Fall is upon us. With the temperatures gradually cooling down and summer leaving us behind its time to embrace the new season. Fall is amazing in so many ways. Although we don’t get the changing leaves or that crisp cool air here in South Florida, we still receive the bounties of the harvest all season long. Instead of changing leaves we get a fresh pick of new colorful fruits and vegetables from pumpkin and squashes to cranberries and the best apples of the year.
With the fall comes drier air, which in our part of the world means less humidity. When we don’t have humidity fogging up our lives and our brains, it leaves us with more clarity and open eyes. They say winter and the new year is time for new beginnings but with the summer behind us and a new norm upon us things feel more hopeful. Now is a great time to start making that list of resolutions, rid yourself of feelings of negativity, and create a plan to move forward in the most efficient way possible. After all, when the leaves transform in nature it’s a calling for us as humans to adapt and transform with them. It’s important to be flexible and adaptable to all that is happening around us and within us.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fall holds the element of metal. Each element has its own unique set of distinctions. Metal bears down and descends upon us. When you think about nature in the fall, we think about the leaves changing colors and falling from the trees as the temperature drops. This makes the function of the element make perfect sense. Metal is harsh, it bends but can easily be brought back to its original state, which is much like the society we are living in. As much as things change, they remain the same. Metal is the element that helps us decide what is best for our lives and what isn’t, therefore registering to vote this time of year can bring about clarity and hope in a time where the emotions of metal are grief and sadness.
Grief and sadness do not have to be looked at as a bad thing. With these two emotions comes a bright light after the darkness has faded. It gives us the ability to let go and reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly, which all have beauty within them. Grief and sadness are things we tend to hold on to but still give us the ability to let go of what is not serving our inner and higher self. It gives us the opportunity to examine the past, and the space to open ourselves up for what is new.
The interesting concept of autumn and its associated element metal is that there are two organs paired with it. This is the same with every element. These organs tend to reflect upon the nature of the season that they fall in. The organs for fall are lung and large intestine which are the organs of letting go and receiving. At first glance it seems as if the lung and large intestine have nothing to do with one another as the lung is for respiration and the large intestine has more to do with digestion. They have way more to do with one another then it seems. When the large intestine is working properly and we are able to eliminate the buildup of waste in our systems, it gives the lungs a greater ability to bring in all that is good.
As we know the lungs are responsible for respiration, this is not their only task. When the air goes in, the lung sends the oxygen to the rest of the organs in our body and in return gets rid of the waste in our cells during expiration. Inspiration doesn’t only relate to breathing during this season but the inspiration within ourselves as well. To be inspired is to get the old air out and bring in a new and fresh reality. The color associated with metal and fall is white. Not only the color but other important things to note are that it opens to the nose and connects to the throat. Therefore, we are more susceptible to colds, bronchial problems, and allergies during this time. On top of the respiratory issues, because of the dryness in the air, skin problems such as eczema and acne are more prominent during this time as well. When the lung is out of balance, we’re most likely to see more whiteness around the mouth,eyes and on the face. Some great ways to rebalance your system is through diet, lifestyle, acupuncture, and specific herbs. Herbs are harvested from the earth, and by taking a formula curated for you and your needs it brings you closer to the ground and yourself.
The large intestine is responsible for making the distinction between the nutrients our body needs and the ones our body can let go of. In other terms it decides what is good and bad for us. If our large intestine is not working properly, we’ll experience things such as irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, constipation, and even diarrhea depending on the person. The large intestine is not only responsible for relieving us of our internal waste but also our emotional waste. Having a properly functioning large intestine can literally clear our mind, body, and spirit. On the contrary if it is out of balance our bodies can become physically weak and we’ll experience grief, sadness, and even worry on a deeper level. Some great ways to assist in keeping the large intestine in balance is staying hydrated, moving the body as much as possible, massage and manual therapy to keep your insides flowing smoothly, and expressing emotions. Keep your energy refined by concentrating on the positive functions and keeping your lung and large intestines in balance all autumn long.
As stated above Chinese medicine helps a great deal in this season with keeping your body in homeostasis. With different pollens and even molds in the air it’s important to keep our immune systems up and healthy. A great way to support your immune system during this time is with herbs, supplements, and nutrition. What you’re putting into your body is of the utmost importance. There are a number of foods that help to balance the element of metal such as radish, ginger, cauliflower, and garlic. Eating for the season we’re in can help us stay in harmony with nature. This doesn’t only mean for your body but also for your mind. Foods in harvest this fall are things like apples, pears, figs, and cinnamon. These items can nourish your autumn organs and defend against invasions. As the weather begins to gradually cool down it is also important to eat cooked foods that will warm you interiorly and keep you satisfied.
More ways to keep healthy this season are creating time to relax and meditate, keeping your heart healthy with cardiovascular activities, practicing the art of letting go, drinking plenty of water, embrace the nature around you and take in the smells and atmosphere that you live in. Continue to stay in balance by treating yourself to acupuncture and manual therapy here at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness throughout the season to stay your healthiest and happiest self.
