Folk expert reveals autumn health and fortune tips

As the 24th solar term, "Lichun" (Start of Autumn), arrives on August 7th, it signals a gradual shift from the heat of summer towards the harvest season. However, folk expert Yang Dengke cautions that the weather will not immediately cool down, and the "autumn tiger" phenomenon may lead to increasing temperature differences between day and night.

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Although Lichun is coming, the weather will not immediately turn cool, and the 'autumn tiger' will continue to exert its influence, causing the temperature difference between day and night to gradually increase.

Yang Dengke specifically highlighted that individuals born under the zodiac signs of the Monkey, Snake, Tiger, and Pig should pay close attention to their health in the approximately two weeks following Lichun. He noted that their health luck may be weaker during this period, making them more susceptible to common colds or minor ailments, particularly those related to the abdomen and digestive system. He advises maintaining good dietary hygiene, avoiding excessive fatigue, and engaging in regular exercise to reduce physical strain.

Following traditional health concepts, Yang Dengke explained that after Lichun, the body's yang energy begins to recede, necessitating adjustments in health practices. The focus should be on "nourishing the lungs, protecting the liver, and moisturizing the body." Autumn's dry climate can affect the lungs, leading to symptoms like dry nasal passages, sore throat, and cough. From a five-element perspective, autumn belongs to metal, which overcomes wood, thus impacting liver function and vision.

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In the two weeks after Lichun, people born in the Year of the Monkey, Snake, Tiger, and Pig should pay special attention to their physical health.

In terms of diet, Yang Dengke recommends foods that moisturize the lungs, such as lotus root, lily bulbs, white fungus, yam, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and tofu. Fruits like pears, apples, hawthorn, and water chestnuts, paired with honey, can help soothe the respiratory tract. Given that summer heat may still linger, consuming cooling foods like mung bean porridge, lotus seed porridge, lily porridge, and mint porridge is also suggested. However, he advises moderation with cooling fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe.

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According to traditional health concepts, after Lichun, the body's yang energy begins to converge, so health practices should also be adjusted according to the solar terms. The ancients said, 'Nourish yang in spring and summer, nourish yin in autumn and winter.' This time should focus on 'nourishing the lungs, protecting the liver, and moisturizing the body.'

Yang Dengke also advises adhering to the principle of "reducing pungent and increasing sour" after Lichun, minimizing spicy foods that can harm the lungs. Incorporating sour fruits and vegetables like kiwis, grapes, pomegranates, tomatoes, and lemons can support liver function. Increasing fiber intake from vegetables is also recommended to prevent constipation associated with autumn dryness. He cautions against overeating, especially fried and greasy foods, which can burden the body and potentially trigger chronic respiratory conditions. For those seeking to "nourish" their bodies, it is better to wait until the weather truly cools before consuming warming ingredients like lamb. Natural ingredients such as snow pear and white fungus soup, lotus root, and lily bulbs are also good choices for autumn wellness.

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In terms of diet, Yang Dengke suggests that after Lichun, one can consume more foods that have lung-moisturizing effects, such as lotus root, lily bulbs, white fungus, yam, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and tofu; fruits can be pears, apples, hawthorn, water chestnuts paired with honey, which helps to moisturize the respiratory tract.