FALL WEATHER AND YOUR HEALTH
I live and practice in San Diego, CA. As I type, it is 75 degrees and not a cloud in sight. For most of the US, autumn and its cooler weather is in full swing. And while our temps here haven’t “cooled” off just yet, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for the season.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the four seasons correlate to specific elements, organs, emotions, and physiological activities. Autumn or Fall is associated with the Metal element.
The metal element is about boundaries, structure, and the ability to let go. It is also associated with the Lung (Yin organ) and Large Intestine (Yang Organ) organs. .
The lungs regulate the respiratory system and interact with external environments; breathing. The lungs govern the Qi or energy of the body and play an important and integral role for the health of our immune system.
While the primary function of the lung is to move Qi to all parts of the body, Its counterpart or yang organ of the metal element, the Large Intestine’s primary function is to receive waste from the small intestine, absorb any remaining fluids, and excrete the waste. In TCM, this is viewed as the transformation of fluids and the transportation of impurities out of the body.
Grief, sadness, and “letting go” are the emotions taking space in autumn. The emotion associated with the lung is grief. Unresolved or suppressed grief can impact the lungs’ ability to function correctly. As well, a lung imbalance can bring about the emotions of grief and sadness. Emotionally, the large intestine is about grief and “letting go”. Similar to its actual function in the release of physical waste, it is symbolically tied to letting go of emotional and physical waste.
In TCM the lung is considered a vulnerable organ because of its susceptibility to outside pathogens, particularly cold and dryness. Protection of the lung Qi is essential and listed below are some ways to strengthen your lung Qi and immune system!
¥ Acupuncture. Receiving regular Acupuncture treatments is a great way to boost your immune system and get it working at its highest potential. Regular treatments can help minimize getting sick in the winter months.
¥ Dietary recommendations. Seeing that autumn is about dryness, contraction, and moving inward, this is the time to replenish Yin energy and reduce any fatigue. One of the ways that can be done is with diet. Consuming food and beverages that are warming and nourishing. Here are some foods that are perfect for autumn.
o Fresh fruit (low in sugar): granny smith apples, figs, lemons, limes, rhubarb
o Fermented vegetables
o Garlic
o Ginger
o Horseradish
o Onions
o Pepper
o Turnip
¥ Remember to breathe. Breathing and lung health is important during the fall months. Remembering that the lung is responsible for moving Qi throughout the body, practicing breathing exercises are beneficial during the fall months. Mindful and deep breathing helps to strengthen the lung Qi. Helping to ensure the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
¥ Protect your skin. In TCM, the skin is an extension of the lung. The lung controls the pores and influences the overall health of the skin including hydration. Keeping your skin moisturized and protected with the dry fall is crucial. In fact, the space between the skin and muscle is where the body’s defensive Qi lies (Wei Qi).
Wellsentials 