Transition Into Fall (Autumn) - Recommendations for the Season
Traditional Chinese Medicine Seasonal Recommendations to Keep You Healthy in Autumn
Do you feel the shift in the temperature, the beginnings of the desire to slow down? Maybe you are feeling a little more introspective and quiet. Maybe there’s a bit more emotion gurgling beneath the surface and a desire to “let go” of old sadness…it’s all normal!
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the season of Fall is a transition from the “yang” of hot summer activity into dryer, cooler “yin” temperatures. The idea of transition is key, here. Fall/Autumn is the bridge between summer, characterized as the utmost yang, into winter which is characterized as the utmost yin. It’s a part of that beautiful dance between yin and yang that we speak about so often in TCM.
This season is represented by the element of Metal and corresponds to the Lungs and its partner organ, the Large Intestine. Metal, by its’ nature, is inflexible, hard and cold but it’s also malleable, solid and strong.
Since the organs related to Metal are Lung and Large Intestine, you may experience respiratory problems such as shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat if you are experiencing an imbalance this season. Constipation or colon issues are also common Large Intestine imbalances that may occur. In addition, Metal is related to the skin and pores. Therefore, you may become sensitive to temperature change and have dry skin or hair.
This is a time when it’s important for us to take care of our bodies and these organs in particular. The Lungs are associated with the emotion of grief and the Large Intestines are associated (appropriately) with “letting go.”
There are ways you can support yourself during this transitory season. It’s astonishing how a few simple additions to your routine can make a huge impact on your health. We see it every day in clinic!
Here are five easy to incorporate recommendations:
Take 10-15 minutes, daily, to practice deep breathing to support your lungs. Diaphragmatic breathing aka “belly breathing” is an exercise to strengthen the lungs and diaphragm. It’s a way to encourage the nervous system to relax and restore itself. Here is a how-to created by Hopkins Medical geared to Corona Virus patients that can be practiced by anyone.
Nutritionally and dietarily, this is the time to make the switch from raw veggies and salads to soups and stews. Eating warm cooked vegetables that are in season. Integrating pungent foods (garlic, horseradish, ginger, onions, sichuan pepper) will boost immunity and help disperse mucus that may be accumulating. The soups and stews are easier to digest and of course, vegetables by their nature are high in fiber to keep things moving in the gut.
Adding in nourishing herbal teas and hot water with lemon throughout the day will help keep the body moist and warm (and aid in digestion + immunity).
Pears and apples are abundant this time of year and especially good at supporting the Lungs in TCM food therapy. You can do a light poaching, slow cook or bake them for optimal benefit.
Stretch! This is the season of metal and while it IS malleable, it has to have a bit of fire to make it that way. Stretching via yoga (especially in a warm room) can offer up some immense benefits this time of year. A slower yoga class or yin yoga class is highly recommended. It will support the tendon and ligamentous attachments in your body and keep you feeling supple as the weather continues from cool to the deeper cold of winter.
Chinese herbal therapy + acupuncture (either alone or together) are available to you as support through the season. Please come in and see us! We offer short intake seasonal appointments strictly for herbal presecriptions as well as acupuncture.
If you can’t make it in, here are a few general herbs that are easy to find these days you can use to support yourself — astragalus and eleuthera are excellent for immune support. And functional mushrooms like cordyceps for the lungs and tremella for dryness can be added to recipes and teas.