Autumn is the season of harvest, when the growth of spring and summer comes to fruition. As the nights grow longer, we gather nature’s plentiful offerings before retreating into the calm and quietude of winter. In early autumn, the colours of our foods change from the deep reds of peppers, tomatoes and chillies, to the oranges and yellows of pumpkins, squash, sweetcorn and quince, and later, the earthy browns of wild mushrooms, walnuts and hazelnuts.The seasonal energy is strong and steady. Nature’s last hurrah before the cold winter months, when stillness sets in.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), autumn is the season of the Metal Element, and its corresponding organ pair, the lungs and large intestine. During this time, we gather our reserves and consolidate energy, protecting these organs from seasonal dryness with moistening foods such as tremella, white ginseng and bone broth. We turn to activating, warming, pungent ingredients like onion, garlic, ginger and daikon radish to disperse stagnation, stimulate digestion and increase circulation. Digestion is further enhanced with root vegetables, pumpkins, mushrooms and red miso. Cooking styles are slower and longer, vegetables are thicker cut, and a little more salt is used to season. We prepare for the months ahead, venturing outside to gather wild nuts and berries on countryside walks, filling baskets with blackberries, rosehips and elderberries to bake into cakes and crumbles, and simmer into jams that will see us through winter. Autumn is also peak mushroom foraging time, with damp soils providing the perfect environment for fungi to flourish.
In TCM, the lungs are known as the ‘master of Qi’ (energy) and are responsible for balancing bodily fluids and disseminating energy throughout the body. They also rule the skin and ‘Wei Qi’, our protective energy field, or immune defence. Strengthening our lungs during autumn is imperative for a strong immune system. We can do this with whole foods, herbs and spices, but also by adopting a more sober, reflective attitude which supports and stabilises the lungs and large intestines. Autumn is an ideal time for self reflection and slowing down. A way to conserve energy for winter. It is a time for completing those projects we started during the spring and summer to make way for more restful, inward activities. The energy of the Metal element is expressed in the inner workings of the mind — in developing ideas, reading, writing and speaking. Meditation and daily breathwork practices, as well as Qigong movements and brisk walks in nature, can help us strengthen our lungs and calm the nervous system, drawing our attention to the quality and steadiness of our breath.
When getting dressed, versatility is key. Focus on natural fabrics with the ability to maintain an optimal body temperature in the face of an erratic or damp climate. In TCM, wind and cold are seen as the culprits for many maladies, and it is advised to keep your neck, ankles and lower back covered when the weather cools. Layering, and a rotation of the key staples you already own, allows you to make the most of pieces outside their intended season. Summer dresses can be thrown over a fine knit turtleneck and paired with thick socks and boots. Oversized, monochromatic knitwear offers warmth and flexibility worn with tailored trousers or wide-leg jeans, while thermal vests or a merino wool t-shirt serve as easy base layers. The palette this season, mirrors those colours we see in nature. Earth tones of chestnut brown, ochre, aubergine, nutmeg, khaki, charcoal, are elevated with pops of saturated colour. A tomato-red sock, a cropped cardigan in watercress green, or a knitted scarf in the deepest ocean blue.
SUPPORTING YOURSELF THROUGH AUTUMN
Food, herbs & natural allies
- Meat and dairy should be eaten in moderation as they can overwhelm the body during this transitional time. Instead, focus on hearty soups and stews, porridge, congee, bone broth, and steamed vegetables, using mild, warming spices to spark healthy digestion.
- Daikon radish, turnips, and horseradish are excellent for congested sinuses. Simply grate and mix with a little honey. Intense but effective!
- Warm the body with chai and ginger teas. Thyme tea is an effective balm for coughs and colds - soothing to sore throats, with the ability to help shift a build up of mucus. For detoxification and digestive support, liquorice root tea is a simple home remedy.
Lifestyle & emotions
Autumn is a time of reflection. Consider what you have achieved during the more heated, active months of spring and summer. What did you learn from your experiences? What can you let go of? Clean your spaces. Audit your closet and kitchen cabinets, checking expiration dates, wiping away any accumulated dust, and donating the things you no longer love or need. Emotional audits can be helpful during this time too. Build your transitional awareness by regularly asking: how are you feeling right now? Is life pushing you beyond your limitations? Learn to say no to the things that don’t feel good. Give yourself space to adjust as you release the things that no longer serve you.
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Beccy Candice Clarke is a writer, editor, and holistic health coach. If you would like to find out more about her practice you can do so here: beccyclarke.com / @beccycandice
