Staying Healthy in Autumn

Staying Healthy in Autumn

Seasons change, and your body and mental outlook change with them in predictable ways.

Oriental medicine combines knowledge of seasonal characteristics with your unique health situation to balance your energy (chi) to help you adapt and thrive during the cool, crisp months of autumn.

The Metal Element
Every season is associated with one of the Five Elements, and for autumn, the element is Metal—the energetic force that governs the health and functionality of your Lungs and Large Intestine.

According to Taoist 5 Element Theory, the Lungs are the primary influence affecting the immune system. So during autumn, it's important to eat food that builds the overall health of the Lungs to strengthen your immune system now, and in preparation for winter.

Autumn Health Problems
Because the Lungs are most sensitive during autumn, this is a time to focus on preventing or responding to colds, coughs, sore throat, and the like. And for people already predisposed to lung problems, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema, autumn is the time to take precautions to minimize your vulnerability as we advance towards winter.

Avoid Drafts and Breezes
Temperatures are dropping, evenings are getting cooler, and in some places breezes are picking up as seasonal winds begin to blow. During this time, you need to be mindful of breezes that make you feel chilly. To avoid getting sick, keep your neck, wrists, and ankles from being exposed to wind and drafts. This is a likely way for an illness to start.

Be Aware of Dryness
During autumn, slowly increasing wind and cold begins to create dryness in the air, which affects your skin and Lungs. The effects of the natural tendency toward dryness in autumn are magnified as you begin to turn on the heat—at home, at work, and in the car—to take the chill out of the air.

Your skin and Lungs don't like dryness, so it's important to drink enough fluids to make sure they don't get dried out.

Eat Less Spicy Food
Because the Lungs are especially sensitive during the autumn months, it's a good idea to minimize the amount of spicy food you eat, to avoid irritating them. As a result, your Lungs will be less vulnerable to pathogens.

Autumn Health Tips
It's important to pay attention to how you feel. As soon as you feel a "cold" coming on, it's time to take preventive action by enjoying one of these nourishing, natural home brews.

Scallion Broth
This simple broth will help you sweat lightly, and is an excellent remedy for preventing and getting rid of colds:

Take one scallion, and chop it up.
Boil in water for 5 to 10 minutes. (Keep the lid on the pot to prevent vapor from escaping.)
Flavor with tamari.
Sip it slowly, bundle up, then lie down, or go to sleep.

Ginger Tea
If scallion broth doesn't suit your culinary fancy, try ginger tea:

Put a couple of slices of fresh ginger in one and one-half cups of water.
Boil for 5 to 10 minutes. (Time it based on how strong you like your ginger tea.)
Keep the lid on the pot to prevent vapor from escaping.
Add a little honey and lemon.
Sip it slowly, bundle up, then lie down, or go to sleep.

Scallion broth is the more effective of the two remedies, but if for some reason it doesn't appeal to you, ginger tea is a good alternative

Autumn Foods
During autumn try to make a few seasonal adjustments to your diet:

Eat daikon radish, lotus root, and miso soup.
Eat fewer summer vegetables, and switch to autumn vegetables like squash, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Eat more root vegetables like carrots, onions, potatoes, and beets.
Avoid spicy foods, and as always, too many refined sweets.

Balance is Key
Strive to balance your diet so that it includes some vegetables, some fruit, some grain, and a handful of moderately spicy foods.

Note: "Balance" in this scenario is based on 5 Element Diet and Nutrition, and not the conventional "Four Major Food Groups" talked about in Western medicine and nutrition.

Get Help If You Need It
If you experience any lung-related, or other symptoms that don't clear up quickly, call BIOM for an appointment to get a prescribed formula of medical herbs to help alleviate your symptoms and address the problem—before it becomes more advanced.

Call for a Free Phone Consultation
(206) 842-6936

Find out how Oriental Medicine can help you regain and maintain your health.

BIOM Get-Away Packages
Get away for a day—or a weekend—to enjoy health and well-being at BIOM on beautiful and relaxing Bainbridge Island. BIOM is a quiet, semi-secluded refuge from the hustle and bustle of hectic schedules—just a relaxing 35-minute ferry-ride from downtown Seattle.

Plan Your BIOM Get-Away Today
Call or email for reservations, or more information
(206) 842-6936 or getaways@biom.net

Related Links

Seasonal Chi Kung For Autumn
Learn about the dynamics that affect your health during autumn, along with Chi Kung exercises tailored to meet the challenges of this Metal Element season.

Oriental Medicine at BIOM
Learn more about the basic concepts and components of Oriental Medicine— an economical health care experience that yields results.

Five Element Diet and Nutrition
Find out how Taoist Five Element Theory is used to combine and prepare the food you and your family need to enjoy healthy, energetic lives.

Combining Oriental and Western Medicine
See how Oriental Medicine practitioners and MDs can work together to provide you with a total health care experience.

Experiencing Oriental Medicine
Find out about the thorough, gentle, and effective health care you can receive at BIOM.

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