AUTUMN
When we think of Autumn in the Northeast, we visualize cooler temperatures, falling leaves, squirrels frantically seeking out and burying nuts, birds flocking together and flying in awesome formations...We may notice that the air is dryer, that we are more likely to think of people who have passed, of our own lives passing by. Chinese medicine would add that the energy of living things pulls inward and downward, As the sap of trees goes into the roots, and leaves and fruit fall to the ground, these same dynamics apply to human physiology. Autumn reflects the element Metal, which is associated with the lungs, large intestine, nose and skin; the color white, the sense of smell and the spicy or pungent taste. Emotionally both the lungs and large intestine support letting go of what no longer serves us: a good time to release and resolve old grief and resentments.
AUTUMN FOODS
Autumn foods should reflect the change in season: warming, moistening, and more astringent and concentrated, combined with spicy/pungent flavors.
WARMING foods:
Cooked foods instead of raw: Soups or stews with less water tend to concentrate the nutrients, and are moistening .
Avoid raw foods and salads as they are cooling in nature.
MOISTENING foods:
Fall fruit tends to be moistening to the lungs, large intestine and skin: Apples and pears, especially Asian pears or Bosc pears, persimmon, loquat.
Other moistening foods: spinach, seaweeds, almonds, pinenuts, sesame seeds, honey, eggs, clams, crab oysters, mussels, tofu, yogurt, herring and pork. Using a little salt in cooking supports the absorption of water for people who are dry.
PUNGENT foods:
Pungent foods provide support to the immune system (ie garlic can ward off
colds).
Hot pungent foods such as red chili peppers, while helpful in warding off colds, should be avoided by people who suffer from gastritis, ulcers, etc.
White pungent foods relate to the Lungs due to their color: Garlic, turnip, fresh ginger, horseradish, cabbage, red radish (white inside), daikon radish (shaped like a large white carrot), and white peppercorn.
MUCILAGINOUS foods:
These help support the mucous lining of lungs and colon. These foods remove old phlegm or thickened mucous and coat the lining with a moist clean layer of mucous: seaweeds, kombu, marshmallow root, fenugreek and flaxseed.
CHLOROPHYL-RICH foods:
These are generally detoxyfying to the liver and the blood, remove harmful chemicals, reduce viral and bacterial load and support the digestion of fats and proteins. (All of which support colon health).
SQUASHES AND PUMPKINS:
HOW WE EAT:
As important as WHAT we eat: let’s release our must-do lists and worries, and center ourselves, focus on tasting and appreciating the food, and all the energy that went into growing, harvesting and preparing the food. When we give thanks, we give our body the chance to start the digestion process.
Last of all, ENJOY every bite! And the BEST OF HEALTH to you!
Marie Regis Acupuncture & Wellness Center
Address: 14 Vanderventer Ave, Suite L3C, Port Washington NY 11050
Phone: 516.455.2206
Website: www.marieregisacupuncture.com
