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Tips on autumn health
By Xu Junyi and Wang Jie |
August 30, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTUMN encompasses the seventh, eighth and ninth month of the Chinese lunar year, including six solar phases: Autumn Commencement, Limit of Heat, White Dew, Autumnal Equinox, Cold Dew and Frost Descent.
At this time of year, the heat of summer gradually abates and people can enjoy cooler days, refreshing winds and the beauty of autumn colors.
Cooler days mean heartier appetites and sounder sleep. Slower body rhythms can lead to weight gain, fidgetiness and some lethargy. For that reason, it's good to keep your health tuned up to the new season.
How to prevent fatigue
In autumn when the sky gets clearer and the air more pleasant, the human body will naturally feel much more comfortable than in summer. For some people, however, that may bring on what is called "autumn fatigue" by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. This is actually a kind of protective reaction of the body to the excessive dissipation of summer.
There are a number of ways to ease the transition to autumn weather and rhythms.
First of all, physical exercise is a must. It doesn't matter how you do it - walking, climbing, running or sports - but it is advisable to build it up slowly when you first start. Too much exercise when your body isn't attuned to activity can be detrimental.
Second, get plenty of sleep.
Third, adjust your diet, choosing light, vitamin-rich foods such as carrots, lotus roots, pears, honey and sesame over heavier, fatter foods. It's advisable to have a diet rich in protein and calcium, including lots of fish.
Fourth, a bit of caffeine can be an energy-booster, but don't overdo it.
Last but not least, avoid pungent vegetables such as green onions, ginger, garlic, leeks and peppers. Concentrate on liver-nourishing foods like apples, pomegranates, grapes, mangos, cherries, pomelos, lemons, hawthorns, tomatoes and water chestnuts.
How to cope with dryness in autumn
As temperatures begin to fall and rain becomes rarer, the air becomes less humid. The dryness of autumn can irritate the lungs, trigger constipation, provoke dry cough and leave throat, skin and hair dry.
In autumn, the air of yang in the human body subdues, while the air of yin gains force. Preservation of air of yin, therefore, should be given top priority this time of year.
First of all, drink plenty of water, as much as possible every day. Eat more pears, apples, grapes, bananas, turnips and green leafy vegetables, and cut back on peppers, green onions, ginger, garlic and other pungent foods.
For middle-aged and older people, frequent bathing should be avoided. One or two baths a week is sufficient. Keep bathwater tepid, not hot, and don't stay in more than half an hour. A gentle bath oil can be helpful in replenishing skin moisture.
It also helps to laugh in autumn. Laughing helps promote activities of the lungs, relieves depression, eliminates fatigue, lightens any sense of suppression in the chest and rejuvenates the body.
Autumn is a good time to use tonics made with Chinese medical herbs, especially those with moistening effects such as American ginseng, adenophora stricta, fruits of puncture vines, radix polygonati officinalis, asparagus cochinchinensis, radix ophiopogonis, lily, fructus ligustri lucidi and dried rehmannia root.
The names of these tonics may sound complicated, so it would be better to consult your doctor or traditional medicine pharmacist for assistance and guidance.
In addition, some Chinese patent medicines such as refined yellow syrup, compounded royal jelly, Chinese forest frog and ginseng essence, compound placenta tablets, ginseng spleen pills, pulse promoting drinks, and pneuma-blood nourishing paste can also help protect the body from the adverse effects of autumn dryness. Take them under the guidance of a doctor, of course.
Avoid weight gain
Hot summer weather saps energy and may reduce appetite to the point where people aren't consuming enough calories. When autumn comes and the weather cools, appetite typically reawakens, and that can lead to overeating.
At the same time, autumn weather encourages more sleeping and less perspiration. As winter approaches, our bodies need to start to store up some fat to fend against the cold. For those already suffering from obesity, special attention needs to be paid to control weight.
First of all, adjust your diet by turning to healthy foods with low calorie content, such as red beans, turnips, pearl barley, kelp and mushrooms.
Secondly, try to speed up consumption of calories in autumn by doing more physical exercise. With clear skies and pleasant weather, autumn is a great time to be up and about. Go sightseeing. Takes trips. It will not only help your frame of mind but also your figure.
At this time of year, the heat of summer gradually abates and people can enjoy cooler days, refreshing winds and the beauty of autumn colors.
Cooler days mean heartier appetites and sounder sleep. Slower body rhythms can lead to weight gain, fidgetiness and some lethargy. For that reason, it's good to keep your health tuned up to the new season.
How to prevent fatigue
In autumn when the sky gets clearer and the air more pleasant, the human body will naturally feel much more comfortable than in summer. For some people, however, that may bring on what is called "autumn fatigue" by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. This is actually a kind of protective reaction of the body to the excessive dissipation of summer.
There are a number of ways to ease the transition to autumn weather and rhythms.
First of all, physical exercise is a must. It doesn't matter how you do it - walking, climbing, running or sports - but it is advisable to build it up slowly when you first start. Too much exercise when your body isn't attuned to activity can be detrimental.
Second, get plenty of sleep.
Third, adjust your diet, choosing light, vitamin-rich foods such as carrots, lotus roots, pears, honey and sesame over heavier, fatter foods. It's advisable to have a diet rich in protein and calcium, including lots of fish.
Fourth, a bit of caffeine can be an energy-booster, but don't overdo it.
Last but not least, avoid pungent vegetables such as green onions, ginger, garlic, leeks and peppers. Concentrate on liver-nourishing foods like apples, pomegranates, grapes, mangos, cherries, pomelos, lemons, hawthorns, tomatoes and water chestnuts.
How to cope with dryness in autumn
As temperatures begin to fall and rain becomes rarer, the air becomes less humid. The dryness of autumn can irritate the lungs, trigger constipation, provoke dry cough and leave throat, skin and hair dry.
In autumn, the air of yang in the human body subdues, while the air of yin gains force. Preservation of air of yin, therefore, should be given top priority this time of year.
First of all, drink plenty of water, as much as possible every day. Eat more pears, apples, grapes, bananas, turnips and green leafy vegetables, and cut back on peppers, green onions, ginger, garlic and other pungent foods.
For middle-aged and older people, frequent bathing should be avoided. One or two baths a week is sufficient. Keep bathwater tepid, not hot, and don't stay in more than half an hour. A gentle bath oil can be helpful in replenishing skin moisture.
It also helps to laugh in autumn. Laughing helps promote activities of the lungs, relieves depression, eliminates fatigue, lightens any sense of suppression in the chest and rejuvenates the body.
Autumn is a good time to use tonics made with Chinese medical herbs, especially those with moistening effects such as American ginseng, adenophora stricta, fruits of puncture vines, radix polygonati officinalis, asparagus cochinchinensis, radix ophiopogonis, lily, fructus ligustri lucidi and dried rehmannia root.
The names of these tonics may sound complicated, so it would be better to consult your doctor or traditional medicine pharmacist for assistance and guidance.
In addition, some Chinese patent medicines such as refined yellow syrup, compounded royal jelly, Chinese forest frog and ginseng essence, compound placenta tablets, ginseng spleen pills, pulse promoting drinks, and pneuma-blood nourishing paste can also help protect the body from the adverse effects of autumn dryness. Take them under the guidance of a doctor, of course.
Avoid weight gain
Hot summer weather saps energy and may reduce appetite to the point where people aren't consuming enough calories. When autumn comes and the weather cools, appetite typically reawakens, and that can lead to overeating.
At the same time, autumn weather encourages more sleeping and less perspiration. As winter approaches, our bodies need to start to store up some fat to fend against the cold. For those already suffering from obesity, special attention needs to be paid to control weight.
First of all, adjust your diet by turning to healthy foods with low calorie content, such as red beans, turnips, pearl barley, kelp and mushrooms.
Secondly, try to speed up consumption of calories in autumn by doing more physical exercise. With clear skies and pleasant weather, autumn is a great time to be up and about. Go sightseeing. Takes trips. It will not only help your frame of mind but also your figure.
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