By Mary Berkery
We are coming into that time of transition between Summer and Winter, Autumn is here with its dramatic change in deciduous leaves from green to browns, reds and yellows. It is the season during which most crops are harvested, the air gets dryer and the light filled days start to shorten. Your skin and body metabolism also changes with this seasonal change.
Changes in daily routines keep a harmonious balance with the shifting season, maintaining optimum health in this transition. These adjustments deepen our connection to the changing rhythms within ourselves. In traditional medicine, Autumn corresponds to the Metal element. Metal corresponds to the lungs, large intestines and skin. This time is an excellent time to tone and strengthen these organs by giving them more attention.
Change your Skin Moisturizers
Your skin retains less moisture in cooler, drier air. The same happens indoors as the heat goes on and up. Symptoms of “Autumn skin” include dryness, fine lines, dull, sallow skin, sun and age spots, flaking and irritation, as well as some flare-ups. It can remain beautiful and glowing if you treat it correctly and make some minor adjustments to your beauty regime. There are some excellent certified natural products around that make this easy and are a pleasure to use. Autumn-Winter face moisturizers include Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream which protects when outside and Dr Hauschka Quince Day Cream, a fabulous moisturizer helping maintain skin moisture from indoor drying conditions.
Strengthen Lungs
To increase lung function, brisk evening walks, consciously breathing and upper chest yoga stretching exercises should be incorporated into exercise routines. To prepare lungs for cooler weather, Dr Shultz Lung Formula is a high quality herbal formula that promotes clearer breathing by opening and cleaning up the respiratory passageways, and Dr Vogel’s Ivy-Thyme Complex is an excellent aid in removing congestion. Also, avoid consuming dairy products. They are well-known for congesting the lungs and sinuses. Healthy lungs bring more oxygen to all the body’s cells, resulting in a clearer mind, glowing skin and a brighter you.
Make Seasonal Dietary changes
Transition from summer fruits to include seasonal foods such as organic Leeks, Pumpkins, Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Carrots, Beets, Blackberries, Pears, Apples and Raspberries, all rich in nutrients. Also, include broccoli sprouts. These are high in a phtytonutrient, sulforaphane, known for its cleansing, detoxifying properties. Broccoli sprouts have the ability to repair damage done to sun-exposed skin. I am an advocate of raw, living, vegan foods and Veronica O Reilly’s book, Raw in a Cold Climate, has some wonderful recipes for this time of year.
Have a Colonic
Colonic therapy greatly helps to detox and cleanse the body of parasites, yeast and many other lingering pathogens. Since Autumn is the time that resonates with the Large Intestine, any colonic series done during this season will have an enhanced effect, allowing organs to dump toxicity and parasites more readily. It will also provide more hydration more directly to dry skin and lungs. According to Ciara Murphy, Colonic Therapist and Herbalist, having 1-3 colonics at this time of year greatly boosts the immune system, and she has seen marked improvements in general health and appearance.
Let go
Emotionally, Autumn can be a tricky time for some people. It marks the transition of the maximum light of summer to the maximum dark of winter. We begin to lose some of that Spring-Summer solar vitality, making our bodies slower, cooler and more easily overwhelmed.
Do as the Large Intestine does: eliminate and let go of grudges, grief, sadness and any other emotions that need releasing. Take time in nature, especially the woods. Allow yourself to let go of the Summer with gratitude for times spent with friends and family. Keep in mind: colonics, acupuncture or a spa day can help to manually release emotional baggage and can significantly reduce cases of Autumn depression. Perhaps too, as you let go, make some dedications or wishes that you would like to see more of in your life by Spring.
Enjoy this special time of the year. Be well and be your Radiant Self.
Please contact me via mary@livingbeauty.ie with any enquires, and for seminars and one to one consultations.
