Breathe Into Autumn

Breathe Your Way Into Autumn
In Chinese Medicine, we pay particular attention to the seasons. Each season is governed by an Element- water, fire, earth, metal and wood. Autumn is characterised by the element Metal, and is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine. When the natural elements are balanced, life flows and offers us harmony and balance. The same is true of our physical and emotional health. We all know how a physical ailment such as having a cold or covid, can throw us off balance. Not only do we have cold symptoms, but our energies reduce and we can find it difficult to engage fully in the world. At the same time, in Chinese Medicine, we believe that our emotional health can cause ill health and physical symptoms.
The Lungs and Large Intestine are associated with Sadness and Grief and our ability to ‘let go’. It is not unusual to find that someone who has lost their spouse, develops Lung associated conditions such as pneumonia or bronchitis. This is an example of our emotional health causing physical symptoms of ill health. The Lungs and Large Intestine are responsible for our ability to let go of the old and create space for the new in our lives. Those that find it difficult to move on from experiences or have houses full of clutter may well have a Lung and/or Large Intestine imbalance. The emotions of grief and sadness are important for us to feel. However, they are regarded in Chinese Medicine as a process. They are emotions to be experienced and fully felt and then slowly let go of. An inability to let them go may go on to cause us illness.
Treating conditions of the Lung and Large Intestine are best to do in Autumn when the elements are at their peak. So, for people struggling with shortness of breath, or gut issues such as diarrhoea, constipation or IBS, autumn is a great time to have some acupuncture and get a boost. It is also worth considering acupuncture at this time to build up our immunity. Good Lung energy will help protect us from colds and flu.
Acupuncture is a great way to boost the vitality of our Lungs and Large Intestine. You can also try some deep breathing exercises. Breathe deeply in through your nose, filling the lungs and drawing the breathe down deep into your belly. Hold it there for a count of five. Release by breathing out slowly through the mouth. Repeat at least 3 times. You can also do this exercise visualising that you are breathing in a healing white light with the air. White is the colour associated with the Lungs. Imagine the white light flooding your lungs and moving out around your whole body.
Foods that are particular good at boosting the energy of the Lungs include: garlic, ginger, cardomom, black pepper, celery, sweet potato, cabbage, onion, radish, chilli, rice, leeks, almonds, soy beans, cucumber, egg, apricot, banana and brocolli.

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