Late Summer in TCM: The Fifth Season and How to Support It

Most of us think of the year as having four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But what is late summer? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), late summer is a fifth season that slips in between summer and autumn.

It usually lasts about four to five weeks, from late August to the autumn equinox (though the exact timing can shift depending on climate and region). 

You’ve probably felt it without giving it a name. The days are still warm, but less intense. The air gets heavier and more humid, and gardens are overflowing with ripened fruits and vegetables. 

Late summer is often called the “season of transition.” It’s the moment to slow down after summer’s high energy, nourish yourself, and prepare for the shift into autumn.

Organs and Elements Associated with Late Summer

Every season has its own energy that influences how we feel and move through life. Summer is fiery and active. Autumn is crisp and reflective. Late summer is grounding. It’s a pause between extremes and a chance to come back to center. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, late summer is linked to the Earth element, which represents nourishment, grounding, and stability. The organs most connected with this season are the spleen and stomach.

When these organs are balanced, digestion feels smooth, energy stays steady, and you feel supported. When they’re out of balance, it can show up as bloating, fatigue, food cravings, or constant overthinking.

This is a season to focus on digestion, both physically and emotionally. Just as the earth offers its harvest, late summer invites you to take in what you’ve gathered (food, experiences, and lessons) and process them fully.

How Late Summer Affects Us

Many people notice changes in both body and mood during late summer. Physically, it’s common to feel heavier or more sluggish in the humid air. Emotionally, this season can make worry and overthinking surface more easily than usual.

When things are in balance, late summer can feel comforting and nourishing. You enjoy good food, good company, and a sense of stability. But when the Earth element is out of balance, it’s easy to feel stuck, drained, or weighed down.

Common signs of imbalance during late summer include:

• Tiredness after eating

• Sugar or carb cravings

• Trouble focusing or constant “mental looping”

• Feeling heavy, swollen, or bloated

On the flip side, supporting yourself in this season can bring a deep sense of harmony. 

Food and Nutrition for Late Summer

One of the clearest ways to support yourself in late summer is through food. Since this season ties to the Earth element and digestion, aim for meals that feel nourishing and grounding.

This is harvest time: squash, sweet potatoes, corn, zucchini, carrots, peaches, and pears. Foods that are naturally sweet, gentle, and earthy support the spleen and stomach.

Warm, cooked meals are usually easier on digestion than raw or cold foods, especially if you notice bloating or fatigue after eating. Soups, stews, and roasted vegetables are simple choices that keep your system steady. Whole grains like rice, millet, or oats fit this season well.

Eat slowly and mindfully. Digestion starts with how you approach your food. 

Recipes for Late Summer

Late summer is a time of abundance. Bring fresh ingredients from the garden or market to your table to support digestion and grounding.

Try these simple ideas:

1. Golden Millet Porridge with Steamed Pears

A warm bowl of millet porridge is gentle on the stomach and naturally sweet. Top it with lightly steamed pears and a drizzle of honey for a soothing breakfast or evening snack.

2. Roasted Squash and Carrot Soup

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of squash and carrots. Blend them into a creamy soup with a touch of ginger for warmth and digestive support.

3. Steamed Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

Steam sweet potatoes until tender, then sprinkle with a little cinnamon. They’re grounding, nourishing, and easy to digest.

4. Warm Peach Compote

Cook fresh peaches slowly with a splash of water and a pinch of cardamom. This makes a gentle dessert or topping for porridge, without the heaviness of refined sugar.

Lifestyle Practices for Balance

Your daily habits either support or throw off balance in late summer. This is a time for grounding, so build routines that bring steadiness and calm. The goal is to do less, but with intention.

BIO16 temporarily relieves occasional nervous exhaustion, anxiousness, restlessness, tiredness, or sleeplessness resulting from stress. Temporarily supports your nervous system to help you cope with everyday stress and negative events.

Simple practices work best:

• Spend time in nature. Walk barefoot on grass, garden, or just sit outside to feel connected to the earth.

• Create gentle routines. Regular mealtimes, enough sleep, and consistent self-care signal stability to your body.

• Practice mindfulness. A few minutes of breathing, journaling, or pausing during the day helps quiet racing thoughts.

• Move gently. Activities like walking, yoga, or tai chi keep energy flowing without draining you.

Natural Support in Late Summer

Late summer can feel heavy. To stay grounded and balanced, use natural practices that support digestion, calm the mind, and bring steady energy. Here are six gentle ways to do that:

1. Herbs

Herbal teas are one of the simplest supports. Chamomile, peppermint, and ginger soothe the stomach. Lemon balm or lavender ease restlessness. Even a cup of warm water with fresh ginger can feel grounding.

2. Homeopathy

Homeopathy can gently stimulate the body’s healing. Late summer often brings digestive discomfort, bloating, sluggishness, or worry that shows up in the stomach. Homeopathic remedies can help restore balance in a safe way. Our own remedies, such as BM213, are designed to help you process food more smoothly.

3. Qi Gong or Tai Chi

These slow, flowing movement practices strengthen the body, calm the mind, and keep energy moving. Practicing a few minutes a day can leave you feeling lighter and more centered.

4. Acupressure & Acupuncture

In TCM, points like Stomach 36 and Spleen 6 support digestion and calm the mind. If you can’t see a practitioner, try gentle self-massage on these points. It’s an easy way to restore balance.

5. Abdominal Massage

Gentle massage around the stomach helps digestion and eases tension. In TCM, this improves energy flow through the spleen and stomach channels. A few minutes of light, circular massage can make you feel more comfortable and connected to your body.

6. Aromatherapy with Earth Element Scents

Warm, comforting scents like ginger, citrus peel, or clove can uplift mood and strengthen the Earth element. Diffuse these oils or use them in a massage oil blend to create a soothing atmosphere.

Embrace Transition and Let Go

Late summer is a natural pause. It asks you to digest what has happened so far this year and gently prepare for what’s ahead.

Look at what you’ve been carrying and decide what to keep and what to release.

Simple practices help: write down what you’re grateful for, organize your space, or spend quiet time outdoors to reflect. Small acts of letting go create room for new energy as autumn arrives.

The Bottom Line

Late summer may be short, but it carries a clear message: slow down, ground yourself, and care for your center. Digest your meals and your experiences. When you honor this rhythm, the shift into autumn feels smoother and your balance improves.