Fall, The Season For Letting Go.
Season of Letting Go: Fall, Grief, and the Metal Element combining Western and Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season corresponds with an organ system, emotional process, and element. Fall belongs to the Metal element, which governs the Lungs and Large Intestine—organs that teach us about boundaries, release, and exchange. Emotionally, fall is associated with grief, a natural part of the human experience that, when unprocessed, can lodge in the chest and impair our capacity to breathe deeply or connect authentically.
The Lungs are considered the "tender organ" in TCM, vulnerable to dryness and external pathogens like wind and cold—especially in autumn. The Lung also governs Wei Qi, or defensive energy, which aligns closely with our modern understanding of immunity. Meanwhile, the Large Intestine teaches us about letting go, both physically and emotionally, and plays a key role in detoxification.
This seasonal shift makes fall the perfect time to support these systems with herbs, nutrition, and bodywork.
A Holistic Trio for Autumn Resilience
1. Elderberry Syrup
Rich in antioxidants and antiviral compounds, elderberry has long been used in Western herbalism to support the immune system. In TCM terms, elderberry's sweet and slightly sour flavor helps tonify Qi while gently releasing the exterior, a concept referring to the body's natural defenses against pathogens.
2. Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
This classical TCM formula is warming and harmonizing. It gently supports the Wei Qi while encouraging the body to sweat out early-stage colds. Gui Zhi Tang contains cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), white peony (Bai Shao), fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang), jujube dates (Da Zao), and licorice (Zhi Gan Cao). When combined with elderberry syrup, it creates a bridge between ancient Chinese formulas and modern herbal traditions—a beautiful synergy for early fall chills and emotional heaviness.
3. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
The Lymphatic system mirrors the energetic pathways of TCM meridians, particularly the Lung and Large Intestine channels that run through the arms and torso. MLD encourages detoxification, boosts immune function, and helps clear stagnation—both physical and emotional. This gentle hands-on therapy can be especially powerful during times of grief, helping the body "metabolize" sadness while supporting natural drainage and flow.
Aligning with the Season
Fall invites reflection, release, and restoration. By caring for the Lungs and Large Intestine through herbal allies like elderberry syrup, time-tested formulas like Gui Zhi Tang, and gentle touch therapies like manual lymphatic drainage, we honor both the physical and emotional wisdom of the season. Strengthening immunity in autumn isn’t just about avoiding colds—it’s about creating space, inside and out, for what truly nourishes us.