Herbalism

Fall: The Season of Grief, Lungs & Letting Go

Written By: Sophia Sultan November 06, 2026

Do you ever notice how the trees make letting go so easy? Every fall, they release what they no longer need, leaf by leaf, so gracefully. And, somehow (even with completely bare branches), they’re still standing, still rooted, and still very much alive.

This time of year always feels a little sentimental, as the light softens and old memories or feelings bubble back up to the surface. If you’re feeling it too, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an explanation that might help you feel more seen.

Fall in TCM

Every season is connected to an element, organ, and an emotion. Autumn looks like this:

Element: metal
Organ(s): the Lungs and Large intestine
Climate: dryness
Emotion: grief
Theme: letting go

Why Grief Lives in the Lungs

If you think back to a time you felt heartbreak or grief, you may remember a tight, heavy sensation in your chest. Or perhaps difficulty taking a deep breath. Knowing that, it makes sense that TCM sees grief as the emotion of the lungs. Grieving is a very normal and healthy part of being a human. The trouble is that sometimes this grief gets stuck, usually because we hold it in, push it down, or don’t give ourselves the space to feel it.

Some signs you may have some stagnation in your lungs:

Dry skin, throat, or cough
Catching every bug that’s going around
Shallow breathing or a tight chest
Sluggish digestion (since the large intestine is the lungs’ partner!)
Feeling stuck in the past
Having a hard time letting go of things

Our Favorite Tips for Lung Season

1. Breathe deeply

Try breathing in for 4 counts and out for 6 to 8. A long exhale helps your body shift into parasympathetic (aka rest and digest) mode and lets your lungs fully empty so you can take in new, fresh oxygen.

2. Moisten, moisten, moisten

Since dryness is the climate of fall and our lungs loveeee moisture, we need to work extra hard to combat that dryness from creeping in.

Run a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep
Eat cooked pears to moisten and soothe your lungs
Reach for demulcent herbs like Licorice root, Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm, and Marshmallow Root

3. Eat the colors of the season

White foods nourish your lungs in TCM. We’re talking pears, daikon radish, cauliflower, white mushrooms, almonds, rice, and white potatoes. Add in a pungent spice or herb (like ginger, garlic, rosemary, cinnamon, onion) as you cook them to help open up the lungs.

4. Let yourself FEEL

If the tears want to come, let them. Crying is one of the very best ways to release grief. And if you need help getting there, try a hot shower or bath. Something about that water element really shifts the internal waters of your body. Almost like water begets water?

A ritual that feels lovely in the fall is writing a letter to someone (or something) you miss. Even if you finish it and don’t actually want to send it, the process of writing can be deeply healing.

5. Make space to let go

Physically getting rid of things in your environment can feel like a big release emotionally. Start small, with a spice drawer, hall closet, your camera roll, or even those old supplements you never use anymore.

If you’re into journaling, ask yourself:

What am I carrying that isn’t mine to carry anymore?
Is there something that I haven’t fully let myself grieve?
Where can I make more space to breathe in my life?

Herbal Allies for the Season

For the lungs and respiratory system:

Osha root – find it Microbiome (Lung) Guard

Microbiome (Lung) Guard

A clearing, aromatic lung support blend that helps to keep you breathing easy and supports optimal respiratory health.*

STAR HERB: Osha

$23.10
Mullein
Thyme
Elecampane

For moistening dryness:

Marshmallow root
Tremella mushroom (aka snow fungus or Bai Mu Er)
Licorice root – find it in Chest Comfort Syrup

Chest Comfort Syrup

A clarifying herbal syrup traditionally for respiratory and bronchial health.*

STAR HERB: Osha

For grief:

Mimosa bark
Lily bulb
Hawthorne
Rose
Linden

Find rose and mimosa in Flowers for My Love.

Flowers For My Love

A heart opening, rose-centered blend of medicinal flowers that gently soften and soothe the emotional, mental, and physical body.*

STAR HERB: Mimosa

Summary

In TCM, autumn belongs to the Metal element, which governs the Lungs, Large Intestine, and the emotion of grief. Just as trees release their leaves, this season invites us to process emotions and let go of what no longer serves us. Unexpressed grief is traditionally associated with stagnant Lung Qi, while fall's dry climate can leave the respiratory system craving moisture. Deep breathing, cooked pears, white foods, and demulcent herbs like marshmallow root and tremella help nourish the lungs, while journaling, crying, and intentional decluttering create space for emotional release.