Embracing Autumn: How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Can Help You Transition Into The Fall

Chinese medicine is rooted in living in harmony with nature and seeing how we are all connected to this rhythm. In Chinese Medicine nature guides how we look at and treat each and every person that comes into the clinic. This includes living in rhythm with the seasons. While the conditions of the seasons vary across the world, the conditions in our personal environment are considered and are reflected in what we all experience. There are parts of the country that know its fall by the cooler weather, the changing leaves, and the shift in energy. Since moving to Florida 4 years ago, I find the fall in Florida to be confusing as it still feels like summer and I’m wearing shorts and t-shirts, yet I long to find a leaf that is turning a different color, I so desperately want to put on a scarf or wear boots yet its still way too hot out but meanwhile the days start to get shorter. I feel the pull internally to slow down and be cozy, yet the outside environments wants me to believe it is still summer. 

The transition into fall signifies moving from the active, more yang seasons of spring and summer, to the more passive, yin seasons of Autumn and Winter. This shift directly impacts our daily habits, our health and well being both physically and mentally. With every season, there is an energy shift that we all feel and I look forward to the slowing down that the fall encourages.

In Chinese Medicine there is an element, organ, and emotion connected to each season which captures the qi and guiding principles for that season. For autumn, the element is Metal, the paired organs are the Lung (yin) and large intestine (yang), and the emotion is grief. You might wonder what this actually means or how it relates to you. 

First, The element that guides us in Autumn is the metal element which is about storing and containing, organizing, communicating, setting limits and boundaries and beginning the process of going inward to conserve. It is also a time to harvest all that grows from the hard work from the spring and summer. Think about how this relates to you in your life. In what ways do you feel the pull to go inward or to slow down? Are there boundaries that you need to set for yourself or with others? Are you wanting to nest at home more? 

The organs that are associated with metal and autumn are the Lung and Large Intestine. The lungs are critical in keeping our immune system strong and they are impacted by wind, cold, sadness, and grief. The large intestine has an influence on our capacity for “letting go” and it helps us to determine and eliminate that which no longer serves us. Are you someone that tends to feel more depressed or you experience more sadness or grief through the fall and winter? Are you more prone to catching colds? Are there things that you need to let go of or changes you want to make?

When we apply the qi of the metal element, the lungs, and large intestine in a way that allows us to embrace the wisdom of Autumn, it is a great time to slow down, go inward, reflect, detox, boost our immune systems, and to allow ourselves to grieve, re-evaluate, and let go of that which no longer serves us. We can do this physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

5 Things you can do for your health and wellbeing this fall:

1. Get an Acupuncture treatment and use herbal medicine for any of the following: 

• Boost your immune system to avoid getting sick. Its good to have a couple of formulas to have on hand in the event you get exposed to a cold or flu or you present with the early signs that you might be getting sick.

• Balance your mood and emotions. Whether you are impacted by seasonal depression or you experience more sadness or grief during the fall, acupuncture and herbs can help balance your mood and allow these emotions to move through you in a healthy way.

• Ease stress of the holidays and COVID – Are the holidays a stressful time for you? Acupuncture is a wonderful way to ease stress and calm the mind.

• Allergies – Get ahead of allergies. Boost your immune system and alleviate the symptoms of allergies with acupuncture and herbs.

2. Eat in harmony with the seasons – eat vegetables that are being harvested in the fall, eat warming and nourishing foods and soups, use warming spices, and drink chai. Its always helpful to talk to your practitioner about what foods are best for you. 

3. Complete a 10 day detox – Ask about the detox that I recommend and use myself each fall and spring. 

4. Create a self care ritual that allows you to inward: Journal, meditate, drink warming fall flavored teas or Chai while wrapped up in a soft blanket. Get outside and enjoy the cooler weather. 

5. Rest more and get more sleep!