Lung energy is dominant in autumn. At this time of year, many people suffer from lung problems, such as hay fever, asthma and allergies. As beautiful as the season is, many people dread this time of year and even stock up on allergy medications in anticipation of these health concerns. But even if you’ve suffered from fall allergies all your life, you can break this pattern and achieve good health.
TCM approaches life and healing in an interconnected way. Each individual is looked at, not just for symptoms, but also for the things we experience and take in emotionally and spiritually. We are not just people existing in our own separate entities. We are connected beings, connected to each other and to nature as a whole. The Five Element Consciousness Framework provides us with a map to understand our bodies from an energetic perspective, realizing that health is not only affected by what we put into our bodies, but also by what we do to support it.
The Five Element Framework gives us a better sense of what’s happening around us in each season and helps us see how these changes affect our bodies. We can see each season as a way to connect with and support the responsible body. Lung energy is highest in autumn. So autumn is the best time to support and clean the lung.
Try these tips to support the lung:
- Taste: Eat tart and spicy foods, such as daikon radish, lemon and ginger.
- In season: Eat foods grown in the fall, and as local and as fresh as possible. This will help you renew your connection with Mother Earth.
- Moisture: Dryness is often associated with the fall season and lung energy. Think about your skin and hair. Does your hair become dry and your skin start to crack in the fall and early winter? Do you often suffer from constipation? Honey and pears are a power duo that adds moisture to the body. Almonds and almond milk also give the lung an energetic boost.
- Stay warm: Keep your skin covered and your body warm in cold and windy weather.
- Music: The Lung resonates with the beating sound of the drum or trumpet. Put on some music and dance to the beat. Be fluid and go with the flow.
- Color: The color white supports the lung. Wear it and notice it all around you!
- Let It Go: Fall teaches us to just relax and let go, as the trees drop their beautiful leaves so easily. Start small. Learn to let things go one by one.
Discover more!
Learn more about the TCM perspective! Check out these blogs:
Health: the only option
Autumn cooking: vegetarian intuition
Skin: your protective barrier