Nov 29, 2024

Five Seasons of Tonic Wisdom: Autumn ༄ Metal Element

By exploring the ancient Chinese calendar and its elemental correlations, we can gain insights into how to best adapt to seasonal changes in our modern environment.

Thousands of years ago, it is said the ancient Taoist Herbalists witnessed nature's cycles and distilled them down to the interplay of Yin and Yang ~ the interdependent and counter-balancing forces of light & darkness, cold & heat, dry & wet. This philosophical orientation permeated all aspects of life, while also illuminating perspectives on health and wellness.

Long before the rise of Taoism, (circa 4000 BCE) ancient Shamanic traditions of China studied nature, and witnessed the balancing act of Yin and Yang. They noticed how this elemental interplay affected the body, energy levels, and the overall mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. Over time, these concepts developed into the Classical Chinese Herbal theory of Jing, Qi, and Shen, commonly known as the Three Treasures. As understanding of internal medicine progressed over time, Taoist herbalists and Chinese Medicine specialists expanded their theories into an even more nuanced level of elemental interrelatedness existing throughout nature, symbolized by the 5 elemental forces or phases: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, & Water.

This philosophy of Wuxing, meaning "five movements" dates back to about 1000 BCE. Wuxing originally described the 5 closest planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) and their cycles of movement in relation to the forces they exert on Earth. Eventually Wuxing philosophy grew to describe larger abstract concepts such as the evolution of energy and form throughout the cosmos. By about 770 BCE, Five Element Theory was philosophically applied to many aspects of life, including the seasonal calendar. The annual cycle was correlated with these elemental symbols:

༄ Spring 🌲 Wood

༄ Early Summer 🔥 Fire

༄ Late Summer ⛰ Earth

༄ Autumn ⚔️ Metal

༄ Winter 🌊 Water

Over the centuries, some philosophies have proven to be perennial, ringing as true today as they did thousands of years ago. The ancient Chinese 5 Season Elemental Calendar is one of these perennial philosophies that has stood the test of time. It can help serve as a guide to the natural forces around and within us, helping us navigate seasonal changes and modern challenges. With this understanding, we can better adapt and respond with foods, herbs, and lifestyle practices for optimal wellness.

Autumn ༄ Metal Element

In the 5 Seasons Calendar, mid summer is the most Yang time of year, and mid winter is the most Yin time of year. The transitional season of Autumn is a time of falling Yang and rising Yin. In the Northern Hemisphere, Autumn begins around September 22 and transitions into Winter around the Winter Solstice, December 21. The shortening days and cooling weather trigger major changes in the plant kingdom. Deciduous trees shed their leaves and many flowering plants, mosses, and fungi send out their final seeds and spores of the year. Autumn can be seen as a time of loss and letting go, which may correspond to the natural processes of reaping, reckoning, or even grieving. In the Wuxing philosophy, the evolutionary movements of Earth (Late Summer) produce Metal (Autumn). After all, Metal is a concentrated extract of rare Earth minerals. And Metal has the unique property of transforming, as well as collecting and condensing Water (Winter), due to its cooling, conductive nature. Therefore, we can symbolically see the Metal Element as a force that condenses and solidifies Qi, storing Yin Jing for the long winter ahead.

Autumn ༄ Elemental Associations

Metal

Cooling, Falling Yang & Rising Yin

Harvest, Grief

Color: White

Flavor: Pungent

Organ systems: Lungs, Large Intestine

In 5 Element Theory, the archetypal energy of Metal is also associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, two major organs that regulate our interface with the exterior world, governing what we absorb and release. The Lungs and Large Intestine both play crucial roles in detoxification, and may need extra support during Autumn to remain warm, moist, and clear. Immune enhancing tonics, demulcent plants, and warming foods that support digestion can be extra helpful at this time of year. In the transitional Autumn season, it's a natural time to pare down to the essential, let go of unnecessary obligations, and make time for rest. This season is best spent harvesting and storing potential energy, completing or releasing unfinished business, and gleaning the lessons of the past while letting go of anything no longer needed.

The archetypal energy of Metal is associated with the Lungs and Large Intestine, two major organs that regulate our interface with the exterior world, governing what we absorb and release. The Lungs and Large Intestine both play crucial roles in detoxification, and may need extra support during Autumn. Immune enhancing tonics, demulcents, and warming foods that support digestion can be helpful at this time of year.

Tonic Wisdom for Autumn

During Autumn, it's natural to slow down a little. It's colder and darker, we retreat indoors, sleeping earlier, and rising earlier to make the most of daylight. A healthy lifestyle and peaceful mind will collect Shen, balance Qi, and store Yin Jing. While adequate rest is vital now, more sedentary indoor lifestyles can lead to Lung Qi congestion, or slowing of the digestive system, producing indigestion or constipation. To keep Qi flowing, we may need to exert special effort to get enough fresh air, sunlight, and exercise everyday. To support healthy Large Intestine Qi, fibrous foods and gelatinous herbs may be helpful such as triphala, psyllium, chia and oats; plus cooked seasonal veggies like squashes, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, mustards and collard greens.

Left: Royal Sun Agaricus blazei. Center: Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor. Right: Cordyceps militaris.

During this transitional season, it's especially important to support the immune system by maintaining healthy magnesium, vitamin B, C, and D levels. It's also a great time to Fortify immunity by incorporating seasonal medicinal mushrooms into the diet. Fresh mushrooms such as Shitake, Maitake, and Lion's Mane can be stir-fried or simmered into soups. Our concentrated Dual Extract powders can be easily added to any mushroom dish for added nutritional value. Royal Sun Agaricus, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail lend a savory flavor and extra immune support to homemade soups. Chaga and Tremella make a delicious "Hot Chagalate."

Autumn foods & Lifestyle Practices for balanced Qi

Roasted, steamed, or sauteed veggies:

~ Pumpkins, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens, bok choi, kale

Warm breakfasts: eggs, oats, or congee (slow cooked rice pudding with herbs)

Extra Fiber: Flax or chia seeds, dried fruits like prunes, raisins, Triphala

Warming and circulating herbs: ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamon

Probiotic-rich fermented foods: kimchee, sauerkraut, miso, jun

Avoid excessive screen-time after dark: use "night shift" mode, blue-blockers, f.lux

Balance commitments to others with rest and self-care time

Lung & Qi Tonics for Daily Use

Cordyceps militaris

Tremella fuciformis

Left: Astragalus propinquus foliage. Center: American Ginseng roots. Right: Codonopsis pilosula foliage .

Tonic Roots for Immunity and Qi

Astragalus is one of the top immune system enhancers of the Chinese herbal tradition. The dried roots of Astragalus propinquus are used to protect the body from outside pathogens by tonifying "Wei Qi" or "protective qi," which is the energy that runs just below the surface of the skin. It is also believed to support "upright qi," which supports posture and proper positioning of the organs. Astragalus is also a prime adaptogen and longevity tonic. American Ginseng is another adaptogenic Qi tonic that can help support immunity and energy levels. A lesser known alternative to Ginseng is the root of Codonopsis pilosula. Codonopsis is a balanced Qi tonic that enhances Lung Qi, Spleen Qi, immunity, and aids digestion. It is also used to build blood, promoting energy, vitality, and overall longevity. We like to blend Codonopsis with harmonizers like Schisandra, Chen Pi, or Purple Mulberry for well-rounded flavors and multidirectional actions.