Fall is the season of slowing down, contracting inward and beginning to store. It is the time to reserve our energy, to organize, set limits and heed boundaries. The endless energetic days of summer are over, we feel a call to refocus and shift inward. We also see this shift reflected in nature. Days are starting to shorten, leaves are turning, and crisp early mornings are becoming more frequent. As we adjust, so does nature.

The teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine supports the body, mind and spirit in the midst of change. In preparation for Fall, our focus turns to strengthening the metal element’s organ system pair, the Lungs and Large Intestine, and practice that which we observe in nature: letting go. 

We’re all familiar with spring cleaning, but fall is a perfect time to de-clutter and tidy up! Understanding the five elements allows us to bring harmony in our home and in ourselves. The fall welcomes in the metal element phase. After the growth of spring (wood) and the abundance of summer (fire), fall, the season of the metal element, is a time to decrease.

In Five Element theory, each of the five elements has a correlating season and organ system pair. For the Fire element, the season is Summer and the organ systems are the Heart and Small Intestine. Here, the spotlight is on the Small Intestine- a favorite channel used to clear summer-related heat and dampness, improve mental clarity, calm the spirit, and support digestion and gut health.

Summer is here! Whether you thrive in the heat or want to melt away, self-care is essential this time of year. The organ system related to the fire element is the heart, so our summer our wellness outine should support a healthy heart and circulatory system. As the heat turns up, here are our favorite ways to stay healthy!