Starting today, we've entered into a brand new season...autumn!
Welcome to the first solar term of Autumn/Fall -- Beginning of Autumn (Li Qiu).
As we enter into Autumn, even though the temperature may still be high, there might be more of a breeze in the air. The humidity begins to drop and the air becomes drier. The Yin energy starts to become longer while the Yang energy slowly shortens. It is the season to be nourishing our lungs, taking in the Yang energy, and storing enough for the Winter until Spring comes.
During this transition between seasons, the temperature can change quite dramatically, so it’s important to dress accordingly (*recommend to dress in layers or bring a light cardigan).
How to Maintain -- Dredge the Triple Burner (San Jiao) Meridian
The Triple Burner (SJ) Meridian controls the transportation and penetration of Qi as well as the water passages and the excretion of fluids. It is recommended to stimulate the SJ Meridian during this solar term to allow the body to be nourished and have a smooth flow of Qi which can promote energy and balance your mental and emotional status.
[TCM FACTS] - Triple Burner (San Jiao) Meridian
The Triple Burner Meridian originates from the tip of the ring finger, by the outside corner of the nail (ulnar side), passes between the knuckles of the fourth and fifth fingers, on to the wrist. From here it ascends between the two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), through the tip of the elbow, and up the back of the arm to the shoulder.
It moves forward into the chest to connect with the pericardium, the upper burner, the abdomen, the middle and lower burners. Re-emerging from the chest at the collarbone, the meridian ascends the side of the neck and around the back of the ear.
As its name states, the Triple Burner Meridian is being split into three areas: Upper Burner (heart, lungs, pericardium, throat and head), Middle Burner (stomach, spleen and gallbladder) and Lower Burner (liver, kidneys, intestines, bladder and reproductive organs). If the SJ Meridian is affected, symptoms such as abdominal distension, edema, difficulty in urination, sore throat, swelling and pain in the eyes, cheeks and ear, etc. may appear. Also, the Triple Burner Meridian controls the transportation of Qi, so if the meridian is blocked, Qi is also blocked, which may cause not just pain in the body as listed above, but also cause emotional depression.
Diet
It is recommended during this period to consume foods that are highly nutritious and have the benefit of nourishing the Yin (ie. pumpkin, cucumber, sesame, lotus roots, cabbage, eggplant, okra, black wood ear, pomelo pear, longan, grapes, etc.). Try to avoid foods that may damage the Yin fluid and stay away from any foods that are overly spicy, greasy or cold.
It is important to drink enough water throughout the day to keep the body hydrated. Teas and soups that are suitable for this season are: tremella (white wood ear) soup, red bean soup, red date with goji water, honey water, luo han guo tea, lotus root tea, etc. *keep in mind that for those who have a more dry, heat body type, consume red dates moderately.
- Rinse the cucumbers and cut away the two ends. Smash it with the knife and cut into sections.
- Mince the garlic and cut the red chili pepper into small chunks (if you don't eat spicy food, then don't need to put in the red pepper).
- Find a clean container and put the cucumbers in, add salt and mix well, let stand for 30 minutes.
- Drain the cucumbers, and rinse off the excess salt with cold water.
- In a clean bowl, add in the cucumbers, minced garlic, red pepper, sugar and vinegar (either white vinegar or black vinegar can be used) and mix well.
- Finally, put it in the refrigerator and chill for about 20 minutes.
- Can add a little bit of sesame oil before serving.
Lifestyle
For Autumn, it’s all about sleeping early and waking up early along with regular exercise habits. Perform moderate exercises such as swimming, jogging, bicycling, etc. that enhances cardiopulmonary function 3~5 times per week for around 20~50 minutes every time. For those who don't exercise regularly, pay attention to their current physical condition and adjust the exercise intensity to avoid the body being overburdened.
Essential Oil Blend -- Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner (San Jiao) Meridian
Scotch Pine (9 drops)
Bergamot (19 drops)
Spanish Sage (9 drops)
Cape Jasmine + Vetiver (3 drops)
Hedychium coronarium (1 drop)
Cold-pressed sesame oil (30 ml)
Sea buckthorn oil (1 drop)
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Once again I would like to thank Yu Wei Huang L.Ac for designing the character for Li Qiu and providing all of the great suggestions for this time period.
The essential oil blends are based off of the book "Four Seasons of Aromatherapy" by Elizabeth S.
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終於迎來秋天的第一個節氣: 立秋！夏天的結束也代表著天地間和人體的陰陽之氣也順應陰陽消長的道理，有如先前提到的陽氣巔峰「三伏天」後，陽氣慢慢下收，而陰氣悄悄上長。天氣會開始變得涼爽，但是夏天的餘熱還在，夏秋交接時的天氣變化多端，大家還是要多注意根據氣溫調整自身的穿著喔！另外，秋天是屬於比較乾燥的季節，和夏季充沛的溼氣完全不同。今天就針對秋天的季節特性來為大家介紹一下如何進行保養。
立秋的保養重點：滋陰潤燥，益氣養肺
可以吃／喝什麼？
立秋宜多食用營養豐富的果蔬和蛋白質，還有具有養陰生津及少許清熱的食物，避免秋燥損傷陰液，另外還需要多補充水分。例如南瓜、黃瓜、芝麻、蓮藕、白菜、茄子、秋葵、黑木耳、瘦肉、梨子、龍眼、柚子、葡萄、橘子等。湯水茶飲可用百合蓮子銀耳湯、紅豆湯、紅棗枸杞茶、蜂蜜水、羅漢果茶、杏仁茶、蓮藕茶等。在此要注意體質躁熱的人紅棗不宜多服。
禁忌：辛辣油膩及寒涼生冷的食物。
節氣食譜－涼拌小黃瓜
材料：
小黃瓜 2~3條，約400克
蒜 3瓣
辣椒 1條
鹽 2小匙
糖 1大匙
醋 1大匙
香油 少許
小黃瓜洗淨後去除頭尾用刀拍碎後切段、大蒜切末、辣椒切小段（不吃辣可不放辣椒）備用
找一乾淨容器將小黃瓜放入後，加入鹽巴拌勻，靜置30分鐘等小黃瓜出水
將小黃瓜出的水倒出，再用冷開水沖洗掉小黃瓜上掉多餘的鹽份
小黃瓜瀝乾後，加入蒜末、辣椒、糖和醋（用白醋或是烏醋皆可）拌勻，最後放入冰箱冷藏約20分鐘即可，享用前記得淋上少許香油味道會更香喔～
生活習慣
規律的起居及運動習慣還是養生最佳的原則。中醫講求的是平衡之道，因此無論是任何事要切記過與不及。秋天宜早睡早起；運動時可挑選一些適度增強心肺功能的運動，像是游泳、慢跑、跳舞、騎單車等，運動頻率為一周3~5次，一次20~50分鐘最佳。平時沒有運動習慣的人，要注意依照自己的身體狀況調整運動強度，以漸進的方式為主，避免一次運動量太大，或有運動負荷增加太多的情況。
芳療 － 手少陽三焦經精華油
歐洲赤松 (9滴)
佛手柑 (19滴)
薰衣鼠尾草 (9滴)
野薑花根 (1滴)
槴子花岩蘭草 (3滴)
冷壓芝麻油 (30ml)
沙棘油 (1滴)
中醫小知識－三焦經
三焦經起於無名指尖外端，上行小指與無名指之間，沿著手背，經過手腕及前臂兩骨之間，過肘尖，繼續沿手臂外側上行至肩膀，從缺盆進入體內分布於膻中，絡心包，聯繫上焦、中焦及下焦。其一支脈從膻中分出上行，出鎖骨上窩，沿頸項，連繫耳後，直上出耳上方，彎下向面頰，至眼下。另一支脈則從耳後進入耳中，出耳前，到外眼角接膽經。
三焦是將中醫概念的五臟六腑劃分為三個區域：上焦是橫膈以上的心與肺；中焦包括脾、胃、肝、膽；下焦為臍以下的腎、大腸、小腸、膀胱及生殖系統。若三焦經出現病變時會產生腹脹、水腫、小便不利、聽力問題，還有喉嚨痛、眼睛、面頰腫痛、耳部疼痛、肩臂肘部外側疼痛等。
三焦經主一身之氣，是人體的重要經絡，影響氣、血與內分泌的協調。氣若不通不只會產生疼痛，也會造成情志鬱鬱不暢，因此維持三焦經的通暢，不僅可以保養身體，也能幫助穩定情緒喔。
讓我們一起從早睡早起和按摩三焦經開始來保持好的心情來享受秋天吧～
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非常感謝中醫師黃昱瑋所提供有關【立秋】時期的養生方法還有可愛的插畫。
精油配方是來自沈莉莎的24節氣經絡芳療自療全書
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