I decided to present a brief overview of Chinese medicine and the fall season. This will be a three-part series discussing:
- The Basic Concept
- Tips for a Healthy Fall
- Seasonal Foods for Autumn
Basic concept of Fall
As I leave work each day, I notice more wind in the air, days are getting shorter, and temperatures are starting to drop. These changes are pointing to mark the end of summer and beginning of fall/autumn. The Fall Equinox on September 22, 2025 officially set us into autumn. In traditional Chinese medicine, this season is characterised by the metal element, the color is white, the organs are lungs and large intestines, and the emotion is grief.
The winds start to get stronger this time of the year, and catching a cold happens easily. We advise coming indoors early in the evening or covering the body – especially the neck. During the summer, the skin pores are open which helps the body to sweat and vent heat. While the body is adjusting to the new climate like fall, the pores are still not fully closed which makes it easier for wind and cold to enter the body. Wind and cold can create illness in Chinese medicine. Hence, it is necessary to stay covered up to avoid “wind-cold invasion” of the body and avoid illness.
The organs in Chinese medicine are viewed differently and have a different function than modern medicine. The Lungs and Large intestine are the organs for the autumn season. Therefore, it is important to take care of these organs during this time. We recommend staying away from pollution and doing deep breathing exercises – especially at the beginning of the day. It is also important to avoid “drying” foods which we discuss in part three of this series.
As the leaves dry out and fall, cleaning outdoor areas such as our gardens and yards happens. It is important for humans to perform similar fall cleaning – a time to harvest our emotions such as grief and anger. Holding onto these emotions will start manifesting in our body as aches and pains in the long term.
Chinese medicine has many herbal formulas that can prevent or support recovery from illness. If you are experiencing symptoms such as sore throat, congestion, sore neck, body aches, or headaches, speak with your practitioner because there may be a formula that can support you as long as these symptoms are not COVID-19 related.
Tips for healthy Fall
As we progress through spring and summer, fall is the season to start wrapping up and cleaning from the previous season. In last week’s 3 Point Thursday, I mentioned that the the emotion for this season is grief and one of the best activities to process grief is journaling.
Journaling: Journaling can help you not only pen down your emotions but also write down goals for the next season. This could include documenting the complete and incomplete projects (more so ever incomplete projects). The incomplete projects would be seeds for winter and by the time spring arrives, these projects can start germinating. Incomplete projects would not only be actual physical projects but can also mean emotional projects and travel plans – such as setting emotional boundaries or making travel plans.
Clothing: The Lung is the dominating yin organ for this season. Safeguarding the Lung from various other microbes or a wind attack (remember fall is the season of wind-cold) is important. Wind is one way that illness enters the body in Chinese medicine. We advise everyone to cover up their neck, back, and chest area. Covering up the body, including the hands by wearing gloves is a good practice to stay healthy during this time of the year.
Staying Hydrated: Dryness dominates the fall season. We visually observe this process with the leaves drying, falling, and the drying out of the branches starting. Without moisture, dryness can damage the lungs. The Lung is paired with the Large Intestine and so dryness can also cause digestive issues. It is important to stay hydrated and well nourished.
Seasonal Food for Autumn/Fall:
As we transition from summer into fall, we should also transition our eating habits. It is time to move away from raw and cold salads and fruits, and time to consume more soups and stews. Having a warm and heartier meal during this time of the year helps to keep the body warm.
In Chinese medicine, the taste or flavor of Fall is spicy, so adding some spicy foods is a good idea. Dryness dominates during this season, which can manifest in the form of dry skin or lips. You may choose to incorporate some sour foods to help with preventing fluid loss by retaining fluids in the body.
Foods that help to moisten the body are important for this season. Nuts and seeds such as flax seeds or almonds are known for having high oil content making them the superfood for fall. Fruits and vegetables which are harvested in the fall are important to consume during this time of year.
Here is a list of vegetables for this time of year. I like this list because it breaks down the foods by when they are harvested during the fall season.
Tip: Another interesting way to decide on seasonal foods is by visiting the local farmers market or joining a CSA (community supported agriculture). The seasonal produce will always be in abundance.
This concludes my section about Chinese Medicine and Fall/Autumn. If you have a special recipe for this time of year please do share it with us.
About the Author
As a practitioner and healer in Washington, DC for more than a decade, I take a patient-centered approach to care through acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicines, and mind-body coaching, with a specialty in full-spectrum reproductive health care.
