The decline. The energy, that moves downward and internaly, is now of contemplation/recollection, more condensed, heavier. The Yin, within the Yang, starts to take its place. The leaves fall, the climate is cool and dry, white is the color, spicy the flavor. It’s Autumn season, time to harvest and store to face Winter.

In men, Metal is associated with the nose, skin, hair, large intestine and lungs: they retain vital substances (air and food) and discard waste. The Lung regulates Qi, our defenses, breathing, the opening of pores and the dispersion of fluids. It also receives the new. The intestines eliminate waste, what the body doesn’t need anymore: Yin and Yang working together to maintain organic and energetic balance.

It connects emotionally with melancholy and weeping. Spiritually, with Shen Po (bodily soul), that regulates sensitivity, motor coordination, instincts.

Psychological symptoms like sadness, depression, “animalistic” behavior, stubbornness, attachment and phisycal ones like flu, cough, respiratory infections, asthenia, muscle pain, allergies, spontaneous sweating, dryness, intestinal, skin and hair dysfunctions, all reflect disharmony in Metal. When in balance there will be focus, fluidity, serenity, contentment, high self-esteem, good immunity and vitality.

And if the sour flavor tones, the spicy one disperses and the bitter flavor harmonizes Metal, it´s beneficial to increase the consumption of: grains (brown rice – the favorite of the season – glutinous rice/rye/oats/adzuki beans), roots, vegetables, spicy and pungent herbs, which create heat and help to expel pathogens (turnip/lotus/burdock/carrot/cauliflower/pumpkin/onion/garlic/leek/watercress/radish/chives/coriander/star anise/cumin/mustard/cardamom/cloves/nutmeg/ginger/cinnamon), nuts and seeds (pumpkin/sesame/walnuts/chestnuts), season fruits that promote fluids (pear/apple/apricot), teas (green/kukicha/lotus), miso and seaweed (nori/hiziki), which unblock lungs and intestines. Hydrate, strengthen and preserve the internal digestive fire with cooking methods like boiling,roasting, broths, long stews (nishimé). Avoid tobacco, alcohol, raw foods, dairy products, sugar – they all contribute to build up mucus and toxicity.

Protect yourself, bundle up, sleep more. To stimulate coordination and strengthen the lungs, develop breathing techniques, take walks in nature, meditate, practice Tai Chi, Chi Kung. Use aromatherapy to awaken the sense of smell. Laugh and dance to ward off sadness. Let emotions flow, release and let go of all that is toxic for you, internally and externally.