As the year turns, it can be helpful to review the year, to celebrate the good times, think about what we want to keep and also get rid of as we go into the winter, in preparation for the next round. Sometimes there is not time to do everything but it is always a good feeling to discover in spring something we sorted out or made provision for in the autumn.

The body can also appreciate a bit of nurture and/or clearing. In Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal element, which corresponds to the lungs and large intestine. These allow us to receive (food and air) and release waste. We can be grateful for what we have had and plenty of this time of year but may also need to let things go. The lungs are associated with grief and loss – sometimes it is hard to transition from one state to another. The intestines can hold onto our waste in the case of constipation, leaving us clogged and unable to assimilate nutrients or detox ourselves. It is also worth remembering that the gut is the largest organ in our immune system. It is a complex system but essentially the microbes that inhabit us protect us while they are protecting themselves and a healthy gut membrane houses our own immune cells too.  In Chinese medicine, a deficiency in the Metal element would leave us prone to infection, respiratory issues, low mood, hormonal problems and digestive disturbance. No wonder the change of season often brings with it a plethora of coughs and colds and some gloomy looks.

In homeopathic terms, a very simple, reliable method of detoxing the body is to take Nux Vom and Sulphur in the evening (Nux at Night) and morning (Sulphur at Sunrise) for a few weeks. This will stimulate the large intestine to work well so that it can absorb nutrients and eliminate what is no longer needed effectively.

We can also boost the immune system using remedies such as Thymuline and Interferon.

Thymuline is a peptide hormone which is produced by the thymus gland. Because of its role in maturing and activating T-lymphocytes it is essential in the immune system. As a homeopathic remedy it can help:

• stimulate immunity
• prevent recurrent infections
• regulate immune imbalances in the case of autoimmune conditions
• support immunity where it is compromised by age, other conditions or medical treatment
• accelerate recovery in post-viral cases.