Oriental Nutrition: Things To Eat in Fall

It’s that time of year again: the weather is getting colder; jackets and scarves are coming out… Many patients have been asking us about what they should be eating this time of year.

Oriental Nutrition—the second branch of Oriental Medicine—is based on the same theory as Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. It can increase organ function, blood circulation, or energy circulation. Applying eastern nutrition properly will also increase response to care. It’s like adding a pinch of magic to your routine, making it more effective and enchanting. The basic premise is two-fold: first, eat the correct food for your constitution. Second, eat the proper food for the season. This all comes from a wonderful school of thought in Oriental Medicine called the “Five Element Theory.”

In terms of the Five Element Theory, the lungs and large intestine correspond to autumn. To enhance the function of the lungs and large intestine, we recommend that you consume foods that are pungent or spicy; for example: garlic, ginger or moderate amounts of cayenne or jalapeno pepper (if you can tolerate them, of course).

Spicy cravings can indicate lung or large intestine deficiency.

Chai is also great for fall and winter. Click here for our Chai recipe.

Nothing in this document is intended as a substitute for your doctor’s diagnosis and/or treatment. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.