5 Foods to Boost Your Immunity in Autumn

Chinese dietetics

Why these 5 foods?

In autumn, nature draws inward and our energy tends to withdraw too. The 5 foods below were chosen because they support Qi (vital energy, in Chinese medicine), nourish the Spleen (the digestive system) and the Lung, and help the body better resist the season’s minor troubles (colds, chills).

1. White radish (daikon)

Daikon’s action can be summed up as follows: it makes Qi descend and disperses it, which helps clear mucus and relieve a feeling of heaviness after a heavy meal. It suits internal heat or congested digestion particularly well, especially when slow-simmered; raw and in large amounts, it should be eaten more sparingly in case of fatigue or low energy.

2. Mushrooms (shiitake)

Shiitake mushrooms tonify Qi and support vital energy: they are traditionally counted among the foods that strengthen the body’s defences, particularly at the start of the season.

3. Pear

The emblematic food of autumn: it nourishes body fluids and moistens the Lung, which makes it particularly useful against seasonal dryness (dry throat, irritating cough).

4. Leek

Slightly pungent in flavour and warm in nature, leek helps Qi circulate and supports the Lung — useful at the very start of a chill, without overdoing it (see our article on the principle of flavours in autumn).

5. Fresh ginger

Warming, it eases digestion and helps disperse cold at the very start of a chill (shivering, a clear runny nose).

The practitioner’s advice

Favour cooked, warm, seasonal foods to preserve your energy; avoid raw, cold or overly sweet foods, which weaken Qi and encourage internal dampness. Combine these foods with whole grains (rice, quinoa, buckwheat…) and gentle cooking methods for optimal balance.

These are general principles of Chinese dietetics and do not replace personalised medical advice.

To go further on autumn