Fall is Lung Season: TCM Tips to Boost Your Immune System | Triune Wellness
(TLDR: fall is considered "lung season," since the lungs are especially vulnerable to airborne pathogens and play a key role in immunity. Supporting immune function through supplements like elderberry and echinacea, alongside diet and lifestyle shifts and Kelly's turmeric latte recipe. Fall is also a good season to process emotions to support physical health.)
With cold and flu season around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about immune health. Maybe the kids are going back to school and are starting to bring home all of the germs, or you just want to be proactive, but everyone’s immune system could use a boost especially before the stress of holiday season kicks in.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), different organs are paired with different seasons. Fall specifically is considered to be “lung season”. The lungs are particularly important during this season, as it’s one of the only organs that has direct contact with our external environment and is the most vulnerable to airborne pathogens.
Healthy lungs = happy immune system!
Read on for three practical suggestions on boosting your immune system this season.
Supplements
If you’re not taking a good multivitamin, it’s time to start! It’s always a good idea to make sure you’re getting in adequate micronutrients, since it can be tough to get in everything we need just through diet alone.
Vitamin D is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies and plays an important role in immune health, joint and bone health, and mental health. Making sure you are getting enough vitamin D is a great way to support your immune system and beat the winter blues.
Vitamin C and Zinc are also nutrients that are vital to immune health. These vitamins work together to promote healthy function of immune cells and fight systemic inflammation.
Elderberry is rich in antioxidants which helps to combat inflammation, is high in vitamin C, and has natural antiviral properties. Similarly, Echinacea also contains different chemical properties that help to find inflammation and infection. Both have been historically used as homeopathic cold and flu remedies.
Immuplex is a Standard Process supplement we carry in house and is an easy way to add immune support into your daily supplement regimen. It is high in Vitamin C and Zinc, and is formulated specifically to help support your immune system.
*Disclaimer - before starting a new vitamin or supplement, it is always a good idea to check in with your doctor to make sure that they are the right fit for you.
Break out the Fall Recipes
Chinese medicine also correlates different organs with different flavors. Lungs are correlated with pungent and spicy flavors, ex: black pepper, garlic, onion, chili, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, etc.. Nourishing your body with warm cooked foods is an easy (and tasty!) way to support immune health.
Try to avoid foods that are heavy in processed sugar and dairy (give away that extra Halloween candy!); both contribute to inflammation, mucus production, and sinus congestion.
But! I will never tell you to completely eliminate your sweet treats! One of my favorite ways to get in my sugar craving and to wind down from my day in the fall and winter is with a Turmeric Latte:
8oz of nondairy milk of choice
1 tsp of turmeric
½ tsp of cinnamon
½ tsp of ginger
Crack of black pepper (necessary to activate turmeric’s
anti-inflammatory properties)
Splash of vanilla extract
Natural sweetener of choice to taste (I personally like maple syrup)
*feel free to adjust spice measurements to your liking
Simmer in a small pot on low/medium heat and whisk until milk is warmed and spices are combined. Once warmed, pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!
Did your grandma nag you to put on a scarf and not to leave the house with wet hair? She was right!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we think of the back of your neck and shoulders to be where external pathogens (aka germs) can get in. Keeping that area warm, dry, and covered adds an extra layer of protection.
An Emotional Check-In
As the year is coming to a close, fall is a great time to take stock of your “harvest” over the past year. In Chinese Medicine, lungs are correlated with the emotion of grief and sadness. Emotional health can have a very real impact on your physical health! So, by addressing any lingering or stuck emotions, you are also promoting healing and resilience within your physical body.
Lung season is for letting go.
Take a moment to reflect on what’s been working for you and what hasn’t. For me, journaling can be really helpful in organizing my thoughts and feelings, however making a mental checklist or talking it out with friends/loved ones can be just as effective.
An essential tenant of Chinese Medicine (and Triune!) is treating the mind, body, and spirit as one working unit. Employing multiple modalities is the key to creating balance, health and harmony within your body. While coming in for regular acupuncture treatments, chiropractic adjustments, and massages is great, it is just important to support yourself outside of the treatment space.
By employing some healthy habits into your daily routine, you are setting yourself up for success in the months to come!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What supplements should I consider for immune support?
A good multivitamin is a solid foundation. Beyond that, Vitamin D (one of the most common deficiencies, and great for immunity, bones, and mood), Vitamin C and Zinc, elderberry, and echinacea are all worth looking into. We also carry Immuplex in-house, a Standard Process supplement formulated for immune support. As always, check with your doctor before starting anything new.
Why does Chinese Medicine associate certain foods with the lungs?
Pungent and spicy flavors (think garlic, ginger, onion, black pepper, turmeric, and cinnamon) are traditionally linked to the lungs. Warm, cooked meals with these ingredients are an easy way to support immunity through diet.
What does emotional health have to do with immunity?
Chinese Medicine links the lungs to grief and sadness, and fall is seen as a natural time to reflect and let go of what no longer serves you. Since emotional and physical health are deeply connected, journaling, talking things through, or simply checking in with yourself can support your body's resilience too.
Why is fall called "lung season" in Chinese Medicine?
Each season is paired with an organ, and fall corresponds to the lungs. Since the lungs are one of the only organs in direct contact with our external environment, they're especially vulnerable to airborne pathogens this time of year — making lung health key to a strong immune system.
How does this connect to treatments at Triune?
Regular acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage all support the body from different angles, but pairing those treatments with healthy daily habits is what really sets you up for a strong, balanced fall and winter.
Curious about Acupuncture or TCM?
Or call our office: 508-810-0220
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