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Gearing up for Fall
Autumn is my favorite season. The crisp blue skies, the exploding yellows and oranges in the trees... It makes me crave a walk in the woods and a crunchy, juicy apple. All of a sudden pumpkins are everywhere and I'm looking for a sweater.
Asian tradition includes responding to the energy of the seasons. This is true both philosophically (Have you seen this beautiful Korean movie?) and physically. Remember back in the summer when I mentioned cooling foods like watermelon? In the fall, try to eat fewer cold, raw foods — such as salads — and more warm, cooked meals. Enjoy soups and steamed vegetables such as broccoli and yams. Incorporate yellow and red foods into your diet. Consider starting your morning with hot oatmeal to fuel your day. Of course hot tea, in a variety of colors and flavors, is essential for me in the Fall. My favorite when I'm chilled is ginger tea. You can buy packets, but it's best to just grate fresh ginger into a mug of hot water and add honey. Ginger is supremely warming and a soothing treat for a sore throat. It even boosts your immune system!
In Chinese Medicine, colds and flus are considered to enter the body at the nape of the neck. Scarves are an important defensive weapon against getting sick. Although I think it has more to do with insulating the carotid arteries at the side of the neck, I am a big encourager of scarf wearing. In addition to preventing infections, a toasty cover will keep your neck muscles warm and relaxed. Pick out a soft, colorful one and give yourself a woolly hug.
Yin and Yang
We’ve all heard of Yin and Yang (pronounced to rhyme with Pin and Pong, by the way). They are tossed around in popular culture a lot, generally with a superficial understanding of them as two sides of a whole. I've even seen them likened to Superman and Clark Kent! In Chinese medicine, however, they have a very specific meaning.
Think of Yin as being the moist, nourishing, restful, quiet, still, “feminine” aspect of your being. Yang is the other side of the coin: It’s the loud, bright, moving, “masculine,” motivating side of you. Look at the picture. See how the white Yang is rising, while the black Yin is descending? Note also that each contains a bit of the other: They are incomplete without the other half of the pair.
These two types of energies must be balanced, and should give and take throughout the day. Yin predominates at night, while Yang rules the day.
Some hormonally based examples may be helpful: A woman going through menopause is Yin deficient. Her Yang, no longer held in check by her Yin, causes hot flashes, night sweats, and dryness of the skin. Likewise, a man as he ages will suffer from Yang deficiency, readily identified in the case of erectile dysfunction and a general loss of vigor.
Acupuncture at certain points will nourish the Yin and activate the Yang. There are overall points for the entire body system as well as organ-specific sites. Moxabustion (burning mugwort, an herb in the sage family) is particularly good to stimulate the Yang.
Point of the Month: TB-5
The Triple Burner channel relates to the fluid in the upper, middle, and lower body. I believe it correlates to the lymphatic system, since it plays a large part in immunity.
The 5th point is named Wai Guan, or Outer Pass. Think about a pass through a mountainside: It lies between the radius and ulna bones of your forearm, about 2 inches from the wrist. "Outer" refers to the back / Yang side of the arm, as opposed to the front / Yin surface. Press TB-5 with a fingertip to stimulate your immune system if you have a cold, flu, or any other type of infection. It's also helpful for aches on the back of the head and neck. Careful readers will note the connection between the nape of the neck and invading illnesses.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned... Next month: A hand point for back pain!
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