Hello everyone, I am Old Liu!
“The beginning of autumn is not autumn, do not let go of the fan.” This vividly depicts the climatic characteristics of the beginning of autumn when it has officially entered autumn, but the heat has not completely receded. However, with the change of seasons, our dietary habits should also adjust accordingly to comply with the yin and yang changes in nature, aiming to nourish yin, consolidate yang, and clear heat without causing fire.
Today, let’s explore the principles of health preservation after the beginning of autumn, especially why it is recommended to eat less loofah and lamb, and which five foods should be consumed more to make your body more comfortable and healthy during the seasonal transition.
Health preservation after the beginning of autumn, why be cautious with loofah and lamb?
Loofah is good, but it depends on the season.
Loofah, a refreshing delicacy in summer, is rich in vitamins and minerals, but after the beginning of autumn, as the temperature gradually drops, the body’s yang energy begins to converge, and the cold nature of loofah may exacerbate internal coldness, which is not conducive to the protection of yang energy.
Therefore, after the beginning of autumn, the intake of loofah should be moderately reduced, especially for those with a cooler constitution or prone to diarrhea.
Lamb is nourishing, but one must be cautious in autumn.
Lamb is warm in nature and is a great supplement in winter, capable of warming and replenishing yang energy while resisting the cold. However, at the beginning of autumn, when the summer heat has not dissipated, overly consuming lamb may aggravate internal dryness and heat, leading to symptoms such as heat, dry mouth, and thirst. This is especially true for those who are prone to excessive fire or are experiencing cold or fever symptoms, and they should be more cautious in their consumption.
After the beginning of autumn, eat these five foods to nourish yin, consolidate yang, and avoid excess heat.
Autumn pears moisten the lungs, clear heat, and generate fluids.
After the beginning of autumn, the climate gradually becomes dry, making lungs susceptible to invasion. Pears, known as “natural mineral water,” are not only rich in moisture but also contain various vitamins and minerals, having the effects of moistening the lungs and relieving cough, as well as clearing heat and generating fluids. Eating one pear a day, or simmering it into pear soup, is a good choice.
Lotus seeds calm the heart, soothe the spirit, and eliminate irritability.
Lotus seeds are slightly cold and sweet, entering the heart and lung channels, and have the effect of nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, calming the heart, and soothing the spirit. After the beginning of autumn, moderate consumption of lotus seeds can alleviate problems such as dry cough and insomnia caused by autumn dryness, nourishing both spirit and body.
Lotus root strengthens the spleen and stimulates appetite.
Lotus root, a seasonal vegetable in autumn, is not only crisp in texture but also highly nutritious. It is rich in dietary fiber, which helps promote gastrointestinal motility and improve digestion. Additionally, lotus root has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, and strengthening the spleen to stimulate appetite, making it an invaluable health food after the beginning of autumn.
Snow fungus nourishes yin, beautifies skin.
Snow fungus is known as “common person’s bird’s nest,” rich in gelatin, protein, and various trace elements, with the effects of nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, and beautifying the skin. After the beginning of autumn, cooking snow fungus with red dates and goji berries into a soup is both delicious and healthy.
Sesame nourishes the kidneys and promotes healthy hair.
Black sesame seeds are neutral and sweet, entering the liver, kidney, and large intestine channels, and have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting essence and blood, and moistening the intestines. After the beginning of autumn, moderate consumption of black sesame seeds can not only replenish essential nutrients for the body but also help improve issues such as weakness in the lower back and knees or premature graying of hair caused by insufficient kidney energy.
The beginning of autumn is a turning point in nature from flourishing to declining and is also an important period for health preservation in the human body. By adjusting the dietary structure, eating less loofah and lamb, and consuming more foods that nourish yin, consolidate yang, and clear heat while generating fluids, we can better adapt to seasonal changes and maintain health and balance in our bodies.
