The Acupuncturist’s Secret to Autumn Health
Boosting well-being with Chinese medicine
As the early days of autumn arrive, you may notice the cooler breeze and shorter days signalling the full transition from summer. This period holds special significance in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The transition from late summer to early autumn offers a unique opportunity to enhance your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Acupuncture, a key component of Chinese medicine, plays a vital role in this process by helping to balance your body’s energy, strengthen your immune system and promote emotional stability.
By aligning with the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine and incorporating acupuncture into your routine, you can approach autumn feeling better prepared and more balanced.
Here’s the acupuncturist’s secret to autumn health and how to make the seasonal transition as smooth as possible.
The importance of seasonal change
Early autumn, traditionally the time of harvest, brings a unique energy of abundance and reflection. As fruit ripens on the trees and the air stills, this season invites us to contemplate the feelings of abundance or lack that may arise within us. These feelings can stem from deep-held beliefs or circumstances beyond our control and can manifest in our emotional, physical, and material landscapes.
Just as the harvest may be bountiful or scarce depending on the year, so too can our sense of abundance vary. This season serves as a mirror, reflecting the balance or imbalance within us.
According to Chinese Medicine, the transition from late summer to early autumn is governed by the Earth element. The Earth element is one of the five fundamental elements that represent different aspects of the natural world and our bodies. These elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – are used to understand the flow of energy, health and balance within us.
The Earth element is all about stability and nurturing. Imagine the earth itself: solid, reliable and providing the foundation for life by nourishing plants and animals. In Chinese medicine, this element is linked to our digestion and our ability to process not just food, but also thoughts and emotions. When the Earth element is in balance, we feel grounded, secure and content. When it’s out of balance, we might experience digestive issues, worry, or a sense of being ungrounded.
Understanding the Earth element helps us see the importance of nurturing ourselves, both physically and emotionally, and maintaining a balanced, grounded life.
Key aspects of the Earth element:
- Reflection and balance
The Earth element embodies stability and equilibrium, much like the Earth’s steady rotation. This is a time to reflect and restore balance in your life.
- Nourishment through diet and self-care
Paying attention to the Earth element through diet and self-care practices can enhance your feeling of abundance. Just as a good harvest nourishes the body, these practices nourish your mind and spirit.
- Feeling grounded
A strong Earth element fosters a deep connection to the ground, creating a sense of being centred and stable. Those who are attuned to this element often prefer staying close to the earth, reflecting their intrinsic need for stability and balance.
- Aligning with nature’s rhythms
By aligning your actions and intentions with the Earth element during late summer, you can move through this transition period with greater ease and stability. This alignment helps prepare you for the changes of autumn, ensuring you are well-resourced and grounded.
How to nourish your Earth element
As the season changes, your diet and self-care routines should adjust to support the Earth element. Here’s how you can do it:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a powerful tool in Chinese medicine, especially for nourishing and strengthening the Earth element. By stimulating specific points connected to the digestive system, acupuncture enhances the flow of Qi (vital energy) through the spleen and stomach, improving their function. This leads to more efficient digestion, better nutrient absorption and relief from symptoms like bloating and indigestion. Regular acupuncture treatments during autumn, when digestive issues can peak, helps keep your Earth element strong, supporting overall digestive health as the seasons change.
The Earth element governs our mental and emotional stability, making acupuncture particularly effective at restoring emotional balance during autumn. By regulating Qi flow, acupuncture calms the mind, reduces anxiety and promotes inner peace. It also releases blocked energy that contributes to emotional distress, enabling smoother energy flow and enhancing emotional resilience.
Dietary approaches
Transition from raw to warming foods
During summer, raw foods may have been more suitable, depending on your constitution. As the weather cools, shift towards warming soups, steamed dishes, and slow-cooked meals. These methods help prepare your body for the cooler days ahead.
Incorporate root vegetables
Root vegetables like carrots, squash and sweetcorn, cushioned in the earth as they grow, are especially beneficial for the Earth element. These foods not only ground you but also provide essential nutrients as you transition into autumn.
Embrace yellow and orange foods
The Earth element is nourished by yellow and orange foods. Consider adding sweet potatoes, pumpkins and other similarly coloured vegetables to your meals.
Add warming spices
A touch of cinnamon, cardamom or ginger can do wonders for your digestion and support the Earth element. These spices add warmth and help balance your internal energies.
Opt for naturally sweet foods
The Earth element is supported by sweet flavours – but not the kind found in processed foods. Instead, choose naturally sweet foods like fruits or blackstrap molasses. For example, you could use molasses in homemade baked beans for a delicious and Earth-nourishing dish.
Mindful eating practices
Chew your food more thoroughly, maintain regular mealtimes, and avoid heavy meals in the evening. These practices not only support digestion but also align with the Earth element’s emphasis on balance and nourishment.
Assimilate thoughts and ideas
The Earth element is also about mental digestion. If you find yourself ruminating, it may be a sign to slow down and support your Earth element by giving yourself time to process and reflect.
Remember, a simple approach to eating can go a long way. As the saying goes, “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”. This aligns with the Earth element’s emphasis on nourishment and balance – a principle that has been passed down through generations.
Simple daily practices
- Practice balance: Try standing on one foot or practicing yoga poses like the tree pose to enhance your sense of balance.
- Spend time in nature: Walk barefoot on the grass, engage in gardening, or simply plant a seed. Contact with the Earth and its soil bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, can boost serotonin levels and improve your mood.
- Concentrate during Earth time: According to Chinese medicine, the best time for tasks requiring focus is between 9 and 11 am. Use this time for studying or tasks requiring intellect.
Embrace autumn’s energy
Early autumn offers a unique opportunity to align yourself with the Earth element’s energy of balance, nourishment and abundance. Living in harmony with the seasons, as Chinese medicine suggests, helps reduce tension and encourages a smoother transition through life’s changes. By focusing on these practices, you can navigate the transition into autumn with ease, ensuring that you remain balanced and grounded as the seasons change.
Written by Josephine Cerqua, Director of Acupuncture at CNM
