As we transition into autumn, the intense summer heat subsides, and the temperature difference between day and night increases. The weather changes can be unpredictable, often leading to symptoms such as dry skin, coughing, dry throat, and an itchy throat.

 

Plain Questions – A Comprehensive Discourse on Regulating the Spirit in Accordance with the Qi of the Four Seasons (素问·四气调神大论) records, “In autumn and winter, all things converge and hide. Those who nurture life should follow the seasons and nourish themselves accordingly. They must protect and store their Yin essence, allowing the essence and Qi to gather inwardly, thereby moisturizing and nourishing the five internal organs.”

 

“Nourish Yang in spring and summer, nourish Yin in autumn and winter.” At this time, it is appropriate to nourish Yin and moisturize dryness. However, when it comes to tonification, one must consider their own constitution. For the majority of people who find it difficult to discern their own constitution, “mild tonification” is the best choice.

 

1. The traditional Chinese medicine Ganoderma is suitable for mild tonification.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes nine types of physical constitutions: balanced, Qi-deficient, Yang-deficient, Yin-deficient, blood-deficient, phlegm-damp, damp-heat, blood stasis, and Qi stagnation. These constitutions are closely related to health. It is believed that one can adjust the Yin, Yang, Qi, and blood in the body through daily diet to achieve balance. Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom used in TCM, is characterized by its neutral nature, non-toxicity, and its reputed ability to promote longevity with long-term use. Compared to other warm or hot tonics, Ganoderma lucidum is “neutral” - it is neither warm nor hot and does not discriminate against any constitution.

 

After the arrival of autumn, it is the perfect time for tonification. It would be beneficial to regularly consume Ganoderma lucidum, which is of a “neutral” nature, to lay a good foundation for the upcoming autumn and winter.

 

2. Consuming Ganoderma lucidum benefits the lung Qi. 

 

Dryness is the dominant characteristic of autumn, and there is an ancient Chinese saying, “Dryness injures the lungs.” This means that during this season, the human body is particularly susceptible to the invasion of “dry evil,” which can harm the lungs. Therefore, maintaining health in autumn focuses on nourishing the lungs.

 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the understanding of medicinal substances includes the "four energies and five flavors". Ganoderma lucidum  is the only "top-grade medicine" among thousands of herbs that can enter the heart, lung, liver, and kidney meridians. As recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica", "Ganoderma lucidum tranquilizes the mind, benefits the heart Qi, benefits the lung Qi, replenishes liver Qi, enhances wisdom, and improves complexion..."

 

This suggests that Ganoderma lucidum has the ability to nourish the lungs and replenish the Qi of the five internal organs. When preparing daily meals such as soups and congees, incorporating ingredients like Ganoderma lucidum, lotus seeds, Radix Asparagi, and lily can not only nourish Yin and replenish the lungs but also help to prevent dry heat.

 

3. Consuming Ganoderma lucidum benefits the liver Qi.

 

Professor Du Jian, a renowned national TCM practitioner, said in the second episode of “The Discourse on Ganoderma Lucidum and Vital Energy”, “Ganoderma lucidum has a sweet taste and enters the spleen meridian. It enables the spleen and stomach to normally absorb the essence of food and drink, thereby replenishing the vital energy. Ganoderma lucidum enters the liver meridian, where it helps to eliminate toxins. Ganoderma lucidum also enters the heart meridian, where it helps to tranquilize the mind and indirectly protects the liver, making one full of vitality.”

 

Ganoderma lucidum is rich in amino acids and proteins, and also contains polysaccharides and triterpenes. It not only has a liver-protecting effect but also serves the purpose of expelling pathogenic factors. Therefore, it is indeed an optimal choice in Traditional Chinese Medicine for “replenishing liver Qi”.

 

4. Consuming Ganoderma lucidum enhances immunity.

 

Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Ganoderma lucidum is rich in various active ingredients. Due to the combined effects of these active ingredients, it can comprehensively regulate the functions of various organs in the human body, adjust vital energy, and enhance human immunity. Among them, the immunoregulatory effect is an important pharmacological effect of Ganoderma lucidum. The polysaccharides and triterpenes in Ganoderma lucidum spores enhance the body’s specific and non-specific immune functions through different mechanisms of action.

 

5. Consuming Ganoderma lucidum benefits the heart Qi.

 

In autumn, the amount of moisture in the air decreases, and the body’s internal water evaporates excessively, leading to the consumption of Yin fluids. This makes it easy for one to be harmed by “dry evil”. People with weaker resistance may find it difficult to adapt to this change in natural seasons, and may experience disquietedness and poor sleep.

 

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.” Ganoderma lucidum has a bitter taste and enters the heart meridian. When it enters the heart meridian, it can help tranquilize the mind. In terms of diet, you can boil Ganoderma lucidum in water for consumption, or you can add Ganoderma lucidum slices to soup. Both methods have the effect of tranquilizing the mind.

 

Ganoderma Lucidum, Spine Date Seed and Pig Heart Soup

 

Ingredients: Half a pig heart, 10g of Spine Date Seeds, 10g of Ganoderma lucidum, an appropriate amount of Goji berries, ginger, and lily.

 

Method: Put the pig heart in cold water, blanch to remove the blood foam, then cut into small pieces. Put all the ingredients into a stew pot, add 1 liter of water and stew for two hours. Add an appropriate amount of salt for seasoning.

 

Medicinal Meal Explanation: Ganoderma lucidum nourishes Qi and blood and tranquilizes the mind. Spine date seeds have a sweet taste and neutral nature that nourishes the heart and tranquilizes the mind. Lily has a slightly cold nature and sweet taste, with the effects of nourishing Yin, moisturizing the lungs, clearing the heart, and tranquilizing the mind.