Acupuncture tips for Autumn
THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE FOR AUTUMN
Balance Your Qi for Seasonal Transition: As the weather shifts from summer to autumn, it’s essential to balance your body’s Qi, or vital energy, to adapt to the new season so you don’t find yourself getting sick, hurt, or emotionally drained. Acupuncture can help harmonize your Qi by targeting specific points that correspond to organ systems associated with autumn, such as the lungs and large intestine. This can boost your immune system, improve respiratory health, and help you stay in sync with the changing environment.
Support Respiratory Health: Autumn often brings cooler and drier air, which can lead to respiratory issues like allergies and colds. Acupuncture can be a valuable tool in strengthening your lung function and enhancing your body’s ability to fend off respiratory challenges. By addressing lung meridian points, I can help alleviate symptoms and promote overall respiratory well-being. It’s never to early to break out the humidifier to combat this dry air! Asparagus, pears, and honey are all some helpful foods that can help to keep your lungs moistened during this change of seasons.
Embrace Emotional Balance: The transition to autumn can sometimes bring about emotional shifts, including feelings of melancholy or nostalgia. Acupuncture can be a powerful ally in maintaining emotional balance during this time. Specific acupuncture points can help regulate emotions, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm and clarity. This can enable you to embrace the beauty of autumn and navigate any emotional challenges with greater ease.
Please feel free to consult with me for personalized treatments and guidance tailored to your specific needs and health goals. Acupuncture can be a wonderful complement to your autumn wellness routine, helping you make a smooth and harmonious transition into the season.
COZY SEASONAL TREATS
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the metal element and the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. To align with acupuncture themes for this season, here’s a healthy tea and warm salad suggestion:
Tea: Lung-Supporting Herbal Tea
Ingredients: 1-2 tablespoons calendula petals, 1 teaspoon marshmallow root, 1 teaspoon peppermint leaves, 1 teaspoon organic lemon zest, raw honey.
Instructions: Combine calendula petals, marshmallow root, peppermint leaves, and lemon zest in a teapot or cup. Pour hot water over the herbs. Cover and steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea into a cup, and add a teaspoon of raw honey for sweetness and additional soothing benefits if desired.
Calendula is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune supporting properties, making it a good choice for lung support. Marshmallow root is an antitussive which helps to prevent and relieve coughs. Peppermint leaves are great for soothing the throat and moving qi throughout the body. Remember individual sensitivities to herbs vary, so please take your dietary needs into effect when deciding if this tea is a good fit for you. Do not drink if you are pregnant as the peppermint could be too moving for you. This tea can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet to support respiratory health during the autumn season.
For your convenience I will have small bags of the Calendula Petals, Marshmallow Root, and Peppermint Leaves for purchase at my office, while supplies last.
Warm Salad: Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients: 2 carrots-peeled and chopped into chunks, 2 parsnips-peeled and chopped into chunks, 1 sweet potato- peeled and chopped into chunks, 1 red onion-sliced, 2 cloves of garlic-minced, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, fresh rosemary or thyme (optional).
Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss the chopped root vegetables and sliced onion with olive oil, minced garlic, salt & pepper. Spread the vegetables evenly on a baking sheet and roast for about 25-30 minutes or until they are tender and slightly caramelized. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is important for respiratory health, parsnips are rich in vitamin C which is essential for lung function and sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A which support lung health. Red onions help clear congestions with their pungent flavor and they are high in antioxidants. Garlic is antimicrobial which can help clear congestion, making it beneficial for respiratory health.
I hope you enjoy these comforting recipes, they both incorporate ingredients that support the Lung and Large Intestine meridians.
