Traditional Chinese Medicine
Seasonal Wellness Guide
for Koh Samui
Month-by-month TCM wisdom adapted for Koh Samui's tropical climate. Discover the foods, lifestyle practices, and acupressure points that align with your body's natural rhythms.
Hot to Monsoon Transition
May
Still very hot (28-34C) but the first rains arrive. Humidity peaks. Dramatic thunderstorms in the afternoons. The air feels thick and heavy. Transition from dry heat to wet heat.
Organ Focus: Spleen & Stomach
Earth Element
The transition to monsoon means rising dampness — the Spleen's worst enemy. The Spleen transforms and transports food and fluids. When overwhelmed by external dampness, it weakens, causing heaviness, bloating, foggy thinking, and loose stools. Protecting the Spleen now is critical for the months ahead.
Foods to Eat
Cooked rice porridge (congee)
The gentlest food for the Spleen — easy to transform and transport
Ginger (fresh)
Warms the Spleen, dispels dampness, and aids digestion
Job's tears (barley)
TCM's top food for draining dampness from the body
Pumpkin and squash
Sweet flavor nourishes the Spleen, easy to digest
White pepper
Warms the Stomach, expels cold-damp from heavy rains
Corn (fresh)
Drains dampness and supports urination
Foods to Avoid
Raw sashimi and cold salads
Raw food is hardest for the Spleen to process in damp weather
Dairy (especially cold milk)
Creates phlegm and dampness in the middle burner
Excessive tropical fruit smoothies
Cold, sweet, and damp — a triple burden on the Spleen
Greasy noodle dishes
Fried food plus damp weather overwhelms digestion
Daily Practices
Lifestyle Recommendations
Eat your largest meal at lunch when Stomach Qi is strongest (7-9am Stomach, 9-11am Spleen)
Keep feet dry — dampness enters through the feet and attacks the Spleen meridian
Use aromatic herbs in cooking (lemongrass, galangal, turmeric) — aromatics cut through dampness
Avoid sitting on wet surfaces or sleeping with wet hair
Acupressure Point of the Month
Stomach 36 (Zu San Li)
Location
Four finger-widths below the kneecap, one finger-width to the outer side of the shinbone.
How to Press
Press firmly or massage in circles for 3 minutes per leg. Can also tap briskly with a loose fist. Best in the morning.
Benefits
The most powerful point in TCM for overall vitality. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, boosts energy, resolves dampness, and supports immunity.
TCM Drink of the Month
Ginger & Job's Tears Dampness Drain
Recipe
Boil 30g Job's tears (yi yi ren) with 3 slices of fresh ginger and 3 red dates in 600ml water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink warm, 1-2 cups daily.
TCM Benefit
Actively drains dampness from the body, warms the Spleen, and prevents the heavy, sluggish feeling of early monsoon.
Watch For
Common Conditions in May
Bloating, loose stools, and poor appetite
Heavy limbs and fatigue despite sleeping enough
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
Fungal skin infections (dampness + heat)
Joint aches that worsen with humidity
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Seasonal Tune-Up Treatments Available
Every body responds to seasonal changes differently. Book a session with Claire for a personalized assessment and treatment tailored to what your body needs right now — including acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal recommendations.