Autumn's Harvest

The weather is cool and crisp. the sun is beginning to set earlier. The leaves are turning vivid hues of red, Orange and yellow.
Fall has arrived, and now is the time to harvest the bounty that grew during the summer so we can store up for the cold winter ahead. it is a time to organize, work hard and finish projects that you began in spring and summer.
One of the most beautiful aspects of traditional Chinese medicine is as a tool to live harmoniously with the seasons. Ancient Chinese physicians observed the natural cycles of the seasons and recorded the best everyday practices for staying healthy and harmonizing our own energy with that of our environment.

" In the three months of autumn all things in nature reach their maturity. The grains ripen and harvesting occurs. The heavenly energy cools, as does the weather. The wind begins to stir. This is the changing or pivoting point when the yang, or active, phase turns into its opposite, the yin, or passive, phase. One should retire with the sunset and arise with the dawn. just as the weather in autumn turns hars, so does the emotional climate. It is therefore important to remain calm and peaceful, refraining from depression so that one can make the transition to winter smoothly. This is the time to gather one's spirit and energy, be more focused, and not allow desires to run wild. One must keep the lung energy free full, clean, and quiet. this means practicing breathing exercises to enhance lung Qi. Also, one should refrain from smoking and grief, the emotion of lung. This will prevent kidney or digestive problems in the winter. If this natural law and order is violated, damage will occur to the lungs, resulting in diarrhea with undigested foods in the wither. This compromises the body's ability to store in winter"

Element: Metal
Color: white
Nature: Yin
Organs: Lung and large intestine
Taste: Spicy
Emotion: Grief

Turning Inward for Preparation
Fall is the season associated with the metal element. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the metal element governs the mind, organization, order and stability. We tend to be more reflective, turning inward to work, our families and our homes during this time. It is a time to organize and prepare for the winter season ahead and the time to reflect on our lives. Emotionally, this is the season associated with grief and negative emotions, which can impact health more powerfully during fall.

Wind, Cold and the Body
fall correspond to the lungs, skin and large intestine. The lungs and large intestine are in charge of respiration, digestion, and elimination. Common symptoms associated with lung and large intestine imbalances are respiratory problems, such as asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus infections, as well as constipation and skin problems.
The body is particularly susceptible to wind and cold during the fall. Dryness can cause symptoms of coughing, dry nose, sore throat, dry skin, dry hair and scalp, dry mouth and cracked lips, and hard and dry stool. adding more nourishing yin foods to your diet can improve body fluids, soothe the lungs and protect from dryness.

Here are some nourishing foods and herbs to add to your fall diet:
apple, Banana, beets, Bell pepper, Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cinnamon, cranberry, Figs, Garlic, Ginger, Grapes, Horseradish, Leeks, Pears, Persimmons, Plums, Pomegranate, Pumpkin, Red cabbage, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Thyme, Whole grains, Wild rice, Winter squash, Yam
Enjoy your Autumn
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Dr. C. Coudray Lic. Ap.OMD