Beyond Food: Practices to Support Metal & Evoke Autumn’s Energy
If you read Part One of The Energy of Autumn, you’ll have seen that Autumn is governed by the Metal element, which embodies clarity, refinement, structure and release. Food is one way to harmonise with autumn’s energy. Hwoever, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also emphasises breath, acupressure and gentle movement to keep the Metal element strong. Read on to find out how you can prioritise nourishing the body in the new season.
Exercises for Strong Lungs
Dan Tian Breathing: Place hands on the lower abdomen. Inhale for 5, hold for 4, exhale for 8, drawing in the belly as you empty the lungs. Repeat 5 times.
Posture breaks: If sitting long hours, avoid slumping. Set reminders to stretch and breathe deeply to refresh lung qi.
Acupressure Points
- Lung 7 (Lieque / Broken Sequence)
Benefits: Boosts immunity, eases coughs, opens the chest, supports release of grief.
How: Press gently with the opposite thumb for 1–2 minutes, breathing slowly.
- Large Intestine 4 (Hegu / Joining Valley) – Disclaimer: Avoid using this acupressure during pregnancy.
Benefits: Promotes elimination, clears stagnation, relieves headaches, strengthens immunity.
How: Massage in circles for 30–60 seconds on each hand.
- Stomach 36 (Zu San Li / Leg Three Miles)
Location: Just below the knee.
Benefits: Famous for boosting immunity, energy, and digestion, reducing fatigue, and supporting vitality.
Remedies for Autumn Coughs
Colds and coughs are common in autumn, and TCM tailors diet to the type of cough:
For a dry cough (lung heat / Yin deficiency):
Eat: Watercress, pears, carrots, radish, seaweed, cabbage, chard, mung beans, melon, strawberries, green tea/peppermint tea.
Avoid: Warming foods like coffee, alcohol, ginger, garlic, and cinnamon.
For a phlegmy cough (lung phlegm / dampness):
Eat: Mushrooms, onions, radish, turnips, fennel, daikon, cherries, flaxseed, cardamom, thyme, horseradish.
Avoid: Dairy, sugar, red meat, peanuts, fried/fatty foods, wheat, oats, tofu.
Protecting Against Seasonal Illness
Guard your neck. Wear a scarf, especially over the point just below the 7th cervical vertebra (C7), where wind and cold can invade.
Favour warm, cooked foods. Soups, stews, and roasted vegetables conserve energy, whilst cold, raw foods are harder to digest at this time of year.
Conserve qi. Balance activity with rest and create space for reflection and renewal.
Living in Rhythm with Autumn’s Energy
By eating seasonally, supporting the lungs with breath and acupressure, and protecting against the cold, you strengthen both body and spirit in alignment with autumn’s energy. This is a time to refine, release, and prepare – gathering strength for winter’s stillness by nourishing the body.
Autumn reminds us to let go of what we no longer need, savour what truly nurtures, and embrace the clarity and calm this season offers. We hope that you take these important points into consideration to experience autumn’s energy as best as possible.
Alignment for the New Season
If you’d like to experience some of the above benefits from the hands of a professional, we have a range of treatments available at our clinics. Treatments that can help you align with autumn’s energy include: Acupuncture, Touch Tuina Massage Therapy and Kinesiology.
Get in touch today to book your appointment at a clinic near you!
