🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The "Autumn Tiger" Hinders Autumn Transition
After Start of Autumn, the weather gradually cools from hot to cool. In early autumn, residual summer heat remains, keeping temperatures high. Combined with occasional rainy spells, humidity is heavy, making the weather characterized by both heat and dampness—often resulting in the appearance of 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 Autumnal Equinox, a term within traditional Chinese medicine, also popularly known as the "Autumn Tiger." As the great Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue said: "Spring corresponds with the liver and nourishes; summer corresponds with the heart and nurtures growth; long summer corresponds with the spleen and transforms; autumn corresponds with the lung and gathers; winter corresponds with the kidney and stores."
Seasonal Damp Pathogens Invade
"Long summer corresponds with the spleen and transforms." Dampness is the dominant factor in long summer, and the spleen corresponds with it. Ancient wisdom advises "preventing dampness in long summer." Traditional Chinese medicine views dampness as a yin pathogen that harms yang energy, particularly spleen yang. Since the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness, any damage impairs its normal function of transforming and transporting, 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 with 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 hairy. People feel uncomfortable. Wearing damp clothing increases the risk of catching colds or joint pain, while consuming spoiled or moldy food can lead to gastritis or even poisoning. Thus, preventing dampness invasion is crucial during long summer.
Dietary Methods to Eliminate Dampness and Strengthen the Spleen
This season easily triggers gastrointestinal diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine explains that dampness obstructs the spleen, weakening its function of clearing turbidity and elevating clarity. Consuming greasy or overly sweet foods easily causes vomiting. Therefore, diet must be strictly controlled, and alcohol intake limited, as alcohol also generates dampness. Hence, in long summer, diet should focus on clearing heat, eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the center. This gives rise to the saying: "Prevent dampness in long summer through mild nourishment."
In daily life, besides eating cooling foods like winter melon, mung bean sprouts, baby bok choy, and bitter gourd, one should consume ingredients such as coix seed, lotus seeds, and red adzuki beans. After the exhausting summer, digestive function gradually declines in autumn, and intestinal resistance weakens. A single mistake can lead to diarrhea. Dr. Ding recommends: "Have a bowl of porridge for breakfast, and prepare a soup for dinner." Avoid excessive fatty or meat-heavy meals. When eating seafood or grilled food, ensure freshness.
Living Habits to Prevent Chills
Though autumn colors are not yet visible, carelessness can easily trigger colds. Especially near the Autumnal Equinox, temperature differences are large—hot during the day, cool in the morning and evening. Hidden summer heat lingers internally. Morning chill can lead to latent summer heat, whose symptoms include fever and diarrhea. The larger the temperature difference near the Autumnal Equinox, the more careful one must be to prevent chills.
Autumn weather is highly variable. Even within the same region, one might experience "four seasons in a day, different weather within ten miles." Therefore, prepare several autumn garments in advance—such as lined jackets, spring-fall shirts, wool sweaters, and thin knitted sweaters—for timely adjustment.
Previously, many people began experiencing nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal itching, and sneezing right after Start of Autumn. Experts warn these symptoms aren't necessarily colds. Allergic rhinitis is also common after Start of Autumn. Regardless, adjust clothing according to climate changes to avoid catching cold. Also, after outdoor exercise, wipe off sweat promptly and keep warm.
【Health Link】
Preventing Harm from the "Autumn Tiger"
1. Sunlight remains intense; avoid prolonged sun exposure and try to work in shaded areas.
2. Drink plenty of water—daily intake should exceed 1,000 ml. Regularly consume diluted rice gruel, weak tea, vegetable soup, soy milk, fruit juice, etc.
3. Eat 1–2 pears (snow pear or sand pear), 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 meat, softshell turtle meat, green fish, pangasius, yellow croaker, eel, silver ear fungus, lily, purple laver, lotus seeds, lotus seeds, walnuts, plum, sesame, etc.
5. In air-conditioned indoor environments, keep the temperature between 23°C and 27°C, and ensure good indoor ventilation.
6. Balance work and rest, maintain adequate sleep. Best to rise early and retire early.
7. Avoid or limit spicy, dry, oily foods and alcohol consumption.