Autumn, season of immunity in Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches us that the period of Autumn is a time when immunity particularly regenerates. The natural defenses strengthened this time of year allow the body to better cope with attacks throughout the rest of the year! This is even more true to better resist winter, a season that causes cold and germs. In this article we will explain the basics of Chinese thinking related to the autumn season. We will then give you tips on how you can help the body collect resources for the sickest possible winter.

Medicine based on the seasons

The rhythm of nature

This ancient medicine teaches that natural rhythms determine life on earth. The most noticeable cycle is the rhythm of the seasons:

• in spring: Nature awakens, plants grow and develop
• in summer: Nature thrives, animals mate
• in autumn: the leaves fall, the plants produce seeds
• in winter: It is a time of rest and hibernation

Of course, men are not immune to these seasonal rhythms either. Humanity is trying to do everything to free itself from the effects of nature, and yet we clearly feel:

• in spring: Our bodies start moving, we want new things
• In summer we feel the need to be outside and be in contact with others
• In autumn, the decreasing energy becomes noticeable and has a negative impact on the mood
• In winter we have to wrap ourselves up

The seasons, an art of living

At the beginning of the ancient Chinese medical text called Su Wen (which dates back to 3000 BC) it is mentioned that the cornerstones of good health are “respecting the cycle of the seasons and having simple desires.” For this philosophy Being in harmony with the rhythm of the seasons is an essential prerequisite for a healthy life and flourish as an individual.

Today we’re rediscovering these common sense principles with the local and seasonal eating movement. However, these recommendations are not made for environmental or financial reasons. The ancient Chinese believed that food consumed locally and at the right time of year contained much more energy than food consumed while traveling. These aspects have today been confirmed by analysis: if we respect the growth rate and freshness of a food, it is much more interesting from a nutritional point of view.

The genius of Chinese thought

But for the Chinese, respect for seasonal rhythms was not just limited to food. It is the entire lifestyle that is influenced by the cycle of the seasons. For example, it means getting up early and going to bed late in summer, and getting up late and going to bed early in winter. Normal, because winter is the time of hibernation when sleep should be longest.
Another example: Spring is the time when nature awakens. Now, this is a time when man must follow this movement, that is, leave the house and start new things.

So far we are going in the right direction, some would say it simply follows the cycle of the sun: active during the day and at rest at night. But that The genius of this Chinese idea is that it has established the connection between the seasons and body structures or organs. Each organ is associated with a season, as if it were the guarantee of man’s synchronicity with the earth and its seasons.

And it’s these relationships that make it Chinese medicine is a true preventive medicine. Caring for an organ in its season means allowing it to function optimally all year round.

In a previous article we have already discussed the connection between liver and spring, here we see the connections between autumn and the immune system.

Autumn in Chinese Medicine

Autumn is a time of harvest, storage and storage. Some animals store supplies for the winter. But this also applies to plants: they produce their seeds, which are stored throughout the winter to produce offspring next spring. If it dries out, preservation is possible as moisture leads to rot. Plants shed their coverings to keep only what is essential: the seeds from which offspring arise. And why do we cut wood in the fall? So that it can be stronger the following year. Relieving yourself is better than being reborn…

For men, the seeds that emerge in autumn (legumes, oilseeds, grains) are important because they help them survive the winter. In fact, there are only a few types of vegetables and fruits.

By simply describing these natural features, the Chinese came to the conclusion that there was an analogy between autumn – drought – conservation – harvest – clearing. If we push the analogy further, we end up with the ideas of taking stock (harvesting), letting go, sadness, and separation (moving out). But the autumn of a year is also the autumn of a day (evening) or the autumn of a life.

We could go on for several pages here, but the goal here is to introduce you to this thinking mechanism. For the Chinese medicine autumn corresponds to the metal element. This is the energy responsible for all of the analogies described above.

And in man the metal is supported by that lungs and intestines (and secondarily the skin and the ENT area).

Intestines and lungs, basics of immunity

According to Chinese medicine The lungs and the large intestine are the two organs that form the body’s defenses.

For the intestinesIt’s relatively easy to understand now that science has shed light on the role of gut flora on immunity. In fact, the balance of the gut microbiota is the main factor that determines our immune capacity. Chinese physiology also indicates that the intestine is directly related to the ENT sphere. This can be easily understood using two examples. Cold snaps (from a Western perspective, immune deficiency) primarily affect the ENT area. Second, excess dairy (intestinal congestion) causes chronic mucus in the nose or sinuses.

Regarding the role of the lungs in immunityChinese medicine teaches that they are masters of vitality and energy. Everyone knows that a general loss of energy makes the body more susceptible to infections. On the other hand, if you take the examples from the intestines, colds and mucus also mainly affect the lungs. According to this medicine, breathing is an essential factor in the functioning of the body’s defenses. We start with statistical studies showing the benefits of breathing exercises (yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, etc.) on immunity.

Build your immunity for the winter

Hygiene of life

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, strengthening immunity in autumn is relatively simple: you have to stick to the rhythm of the season! In other words, it means adopting a lifestyle connected to the energy of the metal.

That means:

As for the food: Eat seasonal foods (legumes, oilseeds, cereals, chestnuts, citrus fruits, etc.). Eat spicy foods that charge the metal (garlic, onions, leeks, radishes, fennel, broccoli, etc.) and add herbs (thyme, basil, oregano, etc.).

In terms of the pace of life: Go to bed earlier, exercise less overall, limit activities at the end of the day (the metal phase of the day), encourage gentle activities (walking, meditation, reading, etc.)

On a psychological level: Use this time to get rid of your leaves! Sort, throw away, empty your home, in your relationships. But also deep down: Autumn is a good time to take stock, let go and evacuate. To keep only the essentials. If you follow this fall suggestion, it’s better to start again the following spring. Trees are stronger after winter pruning…

difficulties of the time

Given the lifestyle of most of us, this autumn phase is not necessarily obvious:

• The lungs and intestines can become saturated from excessive buildup from the past few months (food, toxins, events, etc.). Therefore, they must manage to regenerate while stuck in the swamp. In this case, cleaning is necessary so that they can then carry out their task properly. This is what the fall detox in September is all about.
• Adapting to the fall season to regenerate immunity does not correspond to the classic rhythms of society. It can often be difficult to take the time to wind down in the evening and avoid activities. The same applies to eating seasonal foods. Taking inventory, sorting, and venturing are actions that are performed in solitude and not necessarily in a momentarily pleasant state (even if you feel much better afterwards).

For this reason, we may need a boost, help to energize and recharge our two organs responsible for our immunity.

Natural Boosts

There are countless nutritional supplements that have an impact on immunity. Difficult to make a choice in this context. Thanks to the principles of Chinese medicine, it is possible to target plants that have a targeted effect on the regeneration of natural defenses in autumn. In other words: a strengthening of his metal element.

Here we offer you options that are suitable and safe for as many people as possible. However, refer to the precautions in each product sheet for specific contraindications.

1/ Probiotics

If there actually is one The indication for probiotics is in autumn. With a 3-week/1-month treatment you can have a positive influence on the intestinal flora and thus on immunity. We have classified the different probiotics to choose the most suitable probiotic.

2/ Plants

Nature has done it well: plants that influence the balance of the intestinal flora often also have an impact on the lungs and the immune system.

We list them here some plants that are perfect for metal energy. The “Special Indication” label is an additional advantage that will help you choose the most suitable plant for your needs.

You can choose 1 or 2 plants and do a 3 week/1 month treatment, in addition to a probiotic or not. There are complexes that combine several of these plants: in this case, enter the name of the plant in the search bar, the products that contain it will appear.

Echinacea:
We recommend the concentrated Echinacea form
Special indication: Use if there is a tendency to recurring infections

Eucalptus:
Consume it in 3D eucalyptus essential oil, so diluted and perfectly tolerated.
Special indication: Use if there is a tendency to mucus in the respiratory tract

Astragalus:
Prefer the concentrated form: standardized astragalus
Special indication: To strengthen energy in times of stress

Alant:
it only occurs in the mother tincture of elecampane
Special indication: Use in cases of recurring mucus and the need to stimulate digestion

Thyme:
In herbal teas or in hydroalcoholic thyme extract
Special indication: Use in recurrent infections and the need to stimulate digestion

Finally there is also to propolis which fits perfectly with strengthening the energy of the metal.