pump nutrients around the body to help provide you with energy and nutrition. If you find yourself restless during this time this point might be just what you need.Â
On a mental and emotional level stimulating HT1 can create positive effects for people struggling to survive, who have a feeling of internal chaos. This point gets deep by helping people who have a sense of isolation, abandonment, shock and who have experienced severe trauma.  It can help those who have feelings of betrayal leading to challenges with intimacy. It can help with sadness, anxiety and panic attacks. The summer heat can create a sense of mental restlessness, Heart 1 can help promote relaxation and enhance overall mental wellbeing.Â
To feel the full benefits this point has to offer press on it while inhaling and release while exhaling. Do this for 3 minutes on each side a few times a week. You’ll be glad you did!
Sparkling Hibiscus Orange Mocktail
Heart healthy foods tend to be red and rich in vitamin C. This delicious mocktail has both and hopefully brings in a little bit of joy as well. Enjoy!
Ingredients
3 cups of water
1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1 cup cubed ripe mango
1 tbsp orange zest
1 large orange, juiced
1 tbsp lime juice
1/3 cup maple syrup, or agave nectar
4 cups sparkling water
*optional garnish 8 orange slices
Instructions
1. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the dried hibiscus, cover and turn off the heat. Let steep for at least 15min.
2. Meanwhile, in a high speed blender, add 1 cup of water, cubed mango, orange zest, orange juice, lime juice, and maple syrup. Blend on high until very smooth. Once the hibiscus tea is brewed, strain it and pour into the blender. Give it one or more pulses to fully combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking.
3. To serve, pour 1/2 cup of the juice concentrate into a glass over ice and top with 1/3-1/2 cup of sparkling water. Use less sparkling water for a more flavorful drink and more sparkling water for a lighter drink. Top with an optional orange slice.
4. The juice concentrate will keep in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 7 days, or pour in an ice cube tray to freeze for longer term storage.
From the Minimalist Baker
Aysha Nuttall, RAc, INHC
