Fall into Balance this Season
As we enter autumn and the days get shorter and cooler, we are called to take a step back and slow down. Nature’s rhythm is moving into the yin phase of the year, which means we naturally gravitate to spending more time inside focusing on what we want to nurture internally. Autumn is the season of the Lungs and Large intestine and the Metal element, which is associated with themes of letting go and grief.
As the season changes, I invite you to take the opportunity to adjust your routines, diet and mindset to intentionally care for your lungs and large intestine to ensure a smooth transition into the winter months.
Seasonal Focus: Metal Element and Lungs and Large Intestine
The Metal element symbolizes clarity, structure, the ability to let go, and allows us to wisely make decisions seperate from our ego. The Lungs govern “wei qi” which is our body’s protection from “external pathogens” - colds and flus. The Large intestine excretes waste from our bodies. When the metal element within us is vibrant and nourished, we have strong boundaries, focus and clarity, and are able to move through grief and change. If our Lungs and Large Intestine are depleted, we may find ourselves getting frequent colds, being impulsive, experiencing brain fog, and getting stuck in cycles of grief.
Below I have included some seasonal wellness tips on how to keep your Lungs and Large Intestine vital and healthy this season.
Seasonal Wellness tips
Breathe - I read once that in the classics of Taoism breathing is the first cure for illness. Breathing has the profound effect of activating the vagus nerve and powerfully settling the nervous system. Sadness and worry cause qi (your life force energy) to knot up in the chest area. Deep belly breathing for as little as 10 minutes a day unknots the qi and opens up the lungs and the heart.
Try a breathwork meditation on youtube or a meditation app. “Insight timer” is a meditation app and “International breathwork foundation” is a simple and effective breathwork app that can help guide you through some relaxing breathing exercises.
Wear a scarf - “Wind” in Chinese medicine is the main carrier for external pathogens (colds and flus), and they enter your body in the “wind gate” which is the back of the neck. We are especially susceptible to wind in the autumn, so keeping your wind gate covered by wearing a scarf keeps you cozy and protects you from getting sick.
Declutter - The large intestine lets things go in our body, and it can be supported by letting go of any objects, ideas, activities, habits or routines that no longer serve the core of who you are.
Eat for your lungs - The lungs are supported by warm, nourishing foods that are white in colour like pears, daikon radish, ginger, garlic, miso, and oats. Avoid raw,cold foods this time of year, and cut down on phlegm-forming foods like excess fat, dairy and sugar.
Lung Support: Poached Pears
Here is a warming, lung nourishing treat for you to try this fall.
Ingredients:
2-4 Asian pears or regular pears (peeled, cut off the top about a 1/2 inch from the stem, scoop the core out with a melon baller)
1 tsp-Tbsp of Honey per pear
Water
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
3 Slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 Cinnamon stick
1 Cardamom pod or a dash of cardamom
Directions:
Fill the hole of the cored pear with honey and attach “the lid” of the pear to the base with toothpicks.
Put the pears and pear peels in the pot along with lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh ginger slices, the cinnamon stick and cardamom. Cover pears with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes and remove the pears when they’re soft.
Remove pears from the pot and add 2-4 more cups of water to the poaching liquid and boil for 10 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before straining the solids out of the liquid.
Eat the pear when it is warm. Drink the poaching liquid throughout the day.
How Acupuncture Helps This Season
Autumn acupuncture is focused on nourishing the lungs and large intestine for immune support, nervous system regulation, and letting go. I love using moxibustion alongside acupuncture, which warms the body, and eases pain in joints, and increases white blood cells to enhance the immune system.
Supporting the metal element with acupuncture can help ease grief felt this time of year and lift any heavy spirits that come with the shorter and colder days.
Breathe Deep and Let Go
As the crisp autumn leaves turn red and yellow and release to the earth, take a moment to connect with the natural world and slow down. Find some time and space to go inward and discern what you can let go of this season. Breathe in inspiration and gratitude, breathe out what you no longer need. Nourish your lungs and large intestine to build resilience in the mind, body and spirit for the winter months ahead.
