Resilience in the Fall - September Newsletter
The light has been dropping precipitously, along with the temperatures in the desert, and there is a collective sigh in the air. The tension of late summer has finally eased. The equinox begins a process of turning inward for reflection, and of letting go. Grief is inherent in letting go. This correlates with this season being ruled by the Lungs, corporeal home of grief, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Collective grief, alongside any personal grief, might appear as a shadow presence in the time of autumn. We might feel an ache or a vulnerability in our lungs as the weather shifts and we are reminded of dormancy, of mortality. The perennials have started to wilt their above-ground growth, their energy drawing down into their roots. I can sense the annual plants readying to end their season and it feels like it’s coming too quickly, as many endings do. It’s time to start the process of letting go…once I make my pesto!
[Just a quick reminder that none of this should be considered medical advice. Ask a professional what is right for you!]
Weather and seasonal changes require some resilience to find a new equilibrium, and shifts can make us susceptible to respiratory infections, autoimmune flare-ups and other chronic issues. How can we support the lungs and our general vitality during times of seasonal shift? Eating warm cooked foods, using layers to help the body regulate temperature, moving the body and breathing outside, and drinking plentiful warm liquids are some of my staple lifestyle shifts. And of course, herbs!
Unrelated botanical goings-on from the garden this week. Deliciously ripe hawthorn berries and ashwagandha ripening some fruits! Author’s collection.
Shatavari and licorice, both mentioned in my August newsletter are helpful to support modulation of the immune system and build deep nourishment. Here, I’m going to add astragalus to the conversation of building resilience, then I’ll use elaborate on how to use a couple of my Sundial formulas as front-line support when there is contagion exposure. Many of you have asked for this run-down, so I’m happy to be sharing it!
Astragalus, an adaptogen, has a long history of use in TCM, and is recognized as a Qi tonic - especially Lung Qi and Spleen Qi.1 In TCM, the Lung organ is a major seat of the immune system, and Spleen is implicated in the transformation of substance, particularly through digestion. We can see this translation playing out in studies that show promise for astragalus to modulate the immune system and regulate blood glucose.2,3 Modulating the immune system has wide implications, including autoimmunity and cancer.4 There is also research showing potential for anti-radiation properties,3 which tracks with the modern herbal protocols for astragalus in cancer and chemotherapy.5
Astragalus, taken long-term during seasonal shifts, supports our ability to adapt and resist pathogenic influences. It gives us a little more strength. As with all adaptogens, taking it consistently is important, 4-6 weeks at minimum.
More unrelated plants in the garden recently. Mugwort flowers in autumnal light, and one of many psychedelic passionflower blooms. Author’s collection.
In the upper respiratory infection context, the most effective way to take herbs is early, when the slightest symptoms appear. This quick action can help to avoid a respiratory infection altogether. Once an infection is already underway, herbs can be helpful for mitigating some of the symptoms and perhaps feeling better sooner, although the standard infection times will mostly still apply. Staying well hydrated and moving the body (without draining your energy too much) can be helpful in prevention and in symptom management. Using a saline nasal spray or neti pot (for goddess’s sake, boil your water first!) is a great way to rinse the sinuses of potential viral replication, dust or pollen, while also nourishing the mucosa to increase resilience. As far as herbs, I’m going to list a few of my favorite formulas for this season and their applications.
Immune Tonic: This astragalus and reishi based formula is a wonderful way to modulate the immune response through seasonal shifts, or if long term immune support is needed.
Viral Rescue: A potent antiviral combination – very cooling and bitter. This formula is best to take when there is a hot feeling in the head or body, or prophylactically if you’ve been exposed to viruses. This formula can also be used for managing long term viral infections like herpesvirus variations.
Lymph Flush: Sometimes the first sign of a cold coming on is a thick sense of stagnation in the neck and throat. If that’s the case, Lymph Flush is my go-to. It’s got a pinch of cayenne in it, although many of the lymphatics in the formula are cooling, so it’s a pretty balanced formula with a little spicy bite, which can feel great on the throat.
Get Well Remedy: This formula is a great generalist to have on hand, with thyme allowing diaphoresis to happen and lymphatics to support the clearing of infection. Effective as a preventative.
Sinus Rescue: Nasal breathing is important, even when you are sick, so it is great to have something herbal on hand that can help drain and decongest the sinuses. This formula is also handy for allergic response sinusitis, and is indicated in the case of sinus infection.
Respiratory Elixir: This popular formula has a lot of applications, generally when the lungs need support, in an acute or chronic way. It can be used for that seasonal dry, achy vulnerability in lungs, a wheeze, or a cough - particularly a dry unproductive cough, but it can work with a wet cough as well.
Cough Syrup: Herbs are great because there are many expectorants that are also antispasmodic, and you don’t lose out on the expectorant action by suppressing the cough. I usually take this formula (or most often, give it to my kids) at least a half hour before bedtime because it will be productive at first and then the cough will calm down enough for sleep.
Vapor Rub: A new addition to the official Sundial medicine cabinet! I almost always use this for a cough or congestion, on the chest at night. Applying a small amount of Vapor Rub onto my child’s chest can be totally sufficient for a good night’s sleep – complete with nasal breathing!
ASTROLOGICAL MONTHLY PLANNER
Photos are from the 2025 version. The calendar pages will still have the colorful watermarks for moon phases, and are generally the same other than the slightly larger size and laminate cover. Copyright 2025 Emily Stock.
This is my second year publishing the calendar I’ve always wanted. 2026 Lunacy: A Lunar Astrological Monthly Planner is available for pre-order with a sale price! We did sell out last year, and I’m only doing one printing this year, so get them while you can, just in case. Last year, I DIYed the binding and this year it will all be professionally done, with a strong laminate cover, and a slightly larger 7” x 9” size. Here are some details and some photos from last year’s edition:
At-a-glance colorful representations of moon sign transits
Moon phases with exact times for full and new phases
Descriptions of the moon through the signs and how to use those days (New in 2026!)
Planetary motions for all sign shifts in 2026
Planetary retrogrades for Mercury, Venus and Mars
All times are in Mountain Standard and Mountain Daylight times, correspondingly
Solar and lunar eclipse days
Sabbats (Pagan Wheel of the Year holidays)
Major federal U.S. holidays
1 Bensky, D., & Gamble, A. (1993). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Eastland Press.
2 Li, C. X., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y. Z., Li, J. C., & Lai, J. (2022). Astragalus polysaccharide: a review of its immunomodulatory effect. Archives of pharmacal research, 45(6), 367–389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-022-01393-3
3 Zheng, Y., Ren, W., Zhang, L., Zhang, Y., Liu, D., & Liu, Y. (2020). A Review of the Pharmacological Action of Astragalus Polysaccharide. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 349. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00349
4 Auyeung, K. K., Han, Q. B., & Ko, J. K. (2016). Astragalus membranaceus: A Review of its Protection Against Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancers. The American journal of Chinese medicine, 44(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500014
5 Winston, D., & Maimes, S. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for strength, stamina, and stress relief. Healing Arts Press.