L'art de préserver sa santé en automne - MYCELAB

The art of preserving your health in autumn

October 19, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of care based on vital energy, called “Qi” (pronounced “chi”). Like Ayurveda, it is a holistic medicine, meaning that it looks at the body as a whole and does not consider the body and mind independently. This practice originated in China more than 5,000 years ago, before spreading to Korea and then Japan. Today, it is widespread in the West.

The principles of TCM

According to TCM, we all have an energy balance . In other words, we have energy currents that circulate freely in our body. This is what we call vital energy (Qi) , and it is what connects us to our external environment. Harmony occurs when this energy circulates correctly, but rest assured: if an imbalance occurs, several techniques exist to put everything back in order!

Likewise, traditional Chinese medicine considers that a symbiosis between Yin and Yang, symbol of the bipolarity of things, is essential to health. Yin (black) represents the physical and material body, while Yang equates to the immaterial and energy. These are therefore two opposing forces, and the movements between one and the other must be harmonious.

Finally, TCM is based on 5 elements , called Wu Xing : metal, wood, earth, fire and water. Also called the 5 movements, they are each connected to an organ. Thus, fire is linked to the heart, earth to the pancreas and the spleen, metal to the lungs, water to the kidneys and finally wood to the liver. As with the other principles, there must be a balance between the interactions of these 5 elements. It should be noted that each organ corresponds to an element, a movement, but also to a season, a climate, an orientation, a flavor, an emotion...

Maintain a balance

But how can we keep all of this in balance, a guarantee of good health? There are a total of 5 therapeutic tools to regulate these balances.

Acupuncture

This is the most popular traditional Chinese medicine technique. This practice aims to restore the circulation of Qi in the body using needles. This technique can also be performed using other tools, such as moxibustion, which uses heat, or with suction cups.

Chinese dietetics

This practice aims to restore health through a suitable diet and includes a set of food hygiene rules. It is based on the principle that food must nourish our bodily and mental needs thanks to the energy it provides.

The pharmacopoeia

This branch of traditional Chinese medicine includes a wide range of products. You can find plants (whole, crushed, decoction, powder, etc.), but also infusions incorporating animal or mineral extracts. It seeks to harmonize complementary strengths.

Energy exercises

Qi Gong and Tai Chi are health and healing exercises to prevent imbalances and maintain health. These are psychological and bodily energetic gymnastics practices comprising gentle movements performed in combination with breathing, relaxation and mental focus.

First of all, Qi Gong is a science of breathing based on the knowledge and mastery of the breath, combining slow movements and breathing exercises. The extreme slowness of the movements makes it possible to identify blockages and to identify and control Qi through the body.

Tai Chi, on the other hand, is characterized by movements practiced with speed. It is, among other things, a complex form of Qi Gong, with a complete sequence of between 24 and 48 movements to be performed in a pre-established order.

Massages

And more particularly the Tui Na ! Tui means to push, and Na means to grab. It is an energetic and dynamic massage, characterized by 3 typical movements: pressure, mobilization and kneading. Manual stimulation of acupuncture points allows the re-establishment of the circulation of vital energy.

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In autumn, an imbalance of Yin and Yang

The arrival of autumn causes a disappearance of Yang and an increase of Yin, leading to an adaptation of the physiological activities of the human body to this change. To conserve Yin energy during this period, in order to preserve your health, there are a few principles to follow.

One of the first principles is to go to bed early to conserve the Yin essence, and to get up early to release the Yang energy. In addition, autumn being linked to the lung organ, getting up early allows us to breathe the fresh and healthy air of the morning while strengthening our lungs, but also to limit cerebro-cardio-vascular diseases such as thrombosis which occurs most often in the last stage of sleep.

In addition to the lung, fall is also linked to the large intestine. This is the ideal time to carry out probiotic , activated charcoal or chlorophyll treatments.

Being also associated with dryness, autumn is likely to cause an imbalance in the lungs and large intestine which manifests itself in the skin and hair. To avoid any inconvenience, particularly moisturize your skin during this period.

Autumn is linked to the metal element and the color white. This is therefore the ideal period to wear white and metallic, and it is also advisable to eat white vegetables , such as white cabbage, celery, turnips... or root vegetables which stimulate the lungs. Also eat seasonal fruits, dried fruits, fish and seafood, but also legumes and cereals. Still on the food side, indulge in spicier cuisine . Indeed, spiciness is the flavor of fall.

Finally, take time for yourself and to cultivate joy and optimism. Indeed, autumn is associated with sadness, and we are therefore particularly vulnerable to this feeling which depletes the energy of the lungs. Listen to happy music, watch comic films, read funny stories… in short, you get it, treat yourself!

In short, by following these principles of traditional Chinese medicine and these few tips for fall, you will find harmony and balance, and be ready to face winter.

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