Support Your Lungs + Lift Your Spirits This Fall
As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, nature begins to slow down — and so should we. Autumn is the bridge between the warmth and activity of summer and the stillness of winter, which can make it a challenging time for many.
I welcome you to nourish your body and restore your energy this harvest season with Traditional Chinese Medicine insights for your Spleen, Stomach, and immunity.
Below I have included tips, insights, and offerings to help you strengthen your Spleen and Stomach, support your immune system, and enter the fall season grounded and renewed. I hope you find a moment of calm as you read through, and that it inspires you to give yourself the same care and nourishment you so often give to others.
As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, nature begins to slow down — and so should we. Autumn is the bridge between the warmth and activity of summer and the stillness of winter, which can make it a challenging time for many.
In Chinese medicine, this is the season of Metal, connected to the Lungs and Large Intestine, and associated with the emotion of grief. It’s natural to feel a sense of letting go or even sadness as the light fades and the world turns inward.
By caring for the Lungs this season — through breath, food, warmth, and rest — we can support both our immune and emotional health. Small, intentional acts of self-care can lift the spirits and help us move through seasonal transitions with greater ease and resilience. Keep reading for some gentle tips to help us stay healthy this season.
Seasonal Wellness Tips
Keep warm. In Chinese medicine, “wind” is considered one of the main external pathogens — the carrier of colds, flus, and other seasonal illnesses. The back of the neck and feet are especially vulnerable to wind, so wearing a scarf and warm socks isn’t just cozy — it’s protective. Shielding yourself from wind helps defend the body’s surface and strengthens the immune system.
Eat for your lungs. Favour warm, nourishing foods like pears, daikon radish, ginger, garlic, miso, and oats. Avoid excess cold, raw, or sugary foods that create phlegm and weaken digestion.
Breathe deeply. A few minutes a day can make a big difference. Try this simple practice:
Inhale gently through your nose for 4 counts
Hold for 2 counts
Exhale softly through your mouth for 6 counts
Repeat for 1–3 minutes
This breath calms the nervous system, strengthens the lungs, and helps release emotional tension — which is especially healing when grief or melancholy arise this time of year.
Immune Support: Fire Cider Recipe
A spicy herbal tonic that warms the body and supports your immune system:
Ingredients:
1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1 small onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, smashed
1 thumb-sized piece ginger, grated
1 small horseradish root, grated (or 1 Tbsp prepared)
1 chili pepper or 1 tsp chili flakes
1 lemon, sliced
1–2 Tbsp raw honey (added after straining)
Instructions:
Combine everything except honey in a jar and cover with vinegar.
Let steep for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.
Strain and stir in honey to taste.
Take a tablespoon each morning, or mix into warm water with a little extra honey.
How Acupuncture Helps This Season
Autumn acupuncture treatments focus on strengthening Lung energy, boosting immunity, and calming the nervous system — helping you move smoothly through seasonal change. In addition to easing allergies and colds, acupuncture can help balance emotions like grief and lift the heaviness that often accompanies shorter days.
If you’ve been feeling run down or emotionally low, this is an ideal time for a treatment. Acupuncture gently supports both the physical and emotional transitions of the season — helping you breathe a little deeper, release what’s no longer needed, and feel more balanced within yourself.
Take a Breath, Find Your Balance
As nature turns inward, give yourself permission to rest, breathe, and slow down. Supporting your lungs and immune system now will help you stay strong, grounded, and emotionally steady through the colder months ahead.
Book your fall acupuncture session now.