October 2, 2015
Hello Autumn!
It feels like nature literally snapped her fingers and suddenly it was Fall!
I am sad to say goodbye to summer, but I have to say, I absolutely LOVE this time of year! I love cooler mornings and evenings, I love the leaves changing color, I love wearing light jackets and sweaters and I love, love, love the taste, smell, and sight of all things pumpkin.
Despite my love affair with Fall, typically, the October and November months also bring more colds, coughs, asthma, eczema, bronchitis, and strep throat. According to Chinese medicine, Autumn is associated with the Lungs and so it is, that we see Lung related illnesses presenting so prominently.
The Lung channel runs through the chest and throat and runs down the lateral side of the arms ending at the thumb. The Lungs open into the nose, control the skin, and play an important role in the movement of body fluids (blood, phlegm, lymph).
The weather gets cooler and dryness prevails, and our body notices that. Our skin gets dry, so this is also an important time to stay hydrated – more water please! Choose hot or room temperature water to help keep the body adequately hydrated. The warmth will encourage better qi flow as opposed to cold water or ice water, which can slow and stagnate qi flow. Warm foods will also support lung health and digestive health during this shift in seasons. The Lungs and Large Intestine are considered paired organs and keeping both in balance is key. Try eating warm soups, stews, and cooked foods, instead of cold salads or smoothies. Drinking and eating warmer cooked foods makes all of the body’s physiological processes easier. The Lungs are also associated and affected by worry, grief and sadness. It’s interesting to pay attention and see if these emotions are presenting more in your life during the Fall. Any type of loss, whether losing a dog, a friendship, or an old chapter in your life, is significant. This is a common time of year to see unresolved grief become exposed. I think this is awesome! Embrace it!! It’s coming up now, because it’s an appropriate time to heal it. If it’s in your space, then it’s ready to clear, it’s ready to heal, and now you can be brave and choose to……. LET GO OF IT!!!
Cheers to keeping your body happy and healthy!
Disclaimer: The following information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
