Fall is here again, signaling a time to refocus and get back on track after the relaxed pace of summer. This period, extending from mid-August to mid-September, is often seen as a season of harvest and a chance to restart, not only because it's the start of a new school year for many but also because, according to Chinese Medicine, it marks the beginning of the "fifth season."
This phase coincides with the last stretch of the hottest summer days, also known as the "dog days of summer," which seems to be extending well into September nowadays. As we navigate these changing weather patterns, adapting and maintaining our well-being during the transition between seasons is crucial.
Understanding the Earth Element in Your Body
In Chinese Medicine, we associate each season with an organ pair in our bodies. The "fifth season" is linked to the Stomach and the Spleen, collectively referred to as the Earth element. This element plays a vital role in our digestive system, helping us extract and utilize nutrients from our food efficiently supporting our mental capabilities.
During this time, nourishing our physical and emotional health is essential by fostering good digestive health, which forms a stable foundation for overall well-being. It's an opportunity to ground ourselves, become more rooted in our personal truths, and prepare for the introspective period of winter.
Signs of an Imbalanced Earth Element
An imbalance in the Earth element can lead to physical symptoms such as mucus build-up, water retention, or diarrhea, characterized by a general feeling of dampness. On an emotional level, you might experience feelings of stagnation, over-attachment, or a destructive level of empathy. Unhealthy eating habits, excessive worry, and overthinking can trigger these imbalances.
It is essential to take care of our Stomach and Spleen, nurture the Earth element within us to foster a harmonious transition into the new season, and set the stage for personal growth and achievement of our goals.
Acupuncture for a Balanced Fifth Season
In this season of change, acupuncture, offered at Mulberry Acupuncture & Wellness in Longmont, Colorado, can be a significant ally to help you maintain or restore balance to your Earth element. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing.
Through targeted treatments, acupuncture can help strengthen your spleen and stomach, enhancing your digestive function and optimizing the absorption of nutrients from your food. It can also address symptoms of an imbalanced Earth element, helping to alleviate dampness and harmonize your body's energies, paving the way for a smooth transition into the new season.
Tips for Nourishing the Earth Element
Eating Well
During this time, incorporating orange and yellow foods, such as pumpkins, carrots, and sweet potatoes, into your diet can be beneficial for your spleen. Opt for naturally sweet foods like apples and pears instead of processed sugars. Incorporate nourishing grains and proteins, and use apple cider vinegar as a gentle detox agent, particularly if you're experiencing digestive issues.
Avoid overly hot or cold foods, as they can disrupt the balance of the Earth element. Instead, focus on maintaining a moderate and balanced diet.
Staying Active
Exercise is an excellent way to support your spleen health, as it is closely related to our muscle well-being. Engage in weight-bearing exercises or practices like yoga and tai chi that combine physical activity with meditation. These exercises help clear your mind and enhance the Earth element's strength within you.
Qigong Practice
Another beneficial practice is Qigong, a moving meditation that nurtures your mind, body, and spirit. A simple practice called "gathering the earth" involves imagining gathering leaves or other elements from the earth and releasing them into the sky, promoting grounding and letting go of unhelpful energies.
This season is the perfect time to manifest, create, self-actualize, and step into our personal power and potential...a time to turn thoughts and intentions into action and reap the rewards.
Happy Harvesting!
This blog and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health-related program.
Sources:
Cooking For Fertility by Kathryn Simmons Flynn
The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J Kaptchuk