Traditional Chinese Medicine and Autumn

Autumn is here and that means it’s cozy season – or sweater weather as some people like to call it. Nature gives us a show of riotous colour as the leaves turn vivid hues of red, orange, and yellow. With autumn also comes lots of rain as the weather turns cold. Traditional Chinese Medicine provides teachings for how to best take advantage of the season while safeguarding our health and wellbeing. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has evolved over thousands of years and is used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness and disease. There are many branches of TCM, like acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal medicine. The foundational principle in TCM is that vital energy called Qi flows through our bodies. When Qi becomes imbalanced or stagnates, this causes us to become sick. Each branch of TCM employs techniques designed to restore balance and activate our bodies’ natural healing processes.  

How does Traditional Chinese Medicine differ from western medicine? 

The fundamental difference is in TCM’s holistic approach to medical treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine treats all systems and organs in the body as being deeply interconnected. This interconnectedness is how modalities like acupuncture, which is non-invasive, treat conditions affecting deep tissue and internal organs. Further, TCM practitioners tailor their treatments to their patients’ individual needs, rather than rely on statistical models for how a condition should be treated. Put more simply, the goal is to restore you to good health rather than simply treat a collection of symptoms. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is viewed as a microcosm of the larger surround universe. Each season corresponds with one of the five natural elements – fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These elements also exist within us. The abundance of a season’s element can cause imbalance that disrupts our health. To maintain good health, TCM councils that we pay close attention to the bodily system’s most influenced by each season’s element, to nourish our bodies with foods that promote balance, and to engage in activities that harmonize with that season’s energy. 

Autumn is the season where we begin to turn inward. The days grow shorter, and nature prepares for the long hibernation of winter. This season is ruled by the metal element, which represents organization, order, communication, and setting boundaries. Autumn presents us with the opportunity to start planning our own hibernation in the winter. 

Why is the metal element important? 

The metal element represents structure and boundaries. It is hard, strong, and precise. That’s not to say it can’t be flexible, as metal can be melted and molded into new, stronger forms. As autumn is all about letting go, metal gives us the resolve to set boundaries and to stand firm when others test them. 

It’s important to maintain a careful balance, though. Too much metal can cause us to become rigid, making it difficult to express ourselves with intimacy and spontaneity. Not enough metal can make us sloppy and numb. 

Lung and large intestine 

The organs represented by autumn are the lungs and large intestine. The lungs are responsible for taking in the new. This manifests physically in respiration – taking in fresh air and expelling CO2. Emotionally, this manifests in clear thinking, openness to new ideas, and self-compassion. 

The large intestine is responsible for letting go of wastes. The last stage of digestion takes place in the large intestine. Emotionally, the large intestine helps us to let go of that which does not fuel us. 

With autumn comes the start of flu season. As many pathogens enter the body through our lungs, that’s an area we should pay special attention to. Acupuncture to strengthen defensive Qi is highly recommended in both autumn and winter. This time of year also presents us with the opportunity to reassess our priorities and let go of that which doesn’t nourish us or bring joy. Late summer has laid the groundwork for transitioning into autumn when Yin energy is dominant. Yin is calm and introspective, and we can best take advantage by turning our attentions inward. 

Focus on lung and large intestine health 

During autumn, cold starts to creep into the body. To protect your lungs and large intestine, be sure to dress warmly when going outside, especially on windy and damp days. It’s also important to avoid eating raw or cold foods, as well as drinking cold fluids.  

Getting fresh air is helpful to lung health, but be sure not to spend much time out in extreme weather if you can avoid it. Focus on your breathing, ensuring that you take deep breaths that expand your diaphragm and exhale fully. And while it might be tempting to start slacking off, it’s important that you maintain your regular level of exercise and activity. 

Time to let go 

The theme in autumn is letting go. Much as the large intestine lets go of waste and the unneeded remainders of food, we should focus on casting off that which does not feed us. Autumn brings us the opportunity to look within. This is the perfect time of year to clean and organize your home, and to give away those things you’ve been holding onto unnecessarily. 

This is also a good time to share the feelings you may be burdened with, either with loved ones or a professional. Grief and sadness are the emotions of autumn, and there is beauty in releasing those feelings into the world so you can move into winter unburdened. 

Nourish the body 

What you eat is an important component of maintaining optimal health and wellness. During autumn, we want to be eating lots of warming foods like soups and stews, as well as pungent foods like chilies, hot peppers, ginger, garlic, and onions. 

Eating fibrous foods is always beneficial to gut health. As the large intestine is one of the organs in focus this season, it’s a good idea to incorporate foods like sweet potato, kale, beets, chickpeas, pear, and apple into your diet. Other foods like broccoli, carrot, pumpkin, and winter squash are also recommended. 

With the cold season starting, now is a good time to give your body a little extra support. Schedule your autumn tune-up acupuncture appointment to strengthen your immune system before flu season hits.