With the arrival of the White Dew solar term, the climate officially shifts into autumn mode: the summer heat gradually fades, dryness increases, the temperature difference between day and night widens, winds become more frequent, coldness grows, and temperatures cool down quickly. The White Dew period typically features a weather state characterized by “cool breezes, high and distant clouds, and dry air.” At this time, the sky is clear and not oppressively hot, which should naturally bring comfort to body and mind. However, many people find that they experience certain symptoms very regularly during this season, such as coughing and asthma, dry skin, allergic rhinitis, cold sensitivity, and lack of perspiration. These issues are all related to dysfunction in the lung meridian.
“When White Dew arrives, the heat departs and coolness arises; plants and trees adjust, and the autumn atmosphere is dry, corresponding with the lung meridian. The lungs are delicate organs that prefer moisture over dryness and can easily lose their ability to spread and descend…” Ancient Chinese medical practitioners observed that the lungs are delicate organs that favor moisture and dislike dryness. During the middle of autumn, when White Dew occurs, it is a time when dryness and wind-cold increase, creating an unfavorable environment for the lung meridian, which can easily trigger respiratory diseases. Here, I recommend several methods and tips for nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, promoting the proper function of the lungs. By “concealing” the delicate lungs, we can ensure they function well, easily addressing these seasonal challenges.
First, dietary supplementation for nourishing yin. We know that pears can moisturize the lungs, and drinking pear soup is an essential method for autumn health care. When cooking pear soup, you can add appropriate amounts of lily bulbs, mccoan's root, loquat, sour jujube seeds, which can help quench thirst, moisturize the lungs, and stop coughing. Besides pears, there are many other familiar fruits and vegetables in our daily life that also have the effect of nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, such as kumquats, figs, lotus seeds, apricot kernels, winter melon, lotus roots, white radish, etc. If the temperature suddenly drops and you feel cold and bodily pain, following local customs, you can eat mutton and white radish pepper soup or fresh longan, and drink white rice wine to warm and dispel cold. However, regardless of the choice, do not consume large quantities alone; instead, take small amounts appropriately and combine them to make delicious pastries, porridges, and healthful dishes.
Second, breathing exercises. As the ancients said, “The lungs open through the nose; the lungs are like a canopy, governing the exterior; they govern qi, respiration, and the functions of spreading and descending.” Deep breathing, singing, shouting, and other actions that fill the lungs can promote the dispersion of lung qi and regulate the body. Taking deep breaths can expel turbid qi from the body; deep inhalation helps acquire more clear qi, which is a primary component of the collective qi. Collective qi can be distributed to the spleen, nourishing the organs and ensuring the source of vital qi. For example, upon waking in the morning, inhale deeply through the nose and then exhale forcefully through the mouth several times, which can make one feel refreshed and prevent coughing, chest tightness, and stagnation of qi.
Third, moderate exercise. Exercising until a slight sweat is produced is actually just right. This level of exercise can open pores, regulate lung qi, and ensure smooth water channels. When the weather is suitable, activities like cycling and walking, which cause a slight warmth and light perspiration, are beneficial. “The beauty of the lungs lies in the hair, and they are associated with the skin,” so a light perspiration can nourish the hair and skin, preventing them from becoming dry. Moderate exercise is recommended; excessive sweating is not advised, as it can easily deplete yin fluids and tire the qi. After sweating, be sure to stay warm to prevent wind-cold pathogens from invading the body through open pores.
Fourth, “autumn chill” should be done in moderation. Many elderly people often say, “cover up in spring, tolerate the chill in autumn.” This ancient saying does not mean that one should wear less or deliberately endure the cold in autumn. Instead, it reminds people to pay attention to keeping warm in spring, especially after changes in weather or sweating. It is particularly important to keep the shoulders, neck, and upper limbs warm to prevent the lung meridian from being directly affected by wind-cold. If the neck and shoulders are exposed to nighttime winds or air conditioning, it can easily lead to coldness entering the lung meridian, causing mucosal edema and muscle stiffness, exacerbating conditions like rhinitis, asthma, periarthritis of the shoulder, and cervical spondylosis.
In addition, it is important to maintain a harmonious emotional state. If family members or friends have a history of depression or related conditions, pay particular attention to any fluctuations in their recent moods. Encourage companionship and engage in activities of interest together. Listen attentively and show concern to prevent the worsening of sadness in autumn, which may trigger or exacerbate mental health disorders.
Finally, I would like to share a simple tea recipe that nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and promotes diuresis and edema reduction. Many people already know that dry throat and cough require nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, but they may not realize that skin edema and poor urination also need lung meridian regulation. According to ancient Chinese medical texts, “the lungs receive the hundred pulses and govern the regulation of water channels.” If the lungs are invaded by wind-cold pathogens and phlegm accumulates, obstructing the water channels, there will be a lack of perspiration and reduced urination, leading to facial and skin edema. In such cases, treatment should involve dispersing the lungs to resolve phlegm and promote diuresis—a method akin to “lifting the lid of a teapot” to allow water to flow freely. To treat skin swelling, water retention, and decreased urination and perspiration, the method of dispersing the lungs and resolving the exterior can be used to promote diuresis and reduce edema. A tea recipe using 10g each of platycodon root, mccoan's root, lily bulbs, poria, and tangerine peel, plus 5g of bupleurum root, can be prepared. Steep these ingredients in water and drink it in portions throughout the day. This can help nourish yin, moisten the lungs, regulate qi, invigorate qi, and promote diuresis and edema reduction. It is effective in preventing and treating symptoms such as dry mouth and nose, dry skin, dry cough with little phlegm, a dry and hoarse throat, asthma and edema, and constipation.
In summary, the function of the “lung” organ in traditional Chinese medicine is crucial to our health. The lungs are delicate organs, and during the White Dew period in autumn, it is important to pay attention to the details of daily life to protect them, allowing them to function normally and maintain coordination in the body's qi circulation. They spread essence upward to nourish the skin and hair; they disperse protective qi outward to solidify the surface of the body, thereby “warming the flesh, fattening the skin, and controlling the opening and closing.” I hope these suggestions can be helpful, allowing you to enjoy the cool and comfortable autumn in good health.