Who Should Nourish Yin in Autumn and Winter?
As temperatures slightly drop, many people start buying supplements. Recently, media reported against rushing into tonics at the beginning of autumn, yet TCM advocates nourishing yin in autumn and winter. How to do this scientifically?
While many listeners may be unfamiliar with nourishing yin in autumn and winter, few would not know about “treating winter diseases in summer.” Each summer, during the three fu periods, major hospitals’ TCM departments are crowded with patients waiting for moxibustion patches. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness, this method is widely welcomed. In fact, nourishing yin in autumn and winter and treating winter diseases in summer are twin concepts—though the latter is better known, the former remains less understood.
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that humans and nature form an integrated whole—harmony between man and nature. When regulating diseases and maintaining health, aligning human yin-yang with seasonal climate characteristics yields double results. “Nourish yang in spring and summer, nourish yin in autumn and winter” embodies this philosophy. In spring and summer, yang energy is strong; those with yang deficiency benefit from yang supplementation during this period—this is the theoretical basis for “treating winter diseases in summer.” In autumn and winter, yin energy dominates; those with yin deficiency should nourish yin and replenish body fluids. Why is autumn and winter the best time for tonification? It’s like watering a thirsty flower: watering in midday (spring/summer) causes much evaporation; watering in the evening (autumn/winter) retains moisture and gains dew nourishment. Thus, whether nourishing yin in autumn/winter or treating winter diseases in summer, both cleverly utilize favorable timing—achieving twice the result with half the effort.
Who should nourish yin in autumn and winter? TCM believes chronic illnesses damage yin. Conditions such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, menopausal syndrome, etc., all exhibit varying degrees of yin deficiency. Nourishing yin and replenishing deficiency is key to managing these chronic conditions. Common formulas include Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill). This classic TCM formula, used for over a thousand years, consists of three tonifying herbs—Rehmannia glutinosa, yam, Cornus officinalis—and three draining herbs—Cortex Moutan, Alisma orientale, Poria—to balance tonification and drainage, regulate yin-yang, nourish liver and kidney yin. Widely applied in clinical cases of yin deficiency. Regular use in autumn and winter effectively improves symptoms of long-term yin deficiency and physical weakness, strengthens constitution, and alleviates spring/summer flare-ups.