As we enter the season of fall, looking at how nature transitions during this time can be inspiration for what we should do as well to prepare for the colder months. In Autumn the harvest is in full swing and animals are storing food for the winter and growing their thicker coats. Leaves and petals are dropping off plants to conserve energy and not be left out to be damaged by the elements. Fall is a time for transitioning into slowing down and storing energy for winter.
In East Asian Medicine the element that represents fall is metal. Metal is associated with the lung channel, and if we have any imbalances in the metal element, we might see allergies popping up around fall time, coughs, and eye styes. Lungs like warmth and moisture, so the dry, crisp air of fall can sometimes be hard on them. The metal element can also be linked to grief, so it’s a time to be aware of any feelings that might come up associated with grief. The metal element is also associated with courage and knowing our value. In Chinese culture, autumn is associated with the west, and west is the direction from which dreams and ambitions rise from. This is a season for turning our focus within and connecting with what we most value.
One of the main ways we can align ourselves with the seasons is by seasonal eating. Many of the vegetables that are ready for harvest are ones that get their nutrients from the ground and live in the dark, rather than being wide and open in the sun. This grounded energy from the dense root vegetables is the perfect food for us to be eating now and through the winter.
Good food choices for this time of year are anything seasonal that grow without artificial heat or light including:
Root vegetables (squash, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes)
Dark, leafy braising greens
Fall fruits (apples and pears)
Water chestnuts
Apples and pears are at their peak in autumn and have stored the summer sun all year. This makes a final fruit for us to ingest that is full of bright sun Qi. Apples and pears are also beneficial to lung Qi. Pears have a moistening effect that are particularly beneficial to the lungs and help counter the dryness of this season. Water chestnuts are also a good autumn food and help nourish lung Qi, so now is a good time to have them in stir fries and soups. As the weather grows cooler in fall it is a time to limit or eliminate raw vegetables and focus on cooked vegetables, broths, warming spices like ginger and cinnamon, and meats like pork, beef and lamb.
Dressing with the season is another way to stay healthy and balanced. Fall is a time when it is especially important to keep your neck warm and covered with a scarf. East Asian medicine associates wind with many illnesses and the back of the neck is where the acupuncture channels most prone to wind are located. A nice scarf can help keep your immunity boosted and keep you healthy for the cold months ahead.
These tips along with acupuncture and herbs can help you transition into the next season. Have a happy, healthy fall and winter!