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Brrr! The cold snap has crept up and here we are in Autumn.

Autumn is all about the Metal Element in Chinese Medicine. This means focus on the Lungs and Large Intestine. Autumn is the season for harvesting and gathering energy for the colder months.

Here’s 7 EASY Tips to help you prepare for Autumn:

• When building up immunity or energy levels, you may be looking for a quick fix, BUT take your time. It’s important to go slow & steady as this will get rid of deficiency without doing any further damage. Pushing it too far when building up weak immunity include using too much energy drinks, sugar, supplements or exercising to the point of exhaustion. This will produce short lived energy and chronic energy problems in the long term such as less time to “burnout”.
• During Autumn, avoid cold drinks and raw or cold food. Cold food can damage or slow the digestive process and cause diarrhea. Keep your “digestive fire” stoked and warm, don’t put it out! Fewer salads and more soups is a great start.
• Try Congee for breakfast– Leek congee is good for loose bowel movements, Pine nut congee is good for constipation. Just use good quality brown rice or basmati.
• Try eating Rye instead of Wheat a good quality sourdough rye toasted is perfect! Wheat can cause damp in people with mucus problems, fluid retention and sluggish digestion. Alternatively, Rye eliminates kick dampness.
• Tahini is good in Autumn for tonifing Liver & Kidney systems. Use in dressings, soups, stews or on toast or sandwiches as a peanut butter substitute. Peanuts tend to cause dampness. Tahini nourishes Yin and lubricates the bowel.
• A good rule of thumb to assist digestion in Autumn is to eat dark green & orange veg – swiss chard, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini
• For Autumn dessert options, you can’t go past stewed apples, pears, figs and rhubarb. A sprinkle of cinnamon or Chinese Five Spice will add a kick!

Remember to do what you can to protect your immune system and digestion during this season. Keep warm, Enjoy your yummy Autumn treats – if you’re stuck for recipes just ask Mike or myself at info@familywellnesscentre.com.au

By Katika Funnell Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine Practitioner
B.HSc. TCM(UTS) Cert. TCM(China) DRM Member ATMS 0414 459 659

The Family Wellness Centre (02) 9938 1090

Tagged as: autumn, build immunity, dark green and orange veg

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