Fall into Patterns of Wellness with Dr Stephanie
Falling into Patterns of Health in Autumn
Dr Stephanie H. Lipnicki, DACM, LAc
When the weather starts to get cooler, and the days shorter, Autumn is a time of drawing inward. We need to prepare for changes in the weather as well as make sure we are eating foods to help keep us warm. Note - patients who are experiencing hot flashes might be able to get away with some foods that are on the more cooling side at this time of year, yet they still need to stay aware of protecting themselves from the external elements of Wind, Dryness, and Cold that work to invade the body in the Autumn.
If Autumn isn't your favorite time of year, you might fight and resist the seasonal change. The environment around us, doesn't resist. The trees draw inward, taking their last bits of nutrients to take them through the winter, and the let go of those leaves, all the while giving us a spectacular array of colors in the process.
That drawing in is also something we are meant to take part in. It is a time of letting go and reflecting on the year. In Asian medicine the Lung and Large Intestine, the Metal Element are associated with the fall. The emotion of Fall is grief and letting go.
Maybe your nature is that of someone who has trouble letting go and there is a connection to how you resist Mother Nature moving inward and letting go. This would be a great time if you already journal to focus on writing about letting go. And if you are new to journaling - what a great time to start and focus on letting go.
Because we can have those days of interspersed warmth, that may lull you into a place of clinging to summer, you need to be careful that you don't get caught in the cold. When the weather can switch from 80 to 55 like a driver who has seen a NJ State Trooper, make sure you have extra layers for that shift of temperature. Keep a scarf in your car to protect the back of your neck - your parents weren't kidding when they told you to protect the back of your neck - in Asian Medicine the points at the base of the skull are called the "Wind Gate" and you want to keep the wind from getting in that gate! And keep a sweater with you. If you don't need it, oh well, if you do, you will be thankful you had it!
It's time to make sure you are eating warmer foods. Cold foods put out the digestive fire of the stomach on a good day, as the weather gets cooler - it's even more critical to shift from cool summer salads to warm fall and winter soups. With interstate and global commerce advancements, we have access to more foods than ever - which is great in terms of trying new things, it is not so great in terms of eating seasonally and naturally incorporating foods that improve health and wellness for the time of year.
Some foods and spices to consider adding to your fall diet:
Cinnamon
Cloves
Ginger
Onions (fresh preferable)
Garlic (fresh preferable)
Bone Broth (recipes are available, and you can even get bone broth from many grocery stores, although I will share in a future post why making your own food gives you even more nourishment)
Miso Soup
Chili
I like to have my patients keep certain herbal formulas in their medicine cabinet to help fight the possibility of catching cold. On your next visit, make sure to stock up on - some of these you need to see a Licensed Acupuncturist who is also a Licensed Herbalist in order to acquire them:
Gan Mao Ling - whole some practitioners do not love this formula - it is one of my favorites; I like it for colds that are triggered by cold and wind
Loquat Syrup
A daily multi-vitamin
Vitamin D
Vitamin C (be cautious if you have sensitive digestion as excess C can soften the stool.
Elderberry
Yin Qiao San - another great formula for the onset of colds but I tend to use this more for patients where it's a combo of wind and heat vs wind and cold
As we turn inward during this time of year, make sure to take care of yourself and take precautions as the weather turns cold.
Don't forget to get in to see your Acupuncturist for a Fall tune up and stock up on the formulas that should be in your medicine cabinet while you are there! Make time to take care of your wellness so that you don't have to make time to take care of an illness!
Stay healthy!
Dr Stephanie