🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The "Autumn Tiger" Hinders Autumn Transition
After Start of Autumn, weather gradually cools from hot to cool. Early autumn still retains lingering summer heat, with high temperatures. Combined with occasional rainy days, humidity is heavy, and the weather is characterized by intense heat and dampness—often giving rise to the "Autumn Tiger."
Shanghai’s renowned elder physician, Dr. Ding Xueping, notes that after summer comes a "long summer," referring to the period from Start of Autumn to Autumn Equinox, a concept within traditional Chinese medicine, also popularly known as the "Autumn Tiger." As the famous Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue said: "Spring corresponds to the liver and nourishes; summer corresponds to the heart and nurtures growth; long summer corresponds to the spleen and transforms; autumn corresponds to the lung and gathers; winter corresponds to the kidney and stores."
Seasonal Damp Pathogens Invade
"Long summer corresponds to the spleen and transforms." Dampness is the dominant factor in long summer, and the spleen corresponds to it. Ancient wisdom advises: "Prevent dampness in long summer." Traditional Chinese medicine views dampness as a yin pathogen that easily damages yang qi, especially spleen yang. Since the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, any damage impairs its normal transformation function, leading to stagnation of qi. Symptoms include poor digestion and absorption, clinically manifesting as fullness in the epigastrium, loss of appetite, bland taste, chest tightness, nausea, loose stools, and even edema.
In long summer, the weather is muggy and rainy, with high humidity. Clothes and food easily become damp, even moldy or furry. People feel uncomfortable. Wearing damp clothing increases the risk of catching a cold or triggering joint pain. Eating moldy or spoiled food can lead to gastritis or even poisoning. Thus, preventing dampness invasion is crucial during long summer.
Dietary Methods to Remove Dampness and Strengthen the Spleen
This season easily triggers gastrointestinal diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine states: "Dampness obstructs the spleen, weakening the functions of ascending clear and descending turbid qi. Consuming greasy or overly sweet foods easily causes vomiting." Therefore, diet must be strictly controlled, and alcohol intake limited, as alcohol also generates dampness. During long summer, diet should focus on clearing heat, removing dampness, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the middle energizer. Hence, the saying: "Prevent dampness in long summer with mild nourishment."
In daily life, besides eating cooling foods like winter melon, mung bean sprouts, baby bok choy, and bitter gourd, one should also consume Job's tears, lotus seeds, and red adzuki beans. After the exhausting summer, digestive function gradually declines in autumn, and intestinal immunity weakens. A minor lapse can trigger diarrhea. Dr. Ding recommends: "Have a bowl of porridge for breakfast, and prepare a soup for dinner." Avoid excessive consumption of fish, meat, and other foods that easily generate heat. When eating seafood or grilled food, ensure freshness.
Living Habits: Preventing Cold Exposure
Though autumn colors are not yet visible, carelessness can easily trigger colds. Especially near the Autumn Equinox, temperature differences are large—hot during the day, cool in the morning and evening. Hidden summer heat lingers in the body. Morning cold exposure can lead to "latent summer heat," with symptoms including fever and diarrhea. The larger the temperature difference near the Autumn Equinox, the greater the need for vigilance against cold exposure.
Autumn weather is highly variable. Even within the same region, one might experience "four seasons in a day, different weather every ten miles." Therefore, prepare several autumn garments in advance—such as lined jackets, spring-fall shirts, wool sweaters, and thin cardigans—for timely adjustments.
Many people, right after Start of Autumn, begin experiencing nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itching, and sneezing. Experts warn these symptoms aren't necessarily due to a cold. Allergic rhinitis is also common after Start of Autumn. Regardless, adjust clothing according to climate changes to avoid chilling. Also, after outdoor exercise, promptly wipe off sweat and keep warm.
【Health Tip】
Preventing Harm from the "Autumn Tiger"
1. Sunlight remains intense—limit sun exposure and prefer working in shaded areas.
2. Drink plenty of water—consume at least 1,000 ml daily; regularly drink diluted rice porridge, weak tea, vegetable soup, soy milk, fruit juice, etc.
3. Eat 1–2 pears (snow pears or sand pears), watermelon, banana, or other cooling fruits daily.
4. Consume foods that clear heat, generate fluids, and nourish yin, such as radish, reed root, lotus root, tomato, tofu, water chestnut, lotus root, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, black fungus, old duck, turtle meat, greenfish, pomfret, yellow croaker, eel, silver ear fungus, lily, purple laver, lotus seeds, lotus roots, walnuts, sour plums, sesame seeds, etc.
5. In air-conditioned rooms, maintain temperature between 23°C and 27°C, and ensure good indoor ventilation.
6. Balance work and rest, get adequate sleep. Prefer early rising and early bedtime.
7. Avoid or minimize spicy, dry, oily foods and alcohol.