The heat of summer has not yet dissipated, but autumn has already begun. The Beginning of Autumn signifies the gradual decline of yang and the growth of yin, as everything starts to mature from its lush growth and the season of harvest arrives.

 

The ceremonial sense of the “Beginning of Autumn”

 

Sun-drying Autumn

 

In the mountainous regions of Hunan, Guangxi, Anhui and other places, there is a unique custom called "Sun-drying Autumn". Villagers will hang their crops and fruits to dry on the back of their houses, windowsills and rooftops, creating an atmosphere of autumn.

 

 

Biting Autumn

 

According to the records in Tianjin Miscellaneous Notes: Customs of the Seasons, consuming melons during the Beginning of Autumn, a practice known as “Biting Autumn”, can prevent diarrhea. It is customary for people to partake in sweet watermelon or muskmelon at this time, symbolizing the biting away of the summer heat and welcoming the harvest.

 

Sticking autumn fat

 

“Sticking autumn fat” refers to the popular practice of weighing oneself on the day of the Beginning of Autumn and comparing it to one’s weight during the Beginning of Summer. Due to the heat of summer, people often have a poor appetite, and by the time of the Beginning of Autumn, they need to “replenish”, hence the saying “to stick fat with meat.”

 

Autumn nourishment emphasizes the character “moistening”.

 

After the Beginning of Autumn, the weather remains "fiery", not only continuing the high temperatures of summer but also becoming very dry. Therefore, after the Beginning of Autumn, remember one word for health preservation - moisten.

 

Moistening dryness and nourishing the lungs is the key to health preservation after the Beginning of Autumn. It is important to eat less spicy foods such as chili peppers and ginger, and to reduce the consumption of barbecued foods. As the climate gradually becomes dry after the Beginning of Autumn, eating spicy foods can be detrimental to lung health. It is recommended to eat more lotus root, water chestnuts, lilies, and white fungus, which have the effects of nourishing Yin, moistening dryness, promoting fluid production, quenching thirst, moistening the lungs, and relieving coughs.

 

While busy sticking autumn fat, don’t overindulge in greasy nourishment.

 

Professor Jiang Liangduo, deputy director of the Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, believes that in nourishing and preserving health during autumn and winter, one should avoid pure and greasy nourishment.

 

Many people believe that nourishment involves consuming large amounts of meat, fish, ginseng, and bird’s nest, but this is not the case. Many tonics, especially traditional Chinese medicine tonics, are very particular about the body’s cold and heat constitution. It is essential to understand this before taking them; otherwise, it can cause harm to the body and even trigger diseases, resulting in more harm than good. 

 

In traditional rare Chinese medicinal materials, in addition to the well-known ginseng, bird’s nest, and cordyceps, Reishi mushroom has become a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal material in people’s medicinal diets and health preservation due to its reputation as a “thousand-year-old magic herb.” 

 

 

According to the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia”, “Ganoderma is of a neutral nature and sweet taste, entering the heart, lung, liver, and kidney meridians. It tonifies qi, tranquilizes the spirit, suppresses cough, and relieves wheezing, and is used for disquieted heart spirit, insomnia and palpitations, cough and wheezing caused by lung deficiency, consumptive disease with shortness of breath, and no appetite.”

 

After the Beginning of Autumn, the climate gradually becomes dry. When we take medicinal or dietary nourishments, we should pay attention to the compatibility of medicinal properties and physical constitution. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly take neutral Ganoderma after autumn to lay a good foundation in preparation for the arrival of autumn and winter.

 

Wu Kuanyu, the chief physician of the Department of Endocrinology at the Second People’s Hospital of Fujian Province, once appeared as a guest on the “Shared Doctor” program to popularize health preservation during the Beginning of Autumn for everyone. He recommended several moistening and dryness-relieving foods suitable for consumption during the Beginning of Autumn. Let’s learn together.

 

Japonica rice and tremella congee nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and engenders liquid.

 

The main ingredients include Japonica rice, Tremella, and rock sugar.

 

Directions: 1. Soak the Tremella in clean water in advance; 2. Put the chopped Tremella and Japonica rice together in a pot and stew; 3. After removing from the heat, you can add some rock sugar to taste (diabetics do not need to add sugar).

 

 

Ganoderma sinense, honey and tremella soup is a clear and moistening remedy for coughs and autumn dryness. 

 

The main ingredients include 4g of Ganoderma sinense slices, 10g of tremella, goji berries, red dates, lotus seeds and honey. 

 

Directions: Tear the soaked tremella into pieces and put it in a pot with Ganoderma sinense slices, lotus seeds, goji berries, red dates, and other ingredients. Simmer on low heat for 1 hour, then add honey to taste. 

 

 

Kudzu root and red date soup promotes blood circulation and prevents high blood pressure.

 

The main ingredients include kudzu root (or kudzu root powder), red dates, and rock sugar.

 

Directions: Boil kudzu root (or kudzu root powder) and red dates together in water. This is beneficial for those with peripheral neuritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 

 

 

Autumn Tea Drink

 

1. Ganoderma lucidum and Chrysanthemum Tea

 

In autumn, chrysanthemum combined with organic Ganoderma lucidum slices can reduce liver fire, clear heat and brighten eyes, and relieve autumn fatigue.

 

 

2. Goji berry, mulberry, and longan tea is suitable for health preservation in middle-aged and elderly people.

 

3. Tremella Tea

For health preservation in autumn, you can eat more white foods such as white fungus and rock sugar to moisten the lungs.

 

4. Chrysanthemum and rose flower tea can course the liver and regulate qi, suitable for young office workers’ daily health preservation.

 

Time passes in an orderly manner, and the seasons change silently. The long summer has not yet ended, but the new autumn has arrived. The lush greenery and coolness have quietly changed places. The rice flowers bloom, and the ears of grain are full of fruit. Autumn is a sign of maturity, marking the beginning of another year’s harvest. May you grow together with all things in this season.