Seasonal Self-Care: Nourishing Yourself and Embracing Autumn's Rhythm

Autumn brings with it a gentle energy for preparing to go into a season of introspection and provides a space for easing us gradually from the heat of summer into the cold of winter.  From warming adaptogens to soul-soothing teas and simple rituals, here are the herbs and practices I turn to for balance, resilience, and cozy well-being this fall.

These are some of the herbs and practices I turn to during the autumn season. I’d love to hear yours - sharing is love. 

1. I make it a priority to spend as much time outdoors as possible, soaking up the gentle sun and enjoying the autumn winds. Whether I’m gardening, reading, or working on my laptop, this time outside helps keep my body nourished, my mind steady, mood lifted, and eases the transition to the indoor season.

2. In autumn, I shift toward herbs that support immunity and respiratory health, there's a reason Osha Root Tincture is part of our seasonal lineup; it’s one of my absolute favorites (mullein is a good one too). I use it to bring warmth and nourishment to my lungs, support my immune system, and it eases the transition from the heat of summer to the cold of winter.

3. I choose an adaptogenic herb to work with. These herbs promote resilience by regulating hormonal and physiological responses to stress which can be especially helpful during the winter months when shorter days and colder weather challenge both energy and immunity. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Ashwagandha: A restorative adaptogen that helps calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, balances hormones, and promotes restful sleep. I’m such a lover of this wonderful herb, it really balanced things out for me during a very stressful time in my life. Once the adaptogenic benefits kicked in, I felt naturally uplifted and noticed I wasn’t stressed despite some heavy circumstances I was moving moving through. I did 3-months of consistent daily use and 3-months off to reset my tolerance. Now, every few months I’ll work with this herb for a 1-month and take longer breaks in between.

Holy Basil AKA Tulsi: A gentle adaptogen that feels like the loving embrace of your grandma, it helps balance emotional stress, supports immune function, and promotes clarity. I love taking tulsi as a warm tea in the evening with ginger, honey and lemon. 

Pine Pollen: This is where my journey started and where my world changed. A few years ago my hormones were completely out of balance, and pine pollen helped restore in three months what I had struggled with for eight. Pine pollen opened the door to the world of herbalism for me and so many beautiful things have resulted from that. Aside from balancing my hormones, pine pollen also supported my energy levels, focus, and libido. Today, I take it each month during my follicular phase to boost what’s naturally occurring in my body. Overall, pine pollen supports hormone balance, boosts vitality, and provides a natural source of nutrients that promote overall wellness.

5. Food is thy medicine. As we move into colder weather, our bodies benefit from foods that support warmth, digestion, and immunity. Seasonal changes can affect energy levels and nutrient needs, so shifting to root vegetables, warming spices, and nutrient-dense foods helps maintain balance. I also love to drink and experiment with loose-leaf teas and the occasional hot boba…heat is the key during warm weather. 

   
   

Last thing I’ll leave you with from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that I learned 2-years ago - wear socks and stop walking barefoot on the cold floor - especially during winter! It really helps keep the body's internal temperature nice and warm which is why we’re switching to warming herbs, nourishing soups and broths, and drinking warm teas. 

Wishing you a beautiful and nourishing autumn season. 

Andrea Mayahuel Ollin