Autumn & TCM: Seasonal Practices
The autumnal equinox fell on September 22nd this year, marking the official end of summer and the beginning of fall. It is the midpoint between the extreme Yang season of Summer and the extreme Yin season of Winter. As the long summer days were filled with socializing and outdoor play, you may now find yourself yearning for a peaceful afternoon at home as you gradually bring your body and mind back to a state of calm and relaxation.
During this season, we begin to turn inward and prepare for winter. According to East Asian Medicine (EAM), Autumn is associated with the Lung system, which dominates the skin, respiratory system, and immunity. Dry weather can cause various symptoms such as a dry or itchy throat, common colds, dry skin and rashes, and brittle and thinning hair. However, staying warm and consuming foods that promote body fluids can help alleviate these symptoms. Here are some of my favorite tips to support your wellness as we transition into Fall.
Enjoy more warming and cooked foods, like breakfast porridge, congee, and soup, to support your digestive system, letting go of the cold summer salads.
Nourish your Lungs with gentle movement and breath-work.
Supplement the Yin and Body Fluids with fresh seasonal foods.
Wear a scarf - as the winds pick up this season, protect the nape of the neck to prevent a "Wind Attack."
Recommended foods include broths, lily bulb, oat, millet, rice, pear, grapes, tangerine, persimmons, nuts and seeds (especially sunflower and sesame), lotus root, pumpkin, kohlrabi, carrots, olives, cauliflower, honey, white fungus, and cultured dairy products.
It is also advised to consume sour flavors like apples and lemon, as they help protect the yin and body fluids. We can use pungent flavors and spices like ginger to help protect against the cold and warm the digestion, but pungent flavors like onions and peppers should also be used with caution as they may induce perspiration and further dry the skin and body.
Autumn Overview
Element: Metal
Organs: Lung & Large Intestine
Color: White
Flavor: Pungent
Foods for the Season
Vegetables: kohlrabi, carrots, cauliflower, napa cabbage, mushrooms
Fruits: pears, apples, grapes, figs, tangerines, apples, lemon
Protein: bone broths, poultry, cultured dairy products
Grains & Starches: oat, millet, rice, pumpkin, lily bulb, lotus root, congee
Nuts & Seeds: sesame, sunflower, almonds, walnuts, peanuts
Others: white ear fungus, olives, ginger, honey
To Limit: onions, peppers
Not sure how to incorporate white fungus, a seasonal beauty tonic? Try this recipe for a sweet soup featuring white fungus and other traditional herbs, for clear, glowing skin, from our partners at Yina.
