6 tips for TCM Autumn Health Preservation

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Fall has a nature all its own: it is the season where the dynamic, warming, and active Yang energy of the summer wanes into the more structured, cooler, and introspective Yin phase of the year as we prepare for Winter. Autumn is associated with the Metal element and Lungs which govern the skin, respiratory system, immunity, and the emotions of grief/sadness.

The Fall is also dominated by dryness and wind which can attack the Lung, leading to common symptoms such as a scratchy throat, a dry nose, chapped lips, dry cough, etc. To protect the body from these factors, preventative health for Fall focuses on warming and strengthening the body.

So as the temperature drops, leaves change, and cold-season abounds, here are some ways to stay healthy this Fall according to TCM:

Tip no.1: Promote blood circulation by Combing Hair and Rubbing Ears
In the autumn the yang energy is reduced, people tend to feel depressed and fatigue. Combing hair by fingers can dredge the meridians of the head, promote blood circulation, keep the mind clear, and help eliminate fatigue. At the same time, rubbing ears with hands, which will also help reduce fatigue.

Tip no.2: Strengthen heart and lungs by Deep Breathing or Practice Baduanjin Qikong

The main purpose of health preservation is to nourish the lungs, while Chinese medicine believes that the lungs govern qi. Every morning, you can practice breathing and respiration or Baduanjin, and also go out to breathe fresh air frequently during break, which can promote blood circulation and maintain good respiratory system function. In addition, moderate exercise can enhance cardiopulmonary function.

Tip no.3: Keep bowel movement by rubbing belly

Massage the abdomen clockwise with the palm of hand, which can help digestion, eliminate siltation, replenish qi and strengthen the body, and prevent autumn dryness and constipation. In addition, when getting up every morning, you must remember to have regular bowel movements. People with constipation can drink more lemon honey water. Because the temperature drops in autumn, the metabolism slows down, and toxins tend to stay in the body. Regular bowel movements can help detoxify and reduce the burden on the body.

Tip no. 4: Have foot bath every night before go to bed

With the temperature drops in the fall, the blood circulation slows down, and it is easy to get cold hands and feet. Therefore, people with cold body may wish to use pepper water or ginger water to soak their feet at night to warm the meridians and collaterals to remove cold; after the foot bath, they can also massage the soles of the feet to clear the meridians, eliminate turbidity, relieve fatigue, promote sleep, and vomit the cold. Superb!

Tip no.5: Enjoy Warm-cooked Food and Soup

Warm pear soup with honey and ginger can moisturize dryness, nourish yin, so it helps strengthen our lungs, and relief the common symptoms in the fall such as scratchy throat, a dry nose, chapped lips, and dry cough.

Tip no.6: Get Acupuncture & Herbs Preventatively

Acupuncture has been shown to reduce inflammation, release endorphins, promote circulation while restoring the proper functioning or energy (called “Qi") to your body’s systems. Acupuncture and herbs help to alleviate sinus pressure, stop headaches, reduce allergies, clear phlegm, relieve cough and strengthen the Lungs.

Conclusion: Traditional Chinese Medicine  has a lot of knowledge about health preservation and health care, and the most important thing is to be able to persist in it . The above tips are simple and practical. They can be maintained from the feet to enhance one's righteousness and make autumn regimen no longer complicated.

By Oriental Acupuncture Clinic

中医秋季养生六个小妙招：

1、常梳发，多弹耳
常言道，春困秋乏，秋季阳气收敛，人容易感到精神不振。经常梳理头发可以疏通头部经络，扩张皮下毛细血管，促进气血循环，保持头脑清醒，帮助消除疲劳。同时还可以用手多揉搓耳朵，也有助于减轻疲劳。

2、多擦脸，咽唾液
秋季容易寒邪入侵，用干净的双手经常揉搓面部，使面色红润，面部气血通畅，对于预防秋季感冒有一定的作用。秋季寒冷的气候让脾胃容易失和，上下牙齿经常轻轻叩击，顺便咽唾液，可促消化、开胸理气、增强胃肠道功能。

3、呼浊气，强心肺
秋季养生以养肺为主，而中医认为肺主气。每天清晨可以在空气洁净的地方练习呼吸吐纳，平时休息时也应该经常走出户外呼吸新鲜空气，可以促进血液循环，保持良好的呼吸系统机能。另外适度的运动，增强心肺功能。

4、捂下身，暖脊背
俗话说，春捂秋冻。秋冻指的是在初秋时期，不着急加衣服增强抗寒能力。但记得冻的重点在于胸部以上，而秋天也要捂好背、肚子和下身。背部保暖可预防疾病，减少感冒几率；“寒从脚下起”，脚下敏感，保暖才能使身体适应越来越寒冷的气候变化。


5、揉肚子，通大便
用手掌顺时针按摩腹部，适当揉搓，可以助消化、消除淤积、益气强身，防止秋燥便秘。另外每天早晨起床，一定记得规律排便，便秘者可以多喝柠檬蜂蜜水。因为秋季温度降低，新陈代谢减慢，毒素容易滞留在体内，规律排便可以帮助排毒，减轻身体负担。

6、勤泡脚，搓足心
秋天温度降低，尤其是深秋时，气血循环减慢，容易手脚冰凉。因此体寒的人不妨晚上经常用花椒水或姜水泡泡脚，温经通络，祛除寒气；洗脚后还可以在床上按摩脚心，通经络，消浊气，解除疲劳，促进睡眠，起到吐故纳新的效果。

结语：秋季中医养生保健知识非常多，重在能够有效坚持。以上的几点技巧简单实用，从到脚养护起来，增强自身正气，让秋天养生不再复杂。