Traditional Chinese Medicine (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, and is represented by the fire element and is focused on the external – autumn signals a shift inward, to prepare for the most yin of seasons, winter. In a temperate climate with seasonal change, you may notice how as the weather changes, so does your mood and energy.
via: http://library.thinkquest.org/25983/PRINCIPLES_OF_CHINESE_MEDICINE.HTM
This isn’t really surprising since 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) and in the emotional body autumn is related to the feeling of grief/sadness.
Defensive qi and external attacks: “catching cold”
The lung’s relationship to the skin makes sense in the context of TCM where illnesses (such as colds and flus) are caused by ‘external evils’ such as wind-cold and wind-dryness that get lodged in the pores (the back of the neck is particularly susceptible to attack). 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.
According to TCM theory we have defensive qi (wei qi) that circulates at the surface of our bodies – just under the skin. This qi, in particular, is that which protects us from external evils. This qi is formed from the qi we get from food (the nutritional quality of out food, and what we choose to eat at this time of year is SO important to our health!) and is then sent to lungs so they can spread this qi to the surface of the body to protect us from external pathogens. . This is why inducing sweating at the onset of illness can be helpful – sweating can dislodge the cold pathogen from the surface your skin. Likewise, gua sha and cupping mimic sweating – by opening the pores – so they can be just the ticket to helping you feel better (make an appointment at the first sign of illness to do this – it works like a charm!). Likewise, to protect yourself – wearing a scarf or other neck covering while you are out in the cold and wind is one way to prevent the external evils from entering your skin.
Emotions and Energetics of Autumn.
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.
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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 follow-ing: 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!
Dietary Changes for Autumn health.
At this time of year, where “catching cold” is common, taking care of your lungs is of the utmost importance. As the weather starts to change, so should our activities and diets.
ginger is warming and great herb to incorporate for the change of seasons!
Diet is an important part of keeping our defensive qi/immune system intact as the food we eat has a direct impact on the quality of our qi. During the autumn, transitioning from cold, raw foods to warming, easy to digest foods will help keep wei qi strong. Eating pungent foods is also recommended: 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 as they support the earth element in it’s quest to transform food into good qi for the lungs. Likewise you will want to reduce phlegm forming foods such as dairy and soy and avoid and excess of cold and raw foods (start steaming vegetables instead of raw salad and add some ginger to them).
Some other 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. Using a neti pot is also a great way to keep the nasal passages clear!
