Seasonal Support

Healers of ancient cultures were astute observers of the natural world. They noted that the seasons and environment directly affect the various organs and meridians of the body. They observed that as the year progressed through the seasons, the body became more vulnerable to external factors like heat, cold, dampness and dryness. By understanding what seasonal transitions represent and including herbs and foods in our diets, we can maintain optimal health throughout the year.

Our ancestors depended on the bounty of the seasons to fill their plates. Diets consisted of what could be grown, foraged or hunted. Every season offered valuable contributions to the larder. Now we have the luxury of visiting a grocery store to stock our pantries with just about anything we want at any time. But there is more to eating seasonally than convenience; a seasonal diet is also connected with the harmonic nature of your overall health, your body, and your internal organs.

Preparing foods seasonally is linked to the changing of our digestive strength and needs which takes place each season. For instance, winter is traditionally a time to slow down, and meals often consist of warm, hearty stews, broths and soups with root vegetables. These foods feed the kidneys and the kidney meridian. Nourishing these areas helps to reduce emotinal fear, bolster a sense of stability, increase nutrients for bone health, and improves waste elimination.

A basic tenet of Traditional Chinese Medicne (TCM) is that each season is associated with a color related to the types of food eaten (green for spring, for example), as well as specific body organs and a taste that stimulates the organs. In short, our bodies are connected to the rhythms of seasonal cycles, so eating with the seasons is a natural methods of maintaining, detoxifying, and strengthening the body and its organs. 

According to TCM, five seasons are experienced and each corresponds with an element and organ/meridian system:

spring - wood - liver - green

summer - fire - heart - red

late summer - earth - spleen

autumn - metal - lungs and large intestine - white

winter - water - kidneys - black

Winter in TCM is associated with the kidneys which hold our body's most fundamental energy. It represents the slower, inward movement of our body's and mind's functions, this makes it an optimal time to nourish and replenish our kidneys. Foods that specifically warm and noursih the kidneys include; black beans, kidney beans, chestnuts, walnuts, bone broths, lamb, chicken, parsley and dark leafy greens. Goji berry (Gou Qi Zi), astragulus (Huang Qi), Chinese date (Da Zao), and marshmallow root (Yao She Kui) are beneficial herbs to supplement your winter diet and support kidney wellness.

Spring is the season of wood and the liver. Spring is the time for growth and renewal and the climate becomes windy. As spring approaches, we should consume light foods that help trasition into this season; young plants, sprouts, leafy greens, plums, wheat, ry, and barley flavored with rosemary, dill and basil. Herbs like milk thistle (silibum marianum) and Chai Hu (radix bupleuri) are ideally suited to liver health and its associated tissues - the eyes, tendons and ligaments.

Summer is the season of fire and the heart, the season of development, joy, activity, and creativity Cooling and hydrating food suited for transition into the heat include; warermelon, apricot, cantaloupe, mung beans, bamboo, lentil and chicken. Cooling herbs like chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), and mint (Bo He) make a lovely and hydrating summer tea.

Late summer is the fifth season recognized by Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its element is earth and its organ is the spleen. Its environment influence is humidity and dampness. And it is associated with digestion and nourishment. Foods that support the spleen are rice, millet, dates, ginger and beef. Herbs like poria mushroom (Fu Ling), jujube (Da Zao) and licorice root (Gan Cao) make a wonderful earth-nourishing tea.

Autumn is a season associated with wind and dryness. Therefore, it is important to cut back on raw foods and consume slow-cooked moisturizing foods such as apples, pork, pears, radish, cabbage, sweet pototoe, chilli, miso, almonds, onion, eggs, pickle, yogurt, plums, horseradish, grapes, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. Ginseng root (Hu Tang), astragulus (Huang Qi), schisandra (Wu Wei Zi), and cordyceps mushroom (Dong chong Xia Cao) are the top Chinese herbs used for strengthening and protecting the lungs. 

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are in the Late Summer to Autumn seasonal change. And, in addition to supporting our bodies dietarily, I suggest using this slowing time to bolster your mind and spirit. Learning to honor the changing needs of your body within the cycles of the seasons is a powerful way to reduce the risk of common seasonal concerns of body, mind, and spirit.

As mentioned above, TCM associates the lung and large intestine with autumn. During this season, they are the most vulnerable.

The lungs are associated with "taking in the new" and emotionally correspond with; grief, sadness, and attachment. When the flow of (and through) the lungs is balanced one can experience enhanced; clarity of thought, positive self-image, and surrending to and allowing inner peace and joy to exist regardless of circumstances.

The large intestine "releases the old" and emotionally corresponds with; inability to let go, uptightness, stubborness, stagnation, a negative outlook or mindset, and how we choose to flow through life. When the large intestine energy is balanced, one can experience increased; sense of relaxation, releasing of what no longer serves them. flowing with life vs. resisting it, and focusing on the day-to-day.  

Since autumn is a natural time of letting go and getting organized (look at the trees dropping leaves and animals organizing food and shelter for hibernation), a lack of awareness and action in this regard can lead to feelings of stagnation and lack of harmony with life's flow. Both of which can affect the health of your lungs and large intestine.

By increasing your self-awareness and taking action, you can ease into fall and winter reassured by the reserve of health, happiness, and strength you have created. 

As always, I wish you peace and grace.

~ Amber