IT’S THE AUTUMN SEASON NOW; and OUR BODIES ARE BEING CHANGED, whether we LIKE IT OR NOT.
WE MUST FLOW WITH THE SEASON OR DIS-EASE will be COMING YOUR WAY!
IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, WHAT WE EAT AND DRINK IS CRITICAL FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM ONE SEASON TO ANOTHER.
THE KEY IS TO WORK WITH NATURE, IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND you will FEEL GREAT!
The human body goes through changes as Fall approaches.
What we eat, and how we live can affect how we experience seasonal changes.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are multiple ways to make seasonal changes easier.
Autumn and every other season holds special significance in TCM.
Fall correlates with the Metal Element (Lungs and Large Intestine) which can be harsh, but is also bendable and can be brought back to it’s original state.
Just as nature changes with the seasons, so do our bodies. These changes often bring discomfort but the nutritional principles of TCM show us how we can adapt.
Fall affect our bodies especially the LUNGS and LARGE INTESTINE, and how we can work in conjunction with nature; to eat and drink what will keep us healthy.
In TCM, this is the best time to strengthen the spleen. The spleen is responsible for transporting our food and turning it into nutrients. It also produces white blood cells which nourish other organs, including our thymus gland. The Spleen help to fight off colds and infections.
Since colds are more prominent in the fall with the change of weather, strengthening the spleen and getting rid of the dampness we’ve accumulated throughout the summer months, is essential to maintaining good health.
Eating more juicy foods like apples, pears, grapefruits and dates will help the body adapt to the changes.
Both white and black Radish tea is excellent to incorporate into your diet in Autumn. Drinking it clears Summer heat from your body, eliminating phlegm and dampness. It also improves the appetite and digestive functions; plus works as an anti-inflammatory for the lungs.
The method to making this tea is as follows:
· Wash 100g of white or black radish slices. Boil water.
· Add a small amount of salt to the water.
· Place radishes in the water.
· Brew for about five minutes.
· Pour into a cup and enjoy up to two times a day for maximum health benefits.
In TCM when Yin and Yang are in balance, we refer to that as being in homeostasis, which is our body’s natural state. Yin is our Body’s Energy that restores us and allows our bodies and minds to slow down, rest and relax.
Storing our energy and giving ourselves time to relax makes it easier to go through winter healthily. 
In Autumn eat juicer foods, such as honey, organic soy milk, pears and white wood ear. These foods will leave you feeling nourished and energized. Drink more water because it’s crucial in maintaining health and balance.
I like to drink goji tea and adding it to soups and even in my salads. Goji will help combat feelings of soreness and fatigue. Goji is rich in carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin C, calcium and iron. The therapeutic benefits are incredible.
To make: Simply add goji berries, mulberry and the flesh of the longan fruit to boiling water for 30 minutes. Wait for it to cool before drinking for maximum benefits.
Wait! There is more!
As we get deeper into the latter parts of autumn, comes colder weather; accompanied by more dryness. This is the time of the year that the lungs are most affected and we’re more likely to catch a cold or the flu.
It’s an excellent time to choose more black-colored foods such as black sesame and black beans. Some of the other fall foods that will benefit your health are:
Sweet potato – Sweet potato has the effect of quenching thirst, moistening the lungs, benefiting the digestive system.
Pumpkin – Rich in nutrients, it contains vitamin C, glucose, vitamin E, folate, iron and more. 
Grapefruit – Grapefruit is rich in insulin, pectin, vitamins, minerals, fiber and can even suppress bacteria.
Being aware of our bodies, what works and doesn’t, is the key to maintaining health and wellness.
Fall is the perfect time to begin a Holistic Healthcare routine. Contact us today at (305)-407-0120
I wish you the Best in your Health, Wealth & Happiness!
Dr. Wu Dhi 
Sherwood S Swartz AP, MMQ, DMQ, DOM.
