Summer Healing at AcuHerb: New Hours, Fire Element Focus & Seasonal Wellness Tips

By Dr. Jennifer Taylor Onu Lebaka Menda, DACM, LAc

Summer is in full swing here at AcuHerb Community Circle, and we’re embracing the vibrant energy of the Fire Element in Chinese Medicine. From new evening hours to powerful hydration tips and seasonal treatments, here’s how we’re helping you align with the season, build resilience, and stay well through the hottest months of the year.

Welcoming Amy Saber – Evening Hours Now Available

We’re thrilled to welcome Amy Saber, a talented acupuncturist from Pennsylvania, to the AcuHerb team! Amy brings a warm and focused yang fire energy to the clinic and will be offering evening appointments for patients who need after-work care. Whether you're a teacher, government worker, or juggling a packed schedule, you now have more flexible options for healing.

Fire Element Summer Series – Catch It on Instagram & Facebook 

This summer, we’ve launched a seasonal social media series all about the Fire Element in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Fire governs:

• Joy, love, intimacy, and emotional connection
• The Heart and Small Intestine meridians
• Conditions like irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, and even hot flashes

Follow us @acuherbcommunitycircle on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about seasonal treatments, foods, emotions, and how to nourish your Heart and Shen (spirit) this summer.

Hydration Hack: A Pinch of Salt for Cellular Balance

Summer hydration is more than just drinking water—it's about absorbing it at the cellular level. Try adding a pinch of pink Himalayan salt to your water to:

• Improve electrolyte absorption through the sodium-potassium (Na⁺/K⁺) pump
• Support cellular osmosis and proper hydration
• Deliver key trace minerals like magnesium and potassium
• Enhance Kidney and Heart function, two vital organs in TCM’s summer focus

This simple tip can boost your energy, focus, and resilience—especially in the summer heat. Growing up in SC, we used to put salt on our watermelon! 

Back in Stock: Evil Bone Water

We’re happy to share that your beloved remedy is back in stock in the clinic:

• Evil Bone Water – A powerful topical liniment for pain relief, inflammation, and soft tissue recovery

Pick some up during your next visit to support healing from the inside out (and outside in!).

Seasonal Treatments to Stay Cool, Clear, and Connected

In the spirit of the Fire Element, our summer treatments focus on:

• Cupping therapy – to release heat and relieve tension
• Gua sha – to reduce inflammation and support digestion
• Heart-nourishing acupuncture – to improve sleep, mood, and emotional clarity
• Cooling food therapy – think bitter greens, cucumbers, watermelon, and mint (but ease into it—late July is peak season!)

Why You Should Treat in the Summer (Even If You Feel Fine)

Here’s a reminder: just because you feel better in the summer doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need support.

Heat naturally relaxes the body, loosens muscles, and masks pain or stagnation. But that doesn't mean the imbalances are gone. In Chinese Medicine, we treat two months in advance—and summer is the time to prepare for fall and winter.

If you tend to struggle with:

• Allergies
• Joint stiffness
• Low immunity or burnout
• Seasonal depression or fatigue

Now is the time to build your resilience. Use your summer to rest, receive care, and reinforce your constitution. Even if you’re feeling good, a tune-up now sets you up for smoother transitions when the colder months arrive.

Book Now – July Appointments Are Open

With our expanded schedule and increased demand, we encourage you to book your sessions early—especially if you’d like an evening slot with Amy.

We’re excited for all the growth and balance this season is bringing to our clinic and to your care.