In autumn, to nourish the lungs and replenish yin, it’s advisable to consume more foods that are acidic in nature. What should one eat?

　　After the beginning of autumn, the air becomes dry, making people prone to feeling irritable and restless. At this time, it is advisable to consume more foods that clear the heart and moisten dryness in order to alleviate the autumn dryness, such as…: Pears, sugarcane, tremella, duck meat, etc., among which lotus root is the preferred choice. Lotus root helps stimulate the appetite, clear heat, moisten dryness and quench thirst, as well as soothe the mind and calm the spirit. It is rich in trace elements such as iron and calcium, and has significant benefits for nourishing blood and enhancing energy, as well as boosting the body's immune system. Lotus root can be consumed in both raw and cooked forms. When eaten raw, it has a sweet and refreshing taste that benefits the lungs. When steamed with glutinous rice and honey, it becomes soft, tender, and moist, making it an excellent autumn dish. When used in soups with spareribs, it strengthens the spleen and stimulates the appetite, making it particularly beneficial for people with weak spleens and stomachs.

　　According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, each season corresponds to a specific organ, and autumn is associated with the lungs. After the beginning of autumn is the best time to nourish and strengthen the lungs, or to treat lung-related ailments. Herbs that nourish the lungs include tremella, lily, dried persimmons, and water chestnuts. And among them, the best of the season is undoubtedly the almond. Almonds are best consumed in a ratio of 1 to coix seeds: Cook it together with rice in a ratio of 5:1 and drink it when it's warm; it also has nourishing and soothing effects when stewed with pig lungs.

　　As autumn arrives, nurturing the "yin energy" within the body becomes the top priority. There are also many foods that nourish yin, such as sesame seeds, walnuts, glutinous rice, peanuts, pears, and red dates. Among these, honey is perhaps the most representative example. In traditional Chinese medicine, honey is believed to have properties that nourish yin, moisten dryness, soothe the lungs, replenish deficiencies, and lubricate the intestines to promote bowel movements. Honey is an excellent source of energy and can be very effective in relieving fatigue. Honey can be directly mixed into warm water for drinking, or it can be combined with freshly squeezed fruit juices. Remove the core from the pears, pour in honey, cover, and steam until cooked. This recipe helps to replenish insufficient lung yin.

　　““Reducing pungency and increasing acidity” is one of the most important principles of traditional Chinese nutritional medicine regarding diet in autumn. During this season, it is advisable to consume more acidic foods, such as oranges, hawthorns, and green apples, while reducing the intake of sweet foods like watermelons and melons. Those that are currently being mass-produced and sold on the market grapes They are precisely the good fruits that are “sour”. Grapes help to replenish energy and blood, promote the production of body fluids to quench thirst, strengthen the spleen, and facilitate urination. Eating them in early autumn can also aid the body in detoxifying and reducing internal heat.