🌿 Folk Prescriptions

"The Autumn Tiger" Hinders Autumn TransitionAfter the beginning of autumn, temperatures gradually cool. Early autumn remains hot due to lingering summer heat. Frequent rainy days bring heavy dampness—characterized by simultaneous heat and dampness—often resulting in the "Autumn Tiger."Senior TCM physician Ding Xueping from Shanghai explains that after summer comes a "long summer"—the period from the Beginning of Autumn to the Autumnal Equinox. This is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine, commonly referred to as the "Autumn Tiger." As the renowned Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue stated: "Spring corresponds to the liver and nourishes growth; summer corresponds to the heart and promotes flourishing; long summer corresponds to the spleen and facilitates transformation; autumn corresponds to the lungs and nurtures harvest; winter corresponds to the kidneys and supports storage."Seasonal Dampness Invasion"Long summer corresponds to the spleen and transformation." Dampness is the dominant climate of long summer. The spleen corresponds to this element. Ancient wisdom advises: "Prevent dampness in long summer." TCM considers dampness a yin pathogen that damages yang energy, especially spleen yang. Since the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, any damage impairs its ability to transform and transport, disrupting qi flow. Symptoms include poor digestion, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, bland taste, chest tightness, nausea, loose stools, and even edema.During long summer, hot and humid weather, persistent rain, and high moisture levels cause clothes and food to mold or develop fuzz. People feel uncomfortable. Wearing damp clothing risks catching colds or triggering joint pain. Consuming spoiled or moldy food may cause gastritis or even poisoning. Thus, preventing dampness invasion is crucial during long summer.Dietary Therapy for Dampness Removal and Spleen StrengtheningThis season predisposes people to gastrointestinal diseases. TCM holds that dampness obstructs the spleen, weakening its ability to separate clear from turbid substances. Eating greasy or overly sweet foods easily triggers vomiting. Thus, diet must be controlled—alcohol intake should also be limited, as alcohol itself generates dampness. Therefore, in long summer, diet should focus on clearing heat, removing dampness, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the middle burner. Hence the saying: "In long summer, prevent dampness through light nourishment."In daily life, besides consuming cooling foods like winter melon, mung bean sprouts, bok choy, and bitter gourd, include ingredients such as coix seed, lotus root, red adzuki beans. After the exhausting summer, digestive function declines in autumn, and intestinal resistance weakens. One minor mistake may lead to diarrhea. Dr. Ding recommends: "Have a bowl of porridge for breakfast, a soup for dinner." Avoid excessive oily or fiery foods like large fish and meat. When eating seafood or grilled dishes, ensure freshness.Prevent Cold Exposure in Daily LifeAlthough autumn scenery is absent now, carelessness can easily trigger colds. Especially near the Autumnal Equinox, large temperature differences—hot days, cool nights—cause hidden damp-heat in the body. Morning chill may induce "latent summer heat," whose symptoms include fever and diarrhea. The larger the temperature difference near the Autumnal Equinox, the greater the need for caution.Autumn weather fluctuates greatly—even in the same region, "four seasons in a day, different climates within ten miles" can occur. Thus, prepare several autumn garments—light jackets, spring-fall shirts, woolen sweaters, thin knits—for timely adjustments.Previously, many people developed nasal congestion, runny nose, itching, sneezing immediately after the Beginning of Autumn. Experts warn these aren’t necessarily colds. Allergic rhinitis is common in this period. Regardless, adjust clothing according to weather changes to avoid chilling. Also, after outdoor exercise, wipe off sweat promptly and dress warmly.【Health Link】Preventing Harm from the "Autumn Tiger"1. Sunlight remains intense—limit sun exposure; prefer shady areas for work.2. Drink plenty of water—minimum 1,000 ml daily; consume diluted rice porridge, weak tea, vegetable broth, soy milk, fruit juice.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, nourish yin: radish, reed root, water chestnut, tomato, tofu, lotus root, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meat, black fungus, old duck, turtle meat, silver carp, pangasius, yellow croaker, eel, white fungus, lily, purple laver, lotus seeds, coix seed, walnuts, sour plums, sesame.5. In air-conditioned rooms, set temperature between 23°C–27°C and ensure good ventilation.6. Balance work and rest; get ample sleep. Best to rise early and retire early.7. Avoid or minimize spicy, dry, greasy foods and alcohol.