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.
Early Monsoon
June
Monsoon arrives in earnest (27-33C). Regular heavy rain, high humidity (80%+). Seas can be rough. Overcast days alternate with bursts of sunshine. The environment is saturated with moisture.
Organ Focus: Spleen & Heart
Earth / Fire Element
Dampness is now the dominant pathogen. It's heavy, sticky, and hard to shift — just like the monsoon weather. The Spleen continues to struggle, and dampness can also cloud the Heart Shen, causing low mood and emotional heaviness. This is the month to aggressively resolve dampness while keeping the spirit uplifted.
Foods to Eat
Turmeric (fresh Koh Samui variety)
Powerfully moves Qi and blood, resolves dampness and inflammation
Lemongrass
Aromatic herb that cuts through dampness and warms the middle
Red beans (adzuki)
Drain dampness downward through urination
Pineapple
Breaks down damp accumulation and aids protein digestion
Galangal
Stronger than ginger for expelling cold-damp from the Spleen
Mushrooms (shiitake, oyster)
Boost immunity and support Qi without creating dampness
Foods to Avoid
Ice cream and frozen desserts
Directly damages Spleen Yang in an already damp environment
Bread and pastries
Wheat creates dampness and phlegm in TCM
Sugary drinks and sodas
Sweet flavor in excess overwhelms the Spleen
Cold beer
Cold + damp + alcohol = maximum Spleen damage
Daily Practices
Lifestyle Recommendations
Use a dehumidifier or air conditioning to keep your living space dry
Exercise indoors — yoga, strength training, or dancing to keep Qi and blood moving
Burn mugwort (moxa) sticks at home to warm and dry the atmosphere (traditional TCM practice)
Maintain social connections — dampness can cause emotional withdrawal and low mood
Acupressure Point of the Month
Spleen 9 (Yin Ling Quan)
Location
On the inner leg, in the depression just below the knee joint, behind the shinbone.
How to Press
Press firmly and massage for 2-3 minutes per leg. May feel sore or swollen — a sign of dampness accumulation. Best done after exercise.
Benefits
The primary point for resolving dampness in the body. Reduces water retention, bloating, heavy legs, and urinary difficulty.
TCM Drink of the Month
Red Bean & Tangerine Peel Detox
Recipe
Boil 30g adzuki beans and a piece of aged tangerine peel (chen pi) in 800ml water for 40 minutes until soft. Drink the liquid and eat the beans. No sugar.
TCM Benefit
Drains dampness, moves Qi in the middle burner, and prevents the stagnation that leads to monsoon fatigue.
Watch For
Common Conditions in June
Persistent fatigue and heaviness
Water retention and puffy face in the morning
Loose or sticky stools
Low mood and lack of motivation
Respiratory issues from damp air (phlegm, congestion)
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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.