Foods and Practices to Prepare for the Fall Season

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the care for our bodies should follow the patterns of the environment. This reflects a major principle of Daoism: being in tune with nature. Look outside and compare what you see to the processes that occur inside your body. In the summer, we tend to be lively, moving, hot and exuberant. In the winter, we hibernate, move slowly and conserve our energy. When we look at the foods we eat, the energy of that food should also coincide with the energy of the season, so it is suggested that we eat seasonally to get the most benefits and nutrients from those foods. 

Late Summer is recognized as the season following Summer, and preceding Autumn - for us, it’s the 5th season! The Earth element (representing the Stomach/Spleen organs) rules Late Summer while Metal, takes over Autumn and the Lung and Large Intestine (Please note that the organs I speak of here are not the same organs we talk about in a Western/Biomedical sense; think more of these organs as body energetics here).

As we transition into the Fall season, the natural energy tends to slow down, cool off and settle from the exuberant energy of the Summer. In the fall, we tend to have an increase in colds and coughing if we do not take care of our Lung energy. In order to properly care for our bodies, we should be including exercise, acupuncture, foods and herbs/spices that will help the lung do its job in preparation for the coming season. 

In general, you will want to include foods that are cooked and have a warm energetic quality about them. As these vegetables were harvested in this season, they carry on the warming energy necessary to sustain us for the winter.  If you tend to run hot or have other heat signs, some cooling herbs may be added to your dishes. See me at the clinic for more information on foods and practices that are more specific for your body as an individual. 

The Metal element manifests itself in a few ways including but not limiting to: the color white; pungent and spicy flavors (the kind that makes your nose flare, run or open up the sinuses!); and sensing through the nose. Taking those into account, foods that help the Lung should have those qualities and/or have a moistening effect that can soothe dry cough or sore throat. Be mindful not to overindulge in too many spices this season to keep other organ systems in balance. 

Foods to Include:

• In-season produce such as squash, pumpkin and root vegetables - for seasonal foods in your area, check out The Seasonal Food Guide

• Spices such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, or peppermint

• Soups and stews 

• Room temperature water or warm herbal tea

• White colored produce like pear, white beans, radish, wild rice, garlic, cauliflower, potatoes, mushrooms and jicama

Foods to Limit or Avoid: 

• Cold and raw fruits and vegetables

• Out of season produce 

• Cold salads

• Cold Smoothies

Practices to try:

• Acupuncture

• Qi Gong

• Tai Chi

• Breathing Exercises/Breath-work

• Yoga

• Steam/Sauna

• Essential Oils

Everyone is different. You may or may not be able to eat some of these foods or perform the practices of the season, and that’s ok, we can find a way around that!

Curious to know how you can help your wellbeing as an individual? Book a visit or phone consult with me! Details on my contact page!

Not able to see me? find a licensed acupuncturist/herbalist near you with Acufinder!