The changing weather in autumn often catches people off guard. Irregular fluctuations between warm and cold temperatures lead to a high incidence of various diseases, with the most common being stroke, bronchitis, asthma, stomach ailments, and recurrent coughs. The main reasons are the stimulation of the human body by cold air, which excites the sympathetic nervous system, raises blood pressure, and promotes thrombosis. At the same time, it is caused by an increase in histamine in the blood, increased gastric acid secretion, spasmodic contractions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the dry climate.
Dr. Zhang Rong, Director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of the General Hospital of the Second Artillery Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, believes that after autumn, people should scientifically arrange their clothing, food, housing, and transportation to safely navigate this "eventful autumn."
Black and white fungus nourish the lungs and moisten dryness
"Dryness" is the main characteristic of the autumn climate. Autumn dryness consumes body fluids, first entering the lungs through the mouth and nose. If not resolved in time, symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, loss of appetite, scanty urine and constipation, weight loss, and dry skin may appear. Therefore, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that we should pay attention to nourishing the lungs and moistening dryness in our daily diet.
Director Zhang Rong pointed out that in autumn, the five organs correspond to the lungs, so for people with a normal constitution, it is generally advisable to focus on nourishing the lungs in a balanced way. Black and white fungus can nourish the lungs, and for balanced nourishment, one can choose black fungus, white fungus, ginkgo nuts, peanuts, figs, longevity fruit, and dark plums.
Sugarcane and pear to counter internal heat
Sugarcane has the effect of nourishing and clearing heat and is rich in nutrients. As a cooling tonic, it is effective for certain ailments such as dry stools, nausea and vomiting, and cough due to deficiency heat. Pears can promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, stop coughing, resolve phlegm, clear heat and reduce fire, nourish blood and generate muscle, and moisten the lungs to relieve dryness, making them most suitable for people with internal heat. They are particularly appropriate for lung heat cough, pediatric wind-heat, and dry stools.
Lily and Job's tears to replenish lung qi
Liu Yuke, a physician in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of the General Hospital of the Second Artillery Corps, also pointed out that lily and Job's tears can replenish lung qi. For those with symptoms of lung qi and yin deficiency, one can use lily, Job's tears (coix seed), Chinese yam, and honey to replenish lung qi. Foods such as walnut kernels, Euryale ferox seeds, lean meats, eggs, and dairy products can nourish lung yin. If the stomach fluids, liver, or kidney yin are damaged, one can respectively use sesame seeds, snow pear, lotus root juice, and milk, Cannabis seeds, sea cucumber, and chicken to nourish the stomach yin and liver and kidney yin.
Fox nut is the best autumn tonic
Fox nut is an excellent autumn tonic that "nourishes without being harsh" and "prevents dryness without being greasy." It comes in two forms: raw and roasted. Raw fox nut is mainly used to tonify the kidneys and secure essence, while roasted fox nut is primarily used to strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite. The simplest way to use fox nut for autumn supplementation is to make fox nut paste: Grind 1000 grams of roasted fox nut into powder. When ready to take it, scoop out 50-100 grams of the powder, mix it with boiling water, and drink it. You can add sesame seeds, peanuts, walnuts, etc., according to your preference.