Metal

“I am the invisible order of the Cosmos.” — Christa-Maria Herrmann

On the Autumnal Equinox Fall begins, daylight decreases to less than twelve hours, nature turns its gaze inward. This delving inward of the Autumn season is the beginning of the dark yin cycle.

In Chinese Medicine the element that supports and reflects this yin Autumn season is Metal. The Metal season is ruled by the Lungs and the Large Intestine. Is it no wonder in the abundance of coughs and respiratory colds that occur more during the Fall than any other season? Our natural urges to cleanse our bodies and begin that art class, or start a new journal are all perfectly in sync with the natural rhythm of the inward turning energy available during the Fall season.

courage. non-attachment.  openness.  acceptance.  ability to grieve.  righteousness.  receptivity.  letting come & letting go.

These are all gifts of Metal in balance.

Season: Fall
Organ: Lungs (yin) 3-5am Large Intestine (yang) 5-7am
Direction: West
Colour: White
Sound: Weeping
Emotion: Grief (Letting go & Letting come)
Odour:Rotten
Taste: Pungent
Orifice: Nose
Sense Organ:Nose
Fluid: Mucous
Governing Body Part: Skin & Body Hair
Climate: Dryness
Planet: Venus
Quality: Harvesting
Indicating: Skin & Body Hair
Highest Expression: Inspiration/Purification
Spirit: Corporeal Soul P’O

FALL FOODS

As the days grow a bit colder we instinctively are drawn to the more compact, dense abundance that the Autumn harvest offers. Adding more root vegetables and squashes to our diets is suitable in Autumn, as well as cooking our food a bit longer and eating warmer more densely nourishing meals. It is advisable to minimize mucous producing foods during this season, like dairy, sweets, breads, and pasta.

brown rice, wild rice, onions, squash, garlic, ginger, beans, pumpkin, root veggies, carrots, leeks, kale, sweet potatoes, yams, cauliflower, collards, Brussels sprouts, winter squash, cabbage, apples, pears, figs, grapes, pomegranate, mushrooms.

FALL HERBS

Coltsfoot– expectorant, respiratory soother, anti-tussive, supports harmonious lung function
Thyme– expectorant, anti-microbial, astringent, immune enhancing, digestive tonic
Ginger Root– warming, circulation, digestive tonic, colds, stimulating, sore throat soother
Burdock root– bitter, diuretic, skin &blood purifier, great for liver and skin conditions
Plantain– expectorant, diuretic, respiratory soother, bronchitis, coughs, astringent
Licorice– expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, coughs, bronchitis
Mullein– expectorant, respiratory soother &tonic, anti-inflammatory, bronchitis.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a stately fuzzy-leaved plant frequently found on roadsides and other sunny open places. This common weed is one of the world’s best lung allies. You can buy dried mullein, or harvest your own. To harvest, cut the entire stalk of plants just beginning to flower and hang them, upside down, in a shady place to dry.

To brew mullein infusion, fill a quart canning jar about half full of cut and crushed mullein leaf and stalk pieces (or 1 ounce.) Fill the jar to the top with boiling water, cap tightly, and let it sit at room temperature for four hours, or overnight.

To protect your throat from the fuzzy mullein leaves always strain mullein infusion through tightly-woven cloth before drinking. Mix with honey and/or milk to taste.

To relieve acute lung problems, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, coughs, 2-4 cups of mullein infusion a day

To strengthen the lungs and restore health to lung tissues: 1-2 cups of mullein infusion daily for

6 weeks is suggested.

To relieve allergies and asthma, 2-4 cups of mullein infusion every day for 6-8 weeks is amazingly effective. (adapted from Susun Weed)