🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Autumn brings dryness and fluctuating temperatures—prevent autumn dryness, bronchial asthma, rhinitis, and skin damage.
It has been some time since the beginning of autumn. According to seasonal divisions, Start of Autumn marks the official start of autumn, with gradually decreasing temperatures and declining air humidity. Although Guangzhou’s current temperatures remain high, doctors warn that although seasonal changes aren’t yet obvious, people should pay attention to clothing, diet, and lifestyle habits proactively.
To help citizens safely enjoy autumn, our newspaper invited renowned TCM expert Li Chengke from Guangdong Province and Associate Professor Yang Xiuwen from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital to discuss preventive health tips for autumn wellness.
No. 1. Prevent Autumn Dryness
As humidity drops in autumn, dryness becomes prominent. The lung is most vulnerable to dryness, as TCM views the lung as a delicate organ that prefers moisture and dislikes dryness. Dry pathogens easily invade the lung, depleting body fluids and causing symptoms like dry nose and throat, hoarseness, dry cough, and constipation—commonly known as "autumn dryness syndrome." Dryness weakens lung qi, easily triggering upper respiratory infections and acute bronchitis.
To prevent dryness, autumn diets should emphasize foods that generate body fluids and moisten the lungs—such as sesame, pears, lotus root, bananas, apples, silver ear fungus, lilies, persimmons, olives, duck meat, pig lungs, turtles, frogs, honey, and vegetables. Avoid spicy, hot, fried, grilled, or smoked foods. TCM recommends a method to clear heat and moisten the lungs: boil 30g Ophiopogon japonicus (mai dong) and 15g chrysanthemum, use as tea.
No. 2. Prevent Bronchial Asthma
Autumn weather fluctuates greatly, with significant temperature differences between morning, noon, evening, and indoors versus outdoors. The respiratory mucosa constantly faces sudden temperature changes, weakening resistance and creating opportunities for pathogens. Asthma flares up easily. Additionally, allergens in autumn air contribute to bronchitis triggers. Avoid exposure to allergens. Maintain good emotional state to boost immunity. Ensure well-ventilated, smoke-free living environments.
No. 3. Prevent Rhinitis
During the transition from summer to autumn, daytime temperatures are high while nighttime temperatures drop sharply, increasing the day-night temperature difference. People in a weakened state after summer and those with allergic constitutions struggle to adapt.
As autumn arrives, many experience frequent sneezing, sometimes leading to headaches, chest pain, and abdominal pain—this is the hidden suffering of allergic rhinitis sufferers. Special attention must be paid to staying warm, avoiding cold exposure, eliminating this primary trigger, maintaining a light diet, and minimizing contact with allergens.
No. 4. Prevent Skin Damage
Autumn increases skin moisture evaporation. Exposed skin becomes rough and loses elasticity, potentially developing cracks. Avoid alkaline cleaning products. Practice regular skincare. Consume foods like loaches, eels, white duck meat, peanuts, pears, red dates, lotus seeds, grapes, sugarcane, sesame, walnuts, honey, silver ear fungus, and pears—these help deeply moisturize the skin and enhance complexion.