When the Leaves Let Go: A TCM Perspective on Fall
Essence Acupuncture Wellness Blog
When the Leaves Let Go: A TCM Perspective on Fall
Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine in Corning, NY
Serving the Southern Tier & Twin Tiers
There is something about October that invites us to slow down.
The leaves begin to change. The air becomes crisp. The trees gradually release what they no longer need, allowing their leaves to fall to the earth and make room for what comes next.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this is more than simply a beautiful seasonal change. Fall is the season of the Metal element—a season associated with the Lung and Large Intestine, and with the natural process of letting go.
The trees don't hold onto their leaves because they are afraid of what winter will bring. They simply release what has completed its purpose.
There is wisdom in that.
The Medicine of Letting Go
Fall asks us to consider what we may be holding onto that we no longer need.
This might be a physical possession, an old routine, a past version of ourselves, a belief about who we are supposed to be, or even a pattern that once served us but no longer does.
In TCM, the Lung is connected not only with respiration, but with our ability to take in what is useful and release what is no longer needed. The Large Intestine carries this same theme on a physical level: receive, transform, and let go.
Sometimes emotional releases become more noticeable during this time of year as well. Grief, sadness, nostalgia, or feelings we've tucked away can rise closer to the surface.
This doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong.
Sometimes the body is simply giving us an opportunity to feel, process, and release.
Just as the trees begin to shed their leaves, we can begin to ask: What am I ready to let go of ?
Fall Health: Changing With the Season
One of the central ideas in TCM is that our health is influenced by our relationship with the world around us. As the environment changes, our habits should change with it.
Summer encourages movement, activity, expansion, and lighter foods. Fall begins to draw us inward.
The days become shorter. Temperatures drop. The air becomes drier. Our bodies naturally begin asking for more warmth, nourishment, rest, and protection.
This is a beautiful time to gradually transition toward:
- More warm, cooked meals
- Nourishing soups, stews, and roasted vegetables
- Fewer cold and raw foods
- Consistent sleep and rest
- Protecting yourself from cool, dry air
- Gentle movement rather than constant pushing
- Creating more space for reflection and restoration
The goal isn't to abruptly change everything about your routine. It's simply to begin moving with the season instead of against it.
Metal, the Lungs & the Dryness of Fall
The Metal element is associated with the Lung and Large Intestine.
As the season becomes cooler and drier, we often see patterns that reflect this relationship: dry skin, dry throat, constipation, respiratory irritation, coughs, and increased vulnerability to seasonal illness.
In TCM, we also pay attention to the influence of **external wind**, particularly when it combines with dryness or heat. The crisp autumn air can be irritating to the respiratory system, especially as temperatures fluctuate.
One simple way to support yourself is to protect your body from those environmental changes.
That can mean wearing a scarf around your neck when the weather turns chilly, keeping your home comfortably humidified, and giving your body warm, nourishing foods.
A diffuser or humidifier can also add gentle moisture to the air when indoor heating begins to dry things out. Just remember that essential oils aren't necessary for the humidifying benefit, and some people—particularly those with respiratory sensitivities—may do better with plain water.
What We Eat Matters, Too
Fall is a wonderful time to begin thinking about foods that nourish the body's fluids and support the transition toward a drier environment.
Some traditional foods associated with supporting moisture and Yin include:
Pears • Apples • Peaches • Sesame Seeds • Glutinous Rice • Honey
And one of my favorite simple fall snacks?
Sautéed apples or pears with a little cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
Warm, simple, nourishing, and perfect for a crisp October afternoon.
Another traditional fall favorite is Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) tea. In TCM, chrysanthemum is often used to help address patterns associated with Wind-Heat and can be a refreshing choice when the air feels dry or irritating.
Hawthorn (Shan Zha) is another traditional food-herb often used to support digestion, particularly when there is a feeling of food stagnation or heaviness after eating. Dried hawthorn can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into teas, oatmeal, or other recipes.
As always, herbs can have specific effects and aren't appropriate for everyone, especially in medicinal amounts or alongside certain medications. When in doubt, ask your acupuncturist or qualified herbal practitioner before using herbs therapeutically.
Maybe Your Home Needs to Let Go, Too
There's another kind of seasonal transition that can be surprisingly powerful.
Look around your home.
Summer has a way of accumulating things. Sports equipment, beach towels, children's clothes, outdoor toys, paperwork, projects, and all the little pieces of a busy season can begin to take up space.
October can be a beautiful time to begin clearing some of it away.
Not because everything needs to be perfectly organized.
But because our external environment can influence our internal environment.
Sometimes clearing one drawer, one closet, or one corner of a room creates a surprising sense of lightness.
You don't have to tackle the whole house.
Choose one small space.
Ask yourself:
Does this still serve me?
Do I still need this?
Am I holding onto this because it is useful—or because I feel like I should?
And perhaps most importantly:
What would it feel like to make room for something new?
A Little Fall Acupressure for Self-Care
You can also connect with the Metal element through simple acupressure at home. You can also connect with the Metal element through simple acupressure at home.
LU 7 — Lung 7 | Lie Que Location:On the thumb side of the forearm, just above the wrist. Place your thumb at the base of your thumb and slide it toward your wrist. LU 7 is located approximately 1.5 thumb-widths above the wrist crease, in a small depression along the radius bone.
How to use:Use your opposite thumb to apply comfortable, steady pressure. Hold for 30–60 seconds while taking slow, relaxed breaths. Repeat on the other side.
This is a lovely point to incorporate into a quiet morning or evening breathing practice.
LI 20 — Large Intestine 20 | Ying Xiang Location:In the small groove beside the outer edge of each nostril, where the cheek and nose meet.
How to use:Using your index fingers, gently press or massage the area in small circles for 30–60 seconds. Keep the pressure gentle, especially if the area is tender.
This point is traditionally used to support the nose and nasal passages and can be particularly comforting during seasonal changes.
LU 3 — Lung 3 | Tian Fu Location:On the inner portion of the upper arm, approximately 3 finger-widths below the front of the armpit crease, along the biceps muscle.
How to use:With the opposite hand, apply gentle pressure to the area for 30–60 seconds while breathing slowly and deeply. Repeat on the opposite side.
Because this area can be tender, start with light pressure and gradually increase only as comfortable.
Acupressure should feel comfortable and soothing—not painful.Avoid pressing over broken, irritated, or infected skin. If you're unsure about locating a point, ask your acupuncturist to show you at your next appointment.
What Are You Ready to Release?
Fall doesn't ask us to become someone new overnight.
It simply reminds us that change is natural.
The leaves fall when their season is complete. The trees become quieter. The days grow shorter. The world begins preparing for rest.
Perhaps we can do the same.
Maybe this October is a good time to release a habit that has been weighing you down.
A belief that no longer fits.
A possession that has been taking up space.
A story you've been carrying about yourself.
Or simply the idea that you have to keep doing things the way you've always done them.
Letting go isn't always about losing something.
Sometimes, letting go is how we make room.
Room to breathe.
Room to rest.
Room to heal.
And room for whatever comes next.
As the trees remind us each autumn, there is a season for holding on—and there is a season for release.
This is the season of letting go.Schedule Individualized Acupuncture Care in Corning, NY
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