What is the Association of Fall/Autumn with Chinese Medicine?

Autumn or Fall is the season where the hot summer days gradually become shorter, the leaves begin to change and the air is dryer and colder letting us know to tuck away the summer wardrobe, and out with the warm sweaters.

In Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the lungs. The lungs are associated with attachment. The energy of the lungs is "letting go," just as the Fall leaves turn into beautiful colors then fall off during the winter months. Autumn is a good time to begin assessing and reflecting on ourselves then letting go of anything that may be holding us back from moving forward. For instance, these can range from letting go of people, objects, negative experiences, freeing ourselves from living in the past as these things can wreak havoc and weaken our lungs if we are in constant state of grief or despair. If we "let go," we can make room for more or new experiences that will help us learn and grow. Like the axiom, "Out with the old, In with the new."

The emotion for autumn in Chinese Medicine is grief or sadness. When our lungs are weak or out of balance, such as times when we are dealing with excessive grief (e.g., loss of a loved one), we will have difficulty coping with the loss and adapting to change. This is why it is imperative to strengthen our lungs enable to ward off any ailments that compromise our health. Strengthening the lungs is key, especially in the Fall as it is the season for the common cold, allergies, cough and bronchitis, which all relates back to the lungs. 

The following are a few examples to strengthen your lungs:

• reassess your life and let go of things that no longer serve you
• practice deep breathing
• eat more warming nourishing foods (e.g., soups, squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, etc)
• self-care:  pay attention to your feelings, get 8 hours of sleep, reduce stress, decompress
• learn to adapt to change in positive ways
• avoid exposure to cold climates and keep warm

If you are experiencing an imbalance or not feeling at your optimal health, contact our office. We can help and guide you on how to get you feeling well again!