August 7 this year marks the Start of Autumn, one of the 24 solar terms and the beginning of autumn in the traditional Chinese calendar. Li Qianqian, associate chief physician at the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Center of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, explains that this solar term signifies a turning point in nature, where yang energy gradually recedes and yin energy grows. After the Start of Autumn, temperature differences between day and night widen, air humidity drops, and “autumn dryness” emerges as the primary pathogenic factor. Since dryness easily impairs the lung system, the key to health preservation lies in nourishing yin, moistening dryness, yang, and protecting the lungs.
As the climatic feature of “yang declining and yin rising” becomes more pronounced during the Start of Autumn, the human body is prone to discomfort such as dry cough with little phlegm, dry nose and throat, and chapped skin. Li Qianqian warns that improper care at this time can weaken lung function. Additionally, spleen and stomach deficiency caused by excessive cold intake in summer may trigger diarrhea and abdominal pain. The Start of Autumn is also a crucial period to align with the “autumnal harvest” energy and adjust physical and mental states; proper arrangement of diet and daily routines helps enhance the body’s resistance in autumn.
Tips for Health Preservation in Start of Autumn
Daily routines: Follow the principle from Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) of “going to bed early and rising early, in sync with the rooster”. Li Qianqian suggests sleeping during the Hai hour (9–11 PM) and waking up during the Mao hour (5–7 AM). A regular sleep rhythm strengthens the body’s ability to resist dryness.
Diet: Prioritize foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as autumn pears (promote fluid production and moisten dryness), lilies (nourish yin and calm the mind), Chinese yam (benefit the lungs, spleen, and kidneys), and almonds (moisten the intestines and relieve constipation). Avoid excessive consumption of pungent and warm foods like ginger and Sichuan pepper, as they may deplete body fluids. Reduce intake of roasted and fried foods to prevent aggravating dryness and generating internal heat.
Therapeutic remedies: For those with dryness attacking the lungs, consume Xuanmai Ganjie Yin (a decoction of 10g figwort root, 10g ophiopogon root, and 6g platycodon root). Alternatively, apply a lung-nourishing paste containing ophiopogon root and adenophora root on the Feishu acupoint (lung point). For spleen and stomach deficiency, try moxibustion on the Shenque acupoint (navel) with ginger separation, combined with of porridge made from 15g poria, 30g Chinese yam, and 50g japonica rice.
Exercise and emotional regulation: Practice the “Si” sound technique from the traditional Chinese breathing exercise Liu Zi Jue (Six-Character Formula), performing it facing west in the morning with chest-expanding movements to promote lung qi. Traditional qigong exercises like Tai Chi and Baduanjin (Eight-Section Brocade) are also suitable, with exercise intensity kept to a level where “the body is tired but not exhausted”. Emotionally, autumn tends to induce melancholy; regulate this through mindfulness meditation to prevent negative emotions from harming the lungs.
“Autumn freezing” principle: Adopt a gradual approach to adapting to cooler weather. When temperatures are above 15°C, reduce clothing slowly; if the temperature drops by more than 8°C within 24 hours, add clothes promptly. Focus on protecting the Dazhui acupoint (seventh cervical vertebra), Shenque acupoint (navel), and Yongquan acupoint (sole of the foot). Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should pay special attention to keeping the neck warm to avoid blood pressure fluctuations.
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