Look After Your Lung in Autumn

It is now autumn in Melbourne. These past few days have been full of sunshine, giving a feeling of spring. However, in reality, the qi of nature is in a phase of contraction and withdrawal. The crisp, austere quality in the wind is something our bodies can clearly sense. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Five Elements theory, autumn corresponds to the lungs. Therefore, it is especially important to protect the lungs during this season. When lung function is impaired, symptoms such as cough, colds, asthma, skin problems, nasal itching, runny or blocked nose, and even a tendency toward sadness or easy crying may arise. 

So how can we protect lung qi in autumn? Here is one example from each of the four aspects: clothing, diet, living, and daily activity: 

Clothing: In autumn, it is particularly important to avoid exposing the shoulders and upper back. Autumn wind can easily penetrate through the shoulder blade area and harm the lungs. 

Diet: Dryness is the dominant climate of autumn. To help the body resist dryness, nature provides many fruits that ripen in this season. Eating more fruit in moderation can be beneficial. However, as stated in the Huangdi Neijing: “Exposure to cold and consumption of cold drinks can injure the lungs.” Therefore, fruits taken straight from the refrigerator, as well as iced drinks, are major contributors to lung-related illnesses. 

Living and daily routine: As daylight hours gradually shorten in autumn, maintaining a healthy lung function requires going to bed early and waking up early. With shorter days, it is important to sleep earlier in the evening. This helps strengthen the body’s resistance; otherwise, colds may strike unexpectedly.