What methods nourish the lungs in autumn? Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that dryness readily damages the lungs. Consequently, lung dryness is the most frequently diagnosed condition during autumn medical consultations. In arid climates, the human body may develop various dryness syndromes characterized by insufficient body fluids.
How to Moisturize the Lungs in Autumn
For instance, lung damage often manifests as coughing. Autumn coughs typically present as dry coughs with little or no phlegm, or thick, sticky phlegm that is difficult to expel—known as dry cough.The nose, being the orifice of the lungs, often becomes dry in autumn. The throat and pharynx, serving as the gateway and passageway for lung qi respectively, are also susceptible to autumn dryness, leading to discomfort such as dry throat, dry mouth, and hoarseness. Since the lungs are externally connected to the skin and hair, autumn dryness can cause skin dryness, cracking, and even lack of luster in hair.
We can mitigate autumn dryness's impact on the body—reducing or even preventing dryness—by utilizing certain Chinese herbs that nourish yin, moisten dryness, and irrigate the organs. Such herbs include American ginseng, lily bulb, solomon's seal, sandwort, ophiopogon, asparagus root, polygonatum, and mulberry fruit.
Autumn health preservation prioritizes the lungs, so a yin-nourishing diet is advisable.Spicy foods like chili peppers, ginger, and raw scallions should be minimized. As the lungs belong to the Metal element and govern autumn's energy, their qi peaks during this season. Reducing pungent flavors prevents excessive lung qi. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that Metal overcomes Wood—meaning excessive lung qi can harm the liver. Thus, autumn calls for increased sour flavors, which enter the liver to enhance its function and resist intrusive lung qi.Following this TCM principle, people should strictly limit spicy foods in autumn to nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and prevent dryness. Many foods are suitable for autumn, including Chinese yam, white kidney beans, lotus root, eel, chestnuts, walnuts, and peanuts. Dietary practices for the early autumn phase, which addresses dryness, should focus on clearing heat and moisturizing.Adhere to the "two porridges, one soup" dietary approach: consume porridge for breakfast and dinner, and soup for lunch, though the contents of each vary. Traditional health preservation holds that dryness most readily damages the lungs. Adding chopped pear pieces to porridge while cooking promotes fluid production, quenches thirst, nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and alleviates coughing and phlegm. This is suitable for those experiencing dry coughs with little phlegm, insomnia, and frequent dreams in autumn.Adding rehydrated white fungus to congee nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and strengthens the stomach and body. This is suitable for those with physical weakness, hypertension, abnormal blood lipids, or chronic bronchitis. For soups, tomato and egg soup is ideal, rich in protein and vitamins while aiding digestion and absorption.
Later autumn dietary practices for cooling dryness should focus on dispelling cold and moistening the lungs. Beyond nourishing yin and alleviating dryness, appropriately increase protein and energy-dense foods. Porridge remains the primary method—pear porridge, lily bulb porridge, and white fungus porridge are all suitable. Lean meat porridges can also be added, such as incorporating lean meat or preserved eggs during cooking to replenish protein consumption.Other options include chestnut congee, osmanthus-lotus seed congee, longan congee, and red date congee. Consume more warming vegetables and fruits like pumpkin, scallions, ginger, cilantro, peaches, apricots, dates, lychees, and black plums.