Traditional medicine holds that autumn is governed by dryness, and the pathogenic dryness easily harms the lungs. If lung qi is too strong, it can easily lead to a dry mouth, a parched tongue, and a sore throat. Conversely, deficient lung qi can damage the body's vital energy, leading to a succession of illnesses. Therefore, autumn is the best time to nourish and moisten the lungs, so as to get sick less often in the winter.
Drink more water to benefit the lungs
The dry climate in autumn causes the body to lose a large amount of water. Therefore, it is especially important to drink more water in autumn, at least 500 milliliters more per day than in other seasons. This helps to maintain sufficient body fluids and keep the lungs and respiratory tract properly moist.
Although the Start of Autumn has arrived, the weather is still quite hot, and the body sweats more. Therefore, in addition to drinking water, it is also important to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. They not only help replenish water but also provide the nutrients the body needs and the potassium lost in sweat.
Diet Section
The four great white foods for moistening the lungs
From the perspective of the Five Colors Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine, white corresponds to the lungs and is beneficial for nourishing them. Therefore, you can eat more white foods to nourish the lungs after the Start of Autumn.
Tremella: Tremella is known as the "king of all fungi." In TCM, tremella is considered warm, mild in nature, and sweet in flavor. It has the effects of tonifying the spleen and stimulating the appetite, nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, and replenishing qi and clearing the intestines. It can be cooked into a soup with ingredients like lotus seeds and goji berries.
Tremella and Snow Fungus with Pear Soup
Lily: Modern research has found that lily contains various alkaloids such as biotin and colchicine, which have a good calming effect on emotions. It is also very beneficial for neurasthenia, insomnia with many dreams, and mental confusion. Lily can also moisten the lungs and is very effective for dry cough due to yin deficiency.
Snow Pear: Pears are cool and slightly cold in nature. They have the effects of moistening the lungs and clearing dryness, relieving coughs and reducing phlegm, and nourishing blood and promoting muscle growth. Respiratory diseases are common in autumn, making snow pears particularly suitable to eat. Snow pears can be eaten raw, steamed, or made into soups and puddings.
Honey: Honey is hailed as "the most perfect natural food." It contains various inorganic salts, organic acids, and trace elements, and has the effects of nourishing, moistening, and detoxifying. Drinking honey with warm water not only moistens the lungs but also beautifies the skin and aids in detoxification.
Goji Berry, Honey, and Pomelo Tea
Lifestyle Section
Exercise to nourish the lungs
Autumn is the best time for exercise. You can choose exercise routines that suit you, such as Tai Chi, jogging, mountain climbing, breathing exercises, and brisk walking. Exercising can increase lung capacity, improve lung function in patients with chronic respiratory diseases, and enhance physical fitness. You can also practice deep breathing, such as abdominal breathing, to achieve the effect of clearing the lungs.
Laughing to ventilate the lungs
There is a saying in Traditional Chinese Medicine, "Frequent laughter ventilates the lungs." Therefore, you can often laugh, or even laugh heartily, in the autumn to expand your lungs. When people laugh, they also unconsciously take deep breaths, which clears the respiratory tract, makes breathing smoother, and allows the body to absorb more oxygen. This oxygen then travels throughout the body with the smooth blood flow, allowing every cell to get sufficient oxygen.