Seasonal Balance: Autumn Health and Immunity Tips

Notice the leaves changing? A chill in the air?

Autumn is the time of maturity and harvest. The air becomes a bit crisper, and the leaves change. Everything slows down, and the days shorten. Yang turns toward yin. The wind can be a bit (or a lot) cooler. Make sure you've got a jacket with you and cover your neck to avoid colds and flu's - the wind has a way of overcoming the immune system.

Make sure you're eating well and your digestion is good, because that's the root of your immune system strength.

Dryness is a common problem in the autumn. It causes constipation, dry throat, dry skin, dry eyes, dry brittle hair, thirst, and prevents sweating. Spicy food makes it worse. Pear juice is a nice moistening solution for a dry Lung (Chinese medicine includes the nose, skin, and throat in its Lung organ-system).

Grief, the emotion of autumn, is quite appropriate in certain situations. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association has determined that 6 weeks of grief is appropriate and normal after the death of a loved one, or a great tragedy. But excessive or long-term grief can harm the Lung-system, and people with Metal-phase or Lung organ-system problems can be frequent criers.

But let's not forget a more positive form of grief, nostalgia, which can typify the 'autumn' of our lives. I know everyone has their own way of doing it- looking through old letters, and albums of photographs. The other day, I had on some Supertramp (70's rock), and the wave of nostalgia that hit me reminded me it was Autumn. You don't have to listen to 70's rock - choose your own. And I wouldn't advise staying in the nostalgic mood for too long (unless you like depression and fatigue), but a little bit of "retrospection" does the body and soul good.

Autumn Tips:

* Go to bed at sunset and arise at dawn
* Remain calm and peaceful, and avoid depression
* Rein in your desires and become focused
* Breathe deeply and smoothly
* Avoid smoking and excessive grief

The Consequences of Not Adapting to Autumn

* Immediately: Injury to the Lung and Immune System
* Later: In the winter, metabolic and digestive problems including diarrhea and undigested food

Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc is an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist who teaches in Oriental Medicine at the Master's degree level. He has grown a website about Chinese medicine in everyday language since 1999 (www.pulsemed.org). His first book, Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure, makes Chinese medicine useful and understandable to regular folks, and is available from amazon.com, booklocker.com, or pulsemed.org.