"In the three months of autumn, all things in nature reach their full maturity. The Heavenly Qi is pressing, and the Earthly Qi is bright. Early to bed and early to rise, stay calm and peaceful in order to soften the effect of autumn dryness, and keep the Lung Qi pure. This is the way to cultivate the Qi of life in autumn."
-Huangdi Neijing, Chapter 2: "The Great Treatise on the Harmony of Qi of the Four Seasons"
It is officially fall aka my favorite time of the year. Crisp air, golden leaves, shorter days, warm soups. The time of harvest and letting go, preparing for the stillness of winter. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fall is the season of the Lungs and Large Intestine, and a key moment to strengthen your immune system and let go of what no longer serves you. Fall is the bridge between the yang energy of summer and the yin of winter, making it essential to balance your body and mind before the cold months set in.
Here are some tips rooted in TCM to help you embrace my personal favorite season while staying balanced and healthy.
🍁 6 TCM Tips for Thriving in the Fall:
1. Nourish Your Lungs
The lungs are the organ system associated with fall. In TCM, the lungs are particularly sensitive to dryness, which is common in autumn air. To keep them healthy, focus on moistening foods like pears, apples, honey (make sure you’re using local raw honey for the most benefits!), and white mushrooms. Incorporating these into soups, stews, and teas can help protect your lungs from dryness and support your immune system.
I like finding all of these foods at my local farmers market or co-op. That’s typically my favorite way to find what foods are in season. I also love drinking Elderberry Syrup during this time of year due to its antiviral effects and ability to boost immunity.
2. Let Go of What Doesn’t Serve You
It seems as if so many people are grieving right now. Which makes sense because the emotion that correlates with fall is grief and sadness. This season is all about release, just like trees shedding their leaves after growing and providing all year. This is the time to clear out emotional or physical clutter. Reflect on what you’ve outgrown or what’s causing unnecessary stress in your life.
Letting go allows space for something new, both energetically and physically. Journaling, meditating, yoga, dancing, and hiking are a few of my favorite ways to process all of the emotions that are coming up. Really start to take time for yourself during this season.
3. Eat Warming and Seasonal Foods
As temperatures drop, this is the perfect time to nourish your digestive system with warm, cooked foods. Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, squash, and carrots are grounding and nourishing. Avoid cold, raw foods, which can weaken digestion during cooler months. Opt for ginger tea (my fav is the organic ginger turmeric tea from Trader Joe's..so so good), bone broth, and hearty soups.
Incorporating Cordyceps (10% off with code DRKAILEEACU), a powerful adaptogenic mushroom, is also a great way to support your lungs and boost energy. Cordyceps is traditionally used to strengthen the lungs and enhance stamina, making it perfect for fall's transition into cooler weather. This is also something I frequently recommend to my athletes due to the adaptogenic benefits of boosting energy levels, improving lung function, and supporting recovery.
4. Protect Yourself from Wind
In TCM, wind is seen as a source of illness, particularly at the back of the neck. As fall tends to be windy, make sure you wear a scarf or high-collared jacket to protect your neck and prevent colds from settling in.
5. Moderate Your Exercise
While summer was full of high-energy, outdoor activities, fall is the time to slow down. Focus on moderate, gentle movement like walking, yoga, or tai chi. These forms of exercise help maintain balance while preserving energy as you transition into the cooler months. For many runners, we are getting into our down or "off" seasons. This means it’s ok and encouraged to focus more on slower miles, yoga, cross training, strength training, etc. This is our time to rest 😊
6. Acupuncture for Immune Support
Fall is a great time to strengthen your Wei Qi (immune system) with acupuncture. Regular acupuncture treatments can help strengthen your body's defenses as you prepare for flu season and colder weather. Strengthening your immune system now will protect you in the coming months and keep you feeling energized.
I also have many herbal formulas I recommend for those who frequently catch colds or what to take if you feel like you're coming down with something.
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I said it before and I’ll say it again, fall is truly my favorite and the absolute perfect time to start RESTING, eating all the warm foods, drinking the warm beverages, and truly taking care of ourselves. Not sure about you all, but I’m ready to cozy up under a blanket and read the books I’ve been stacking all summer 😅
*The information contained on this website/page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide a diagnosis or substitute for medical, nutritional or acupuncture advice or treatment. Any reference to or mention of any particular diagnoses or dysfunctions is intended for informational purposes only and not an attempt to diagnose your particular problems. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medicine or nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.
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