After enduring unbearable summer heat, people step into autumn—a season full of challenges. By taking precautions in the following areas, we can safely enjoy the golden autumn.
Prevent Lung Diseases
TCM holds that early autumn brings spreading dryness, with dampness not yet gone. Combined damp and dry pathogens easily injure lung qi, leading to upper respiratory infections, acute bronchitis, etc. TCM recommends clearing heat and moistening lungs: use 30g Ophiopogon and 15g chrysanthemum, boil and drink as tea. This has benefits of nourishing yin, moistening lungs, clearing heart-fire, and generating fluids—ideal for preventing autumn dryness.
Prevent Stroke
In late autumn, cold intensifies, combining with dryness. Cold causes contraction, narrowing blood vessels, increasing cerebrovascular incidents. Mild cases show facial asymmetry; severe cases result in collapse. Increase intake of protein, magnesium, and calcium-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Avoid overeating—dinner should be only 80% full. Drink light tea during the day to protect the heart.
Prevent Chest Pain (Xiongbì)
Xiongbì resembles modern myocardial infarction. Cold causes vasoconstriction, increasing peripheral resistance, raising blood pressure—making autumn a hidden danger for chest pain patients. Besides moderate exercise like walking or running, drink a glass of warm water upon waking to dilute blood. Undergo cold-hardening training for better prevention. Also, regularly drink “Kai Bi Yin” (to open blockages): 15g goji berries, 20g hawthorn. Boil hawthorn first for 2–5 minutes, then pour the liquid over goji berries to make tea.
Prevent Skin Damage
Autumn accelerates skin moisture evaporation. Exposed skin becomes rough, less elastic, and may crack severely. Avoid alkaline soaps. Practice daily skincare—eat foods like loach, shad, white duck meat, peanuts, pears, red dates, lotus seeds, grapes, sugarcane, sesame, walnuts, honey, tremella, and pears—these effectively moisturize skin and enhance complexion.
Prevent Colds
Autumn is peak cold season. Early autumn sees sudden shifts from hot to cold, making the body struggle to adapt. When cold strikes, wear extra layers promptly. Keep indoor air fresh by opening windows frequently. During cold outbreaks, fumigate rooms with vinegar. Regularly wash face and nose with cold water helps prevent colds.
Prevent Obesity
Summer brings heavy sweating, poor sleep, and reduced appetite—leading to lower calorie intake and less obesity. But in autumn, the opposite happens. To prepare for winter, the body actively stores fat for warmth. One careless misstep can lead to weight gain—dangerous for obese individuals. In autumn, eat low-calorie foods like red beans, radishes, bamboo shoots, Job’s tears, seaweed, mushrooms. Plan increased physical activity. Seize opportunities for travel to relax, burn calories, and achieve weight loss.
Prevent Fog
Winter cold meets moisture in the lower atmosphere, condensing into tiny suspended droplets—this is fog. Droplets absorb harmful substances like acid, alkali, salt, amine, phenol, dust, and pathogens during movement. This affects health, daily life, and travel. On foggy days, reduce outdoor activities; pause morning exercises. Wear masks and cover hair when outside. Clean exposed skin upon returning. Prioritize traffic safety.
Prevent Depression
Autumn brings dying grass, falling leaves, and barren trees—creating a desolate scene. People naturally feel sad, melancholy, or anxious. If coupled with unpleasant events, depression easily sets in. Cultivate optimism daily—rationally view natural changes. Visit relatives, climb mountains, enjoy scenery to uplift spirits. Or practice qigong, calm the mind, and maintain inner peace.
Prevent Stomach Injury
Large day-night temperature differences in autumn stimulate cold air, increasing gastric acid secretion and causing intestinal spasms. Cooling weather boosts appetite, burdening the digestive system and easily triggering gastric issues. Those with stomach problems must especially protect their stomachs in autumn. Eat warm, soft, light, vegetarian, and fresh foods. Maintain regular timing and portion control—smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid excessively cold, hard, hot, spicy, or sticky foods. Quit smoking and drinking. Avoid stress, anxiety, or anger.
Prevent Poisoning
Autumn sees rapid bacterial growth and food spoilage—increasing risks of bacterial food poisoning, bacillary dysentery, E. coli enteritis, and refrigerator enteritis (Yersinia enteritis). Prevention includes strict food hygiene: avoid raw, spoiled, or undercooked foods. Wash and disinfect raw fruits. Practice handwashing before meals and after toilet use. Include raw garlic or onion with meals.
Prevent “Cold Legs”
Osteoarthritis of the knee, commonly known as “old cold legs,” is closely tied to climate. In autumn, special care for knee joints is essential. First, keep knees warm and protected from cold. Second, engage in proper exercise—like tai chi, jogging, or calisthenics—until slightly sweaty, feeling comfortable. Drinking herbal wine prepared by TCM practitioners can also help prevent “cold legs.”
Prevent Uncontrolled Supplementation
Autumn is ideal for supplementing yin-deficient individuals. But avoid assuming autumn’s mild temperatures make it the best time for all deficiencies—don’t indiscriminately supplement without distinguishing cold, heat, deficiency, or excess. Non-deficiency conditions, regardless of season, should not use tonics. In autumn, if showing yin deficiency and yang excess, with insufficient body fluids, focus on nourishing yin and moistening dryness. Common foods include black-boned chicken, pork lung, turtle meat, bird’s nest, tremella, honey, sesame, soy milk, lotus root, walnuts, Job’s tears, peanuts, duck eggs, spinach, and pears.
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