🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In traditional Chinese medicine, autumn is dominated by dryness, known as “autumn dryness.” Dry pathogens damage body fluids, leading to typical “dryness signs”: dry mouth, lips, nose, throat, tongue with little saliva, constipation, dry skin, and even cracking. Autumn dryness divides into “warm dryness” and “cool dryness” around mid-autumn. Early autumn, after prolonged sunny days without rain and intense sunlight, falls under warm dryness. Late autumn, with cool winds and desolate scenery, belongs to cool dryness. Regardless of type, both feature dry skin and fluid deficiency. In the Five Elements theory, the lung corresponds to metal and flourishes in autumn. Since the lung prefers clear, moist conditions and governs respiration and connection with external air, it is linked externally to the skin and hair and internally to the large intestine. Therefore, dryness most easily damages the lung, causing coughing, dry cough without phlegm, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, and constipation. Hence, autumn health preservation should follow the TCM principle of “nourishing yin in winter and autumn,” focusing on protecting yin and moistening dryness, with lung care as priority.
Bathing Benefits the Lungs: Traditional Chinese theory holds that “the lung and skin/hair are exterior-interior counterparts.” Regular bathing in autumn promotes blood circulation, enabling the lung and skin to share vital energy. Optimal bath water temperature is around 25°C. Avoid excessive rubbing during bathing; use immersion rather than vigorous scrubbing. Also, avoid soaps or shower gels with high alkalinity.
Dietary Therapy for Lung Nourishment: Autumn diet should follow the basic principle of “nourishing yin and moistening the lungs.” Ancient nutritional text *Yinshan Zhengyao* states: “In autumn, dryness prevails—consume sesame to moisten dryness.” Thus, increasing sesame intake helps relieve lung dryness. Additionally, autumn diet should “reduce pungent flavors and increase sour ones”—limit spicy foods, increase sour foods, and consume more fresh vegetables.
Porridge and Paste for Moistening Lungs: For those with pronounced autumn dryness symptoms, consuming medicinal porridge or pastes can help moisten the lungs. For example, Mai Men Dong Porridge (using 15–30 grams of Ophiopogon tuber, 100–200 grams of rice, and appropriate rock sugar) nourishes yin and moistens the lungs. Pear Porridge: suitable for those with dry mouth and nose, dry cough without phlegm. Bei Li Paste (mixing 10 grams of Fritillaria powder, 1000 grams of pear juice, and 500 grams of donkey-hide gelatin, then steaming and consuming) nourishes yin, moistens lungs, treats chronic cough, bloody sputum, and nasal bleeding associated with autumn dryness.