Click to download the entire September issue as a PDF - Yang-Sheng

Food as Medicine
Seasonal Harmony
by Ellasara Kling
The Autumn - Fall season is perfectly designed for letting go. Letting go of the things we have
allowed to reside within us that cause irritation/disruption/sadness/disharmony of all sorts whether
large or small. Like the leaves that are now preparing to leave the trees, we can prepare to
release what we have clung to that no longer serves us, and by doing so, gain greater clarity,
detachment, understanding, rectitude, -- essentially balance and harmony. How do we know
what no longer serves us? Read on in this month‘s health topic for some ideas on this issue.
Autumn - Fall is Lung Season
The organ system for this season is the Lung/Large
Intestine. Among its many other functions, we are
most familiar with the idea that the Lungs are in
charge of the flow of air in and out of our bodies.
They connect our ―insides‖ with our ―outside‖
through the nose, its sense organ. The Lung is
literally the highest placed organ in the torso and
directs the qi it receives downward to the other
organs. It is therefore known as the administrator of
the organ system. The Lung is known as a
―delicate‖ organ and is, indeed, very sensitive to
changes in hot, cold, dryness, dampness, and wind.
The Lung is responsible for providing proper
moisture to the skin and similarly through its paired
partner, the Large Intestine, dry
hair is a sign of Lung/Large
Intestine im balance. Skin
problems are always associated
with the function of Lung energy,
as the skin is its ―outer‖
representative. It also breathes, is
delicate and it protects our
―insides‖ from the outside. Grief
and sadness are the emotions
associated with the Lung and
crying is its ―sound‖. An attitude of
rectification (setting ―things‖ in balance) can counter
balance Lung sadness, which is important as too
much sadness can dissipate qi.
The Autumn (Lung Season) is also known for
the beginning of cold/flu season. It is most
important to take care of our health by getting the
proper rest, exercise (qigong/taiji/meditation/yoga
practice is vital), along with eating for our health
and energy. On those wonderful clear Fall days,
be sure to get lots of fresh air and fill and empty the
Lungs completely with long, deep breaths and
enjoy the sensation of air going in and out of the
lungs and the inhalation and exhalation of your skin
as well. The beginning of Autumn is a wonderful
opportunity – ENJOY!
Eat Seasonal, Buy Local, Think Global!
Some Foods That Harmonize With Autumn
Apples, Apricot, Bamboo Shoots,
Barley, Basil, Bai Mu Er – aka
White Fungus, Cauliflower,
Chicken Egg, Chickweed,
Cilantro, Coriander, Cow‘s Milk,
Eggplant, Fennel bulb, Garlic,
Ginger, Job‘s Tears (Chinese
Barley), Kohlrabi, Kumquat, Lily
Bulb, Lotus Root, Lotus seeds,
Mustard – leaf and seeds, Onions
– Green, Yellow, Red, Shallots,
Parsnip, Peanuts, Pears,
Peppermint, Persimmon, Pine Nut, Radish,
Spinach, Strawberry, Walnut, and Water Chestnut.
56 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 1, Issue No. 7