“Autumn wind starts, white clouds fly; grass and trees turn yellow, geese head south.” With the quiet arrival of the Beginning of Autumn on August 7, we not only welcome the change of seasons but also usher in a new chapter of health preservation.
As the saying goes, “After the Beginning of Autumn, eat less loofah and mutton, nourish yin and restrain yang for health.” This is not only a heritage of ancient wisdom but also a warm reminder of modern lifestyle.
Health preservation in the Beginning of Autumn, following the laws of nature
The Beginning of Autumn, as the first solar term of autumn, marks the gradual decline of yangqi in nature and the emergence of yinqi. At this time, the body’s physiological functions should also be adjusted to focus on nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness to prevent harm from autumn dryness.
Therefore, in diet, we should follow the principle of “less spicy, more acidic,” reduce the intake of pungent and dry-heat inducing foods like loofah (although it clears heat and relieves summer heat, its cool nature after the Beginning of Autumn can harm the spleen and stomach) and mutton (warm and tonifying, easily generates internal heat), and instead choose ingredients that nourish yin, restrain yang, and moisturize dryness.
With the arrival of autumn, the body’s demand for water and vitamins gradually increases. At this time, increasing the intake of foods rich in water, vitamins, and minerals can help enhance immunity and prevent common autumn diseases.
For example, the vitamin C and dietary fiber rich in fresh vegetables and fruits not only promote intestinal peristalsis, improve constipation, but also enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture, maintaining skin hydration and luster.
After the Beginning of Autumn, eat these 5 items more to nourish yin and restrain yang without getting internal heat
【1. Pear: “Natural Mineral Water” for moistening the lungs and stopping cough】
Pear, known as the “ancestor of hundreds of fruits,” has a cooling nature and sweet taste, enters the lung and stomach meridians, and has the effect of generating fluids to moisten dryness, clearing heat, and transforming phlegm. Eating pears in moderation after the Beginning of Autumn can not only alleviate dry throat, itchy throat, cough, and other symptoms caused by autumn dryness but also supply the body with plenty of water and vitamins, making it an excellent choice for autumn health preservation.
【2. Lily: “Flower of Calming the Heart and Eliminating Annoyances”】
Lily, slightly cold in nature, enters the heart and lung meridians, nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, calms the heart, and eliminates annoyances. Modern research shows that the various alkaloids in lily have sedative and hypnotic effects, as well as anti-depressant effects, significantly improving emotional fluctuations and insomnia caused by weather changes in autumn.
【3. Tremella: “Commoner’s Bird’s Nest” for nourishing yin and beautifying】
Tremella, also known as white wood ear, rich in gelatin and various trace elements, has the effects of nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, nourishing the stomach, generating fluids, and beautifying the skin. Stewing tremella or making desserts with it after the Beginning of Autumn not only have a smooth and tender texture but also help the skin retain moisture, reducing the damage of autumn dryness to the skin.
【4. Sesame: “Black Gold” for tonifying the kidneys and benefiting essence】
Sesame, with a neutral nature and sweet taste, enters the liver, kidney, and large intestine meridians, tonifies the liver and kidneys, benefits essence and blood, and moisturizes the intestines to combat dryness. Autumn is a good time for nourishing, and consuming sesame in moderation can not only enhance physical fitness but also improve constipation caused by seasonal changes. In addition, the unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in sesame help delay aging and maintain youthfulness.
【5. Honey: “Sweet Guardian” for moisturizing dryness and detoxifying】
Honey has been a good product for health and well-being since ancient times. With a sweet, mild nature, it enters the lung, spleen, and large intestine meridians, nourishing the center, moistening dryness, relieving pain, and detoxifying. After the Beginning of Autumn, drinking honey water or eating it with the above-mentioned ingredients not only enhances the taste of food but also moisturizes dryness, generates fluids, and prevents colds.
Health preservation in the Beginning of Autumn begins with diet
“Food is the people’s paramount necessity,” and dietary regulation is an important part of health preservation. After the Beginning of Autumn, we should adjust our diet structure according to seasonal changes, eat fewer foods that induce internal heat like loofah and mutton, and consume more ingredients like pears, lilies, tremella, sesame, and honey that nourish yin, restrain yang. This way, we can not only follow the laws of nature, maintain the balance of yin and yang in the body, but also enjoy health and beauty while indulging in delicious food. Let us meet every healthy and beautiful autumn with a scientific attitude and wise choices.
