Somehow February is drawing to a close and autumn is nearly upon us! 2017 is flying by already. While the seasons slowly begin to change, I am going to share some Chinese medicine wisdom on what the season and energy of autumn represents.

In Chinese medicine, autumn is seen as yin with yang time of year. We are transitioning out of summer with its vibrant yang energy and feeling slightly cooler and dry weather that is yin in nature.

Autumn is the season of harvest, a time to pull inwards and gather together on all levels. It is a time to take stock and prepare for the approaching stillness of winter. Everything in nature contracts and moves its essence inwards and downwards. Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, the sap of trees goes into the roots. The earth’s grasses start to loose their deep green colour and turn lighter and drier.

In Chinese medicine, each organ resonates with the energy of a season, for autumn the organ is the Lungs. The energy of autumn creates dryness in nature and also within our bodies, affecting the Lungs, the skin and the nose.

Energetically the Lungs receive the qi vital force of the air and mix it with the qi extracted from the food. This combination of qi and associated nutrients is then distributed throughout the body and is of particular importance in protecting the surfaces of the body (including mucous membranes and interior surfaces of the Lungs) form viruses, bacteria and other invading pathogens.

Healthy Lung energy is characterised by its ability to consolidate, gather together, maintain strength, and unify against disease at every level, including cellular immunity. The personality of people with strong Lung energy is influenced by its physical functioning, people seem unified, hold onto their direction, create order, and are effective at what they do.

Grief and sadness are the emotions associated with the Lungs in Chinese medicine. Grief that has been repressed causes long-term contraction in the Lungs, which interferes with their function of dispersing nutrients and qi, and eventually the Lungs become congested with undistributed matter. Almost everyone has some degree of unexpressed sadness and grief; the autumn months can be the perfect time to address this. Sharing feelings with others can be a useful way to dissipate these feelings and long deep breathing can also help to cleanse negative emotions and thoughts.

A guiding principal in Chinese medicine is that by living and harmonising yourself with the seasons, you are able to cultivate your health and prevent disease. Therefore autumn is the perfect time to give your Lungs some extra attention and love.

A powerful way to help support and strengthen the Lungs during the autumn seasons is through diet! Concentrated foods and roots help to thicken the blood for the cooler weather. Foods to increase during autumn include sauerkraut, olives, pickles, leeks, aduki beans, salt plums, rosehip tea, vinegar, cheese, yoghurt, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and sour varieties of apples, plums and grapes. During autumn it is useful to cook with less water and at a lower heat, for longer periods of time.

Regular Acupuncture and Chinese medicine treatments are a fantastic way to support and strengthen the body and especially the Lungs during the autumn months. Your practitioner can guide you through lifestyle and dietary choices to best suit your health and wellbeing to thrive this autumn.