Fall and the Metal Element, A Chinese Medicine Perspective
Fall Equinox is the peak day of equal light and darkness before the daily hours of sunlight begin to curtail. The natural world is at its pinnacle of harvest, and the energetic shift of routine and structure comes to the forefront of our lives. Long and endless summer days are winding down, kids have returned to school, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and the leaves start to change color in preparation for letting go.
Chinese Medicine's five elements include Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, corresponding to organs, seasons, climate, color, emotions, smells, sounds, and tastes. The Five Element theory helps us to align our mind, body, and spirit to the natural circadian rhythms for optimal health.
According to Acupuncture, autumn is the season of the Metal Element, which correlates to the Lungs and Large Intestine meridians, the color white, the taste of pungent, and the emotions of grief and sadness. The movement of autumn is contraction, the impetus to change from the most yang time (summer) to the most yin time (winter). It is a time for structure, routine, and the practice of letting go of what no longer serves us.
The Lungs enable us to breathe in the pure, crisp autumn air and release the air's impurities, toxins, and waste. Likewise, the Large Intestine functions to "let go" of toxins no longer needed in the body. When these channels become out of balance or deficient, one may experience allergies, asthma, frequent colds, skin issues, grief, sadness, constipation, or digestive upset.
The Metal Element
Organ - Lung/Large Intestine
Season - Fall
Color - White
Flavor - Pungent
Emotion - Grief/Sadness
Climate - Dryness
Sensory Organ - Nose
Tissue - Skin
Movement - Contraction
Sound - Crying
Wellness Tips
We can apply these theories of five elements to better support the body and align with the cycle of nature. Below are a few wellness tips to strengthen your health during the Fall season.
Practice "Letting Go"
Autumn serves as a time for purging all that no longer serves us. Let go of physical items, emotions, thoughts, or habits that do not benefit you.
Place an empty basket in your closet, and begin to place items to donate to a consignment store. By decluttering your home, you offer yourself structure and clarity.
Meditation for emotional health. Insight Timer App offers great guided and free meditations to help with the art of letting go or working through grief and sadness.
Support the Lungs
Autumn is the onset of cold and flu season, so all the more reason to strengthen the Lungs and Large Intestine meridians.
Deep Breathing helps to clear out toxins in the Lungs, reduces stress (which wears down the immune system), and provides clarity. Find a time in the morning, during a work break, or before bed to sit for a few minutes. I enjoy the "3 part breathing exercise" with the hands on the belly and chest as biofeedback guides.
3 part Breathing Exercise:
Sitting or laying down, place one hand on the belly and one hand on the chest. Take a moment to simply observe the breath.
Take a deep inhale and exhale completely.
Then, take a slow breath beginning at the belly, expanding the belly, then into the diaphragm area, then to the chest, expanding the lungs. Hold for a few seconds, then exhale completely.
Repeat for a few cycles.
Then, let the breathwork go. Observe the changes in the body.
Protect Your Neck
In Chinese Medicine theory, the back of the neck is the gateway for viruses to enter. You protect your immune system by covering up your neck, especially on windy and cooler days or post-exercise when the pores are open.
Acupuncture
Guasha is a technique involving gently scraping the skin with a massage tool to improve circulation, activate the immune system, reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Guasha is used for chronic pain, inflammation, headaches, migraines, immune defense, and common cold and allergy-related symptoms.
I recommend receiving Guasha at the beginning of cold and flu season to give the immune system a boost.
Fall Nutrition
Eat seasonally and reduce "cold" and "raw" foods. Let go of the summer salads, watermelon, and smoothies and move towards a diet with cooked veggies, warming spices, and warm drinks.
Add white foods to align with the metal element and strengthen the Lungs and Large Intestine meridians: turnips, onions, garlic, daikon radish, and pears.
Add pungent foods to give the immune system a boost: Garlic, scallions, chives, onions, mustard greens, and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, and horseradish. Pungent foods help dispel congestion in the Lungs.
Now is the time to do a "detox" with a qualified physician. I like the “sister medicine” to Acupuncture, an Ayurvedic Kithcari Cleanse. Standard Process, a whole-foods based supplement line also offers a 10-Day Detox Program.
If you would like assistance with a Fall Cleanse or an immune boost, book a consultation online or call 941-499-7775.
Happy Fall!
Dr. Jen