As the cool wind arrives on the day of Liqiu, “autumn” mainly refers to the departure of heat and the arrival of coolness, heralding the end of the hot summer and the arrival of the cool autumn.
After Liqiu, autumn rain brings the chill. Traditional Chinese medicine believes in nourishing yang in spring and summer, yin in autumn and winter. Developing good lifestyle habits and dietary practices lays a solid foundation for health in the autumn and winter seasons. After Liqiu, the dog days have not yet passed, and the temperature is relatively high, also known as the “autumn tiger.” Climate change is likely to lead to the recurrence of old illnesses and the onset of new ones, so prevention measures must be taken.
With the arrival of Liqiu, focus on health! Remember: “Prevent Three Diseases”, “Eat Four Fruits”, “Avoid Five Things” for a healthier you
“Prevent Three Diseases”
Prevent diarrhea
There is a saying: “If you are not weak in three parts in the summer.”
After Liqiu, as the weather turns cooler, people’s appetites gradually improve. When the spleen and stomach are in a weak state for a long time, it is easy to increase the gastrointestinal burden, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
After entering Liqiu, avoid excessive tonics; you can eat more damp-clearing foods, such as coix seed and adzuki beans.
Prevent heatstroke and lower body temperature
After Liqiu, preventing heatstroke and lowering body temperature remain crucial. As the weather gradually cools down, the daytime temperature remains high, and the heat is oppressive. It is advisable to wear lighter tops. You can wear a single layer of clothing in the morning and evening to avoid immediately adding more clothing at the slightest temperature drop.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes in “cover up in spring and expose in autumn.” As the weather gradually cools down in autumn, it is advisable to wear less clothing indoors and wear light clothing when going out, avoiding excessive layers.
Prevent autumn dryness
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that autumn corresponds to the lungs, which are considered delicate organs. After Liqiu, the weather gradually becomes dry, and lung qi deficiency can lower the body’s tolerance to adverse stimuli, leading to mood swings. Manage your emotions, maintain inner peace, stay positive, and promptly resolve any issues to aid in the circulation of qi and the ventilation of lung qi.
“Eat Four Fruits”
After Liqiu, remember that “autumn melons harm the stomach.” Whether it’s watermelon, muskmelon, or bitter melon, they should be eaten sparingly to avoid damaging the spleen-stomach yang; however, you can consume a variety of fruits to prevent autumn dryness.
Bananas
Bananas can lubricate the intestines and aid in bowel movements, which helps to effectively eliminate harmful substances accumulated in the body. Studies show that banana peels contain a component called “banana peel compound” that can inhibit fungi and bacteria, making it useful for treating skin itching or dryness caused by fungal and bacterial infections.
Red Dates
Red dates have a sweet and warm nature that enters the spleen and stomach meridians. They have the effects of invigorating the middle, consolidating qi and nourishing blood, soothing properties, and are suitable for cases of deficiency of the middle qi and restless organs. Red dates are helpful in treating fatigue caused by deficiency of middle qi and spleen-stomach weakness.
Skin tends to dry out in autumn; fresh red dates contain 7-10 times more vitamin C than citrus fruits and 75 times that of apples. Eating more red dates can help improve skin elasticity, make subcutaneous tissues plump, and make the skin smoother and more tender.
Grapes
After the hot and humid summer, which accumulates many toxins in the body and results in significant internal heat, consuming a moderate amount of grapes has excellent diuretic effects, facilitating detoxification and eliminating internal heat. Grapes are excellent autumn fruits, capable of tonifying qi, nourishing blood, invigorating the brain, moisturizing, brightening the eyes, and maintaining health. It is also the season when they are not yet widely available.
Peaches
After Liqiu is the season to eat peaches; peaches are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients like fruit acids, helpful in accelerating bowel movements and relieving constipation. Peaches are rich in iron, 4-6 times that of apples and pears, making them an ideal fruit for those with iron deficiency anemia. Eating more peaches helps nourish qi, invigorate blood, and maintain good health.
“Avoid Five Things”
Avoid consuming cold drinks
After Liqiu, as the weather cools down, the body undergoes various changes to adapt to the seasonal shifts; therefore, consuming cold drinks after Liqiu is prohibited to prevent chilling of the stomach and the onset of gastrointestinal ailments.
Avoid strenuous exercise
After Liqiu, as the temperature gradually drops, older people should be cautious; avoid strenuous exercise, especially individuals with vascular diseases like hypertension and diabetes, who should refrain from any vigorous exercise and monitor changes in their bodies closely.
Avoid walking barefoot
After Liqiu, the ground starts to cool down; feet are essential to humans, and walking barefoot can easily lead to foot chilling, allowing cold pathogenic factors to invade, leading to the recurrence of old illnesses or the onset of new ones.
Avoid staying up late
After an entire high-temperature summer, the body’s metabolism is vigorous, leading to increased consumption and fatigue. Adequate sleep allows the body to relax its functions, so it is advisable not to stay up late after entering autumn; ensure sufficient sleep, try to fall asleep before 11 pm, and guarantee 7-8 hours of rest.
Avoid excessive worry
Since ancient times, autumn is associated with silence and melancholy. As we move from summer to autumn, people’s emotions and mood may undergo certain changes. Autumn is also a high-incidence period for seasonal illnesses; excessive worry or anger can disturb the balance of yin and yang, affecting health. Adjust your mindset, maintain a cheerful mood, and handle situations calmly to avoid unnecessary stress.
