Autumn Health Tips with Acupuncture

“Fall is the season of harvest, a time to pull inward and gather together on all levels, a time to store up fuel, food, and warm clothing, a time to study and plan for the approaching stillness of winter.  Everything in nature contracts and moves its essence inward and downward.  Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, and the sap of trees goes into the roots.  The earth’s grasses start to lose their deep green color, turning lighter and drier.”  From Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are 5 elements and a season and organs associated with each: 

• Winter-Water-Kidneys,

• Spring-Wood-Liver,

• Summer-Fire-Heart, and

• Fall-Metal-Lungs. 

The above passage reflects the quality of the Autumn time.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine our Lung Qi (healthy energy) is associated with our immune system.  This is an important season to support the health of your Lung Qi so that they are better able to fend off colds and flu and associated problems this Winter.  Firstly, getting 3-4 acupuncture treatments to build the immune system (the Lung Qi system) is a great benefit.

Other things you can do to support your health this season: 

• Wear a scarf. 

One theory as to how people catch colds or the flu is by “invasion of wind.”  According to Chinese medical philosophy, wind penetrates the back of the neck, bringing with it external pathogens which can lead to illness.  Cover up with a scarf and jacket especially after sweating or if it is windy, even if you think you don’t need one.

• Eat right for the season. 

Autumn is the harvest season for rich dense foods that support and fuel the body, providing additional heat to protect us from the coming cool, damp climate. These foods help “thicken” the blood in order to keep us warm in cooler weather.  Also add foods that are sour into your diet – sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, lemons, and sour varieties of apples.