The “Autumn Tiger” Hinders Autumn Transition
After the start of autumn, weather gradually cools, but early autumn still retains residual summer heat, with high temperatures. Frequent rains bring heavy humidity, making the weather humid and hot—often bringing the “Autumn Tiger.”
Dr. Ding Xueping, a renowned senior TCM physician in Shanghai, says after summer comes a “long summer,” referring to the period from Start of Autumn to Autumn Equinox—a term used in TCM, popularly known as the “Autumn Tiger.” As the great Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue said: “Spring corresponds to the liver and nourishes growth; summer to the heart and promotes flourishing; long summer to the spleen and transformation; autumn to the lung and harvest; winter to the kidney and storage.”
Pathogens Invade in Season
“Long summer corresponds to the spleen and transformation.” Dampness dominates long summer. The spleen corresponds to this element. Ancient wisdom says: “Prevent dampness in long summer.” TCM views dampness as a yin pathogen that damages yang, especially spleen yang. Since the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, damage impairs its normal function, disrupting qi flow. Symptoms include poor digestion, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, bland taste, chest tightness, nausea, loose stools, and even edema.
In long summer, hot and humid weather causes dampness. Rainy days make air moist, clothing and food prone to dampness, mold, or hair-like growths. Wearing damp clothes risks catching cold or joint pain. Eating spoiled food causes gastroenteritis or even poisoning. Thus, long summer demands vigilance against dampness.
Dietary Methods to Eliminate Dampness and Strengthen Spleen
This season easily triggers gastrointestinal diseases. TCM says dampness hinders the spleen, weakening its ability to clear turbidity and promote clarity. Consuming greasy or overly sweet foods easily leads to vomiting. Thus, diet must be controlled—limit alcohol, as it also generates dampness. In long summer, diet should focus on clearing heat, eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the middle burner. Hence the saying: “Prevent dampness in long summer—light nourishment.”
Include foods like winter melon, mung bean sprouts, baby bok choy, and bitter melon. After summer’s depletion, digestive function declines in autumn, and intestinal resistance weakens—minor lapses can cause diarrhea. Dr. Ding recommends: “Have a bowl of porridge for breakfast, a bowl of soup for dinner.” Avoid fatty meats and fish. When eating seafood or grilled food, ensure freshness.
Living Habits to Prevent Cold Exposure
Despite no visible signs of autumn, carelessness can trigger colds. Especially near the Autumn Equinox, large temperature differences occur—hot during the day, cold at night. Hidden summer heat lingers in the body. Morning cold exposure leads to “hidden summer heat,” with symptoms like fever and diarrhea. The larger the temperature difference near the Autumn Equinox, the greater the need for prevention.
Autumn weather fluctuates greatly. Even in the same area, “four seasons in a day, different weather in ten miles” can occur. Prepare several autumn outfits—light jackets, spring/autumn shirts, flannel, thin sweaters—for flexible layering.
Many people, right after Start of Autumn, experience nasal congestion, runny nose, itching, and sneezing. Experts warn these aren’t necessarily colds—seasonal allergic rhinitis is also common post-Autumn. Regardless, adjust clothing according to weather changes to avoid chilling. After outdoor exercise, wipe sweat promptly and stay warm.
【Health Link】
Preventing Harm from the “Autumn Tiger”
1. Sun remains intense—avoid direct sun exposure; work in shaded areas.
2. Drink plenty of water—minimum 1,000 ml daily. Consume diluted soups, light tea, vegetable broth, soy milk, fruit juice.
3. Eat 1–2 pears (snow or sand pears), watermelon, banana, or other cooling fruits daily.
4. Regularly consume foods that clear heat, generate fluids, and nourish yin: radish, reed root, lotus root, tomatoes, tofu, lotus seeds, water chestnuts, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, black fungus, old duck, softshell turtle, greenfish, pomfret, yellow croaker, eel, tremella, lily, purple laver, lotus seeds, lotus seeds, walnuts, plum, sesame.
5. In air-conditioned rooms, keep temperature between 23°C–27°C, and ensure good air circulation.
6. Balance work and rest; get adequate sleep. Prefer early rising and early going to bed.
7. Avoid or minimize spicy, dry, greasy foods and alcohol.
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