By Dianne Weaver, LAc
It is Autumn in Bend. Although I had my doubts the other day, when temperatures rose to the low 70s again. But, truly, it looks as though autumn temperatures are winning, the days are getting shorter, leaves on trees are showing their flaming colors, and people, animals and plants are showing signs of slowing down.
In Asian medicine, Autumn is the time for the element of Metal, which is the time of the Lung and Large Intestine Qi/Energy systems of the body. It is a time of contraction (from the expansiveness of Summer), a time of transmutation, of evolution through reduction, a gathering in, a time to store up in preparation for Winter. Yin waxes and Yang wanes.
You may feel inspired to do more Yin activities: sleeping a bit more, gathering indoors to share food and stories with family and friends, walks among the autumn colors, and perhaps picking up a book you didn’t have time for all summer.
And, on some level, you may be aware that this is a time to prepare Mind, Body and Spirit for Winter.
So, let’s talk about the season being all about the Lung and Large Intestine Qi. With your lungs, you breathe in oxygen, a form of Qi we all need. In Asian medicine, this Lung Qi mixes with the Qi we acquire by eating nutritious foods, to create protective Qi, which can be loosely translated to “immunity.” Healthy Lung and Large Intestine Qi is necessary for healthy immunity.
How do we know if our Lung and Large Intestine Qi is in good shape? Well, since Lung Qi includes the skin and mucous membranes in Asian medicine, healthy skin with good color and mucous membranes that are neither too dry nor too sticky damp, are signs of good Lung Qi. And, since Large Intestine is the pair organ system to Lung, good regular elimination is also a sign of healthy Metal element.
Signs and symptoms of Metal not being in balance are: Dryness of skin or mucous membranes, itchy skin, asthma or other chronic bronchial ailments, constipation, IBS, too much or too little perspiration, chronic sinus issues and allergies.
Healthy skin and lungs help protect against external invasions, of viruses, bacteria or just inclement weather. Good elimination means we’re getting rid of waste and toxins, which also aids our overall immunity.
There is also the mental/emotional aspect of Lung/Large Intestine/Metal element health: Are you holding onto any unresolved sadness or grief? These are normal emotions; we all have experienced losses and endings. But, when these emotions are repressed or ignored, they tend to manifest in the body eventually, and since these emotions relate to the Metal element in Asian medicine, you may find symptoms manifesting in the Lung and Large Intestine energy systems.
So, take a look inside yourself and see if there is something to process. Do you need to grieve? Do you need to let something go?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You may need the help of a grief counselor, or maybe just a sympathetic ear of a friend. Also, don’t forget that Asian medicine, in the form of acupuncture, herbs and nutritional counseling may assist you in the process.
Be healthy, be well.