Seasonal Health Preservation for the Twenty-Four Solar Terms | Beginning of Autumn
2019-08-16
Beginning of Autumn
(Liu Han)
The cries of young crows fade, leaving the jade screen empty; a cool new pillow and a gentle breeze.
When I wake up, the autumn hues are nowhere to be found; the courtyard is filled with moonlight shining on the sycamore trees.
The summer heat hasn't yet dissipated, yet the moonlight is bright and shimmering like rippling water. As the first autumn breezes begin to stir, they slip into your sleeves, instantly bringing a hint of coolness. The Beginning of Autumn is the 13th of the 24 solar terms. There are three stages associated with the Beginning of Autumn: First, the cool breeze arrives; second, white dew begins to fall; third, the cold cicadas start to sing. After the Beginning of Autumn, the temperature doesn't drop immediately—rather, the weather gradually grows cooler, and the temperature difference between morning and evening steadily widens. During this seasonal transition, we need to make adjustments in both our diet and daily routines.
Dietary Notes—Embracing Autumn fatness
1. Avoid overeating and binge eating.
2. Eat less stimulating foods.
3. Avoid eating foods that are too cold or raw (eat less watermelon, pears, and cucumbers).
4. Eat some cooling and heat-relieving foods appropriately.
5. Avoid excessively dry foods (eat fried foods sparingly).
Gaining weight for autumn doesn’t mean overindulging. If you take too many tonics at once, it will increase the burden on the spleen, stomach, and liver, and may also overwhelm the temporarily weakened digestive organs, leading to digestive disorders.
Gaining weight for autumn doesn’t mean taking supplements unnecessarily when you’re healthy. Everyone of the Since physical conditions vary, the foods and medicines that are suitable for tonification will also differ. If you take tonics indiscriminately without a medical need, you may actually disrupt your body’s natural balance. Therefore, it’s best to seek diagnosis and treatment at a reputable hospital and follow your doctor’s advice when taking tonics.
Gaining weight for autumn doesn’t necessarily mean eating meat. As the spleen and stomach haven't fully recovered by the onset of autumn, eating too much meat can easily lead to indigestion, which in turn may trigger illness. It’s advisable to pay attention to a balanced diet and not overlook fresh fruits and vegetables.
People Who Shouldn't Gain Weight in Autumn
★ Individuals with three types of constitutions: excess heat, damp-heat, and heavy phlegm-damp.
★ Patients with Spleen Deficiency.
★ Excessive stomach fire.
★ Has weaker digestive capacity and often experiences stagnation and accumulation of undigested food in the stomach.
The custom of "sticking autumn fat" at the beginning of autumn is not only a tradition but also a way to replenish energy. The Nutritional Cuisine Kitchen at the Jinshitan Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Building in Dalian has also recommended seasonal dishes for everyone.
1. Steamed Sea Bass
II. Winter Melon and Pork Rib Soup
3. Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Greens
4. Tomato and Beef Brisket
V. Secret-Recipe Beer Duck
Living Section – Mental Nourishment
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, during the third month of autumn—the yin energy begins to arise— Go to bed early and rise early. 。
Therefore, it makes good sense to go to bed and rise early in terms of daily routines, and to extend nighttime sleep duration—this is precisely an effective way to make up for sleep deprivation during the summer months. After the start of Autumn (Liqiu), the weather will gradually become cooler. In your home environment, it’s advisable not to keep the air conditioner running at full blast 24 hours a day, especially at night; try to use the air conditioner as little as possible. Instead, take advantage of the cool mornings and evenings to frequently open windows for ventilation, allowing fresh air to circulate and keeping the indoor air clean and refreshing.
After the Start of Autumn, one should focus on mental and spiritual nourishment. Inner peace Be calm and composed, feel at ease—absolutely avoid... Feel sorrow and sadness to attune oneself to the serene energy of autumn.
In autumn, the air becomes dry and the weather turns crisp, making people prone to irritability and emotional instability, which can easily lead to psychological disorders such as depression. It’s crucial to maintain a cheerful disposition, keep yourself happy, communicate more with others, and approach every task with calmness and composure. Only in this way can you prevent yourself from falling into the psychological shadow of depression.
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