Autumn Harmony

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health is seen as a state of balance and living in harmony with nature. By aligning ourselves and our diet with the season is a way to achieve this balance.

In Autumn, everything in nature contracts and moves inward and down. Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, the sap of trees goes into the roots, and the sun energy declines. It is a time to pull inward and gather together on all levels. We again begin to feel the cool air in our lungs and on our skin.

In TCM five element season, fall is associated with the organ & meridian systems of the Lungs and Large Intestine, represented by the metal element. These organs are stimulated to cleanse in Autumn to help deflect winter illness. The tissues affected are the skin and body hair.

Getting the common cold during this time is not unusual and beneficial for some to strengthen the body for winter. A 2-3 day fast/cleanse for the large intestine is also important during this time through a liquid diet (or at least avoiding congesting foods) while adding laxative teas or foods, and if possible using an enema.