September 22, 2021
Autumn Equinox or Qiū Fēn (Chinese: 秋分) is the sixteenth of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms and marks the midpoint of autumn, and the day on which day and night are of equal length. In the following weeks, the days will grow shorter, and the nights longer. The weather outside will also grow perceptibly cooler; in Southern California, the temperature difference between day and night can be quite significant. Leaves will start to change colors in many parts of the Northern hemisphere, giving rise to iconic and often spectacular fall foliage.
In ancient Chinese phenology, this is the period when “thunders begin to soften, insects start making nests and water begins to solidify.”
Here are some useful health cultivation tips for Autumn Equinox (Qiū Fēn):
1. Protect your body from dryness, especially the Lungs and Skin, as they are particularly susceptible to dryness-related injuries. Use a moisturizer for the skin, and consume seasonal food that nourishes and moistens the Lungs, such as pears, persimmons, daikon radishes and carrots. Raw honey is also excellent in nourishing the body and preventing dryness.
2. A rice-congee prepared with Asian pears and fresh lily bulbs (Bai He) is both nutritious and delicious; the congee warms the Stomach/Spleen in addition to the moistening properties of the pears and lily bulbs.
3. As the weather grows colder, keep warm, especially the head and neck region and the foot and ankles.
4. With Winter approaching, there is a gradually shift towards preserving Yin to maintain optimal Yin-Yang equilibrium within the body. As such, it is important to get plenty of sleep.as the days grow shorter.
5. Now is the time to get some acupuncture! Regular maintenance and ‘tune up’ sessions will go a long way toward keeping you healthy in the Fall and the upcoming Winter seasons.
For more information on seasonal health cultivation, schedule an appointment with one of our student interns or licensed practitioners at the Yo San University Blount Community Clinic. Tele-health consultations are also offered by our experienced senior practitioners. Call today. 310.577.3006.