by Daniel Jardim
The food we eat and the way we prepare it is an integral part of how we experience health and vitality. In our busy modern lives it is easy to feel disconnected from nature, and we often feel bombarded with conflicting information on what constitutes a healthy diet. Older healing traditions teach us that by living in closer harmony with nature, we not only feel a greater sense of connection with our environment, but can also reap amazing physical benefits by simply modifying the way which we conduct our lives at different times of the year. The best news about it all is that when we live in harmony with the seasons we are able to work on different facets of our health one step at a time. This makes keeping our bodies healthy a manageable and ongoing process instead of feeling overwhelmed by all those changes we know we would like to make, but often just don’t quite know where to begin!
By choosing foods that nurture different aspects of ourselves at different times of the year we also learn to use ingredients available within the season. Those that are of greatest benefit are not only helpful to our bodies, but kind to our pockets too – because foods that are in season are usually a whole lot cheaper to buy. By choosing seasonal produce we can ensure that we are supporting local farmers, whilst also doing our bit to care for the environment by cutting back on ingredients imported from far-flung corners of the world. It makes a whole lot of sense to live in closer harmony with the seasons – for ourselves and our beloved planet too.
The Season of Autumn in Nature
As Summer draws to a close we see all of nature taking steps to prepare for the colder months ahead. Many trees begin to draw their vital sap inwards and downwards, shedding the leaves that were used to create nourishment in the warm Summer months. Animals too, begin to gather their resources and prepare for a time of reduced activity and careful preservation of food and heat. It is not surprising that the season has always been associated with a sense of transition from the bountiful abundance of Summer to the more sparse and frugal wintertime. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Autumn is seen as the time where we too begin to gather our vital energies and, like the leaves falling from the trees, are encouraged to let go of all those aspects of ourselves that no longer serve us. There is a great sense of the harvest taking place after the active growth of Summer, on both a physical and emotional level.
Autumn and the Metal Element
If we understand that the Autumn brings the time of harvest to our lives, it is not surprising that the element associated with the season is that of Metal. After all, what other precious substance is so carefully honed to create the tools that make the gathering of the harvest possible in the first place? From the humble sickle to the most modern of farming equipment, the metal element not only represents a very physical aspect of the gathering of grain, but also alludes to a sense of discernment – literally separating the wheat from the chaff. In TCM the metal element perfectly describes the process of sifting and sorting that takes place in our lives as we learn to hold on to what is necessary and discard what we no longer need.
The Lungs and Large Intestine
As we move deeper into our understanding of the season of Autumn it is easy to understand that the organs associated with the season, and the element of metal, are the lungs and the large intestine. With each breathe in and out we enact quite perfectly the essence of Autumn in the sense of gathering in and letting go. As an extension of that process the large intestine is responsible for capturing any remaining substances that may be useful for the body, and ensuring that all remaining wastes are eliminated from the system. It is astounding that a system such as TCM, which spans over thousands of years, developed such an intimate understanding of our bodies long before we were able to catch up on our knowledge of physiology here in the west. The season of Autumn sees us nurturing these two organs in preparation for the colder winter months, not only because of those nasty winter bugs that seem to have such an affinity for our delicate lungs, but also because the winter diet tends to be the heaviest and richest of the year and proper elimination becomes essential.
Eating for the Lungs and Large Intestine
As we see leaves falling to the ground in golden hues of yellow and orange, so too do we see an abundance of these colours in the foods that become available. Squashes and pumpkins in all shapes and sizes make their way to the Autumn dinner table. Rich in beta-carotene, these foods are perfect for protecting not only the lungs, but also the delicate membranes that line the whole of the digestive tract. White foods also come into season in the form of onions and garlic, all with well-respected protective and healing properties for the upper respiratory tract. And of course, with the harvest comes the gathering of grain – and the Autumn diet sees us moving away from lighter Summer meals to the introduction of whole grains into the diet. Not only do they sustain us in the cooler months, but provide essential soluble fibre to keep our bowels regular and toned. The flavour associated with the season is pungency and refers to all things to do with those wonderfully warming spices. Who can resist breathing in deeply when the smell of tantalising spice wafts from the kitchen? The very process of cooking with spice seems tailor-made for the lungs. Not only do they help to gently warm the body, but have numerous healing benefits for the body too. It is time to clear out your pantry and begin experimenting with new and exotic flavours – your taste buds, if anything, will thank you!
Breathe, Breathe, Breathe!
Autumn is the time to heal the body with the breath. Yogic breathing (Pranayama), Chi Kung and Meditation are all wonderfully in line with the season and the metal element. Breathing perfectly encapsulates the process of gathering and letting go and can be used to help soothe emotional discomfort arising from anxiety and grief. Deep abdominal breathing also serves to loosen the muscles associated with digestion and is a simple and inexpensive way to improve the functioning of the bowels or relieve mild constipation. By nurturing the lungs and focussing on the breathe, we embrace all that is central to the season of Autumn and learn to take time to fine tune our bodies to the subtle changes occurring in nature.