Autumn Foods: Warm and Nourishing

During autumn, all things in nature reach their full maturity. Grains ripen and harvesting occurs.1

It is “time to gather together on all levels, a time to store up fuel, food, and warm clothing… time to study and plan for the approaching stillness of winter. Everything in nature contracts and moves its essence inward and downward. Leaves and fruit fall, seeds dry, the sap of trees goes into the roots. The earth’s grasses start to lose their deep green color, turning lighter and drier.”2

Metal is the element traditionally associated with Fall. According to Chinese medicine, metal governs the mind, organization and stability. We tend towards self-reflection, with our work and our families during this time. We organize and prepare for the winter.

“This is the changing point when the yang (active) phase turns into its opposite, yin (passive). …Just as the weather in autumn turns harsh, so does the emotional climate. …This is the time to gather one’s spirit and energy, be more focused, and not allow desires to run wild.”3

In TCM, metal is associated with grief or sadness and the lungs, skin, and large intestine. The lungs and large intestine control respiration, digestion, and elimination. Imbalances of the lung and large intestine manifest as respiratory problems, frequent colds and sinusitis, as well as constipation and skin problems.

“The body is particularly susceptible to wind and cold during the fall. Dryness can cause symptoms of coughing, dry nose, sore throat, dry skin, dry hair and scalp, dry mouth and cracked lips, and hard and dry stools. Adding more nourishing yin foods to your diet can promote body fluid, soothe the lungs and protect you from dryness. ”4

To maintain health, eat foods that are in season and reflect the qualities of autumn.

Choose heartier flavors and foods and use more focused preparation methods. Foods that are baked or sautéed supply the greater energy required by the cooling season and their warm fragrance stimulates the appetite. Switch from salads to soups and steamed vegetables and add more yellow and red foods into your meals. Hot oatmeal with apples and cinnamon is a good way to start the day.

Try to incorporate some of the following foods into your diet:

Apple	Beets	Bell Pepper
Bok Choy	Broccoli	Figs
Cauliflower	Cranberry	Brussel Sprouts
Grapes	Leeks	Pears
Plums	Pumpkin	Pomegranate
Persimmons	Red Cabbage	Spinach
Sweet Potatoes	Whole Grains	Wild Rice
Winter Squash	Yams	Carrot

Cinnamon, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme are good spices to cook with as the weather cools.

To stay healthy, harmonize your energy with the season. Get plenty of rest in the evening and choose activities and companions who enhance your state of mind.

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References:
1) Huangdi Neijing Suwen
2) Paul Pitchford “Healing With Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition” 1993 ISBN 0-938190-64-4
3) Huangdi Neijing Suwen
4) Diane Joswick, L.Ac., MSOM “Autumn, Acupuncture and TCM” Fall 2007 AcuFinder.com