Autumn is the season of gathering
yang (summer) turns to yin (winter)
Autumn is an important season for disease prevention in Chinese Medicine, here’s how to prepare:
If you are new to learning Chinese medicine prevention / food as medicine, this intro video with Marie is a good way to get started.
Lung Channel Self- Massage
Foods as Medicine
Your neck is the place where wind and cold most easily invade.
Its the place of “TaiYang” – the channel /level of the first place where your body faces the enviornment.
Sweating from exercise will open your pores so be very careful not to expose yourself to the cold weather and WIND, while being sweaty and hot.
Having a cold plunge after exercise is oK, as long as you are able to stop the sweating, dry off before being outside in the cold wind.
Being sweating/hot in the cold and wind is one of the fastest and direct ways to get muscular pain, stiffness and cold and flu’s in Chinese Medicine.
The sun starts to set a bit earlier, its the indication to have a bit more sleep. You can still get up as early as you did in Summer, but start to go to bed a little earlier.
Autumn is transitioning to winter where you need the MOST SLEEP of all the seasons (out of Summer where you needed the LEAST SLEEP of all the seasons)
Autumn Huang Qi (Astragalus) Hot pot – cooking with Herbs
This simple, Autumn Huang Qi Hotpot can be made as a soup or chowder-type casserole dish and can transition the body through the Autumn to winter seasons. Also It’s Paleo, Vegetarian and Vegan friendly.
Season: Autumn, Winter
Flavours: Sweet
Element: EARTH
Purpose: Nourish the Spleen and Stomach,
Can be modified for Liver Energy (Qi) Stagnation, Dampness and Blood Deficency (xu).
Cooking style: slow cooking – moistening.
Prep Time: 15-20mins
Cooking Time: 3 to 8 hours in slow cooker.