Fall is a great time for letting go and moving on from those things and behaviors that are not nurturing our best possible life. It's a time to grasp hold of those things and behaviors that promote our best possible life. It’s also harvest time when we decide what is worth holding on to nurture us through the winter.
Fall is large intestine and lung time:
Why during the fall?
Fall is the season associated with the metal element. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the
metal element governs the mind, organization, order, and stability. We tend to be more reflective,
turning inward to our work, our families and our homes during this time. It is a time to organize and
prepare for the winter season ahead and a time to reflect on our lives.
Emotionally, this is the season associated with grief and sadness. It is important to keep the mind
clear and “let go” of negative emotions, which can impact health more strongly during the fall.
Fall corresponds to the lungs, skin, and large intestine. The lungs and large intestine are in charge
of respiration, digestion, and elimination. Common symptoms associated with lung and large intestine imbalances are respiratory problems, such as asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus
infections, 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. Squash, pumpkins, pears, onions, and dates!
In the fall, eat fewer cold, uncooked foods — such as salads — and more warm, cooked foods.
Switch from salads to soups and steamed vegetables such as winter squash, winter peas, broccoli,
sweet potatoes, and yams. Incorporate yellow and red foods into your meals. Start your day with hot
oatmeal.
Sleep is another important aspect of staying healthy in the Fall. The ancients advised that people
should retire early at night and rise with the crowing of the rooster during the autumn. “Soul and spirit should be tranquil and to keep their lung pure they should not give vent to their desires.”
The transition from Summer to Fall is a time when the Qi is instable. The Qi from healthy lungs should descend. If the Lung Qi goes upward, it is “rebellious,” and the person experiences a cough. The Lungs inhale the Heavenly Qi (air) and exhale the “dirty “Qi (carbon dioxide). Now is the time to strengthen your Qi to prepare for winter and get a “tune-up” from your acupuncturist to strengthen your immune system.
A toxic situation
Research has shown that cancer, neurological diseases, and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis are directly related to toxicity. These can be caused by exposure to toxic substances or through lack of sufficient nutrient support for detoxification. The body detoxifies both at the cellular level and in the organs of detoxification.
What does Toxicity Feel Like?
Phase I and Phase II
Phase I and Phase II are complex chemical reactions that require nutrients to enzymatically deactivate the toxins and them turn them into water soluble compounds to be excreted by the kidneys, large intestine, liver or lungs. Phase I and Phase II must be balanced or there will be a backfire and re-toxification of the cell.
Phase I, Phase II, and the enzymes required for full balanced and function vary greatly from person to person.Gut micro flora can produce compounds that either induce or inhibit detoxification activities.Compromised barrier function of mucosa allows toxins more easily to transit to circulation without an opportunity to support detoxification.
Easy Detox Methods:
Fall is large intestine and lung time:
- Time to clean out the pipes
- Get good bacterial culture going
- Improve mucous membranes
- Improve digestive capability
- Prepare for the coming winter cold and flu season
- Weight loss
- Waist size diminishes, loss of belly fat
- Improved digestion
- Better insulin levels
- Immunity enhanced now and
- for the coming winter
- Resolving chronic nasal congestion, sinusitis, skin disease, and asthma
- Increase relaxation and energy
Why during the fall?
Fall is the season associated with the metal element. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the
metal element governs the mind, organization, order, and stability. We tend to be more reflective,
turning inward to our work, our families and our homes during this time. It is a time to organize and
prepare for the winter season ahead and a time to reflect on our lives.
Emotionally, this is the season associated with grief and sadness. It is important to keep the mind
clear and “let go” of negative emotions, which can impact health more strongly during the fall.
Fall corresponds to the lungs, skin, and large intestine. The lungs and large intestine are in charge
of respiration, digestion, and elimination. Common symptoms associated with lung and large intestine imbalances are respiratory problems, such as asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus
infections, 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. Squash, pumpkins, pears, onions, and dates!
In the fall, eat fewer cold, uncooked foods — such as salads — and more warm, cooked foods.
Switch from salads to soups and steamed vegetables such as winter squash, winter peas, broccoli,
sweet potatoes, and yams. Incorporate yellow and red foods into your meals. Start your day with hot
oatmeal.
Sleep is another important aspect of staying healthy in the Fall. The ancients advised that people
should retire early at night and rise with the crowing of the rooster during the autumn. “Soul and spirit should be tranquil and to keep their lung pure they should not give vent to their desires.”
The transition from Summer to Fall is a time when the Qi is instable. The Qi from healthy lungs should descend. If the Lung Qi goes upward, it is “rebellious,” and the person experiences a cough. The Lungs inhale the Heavenly Qi (air) and exhale the “dirty “Qi (carbon dioxide). Now is the time to strengthen your Qi to prepare for winter and get a “tune-up” from your acupuncturist to strengthen your immune system.
A toxic situation
Research has shown that cancer, neurological diseases, and chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis are directly related to toxicity. These can be caused by exposure to toxic substances or through lack of sufficient nutrient support for detoxification. The body detoxifies both at the cellular level and in the organs of detoxification.
What does Toxicity Feel Like?
- Allergies
- Weight Gain / Food Cravings
- Joint Inflammation / Pain
- Fatigue / Difficulty Sleeping
- Headaches
- Psoriasis, Eczema, Warts
- Irritation, Anger, Emotional Instability
- Neurological Disease / Reduced Mental Clarity
- Digestive Disturbance
Phase I and Phase II
Phase I and Phase II are complex chemical reactions that require nutrients to enzymatically deactivate the toxins and them turn them into water soluble compounds to be excreted by the kidneys, large intestine, liver or lungs. Phase I and Phase II must be balanced or there will be a backfire and re-toxification of the cell.
Phase I, Phase II, and the enzymes required for full balanced and function vary greatly from person to person.Gut micro flora can produce compounds that either induce or inhibit detoxification activities.Compromised barrier function of mucosa allows toxins more easily to transit to circulation without an opportunity to support detoxification.
Easy Detox Methods:
- *Far infra red sauna weekly or more.
- *Soaking in a salt rich very hot tub with Epsom Salt weekly.
- Use essential oils for extra relaxation.
- Brush dry skin with a firm bath brush, always brushing toward the heart.
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) to stimulate movement of lymph
- Chiropractic to bring parasympathetic nervous system in line
- Acupuncture to jumpstart the body's energy system