🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In autumn disease prevention, people must not be complacent, as climatic changes are significant, and improper lifestyle habits can lead to illness.
Autumn climate varies significantly, with the Autumnal Equinox serving as a dividing line. Early autumn remains hot, hence the saying: "Fire burns in mid-July, August is steamy like osmanthus." However, "cool mornings and evenings after Start of Autumn"—though midday temperatures remain high, early and late day temperatures drop noticeably, creating large daily temperature fluctuations, allowing for restful sleep at night. After the Autumnal Equinox, deep autumn brings typical cool weather—breezy and clear skies, dry air. By late autumn, frost descends, and the climate turns cold.
From the above, autumn is a season of fluctuating temperatures, with heat, dryness, and cold all present. In some regions of China, dampness dominates, such as the Sichuan Basin. Therefore, autumn demands serious attention to disease prevention. Specifically, one should focus on preventing the following diseases:
(1) Malaria prevention.
Folk songs say: "When millet turns yellow in August, malaria strikes bedridden; nine out of ten fall ill, none to bring medicine." This vividly reflects the severe impact of malaria on public health in the past.
Malaria, commonly known as "cold-hot disease" or "shaking fits," is the most common infectious disease in summer and autumn. Even today, globally, 200–300 million people contract malaria annually, with around 3 million deaths yearly. Hence, malaria prevention in autumn is crucial.
The pathogen causing malaria is Plasmodium, transmitted by mosquitoes. Plasmodium is a tiny parasitic organism primarily residing in human liver cells and red blood cells, feeding on hemoglobin. When a mosquito bites a person and draws blood, it introduces Plasmodium into the bloodstream, triggering transmission and outbreaks.
Malaria can be classified by attack cycle into tertian malaria, malignant malaria, and quartan malaria. After infection, the primary symptom is chills, often severe shaking—known medically as rigors—lasting several minutes, followed by high fever reaching up to 40°C. After approximately 3–4 hours, profuse sweating occurs, and body temperature gradually returns to normal. Besides chills and fever, patients often feel weak, fatigued, lose appetite, experience dizziness, and suffer back and limb pain. Children may occasionally have convulsions. Severe cases may show confusion, delirium, neck stiffness, and even death.
Malaria requires prompt treatment. Common drugs include chloroquine and primaquine. Chloroquine kills parasites in the blood, while primaquine targets parasites in the liver and blood gametocytes. Treatment involves taking both drugs together for eight consecutive days. To prevent recurrence, a suppressive treatment is needed the following spring to achieve complete cure. Additionally, preventive medication is available. Common preventive drugs include pyrimethamine, taken once weekly to achieve protection, though regular intake is required. Traditional Chinese medicine also plays a role in prevention; herbs like Changshan, Yadanzi, and Qinghao have proven efficacy against malaria and can be taken under medical guidance.
Besides drug prevention, key measures involve mosquito control and elimination. Clear garbage, weeds, and fill stagnant water pits; hang curtains and window screens in dormitories, and draw mosquito nets at night; spray DDT, mosquito killer, burn mosquito coils, use mosquito tablets, or burn mugwort. Taking vitamin B1 tablets orally can also yield good preventive results. Personal protection is vital: wear long sleeves and pants starting in the evening, apply repellents to exposed skin, and avoid lying directly against mosquito nets during sleep.
Since malaria transmission primarily comes from infected individuals and carriers, active treatment of both patients and carriers is essential. Carriers, who show no symptoms, are easily overlooked and often only discovered during screenings, yet they play a major role in spreading malaria.
(2) Asthma prevention.
Asthma attacks are mostly seasonal, beginning in late summer and early autumn, peaking in mid-autumn, and subsiding in winter. Asthma is an allergic condition; the transition from hot to cool autumn weather makes it difficult for asthmatics to adapt. Combined with stimuli from pollen, dust (gas, mold, cold air, etc.), this triggers asthma episodes.
Known locally as "breath bag," asthma is a recurrent, difficult-to-cure chronic disease, hence also called "old breath bag." It affects people of all ages and genders, with an average prevalence of about 2%, making it relatively common. Once contracted, asthma tends to recur repeatedly.
Before an asthma attack, patients often experience warning signs such as repeated coughing, chest tightness, nasal itching, and frequent sneezing. If untreated, rapid onset of wheezing follows. Due to thick, sticky phlegm that is hard to expel, patients are often forced to sit upright. Severe cases may exhibit cyanosis of lips and nails, cold extremities, sweating, dizziness, and palpitations. Attacks can last from minutes to several days.
Main treatment measures for bronchial asthma include:
Upon early signs of colds, drink plenty of tea; alternatively, steep wild chrysanthemum and mulberry leaves (10 grams each) in boiling water as tea; or take patent medicines such as Yin Huang Pian or Qing Re Xiao Yan Pian;
During premonitory stages, use Phenergan tablets (12.5 mg each time, 2–3 times daily) or Chlorpheniramine tablets (2–4 mg each time, 2–3 times daily);
The most commonly used bronchodilator is Aminophylline (0.1–0.2 g orally, 1–3 times daily). Inhalation of Isoprenaline aerosol (0.25%–0.5% concentration) provides rapid relief. For moderate asthma attacks where the patient cannot lie flat, injection therapy is necessary to relieve wheezing, along with anti-inflammatory and expectorant treatments.
Since asthma is a chronic condition prone to recurrence, patients should actively adopt preventive measures during remission:
First, avoid allergens: common allergens include wind-borne pollens (e.g., elm, castor bean, wormwood), fungal spores, house dust, mites, certain industrial dusts (e.g., cotton dust, silkworm dust, yam powder), specific detergents, and irritating gases from chemical factories. If an asthmatic knows their specific allergens, they should avoid them. For those sensitive to airborne dust, collective efforts to green the environment and purify the air are recommended.
Second, treat during summer: from Minor Heat to Start of Autumn, known as the "Three Fu Periods," the hottest time of year with strongest yang energy. "Nourish yang in spring and summer." Treating during this period strengthens yang qi and enhances resistance. Research by Shanghai First Medical College and others found that using Yougui Wan (a formula warming kidney yang) during remission achieved a 90.8% effectiveness rate in preventing seasonal recurrences. Combining it with Bu Fei Tang or Yu Ping Feng San for dual lung-kidney tonification yields even better results.
Third, maintain emotional well-being: clinical data indicate that emotional factors trigger asthma in 30%–70% of cases. Emotional triggers include excessive tension, anxiety, especially worry, resentment, and anger. Though not the original cause, they influence frequency and severity. Asthmatics must cultivate emotional balance, remain open-minded, avoid emotional stress, and prevent recurrence.
Fourth, emphasize dietary regulation: eat more radishes—white or red radishes are both suitable. White radish helps dissolve phlegm and regulate qi, ideal for asthmatics who often have excess phlegm and qi stagnation. Red radish is rich in vitamin A, boosting immunity and preventing asthma triggered by colds. If certain asthmatics notice that specific foods (e.g., shrimp, crab) trigger or worsen their condition, they must strictly avoid them.
Fifth, avoid overexertion: excessive fatigue depletes vital energy, damages internal organs, lowers resistance, and becomes a trigger for asthma attacks.
(3) Constipation prevention.
Emphasizing constipation prevention in autumn is due to dry autumn weather, which damages body fluids, leading to dry intestines and increased risk of constipation.
Constipation refers to difficulty passing hard stools, prolonged defecation intervals, or hard, dry feces that are difficult to pass. Though not a serious illness, it usually resolves with proper treatment or lifestyle adjustments. However, improper treatment or overuse of laxatives may worsen the condition long-term. Severe constipation can cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, irritability, insomnia; it may also lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal bleeding. Excessive straining during bowel movements may trigger hernias, especially dangerous for those with hypertension or coronary heart disease, potentially causing cerebral hemorrhage or myocardial infarction. Therefore, constipation must not be ignored.
Treatment: address the underlying cause. For heat accumulation and fluid deficiency type: symptoms include yellow urine, bad breath, yellow coating, wiry slippery pulse. Treat by clearing heat and nourishing yin. Use: raw rehmannia 12g, female deer horn 10g, hemp seed 10g, golden currant 10g. For blood deficiency and intestinal dryness type: symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, pale lips and tongue, fine pulse. Use: raw rehmannia 12g, angelica 9g, hemp seed 10g, peach kernel 10g, platycladi seed 10g. For qi stagnation type: symptoms include frequent belching, inability to defecate, abdominal distension, wiry pulse. Use: agarwood 9g, sandalwood 10g, areca nut 9g, fructus aurantii 6g, hemp seed 9g. For turbid yin congealing type: symptoms include cold limbs, clear and long urination, deep slow weak pulse. Use: pinellia 10g, cinnamon twig 10g, cistanche 10g, psuedostellaria 10g. Besides herbal formulas, certain patent medicines can be used, such as Runchang Wan, Ma Ren Zhi Pi Wan, Qing Ning Wan, Geng Yi Wan.
Prevention: first, maintain dietary moderation. Poor diet is a major cause of constipation, mainly due to inappropriate food choices. Generally, vegetables, fruits, and oily foods help lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements, so they should be consumed appropriately. Conversely, spicy, dry, and astringent foods tend to worsen constipation and should be limited.
Second, pay attention to mental and daily routines. Mental stimulation often causes qi stagnation, affecting intestinal motility and worsening constipation. Thus, constipated individuals should avoid excessive emotional stress and maintain a cheerful mood. Establishing good bowel habits allows the rectum to develop conditioned reflexes for timely defecation.
(4) Prevention of infantile autumn diarrhea.
In autumn, some infants easily develop vomiting and diarrhea. These children vomit immediately after eating, passing 5–10 loose stools daily resembling egg-drop soup, with noticeable weight loss. This is a classic seasonal illness, doctors call it "autumn diarrhea."
"Autumn diarrhea" is a type of infantile diarrhea caused by rotavirus infection. It is not only widespread across China but also prevalent worldwide, making it a global disease.
The disease has sudden onset. Besides prompt hospitalization, proper home care is crucial, as good family care greatly aids recovery. In diet, ensure adequate intake of food and fluids—principle: replace what is lost. Keep infants' abdomens warm, as autumn brings cooler weather, and babies’ abdomens are prone to cold exposure. Diarrhea already accelerates intestinal movement; further cold exposure speeds it up even more, worsening diarrhea rather than stopping it.
Preventing "autumn diarrhea" hinges on controlling "disease through the mouth." Do not give children raw water; insist on washing hands with running water before meals and after defecation. Practice proper breastfeeding hygiene. For infants, promote breastfeeding, as breast milk is the ideal natural nutrition. It contains many immune antibodies, bactericidal substances, and digestive enzymes, making infants less likely to get infectious diarrhea and promoting healthy growth. If a case is detected, isolate and treat early to prevent spread.
(5) Preventing hair loss in autumn.
The emphasis on preventing hair loss in autumn stems from dry autumn weather; improper care easily damages lung qi. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the lungs govern the skin and hair. Lung qi deficiency leads to inadequate defensive energy and loose hair. Thus, hair loss increases in autumn. Without proper care or improper medication, hair loss may worsen.
Hair loss arises from either congenital genetic factors or acquired factors. Acquired factors are numerous, so correct harmful habits to prevent hair loss:
First, maintain a pleasant mood and avoid stress. Ensure sufficient sleep and rest daily. Overworking and chronic insomnia easily lead to premature hair loss.
Second, limit intake of greasy, spicy, and stimulating foods like coffee, tobacco, and alcohol. Avoid drug overdose and toxic substance ingestion.
Third, properly care for hair: wash every 3–5 days to keep hair in a clean environment. Avoid hot water and alkaline soaps; minimize use of chlorine-rich tap water.
Fourth, regularly perform scalp massage. Before bedtime, brush hair 30 times with a hairbrush. This removes accumulated dust and stimulates scalp circulation, aiding hair growth, retention, and shine.
If hair loss has occurred, seek timely treatment. For blood heat and wind-dryness type: symptoms include dry, sparse hair, scalp itching, red tongue, rapid pulse. Use Liangxue Xiaofeng San with modifications: raw rehmannia 12g, angelica 12g, white peony 12g, schizonepeta 6g, cicada slough 6g, ligusticum 6g, sophora 6g, cassia seed 10g, ligustrum 10g, eclipta prostrata 10g. For spleen-stomach damp-heat type: symptoms include damp hair resembling oil or water-soaked, sparse hair, greasy yellow tongue coating. Use Jianpi Yangfa Tang with modifications: stir-fried white atractylodes 12g, alisma 12g, poria 12g, dictamnus bark 12g, raw rehmannia 10g, polygonum multiflorum 10g, cinnabar 10g, atractylodes 10g, ligusticum 3g, ligusticum 3g, hawthorn 18g, artemisia 15g.
(6) Prevention of autumn dryness-induced chronic pharyngitis.
Autumn demands special attention to pharyngitis prevention due to dry, sunny weather with little rain. Untreated acute pharyngitis often becomes chronic.
Chronic pharyngitis is a diffuse inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, submucosa, and lymphoid tissue, commonly part of chronic upper respiratory tract inflammation, a common ENT condition. Main symptoms include dryness and pain in the throat, dark red pharynx, often caused by yin deficiency and fluid injury leading to virtual fire. Treatment should nourish yin, clear heat, and soothe the throat. Formula: raw rehmannia 12g, ophiopogon 9g, white peony 6g, moutan 9g, fritillary bulb 9g, scrophularia 6g, licorice 6g, mint 10g, tangerine seed 12g, green fruit 6g. Alternatively, use ophiopogon 3g, licorice 1.5g, honeysuckle 3g, prunus 3g, green fruit 3g, steeped in boiling water and consumed regularly. Dietarily, consume mung bean drink or pear juice frequently. Mung bean drink: boil mung beans, green fruit, and prunus with honey. Pear juice: place sliced pears, lotus root, and white radish in a large bowl of cold, pure water and consume regularly. Or extract juice from pears, lotus root, and white radish.
(7) Men should not forget erectile dysfunction prevention in autumn.
The reason is that male erectile dysfunction incidence is often higher in autumn. One survey of 1,102 erectile dysfunction patients found 772 showed clear seasonal variation: 386 in autumn (50%), 116 in summer (15%), 39 in spring (5%), and 231 in winter (30%). This indicates higher autumn incidence.
Erectile dysfunction refers to male genital weakness, inability to erect or sustain erection, or failure to complete sexual intercourse. Statistics show that in recent years, 3/4 of divorce cases were initiated by women, with many due to husbands’ sexual dysfunction, especially erectile dysfunction.
Psychological factors are the most common and primary cause, accounting for 85%–90% of cases. Examples include marital disharmony, hostility toward the wife; unsatisfactory sexual coordination between partners, lack of desired satisfaction, leading to aversion to sex and resulting in erectile dysfunction. Uncomfortable sexual environment, such as shared living spaces with multiple people, fear or anxiety during sex, can also cause erectile dysfunction. Some men develop erectile dysfunction due to lack of sexual knowledge, fear of failure, worrying about disappointing their partner, leading to self-diagnosis of erectile dysfunction after one unsatisfying encounter. Due to anxiety or fear, although they have sexual desire, thoughts of tension, fear, and worry arise just before intercourse, causing the erect penis to retract and preventing intercourse. Other causes include excessive masturbation and frequent sexual activity. Frequent sex, especially repeated intercourse—where another round follows immediately—requires stronger stimulation to achieve erection and ejaculation. Over time, the erectile center becomes inhibited, leading to functional erectile dysfunction.
Another category is organic erectile dysfunction, currently difficult to treat, caused by anatomical defects in the reproductive organs.
Traditional Chinese medicine associates this condition with the Liver, Kidney, and Yangming meridians. Clinically, it can be categorized as follows:
Kidney yang deficiency: symptoms include cold limbs, soreness in waist and knees, inability to erect, pale swollen tongue, deep fine pulse. Treat by warming and tonifying kidney yang. Use Yougui Wan with modifications: prepared rehmannia 10g, cornus 8g, goji berry 10g, dodder seed 10g, cinnamon 8g, aconite 10g, morinda 10g, epimedium 15g, epimedium 8g, deer antler glue 8g.
Heart-spleen deficiency: symptoms include inability to erect, palpitations, forgetfulness, poor appetite, pale tongue, weak pulse. Use Guipi Tang with modifications: codonopsis 10g, white atractylodes 10g, poria 8g, astragalus 30g, longan flesh 8g, sour jujube seed 8g, sandalwood 3g, angelica 10g, dodder seed 10g, psuedostellaria 10g.
Liver qi stagnation: symptoms include inability to erect, distension and pain in the hypochondrium, wiry pulse. Treat by soothing liver and resolving stagnation. Use Xiangyao San with modifications: bupleurum 10g, white peony 10g, angelica 10g, white atractylodes 9g, poria 8g, dodder seed 8g, licorice 5g, cyperus 5g, psuedostellaria 10g, goji berry 10g.
Damp-heat descending: symptoms include inability to erect, dampness in the scrotum, red and painful urination, greasy yellow coating, wiry slippery pulse. Use Longdan Xiegan Tang with modifications: gentiana 10g, scutellaria 10g, plantain seed 10g, gardenia 6g, alisma 8g, trichosanthes 6g, coptis 8g, phellodendron 6g, atractylodes 30g, coix 60g.
Besides medication, acupuncture therapy can be used: select Shenshu, Mingmen, Sanyinjiao, Zusanli, Guanyuan, BaLiao. Choose 3–5 points per session, use filiform needle with tonifying method, or combine acupuncture and moxibustion. Dietary therapy: use 90g leeks, washed and chopped, 120g lamb liver sliced, quickly stir-fried in iron wok with vinegar. Good for erectile dysfunction due to kidney yang deficiency.
(8) Prevention of ginger fluke disease.
Autumn calls for prevention of ginger fluke disease because infection peaks in autumn. Adult ginger flukes measure 3–7 cm long and 12 mm wide, pinkish-red when alive, resembling ginger slices. They reside in the small intestine, causing gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea. Severe cases may result in anemia, edema, and developmental retardation. Since ginger fluke infection results from eating raw water chestnuts, lotus roots, or water caltrops, infections predominantly occur in autumn—the harvest season for these foods. Especially during harvesting, eating while picking increases infection risk. For severe cases, supportive treatment should be provided first—improve nutrition and correct anemia—before administering deworming agents. Deworming drugs include Bithionol and Hexachloro-1,2-diphenylbenzene.
Key prevention is discouraging raw consumption of water chestnuts, lotus roots, and lotus rhizomes, and avoiding biting the peel. When eating raw, thoroughly wash and soak in boiling water for several minutes or sun-dry for a day before consumption. Maintain hygiene: do not drink raw water; wash hands thoroughly after contact with aquatic plants or dirty water to prevent cysts contamination.
(9) Mosquito eradication in autumn.
This is because mosquitoes are vectors for malaria and other diseases. Early autumn marks the peak mosquito activity season, coinciding with the highest malaria incidence. Mosquitoes thrive in stagnant water pools, ditches, and other dead water sources. After the humid, rainy summer, many low-lying areas accumulate stagnant water, forming ideal breeding grounds. Mosquitoes’ egg, larval, and pupal stages all require stagnant water.
There are over 2,000 mosquito species worldwide. Only female mosquitoes bite and suck blood. Mosquitoes avoid bright light and are inactive during the day but emerge in large numbers at dusk, flying from dark corners to find hosts. Due to the many diseases they transmit, mosquito control is essential. The most effective method is improving environmental hygiene: remove standing water around homes and indoors, especially in non-flowing ditches, and clear them promptly. Protect natural mosquito predators like swallows, bats, dragonflies, and frogs, allowing them to naturally control mosquito populations.