Traditional autumn remedies

By Justine | September 10, 2023

When I sat down to write this I decided that I would consider traditional autumn remedies from a slightly different perspective. First of all, I love the autumn colours – the many shades of green, browns, golds, oranges and yellows. It is such a vibrant time of year but also a time of rapid change. With this in mind I have focused on traditional autumn remedies using autumn foods colours for guidance.

Autumn is time to build the foundation for renewal, reconnect with who you are; find value and meaning in what you do; release, cleanse and “let go”

Or as the Brahma Kumaris say so eloquently

As autumn begins and the leaves start to change into radiant colours, radiate your colours, your qualities into the world. And as the leaves fall off the trees, let go of all that is no longer essential. And as the trees become bare, return to what is essential, what really matters. Radiate your colours, let go and return to what really matters.

Traditional Autumn Remedies

Organic Apple Cyder Vinegar (ACV):	Helps maintain alkaline pH level. This is essential because dis-ease can’t progress in an alkaline environment. ACV supports digestion, detoxification and breaks up mucus! *Natural ACV Tonic =* 2 or 3 teaspoons (10-15 ml) in an 8 ounce glass of water before meals Over the Autumn a traditional remedy to prevent colds is to drink ACV daily but if you have the cold and chesty cough try this! Cut a piece of a paper bag the size of your chest and soak in ACV. Sprinkle one side with black pepper and lay across your chest for half an hour or to support your skin over the autumn months use it as a skin toner to reduce acne and spots. Orange awakens inner potential, sparks the creativity within each of us and encourages confidence. It helps you to communicate with your inner feelings. No wonder so many natural foods are the colour of orange. It is the colour for health, humour, joy and liberation. Orange helps us to bring fruition to our dreams and manifestation of our ideas. Let the autumn golds bring laughter and love into your life, encouraging confidence and future positivity Affirmation: I love life
Chyawanprash	Traditional Indian tonic believed to strengthen the lungs, nourish mucous membranes, clear phlegm and support the heart. It is also believed to promote longevity and act as an anti-aging tonic. Take 1-2 teaspoons daily. This is one of those “love it or hate it” tastes. I buy mine from the brand Pukka but there are others. The mixture itself looks like a dark brown jam. It’s made using potent Ayurvedic herbs (like cardamom, cinnamon, or saffron to name a few), Alma fruit and much more . The concoction is brown, sticky, and tastes sweet, sour, and spicy. Chyawanprash is also believed to enhances sexual potency and pleasure, keeps all the sensory organs healthy, improves skin complexion and strengthens hair.
Garlic Syrup	Peel and chop 6-8 cloves of fresh garlic. Place in a jar and cover with 8 tablespoons of honey. Stand for several days, then strain. Take by the teaspoon daily (2x for children 4x for adults) to boost immunity or if one of the family has a chest infection, viral or autum cough then give daily whilst the illness remains. You can also make the syrup with apple cyder vinegar. Please note this comes with a health warning! Ensure all family members take it otherwise nobody will be talking to you! White: Contains all the colous of the spectrum nourishes and purifies. White enables things to be “crystal clear” and illuminates thoughts. Let your thoughts this autumn encourage you to find value and meaning in what you do, reconnect with who you are, remain open minded and peaceful. Let the crisp autumn air innovate and inspire. Affirmation: A period of silence daily illuminates my mind
Honey	In Ancient Egypt honey had a role in births, deaths and marriages; it provided the energy and inspiration to create a child, was used to make special honey cakes as an offering to placate the gods and was an ingredient in embalming fluids. 1 teaspoon of manuka or local honey with a serving of live yoghurt or serving kefir with 2 dessertspoons ground flaxseed and serving of stewed apples is a fantastic breakfast for the Autumn. I recommend it to support colon health, ease liver congestion, support immunity, encourage hormone balance and make you happy! Stewed Healing Apples: 6 Bramley cooking apples (or apples of choice preferably grown organically), ½ cup water , ½ cup raisons/sultanas, 2 tsp cinnamon, Peel and core the apples and chop into small evenly sized pieces. Place the ingredients in a covered, pan and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Cook until soft . The colour becomes russet brown with the cinnamon effect. Eat warm or cold. Tip: Make up as many ramekins (sized to hold 1 – 1.5 apple equivalent in each and place in fridge for ease. Excellent for digestion and immunity. Although I have added this to the desserts section I like with coconut yoghurt in the morning with a dessertspoon of ground flaxseeds Yellow: The colour of intellect, the sun. It is warm, inviting and offers clarity. Yellow offers burst of energy, confidence, optimism and ehnaces memory so allow the autumn yellows to help you let go of anything that no longer supports you and build foundations for the future Affirmation: I am open and willing to change
Ginger	Support your immunity and inflammation this Autumn. Ginger is known to ease stomach cramps, sickness, reduces nausea and migraines, cold and flu symptoms, menstrual cramps so wonderful support for all women. Add it to everything! Delicious combined with lemon or honey. Immune Boosting Tea: 2.5cm grated root ginger, Small pinch of sage or some thyme leaves , slice lemon and dash of cayenne pepper . Add ingredients to hot water. Stand for about 5 minutes. Strain if you wish and sip slowly. Ginger Compress: Contraindications: babies and the elderly, pregnancy, appendicitis and pneumonia, high fever The purpose of a ginger pack is to increase blood circulation and movement of body fluids where stagnation exists – such as when your “moon time”, i.e. period is not forthcoming or when there is inflammation. I think ginger compresses are helpful if you suffer with recurrent cystitis, have an erratic menstrual cycle or suffer with inflamation and poor circulation Directions: Grate 4-5 oz of fresh root ginger and place into a muslin cloth or bag or old sock! Tie at the top but leave enough room for water to circulate. Place the ginger bag into a litre of boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes. When the ginger infused water is ready soak a flannel or muslin in it and then squeeze out and compress. Apply this to the kidney area or area of stiffness such as bladder if you are suffering with cystitis and add a towel on top to keep warm. Refresh the pack in the hot ginger water at regular intervals (about about 5 minutes) for about 20 minutes or so. You know when it is enough because the flesh will be showing a lasting deep red colour. Red gives us the jolt to move, arouses passion and desire and stimulates the appetite. Let the red autumn colours and ginger compressess increase determination, stamina and emotional response. Red offers primal energy so connect with it, tune in to moon energy and find yourself once more Affirmation: I have the courage to move forward
Green Tea	Very high antioxidant. Encourages you to “let go” through its colon cleansing attributes but it is also a wonderful remedy for autumn skin conditions including ecezma and acne rosacae plus it has additional immune boosting properties. Thee are many forms of green tea. Gyokuro and Sencha Green teas contain about half the caffeine content of standard green tea whilst Joujicha green tea, Genmaicha tea (mix of Bancha and Genmai – rice grain), and Bancha green tea contain up to ten times less caffeine than standard green teas. New research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows that the biochemicals in green tea change a women’s oestrogen metabolism, revealing at least one of its mechanisms for reducing the risk of breast cancer. The study comes from the NIH’s National Cancer Institute, and was led by Dr. Barbara Fuhrman. Justine’s Autumn Green Chai: 2 organic green tea bags, 500 ml hot water , Half a cinnamon stick or pinch dried cinnamon, 2-3 green cardamom pods, pinch saffron , pinch dried ginger or a little grated root ginger, honey to taste. Place the water in a saucepan. Add all ingredients and simmer. The end result is a fragrant tea which is a powerful antioxidant. Drink 2-3 cups daily Green Matcha Tea powder is great over the autumn because as we slow down with the season it helps to boost our metabolism. It also fights against viruses and bacteria, enhances mood and has more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranates. It also provides potent cancer fighting properties and helps to cleanse and detoxify the body. You can buy it from most health food shops. Just place a teaspoon in a mug and add hot water or drink cold if you prefer. Green represents harmony: Neither warm nor cold green is the great regulator found in the middle of the spectrum. It represent harmony and balance. This autumn the green of nature offers you hormonal and physical health and balance, emotional freedom and increased hope. This autumn season encourage forgiveness in your heart and connect with nature. Affirmation: I live and breathe in balance
Star Anise	Star anise is known for its anti-influenza qualities because it contains large amounts of shikimic acid but it is also an awesome aphrodisiac, antibacterial and antioxidant. It has a rich fennel/aniseed flavour. I recommend you add star anise to hot water for tea during this autumn. It also combines well with dried apricots and figs. I pour the “tea” over them and leave overnight so they hydrate well. Working with “alchemy” it is a moon spice carried whole for luck, and if you burn whole allegedly increases psychic awareness. In Hoodoo, star anise is put under the pillow in order to dream of someone far away or to keep away nightmares. This herb is great for New Moon work and is so aromatic that just a small handful ground up is enough to strongly scent a jar of oil, and it makes an incense all on its own. Brown is the colour of the earth. It represents security, solidarity and permanence. Affirmation: I am safe
Linseeds and ground flaxseeds	Linseeds (aka flaxseeds) are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fibre, manganese, vitamin B1, and the richest plant source of omega 3 fats, which are essential for a healthy brain, heart, joints and immune system. The seeds come from flax, one of the oldest fiber crops in the world – known to have been cultivated in ancient Egypt and China.Due to the high content of plant chemicals known as phytoestrogens, linseeds have been called nature’s answer to hormone replacement therapy. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring forms of the female hormone oestrogen and are found in certain foods. They help to either reduce high levels of oestrogens or to boost low levels. This can have a positive impact on the unpleasant effects of the menopause, such as flushing and night sweats. Linseed Tea: Drink daily, in the morning. This tea is good for the nervous system, hormone balancing and colon cleansing so wonderful all year round not just during the autumn! Add hot water to a teaspoon of linseeds or ground flaxseeds and leave for 5 minutes. Strain & serve. Add honey if necessary or some freshly grated ginger root for taste!
Turmeric	This autumn buy fresh if you can but otherwise add half a teaspoon to everything! Amazing anti-inflammatory and believed to reduce ageing due to its influence over oxidative stress and helps to raise antioxidant enzymes, scavenges free radicals that cause oxidative stress and inhibit lipid peroxidation (oxidation of fats present in cell membrane leading to cell death). Autumn turmeric mask to support skin health. You will need to wash it off well otherwise you may end up wth a slightly yellow tinge to your face. Combine enough honey, yoghurt or kefir to cover your face. Add 1-2 tablespoons of turmeric and mix in a bowl until it forms a smooth paste. Apply to freshly washed skin. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes before washing off. Hot Toddy : Half a teaspoon of each of these: Cinnamon, ginger root or powder, black pepper, turmeric (root or powder), honey and half a grated lime or lemon peel or some star anise! Add 500ml water and stand for about 5 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day. Gold: Gold is the highest known vibration and signifies wisdom and knowledge. It represetns total acceptance. In gold we have completed our cycle and earned recognition Affirmation: I am guided by wisdom in all my affairs