In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, each season is linked with a natural element, organ, and emotion. The Fall season is ruled by metal, lung and grief.
The lung is the organ often associated with Fall. It is considered the most exterior organ. A person’s lungs are the first line of defense against external pathogenic factors. As the weather becomes cooler and the wind picks up, the Lung organ is extra vulnerable.
Acupuncturists always suggest wearing scarves. And it’s for good reason that scarves are encouraged. Pathogenic factors such as cold and wind invade the body at the back of the neck. Scarfs help to keep that vulnerable area protected. This can be very important in the Fall season. Even if it’s sunny, or seems a bit warm, always consider carrying a scarf with you, when you head outside, in the Fall.
Fall is primarily the time to strengthen the Lungs in preparation for Winter
Rebuilding heart and kidney energy is also important because the energy gets depleted over the course of the Summer – but the lungs are the organ Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on for the Fall/Winter seasons. Usually, when the weather is hottest /ie the hot summer months – it is when health challenges are greatest to the heart and kidneys.
This means if there has been very hot weather over the summer months, then to that extent a person’s heart and kidney energy has been depleted and needs to be replenished. This certainly applies to Arizona, doesn’t it? Every summer in Arizona is a very hot summer!
In addition to these key organs, the digestive system also needs support as the season transitions into Fall.
Seasonal annual Acupuncture treatments — even just four times a year can serve to help strengthen the inner organ systems and correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
Fall is time to refocus
Fall is a time when we need to refocus on our goals and our business. Fall is the time to get clarity about what is important in one’s life. Once that is done then taking on the tasks and priorities that support these goals is the next task.
Fall heightens our innate ability to get stuff done. Take advantage of the Fall season by reminding yourself where to focus. From an Acupuncture perspective, Fall is about refinement. It’s time to pare down, to let go of the excesses we allowed ourselves in Summer and focus on what’s necessary for Winter.
Foods for Fall
Step away from the salad during the Fall months. The cool, raw, refreshing salads of summer will not do a person’s body any favors during the Fall season. Just as we need to start keeping our bodies warmer on the outside, we need to stay warm on the inside as well.
In Fall, eat warm, cooked food. Instead of cold cereal with milk, choose oatmeal. Trade cool salads for oven-roasted veggies over brown rice. When cooking, throw in some onions, ginger, garlic or mustard—these pungent foods are known to benefit the lung organ.
As far as vegetables, root vegetables such as beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash are ideal. If you go for out-of-season vegetables, make sure they are cooked. If you’re craving fruit, reach for something seasonal such as apples, pears, grapes, figs or persimmons.
Fall and dry Skin
Dryness of all kinds is common in Fall. Since the Lung is the most exterior organ, it is the organ that relates most closely to the skin. Dry skin and sometimes rashes tend to show up in Fall. Drink a lot of water and keep your skin hydrated with non-alcoholic moisturizer. Don’t use a moisturizer with alcohol as an ingredient as it will dry your skin out even more.
Another reason to stay hydrated is to regulate digestion. The Lung’s paired organ is the large Intestine. This means that sometimes digestive issues can flare up during the Fall season of the year. Because the Fall season is very dry, constipation can be a common complaint for many people at this time of year. This can be especially true for people who struggle with the “letting go” aspect of transitioning into fall.
Seasonal nasal issues
As Fall encourages us to let go of the non-essential priorities in our lives, many of us also find ourselves letting go from our nasal passages. Keep a good supply of tissues on hand. Fall is the most common time of year for the onset of nasal infections and post-nasal drip, both of which plague many people into winter. Keep a neti pot in the shower and use it regularly throughout the season to help keep your nasal passages clear.
Seasonal Acupuncture treatments
And remember seasonal Acupuncture treatments — even just four times a year serve to strengthen the inner organ systems and correct minor annoyances before they become serious problems.
Give Acupuncture Alternatives a call — schedule your appointment today. We look forward to helping you stay on your personal road to good health.