15/04/2024
Hi Everyone
Hope you are all keeping well as we progress deeper into Autumn. The cooler air of the evenings and mornings is becoming more noticeable now.
Tibetan Medicine teaches us that the changes of the seasons are reflected through similar changes within our internal environment and that the entire universe including ourselves, our food, our environment is made up of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space.
During summer, the fire element increases leading to an accumulatation of heat both within and without. Like food ripening and being ready for harvest in Autumn, so too the heat that has accumulated in our bodies during summer ripens during Autumn but cannot be harvested. Instead Tibetan medicine offers us dietary and behavioural methods to temper this heat to prevent the arising of heat conditions within the body such as:
Inflammation
Headaches
Fever
Infections
Bronchitis, dry cough
Digestive issues
Liver, gall bladder issues
Itchy skin conditions
Ulcers, internal and external
So what can we do with our diet and behaviour to balance this accumulated heat?
We benefit from eating more sweet, bitter and astringent foods during Autumn.
These foods contain the cooling elements or earth, water and air so counteract the accumulated fire element leading to the excess heat in the body.
Avoiding hot, sour, salty and oily food will assist in balancing the heat in the body. All of these contain the fire element so they are best avoided at this time of year.
Alcohol in particular has an extremely hot quality so should be avoided. Fermented foods, excess meat, strong spicy food and oily food are also best avoided at this time of year.
Jasmine tea, light black tea, green tea, fruit juice, mineral water and mountain cold and fresh spring water are all suitable fluids during Autumn.
Saffron tea, drunk at noon assists in detoxifying the accumulated heat from the Liver. Saffron, the most powerful detoxifier for the liver is available in supermarkets. Just place 3 strands in a cup of boiled water, cool and drink preferably at midday when the heat of the day is at its peak.
Avoiding strenuous activity which increases the heat in the body, instead focusing on gentler activities such as yoga, tai chi and gentle walks will all be of benefit during Autumn.
I am hoping you have found this information helpful. If you have any questions or would like further information then please feel free to contact me.
Wishing you all good health and much happiness
Liz 😊
