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Monday, October 19, 2009
Autumn in TCM
Now that we have really and truly hit autumn, with changing leaves and crisp temperatures, I thought I'd give you a little insight into what Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) says about autumn and health.
TCM is very linked to the seasons and changes therein - there are connections between the seasons and your physical body (particular organ systems) as well as your emotions. While summer is considered the most yang of the seasons, it is represented by the fire element and is focused on the external - autumn signals a shift inward.
If you live in a temperate climate with seasonal change, you may notice how as the weather changes, so does your mood and energy. As it should be, we are not separate from the seasons, but a part of them. Have you noticed the effects of autumn in the dryness of your skin, nose or throat? Autumn is represented by the metal element and in the physical body is related to the lung and large intestine (these systems also open to the nose and throat and control the skin).
The lungs control the circulation of defensive qi (what protects you from external attacks like a cold or flu) so it extremely important to nourish the lungs and keep them strong during this season. Some physical signs (not an exhaustive list by any means) you might notice if your metal element is out of balance: asthma, allergies, nasal and throat disorders, frequent colds, constipation, dry skin, pneumonia... If you are experiencing any of these, be in touch with your acupuncturist and find out how TCM can help!
Not only are there elements and organs associated with the seasons, but emotions as well. The autumn is a time to gather together, to turn inward and prepare for the complete yin of winter. Both the lungs and large intestines are organs that have an expanding and contracting energy - one receives and the other releases. These physiological functions also symbolize the emotional aspect of this season as well - letting go. It is a time to let go of what no longer serves us while gathering all that is good and healthy; it is setting limits, organizing, and protecting boundaries. An imbalanced metal element will show emotionally with the following: inability to shake grief, difficulty of letting go, lack of inspiration, sadness, depression, crying a lot, attachment and addiction.
All of this is natural, the sense of nostalgia, desire for inspiration, feelings of sadness and grief often present at this time of year. They present in order to allow for reflection and harvesting of the years fruits and lessons. Both the physical and emotional qualities mentioned above are most likely to occur in the fall, when the metal qi is most vulnerable. However this is also the optimal time to heal the metal element!
Some things you can do to nourish the lungs during autumn are: incorporating yoga, qi-gong or any other practice that is focused on the breath; retire earlier at night and get adequate sleep, eat pungent foods such as onions, garlic, mustard, turnips, ginger, and radish as this is the 'taste' of the metal element and beneficial to the lungs. Dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, yams, oats, rice, quinoa and amaranth are also good foods for this time of year while you want to reduce phlegm forming foods such as dairy and soy and avoiding and excess of cold and raw foods (start steaming vegetables instead of salad). Using a neti pot is also a great way to keep your nose and sinuses clean!
And of course, visiting your acupuncturist for a treatment to support your lungs and large intestine is a great way to help ease through the changing of the seasons, or tackle more on-going physical and/or emotional conditions.
TCM is very linked to the seasons and changes therein - there are connections between the seasons and your physical body (particular organ systems) as well as your emotions. While summer is considered the most yang of the seasons, it is represented by the fire element and is focused on the external - autumn signals a shift inward.
If you live in a temperate climate with seasonal change, you may notice how as the weather changes, so does your mood and energy. As it should be, we are not separate from the seasons, but a part of them. Have you noticed the effects of autumn in the dryness of your skin, nose or throat? Autumn is represented by the metal element and in the physical body is related to the lung and large intestine (these systems also open to the nose and throat and control the skin).
The lungs control the circulation of defensive qi (what protects you from external attacks like a cold or flu) so it extremely important to nourish the lungs and keep them strong during this season. Some physical signs (not an exhaustive list by any means) you might notice if your metal element is out of balance: asthma, allergies, nasal and throat disorders, frequent colds, constipation, dry skin, pneumonia... If you are experiencing any of these, be in touch with your acupuncturist and find out how TCM can help!
Not only are there elements and organs associated with the seasons, but emotions as well. The autumn is a time to gather together, to turn inward and prepare for the complete yin of winter. Both the lungs and large intestines are organs that have an expanding and contracting energy - one receives and the other releases. These physiological functions also symbolize the emotional aspect of this season as well - letting go. It is a time to let go of what no longer serves us while gathering all that is good and healthy; it is setting limits, organizing, and protecting boundaries. An imbalanced metal element will show emotionally with the following: inability to shake grief, difficulty of letting go, lack of inspiration, sadness, depression, crying a lot, attachment and addiction.
All of this is natural, the sense of nostalgia, desire for inspiration, feelings of sadness and grief often present at this time of year. They present in order to allow for reflection and harvesting of the years fruits and lessons. Both the physical and emotional qualities mentioned above are most likely to occur in the fall, when the metal qi is most vulnerable. However this is also the optimal time to heal the metal element!
Some things you can do to nourish the lungs during autumn are: incorporating yoga, qi-gong or any other practice that is focused on the breath; retire earlier at night and get adequate sleep, eat pungent foods such as onions, garlic, mustard, turnips, ginger, and radish as this is the 'taste' of the metal element and beneficial to the lungs. Dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, yams, oats, rice, quinoa and amaranth are also good foods for this time of year while you want to reduce phlegm forming foods such as dairy and soy and avoiding and excess of cold and raw foods (start steaming vegetables instead of salad). Using a neti pot is also a great way to keep your nose and sinuses clean!
And of course, visiting your acupuncturist for a treatment to support your lungs and large intestine is a great way to help ease through the changing of the seasons, or tackle more on-going physical and/or emotional conditions.
Labels: acupuncture, autumn, fall, TCM, traditional chinese medicine
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