At the beginning of autumn, the yang energy of heaven and earth gradually subsides, and the yin energy begins to emerge. Tra
ditional Chinese Medicine believes that the lungs are delicate organs that regulate qi and regulate respiration, corresponding to
autumn. At this time, the climate changes from humid and hot to dry and cool, and the temperature difference between day an
d night increases. It is the season when lung diseases such as cough and asthma are prone to occur. The ancients said, "In the th
ird month of autumn, this is called 'Rong Ping'. The weather is urgent, and the earth's qi is clear." This warning in the Yellow Emp
eror's Inner Canon emphasizes the special importance of nourishing the lungs in autumn. How to follow the natural laws, nouris
h the lungs, prevent and alleviate respiratory diseases during the beginning of autumn? Let's seek answers from the wisdom of t
raditional Chinese medicine health preservation.
1、 The lungs are delicate organs that prevent dryness and protect yang
The lung belongs to the metal element in the Five Elements, and is the official of Huagai, responsible for promoting the surrende
r. Autumn dryness and evil are the most likely to harm the lungs. If the invasion of dryness and evil causes the lungs to lose their
clarity and smoothness, dry cough with less phlegm, dry throat, and dry nose can be seen; If combined with wind evil, cough for
mation will occur; If the cold evil invades the lungs, there will be asthma and chest tightness. Yuan Dynasty physician Zhu Danxi
pointed out that "asthma is mainly caused by phlegm, which obstructs the flow of qi and causes wheezing." This reveals the key
pathogenesis of asthma attacks. After the beginning of autumn, the weather becomes cooler, and cold pathogens are prone to e
nter through the mouth, nose, fur, and skin, which can then merge into the lungs, causing phlegm accumulation and triggering c
oughing and wheezing. Therefore, in autumn, the top priority for nourishing the lungs is to "prevent dryness and protect yang",
which not only prevents the invasion of external pathogens, but also strengthens the body fluids in the lungs.
2、 Dietary assistance, nourishing yin and moistening lungs
Dietary regulation is the foundation for moistening the lungs in autumn. The book "Drinking and Eating" records: "When autum
n is dry, it is advisable to eat hemp to moisten its dryness." After the beginning of autumn, the principle of diet should be "nouri
shing yin and moistening lungs". It is recommended to consume white foods such as Tremella fuciformis, lilies, lotus seeds, hone
y, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that white enters the lungs and can generate fluids and moisten dryness. Pears are k
nown as "natural nectar", and stewing pears with Sichuan Fritillaria is a classic formula for nourishing the lungs and relieving cou
gh. For asthma patients, they can regularly consume kidney tonifying and qi regulating products such as walnuts and black sesam
e seeds. Avoid eating spicy, stimulating, fried, and greasy foods to prevent dryness and damage to yin. Ming Dynasty physician L
i Shizhen emphasized that "in autumn, it is advisable to consume less spicy and more sour fruits such as hawthorn and grapes to
regulate lung qi.
3、 Regulating emotions, acupoints and moxibustion
Emotional regulation has a profound impact on lung health. The book "Su Wen" points out that "the lungs are filled with sadness
", and excessive emotions of sadness can damage the lung qi. In autumn, everything is desolate, and people are prone to feeling
sad about autumn. Special attention should be paid to maintaining a peaceful state of mind. You can cultivate your character th
rough appreciating music, practicing calligraphy and painting, and other methods. Cultivating an optimistic attitude and avoidin
g emotional fluctuations can help promote the normal functioning of the lung qi's function of promoting and suppressing negat
ive energy.
For patients with chronic cough, asthma and other lung diseases, careful care is even more necessary during the beginning of au
tumn. Regular moxibustion can be applied to the Feiyu acupoint (1.5 inches below the spinous process of the third thoracic verte
bra) and the Danzhong acupoint (midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples) to warm and promote lung qi circulation; For
those with excessive phlegm, massage the Fenglong acupoint (8 inches above the outer ankle tip) to remove phlegm and dampn
ess.
Starting autumn for health preservation, following the timing of the weather. Through comprehensive regulation of diet, exercise
, emotional adjustment, and appropriate intervention with traditional Chinese medicine, lung function can be effectively enhance
d, and diseases such as cough and asthma can be prevented and alleviated. Remember the teachings of the Yellow Emperor's Inn
er Canon: "The response to autumn qi is the way to nourish and harvest." Let us seize the opportunity of health preservation dur
ing the beginning of autumn, use traditional wisdom to protect respiratory health, and welcome the golden autumn season with
clear skies and fresh air. Adequate lung qi leads to smooth breathing; If the lung yin is moist, coughing and wheezing will natura
lly subside.In this season of harvest, may everyone have smooth breathing and a healthy body and mind.
