Autumn Health Care
Autumn Health Care
Autumn is the season of ripening and harvest, as well as the season of falling leaves and withering plants. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes adapting to the changing seasons in harmony with the natural rhythms. For example, the classic text "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" states, "In spring and summer, nourish the yang; in autumn and winter, nourish the yin." This means that we should follow the natural cycle of spring's birth, summer's growth, autumn's harvest, and winter's storage. So, how should we take care of our health in the autumn?
Nourishing the "Harvest" in Autumn
According to the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," "In autumn, during the third month, things are calm and balanced. The weather becomes brisk, and the earth becomes clear. People should go to bed and wake up early, following the schedule of the rooster. Maintain a peaceful and calm state of mind to moderate the harshness of autumn. Collect and concentrate your spirit, allowing the autumn energy to be balanced. Keep your mind focused and your lung energy clear. This is the way to adapt to autumn and nourish the 'harvest'." In this context, "autumn's third month" refers to the period from the day before "Start of Autumn" until "Start of Winter." Autumn lasts for three months, and it is a season for being calm and balanced, with gradually cooler weather and clear air. People should go to bed and wake up early, aligning their schedule with the rooster's crowing. It's essential to maintain a peaceful and calm state of mind, avoiding impatience or restlessness, so that the autumn's cold and dryness can be moderated. Don't let your mind wander too much; this helps to keep the lung energy clear and balanced. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the physiological activities of the five internal organs in the human body must adapt to the changes in the four seasons' yin and yang. Only by adapting to the characteristics of autumn can we properly care for the "harvest" energy and ensure robust energy and vitality.
Nourishing the "Yin" in Autumn
Chinese medicine views dryness as the dominant factor during the six periods of autumn. This is why we often refer to "autumn dryness." Since "dryness dominates, it causes dryness," and "dryness easily harms the lungs," and "the lungs are related to the large intestine," autumn is a season when symptoms such as coughing, dry cough without phlegm, dry throat, sore throat, rough skin, and dry stools are more likely to occur. To prevent autumn dryness from damaging the lungs, we should pay attention to nourishing the yin and moistening the lungs. In our diet, we should consume fewer spicy and stimulating foods that tend to be drying. Instead, we should eat foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as sesame, walnut kernels, tremella, radishes, tomatoes, lotus roots, pears, bananas, honey, dairy products, lilies, sand ginseng, eight-treasure porridge, lily and tremella porridge, loaches, eels, duck meat, and other foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, promote the production of body fluids, and relieve dryness. Additionally, it's essential to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Moreover, skincare is also important in autumn to protect the skin and prevent dryness and cracking.
Cultivating Peacefulness in Autumn
The saying goes, "Since ancient times, autumn has been a time of solitude and melancholy, and I say autumn days surpass spring mornings." In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to the lungs, and the emotion associated with the lungs is grief. Excessive grief and sadness can harm the lungs. Therefore, when practicing self-care, it's crucial not to deviate from the natural rhythm. We should maintain inner calmness, keep our spirits peaceful, and ensure that lung energy remains clear and balanced, reducing the impact of autumn's cold and sharpness on our emotional and mental well-being.
Supplementing in Autumn
There's a common saying that "Entering summer without illness is three parts void." After "Start of Autumn," even though the weather is cooler in the mornings and evenings, there's still the lingering heat of the "autumn tiger." This can make people feel tired, fatigued, and listless. Following the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which suggest "nourishing yang in spring and summer and nourishing yin in autumn and winter," supplementing in autumn is essential. Autumn is an ideal time to revitalize and regulate the functions of the body's organs. A moderate approach to nourishment can help prevent illnesses and promote longevity. People who are prone to chronic heart and lung diseases in winter, in particular, should establish a nutritional foundation in autumn to enhance their body's adaptability. Autumn is also a season when people have a hearty appetite. By using dietary supplements wisely, people can maintain a healthy physique and robust energy, thereby reducing the risk of disease and delaying the aging process. However, sudden and excessive supplementation can overload the spleen and stomach, leading to digestive disorders and symptoms such as chest tightness, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea. The treatment principle in Chinese medicine is to nourish the deficient. Not everyone needs supplementation, and those with specific deficiencies (yin, yang, qi, blood) should choose appropriate supplements to benefit their health; otherwise, it may have the opposite effect.
In summary, autumn health care involves aligning our mental state, dietary habits, daily routines, and exercise with the principles of nurturing the "harvest" and nourishing the "yin."
Autumn is the season of ripening and harvest, as well as the season of falling leaves and withering plants. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes adapting to the changing seasons in harmony with the natural rhythms. For example, the classic text "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" states, "In spring and summer, nourish the yang; in autumn and winter, nourish the yin." This means that we should follow the natural cycle of spring's birth, summer's growth, autumn's harvest, and winter's storage. So, how should we take care of our health in the autumn?
Nourishing the "Harvest" in Autumn
According to the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," "In autumn, during the third month, things are calm and balanced. The weather becomes brisk, and the earth becomes clear. People should go to bed and wake up early, following the schedule of the rooster. Maintain a peaceful and calm state of mind to moderate the harshness of autumn. Collect and concentrate your spirit, allowing the autumn energy to be balanced. Keep your mind focused and your lung energy clear. This is the way to adapt to autumn and nourish the 'harvest'." In this context, "autumn's third month" refers to the period from the day before "Start of Autumn" until "Start of Winter." Autumn lasts for three months, and it is a season for being calm and balanced, with gradually cooler weather and clear air. People should go to bed and wake up early, aligning their schedule with the rooster's crowing. It's essential to maintain a peaceful and calm state of mind, avoiding impatience or restlessness, so that the autumn's cold and dryness can be moderated. Don't let your mind wander too much; this helps to keep the lung energy clear and balanced. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the physiological activities of the five internal organs in the human body must adapt to the changes in the four seasons' yin and yang. Only by adapting to the characteristics of autumn can we properly care for the "harvest" energy and ensure robust energy and vitality.
Nourishing the "Yin" in Autumn
Chinese medicine views dryness as the dominant factor during the six periods of autumn. This is why we often refer to "autumn dryness." Since "dryness dominates, it causes dryness," and "dryness easily harms the lungs," and "the lungs are related to the large intestine," autumn is a season when symptoms such as coughing, dry cough without phlegm, dry throat, sore throat, rough skin, and dry stools are more likely to occur. To prevent autumn dryness from damaging the lungs, we should pay attention to nourishing the yin and moistening the lungs. In our diet, we should consume fewer spicy and stimulating foods that tend to be drying. Instead, we should eat foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as sesame, walnut kernels, tremella, radishes, tomatoes, lotus roots, pears, bananas, honey, dairy products, lilies, sand ginseng, eight-treasure porridge, lily and tremella porridge, loaches, eels, duck meat, and other foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, promote the production of body fluids, and relieve dryness. Additionally, it's essential to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Moreover, skincare is also important in autumn to protect the skin and prevent dryness and cracking.
Cultivating Peacefulness in Autumn
The saying goes, "Since ancient times, autumn has been a time of solitude and melancholy, and I say autumn days surpass spring mornings." In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn corresponds to the lungs, and the emotion associated with the lungs is grief. Excessive grief and sadness can harm the lungs. Therefore, when practicing self-care, it's crucial not to deviate from the natural rhythm. We should maintain inner calmness, keep our spirits peaceful, and ensure that lung energy remains clear and balanced, reducing the impact of autumn's cold and sharpness on our emotional and mental well-being.
Supplementing in Autumn
There's a common saying that "Entering summer without illness is three parts void." After "Start of Autumn," even though the weather is cooler in the mornings and evenings, there's still the lingering heat of the "autumn tiger." This can make people feel tired, fatigued, and listless. Following the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, which suggest "nourishing yang in spring and summer and nourishing yin in autumn and winter," supplementing in autumn is essential. Autumn is an ideal time to revitalize and regulate the functions of the body's organs. A moderate approach to nourishment can help prevent illnesses and promote longevity. People who are prone to chronic heart and lung diseases in winter, in particular, should establish a nutritional foundation in autumn to enhance their body's adaptability. Autumn is also a season when people have a hearty appetite. By using dietary supplements wisely, people can maintain a healthy physique and robust energy, thereby reducing the risk of disease and delaying the aging process. However, sudden and excessive supplementation can overload the spleen and stomach, leading to digestive disorders and symptoms such as chest tightness, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea. The treatment principle in Chinese medicine is to nourish the deficient. Not everyone needs supplementation, and those with specific deficiencies (yin, yang, qi, blood) should choose appropriate supplements to benefit their health; otherwise, it may have the opposite effect.
In summary, autumn health care involves aligning our mental state, dietary habits, daily routines, and exercise with the principles of nurturing the "harvest" and nourishing the "yin."
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