Liqiu — the Start of Autumn — arrives around August 7 on the Chinese solar calendar. The name says autumn, but the weather usually disagrees. This is the season of the "autumn tiger": days that are still hot, nights that begin to cool, and a dryness that creeps in through the throat, skin, and sleep.
The Chinese approach to Liqiu is not to celebrate autumn by eating heavy stews. The first job is to moisten dryness and calm the tiger. Only after the heat truly breaks do you start adding richer foods.
The Autumn Tiger: Heat Plus Dryness
After Major Heat, yang begins its slow decline. The air loses humidity in many regions, and the body notices the shift first in the places that need moisture: the lungs, the large intestine, and the skin.
- Dry throat, dry cough, or a tickle in the throat on waking.
- Dry lips, rough skin, or static electricity in clothes.
- Constipation or hard stools from internal dryness.
- Restless sleep or waking hot and dry at night.
- Irritability that feels sharper than normal summer heat.
If these show up, the body is asking for moisture from the inside: pears, lily bulb, lotus root, white fungus, sesame, and honey. Not ice water. Ice water temporarily numbs thirst but does not generate the fluids the body actually needs.
The Liqiu Moistening Plate
These are the classic "white and watery" foods of early autumn. They lubricate without greasiness.
| Ingredient | Why it fits | Western swap |
|---|---|---|
| Pear | Moistens lung and throat; classic autumn fruit | Bosc or Anjou pear |
| White fungus | Gelatinous, moistening, supports yin | Dried white fungus (tremella) |
| Lily bulb | Calms and moistens; classic autumn bulb | Dried lily bulb online |
| Lotus root | Crunchy, cooling, moistening | Water chestnut or jicama |
| Sesame | Moistens intestines and skin | Tahini or black sesame paste |
| Honey | Moistens, soothes throat | Local raw honey |
| Almond | Supports lung moisture | Raw almonds or almond butter |
Recipe 1: Steamed Pear with Lily and White Fungus
This is the single most common autumn dessert in Chinese households. It is gentle enough for children and effective enough for adults who feel the first dry cough coming.
For 1 serving: 1 ripe pear (Bosc or Anjou) · 5 g (0.2 oz) dried white fungus (tremella), soaked 30 minutes · 10 g (0.4 oz) dried lily bulb · 3 red dates, pitted · 1 tsp honey · 1 small piece rock sugar (optional).
Method: Cut the top off the pear and scoop out the core, leaving the bottom intact. Put the white fungus, lily bulb, and dates inside the pear. Add a tablespoon of water. Replace the pear top. Place in a heatproof bowl and steam 30–35 minutes until the pear is soft. Drizzle honey over the warm pear just before eating. Eat the pear and drink the juice.
Recipe 2: Lotus Root and Peanut Soup
A savory, milky soup that builds yin without heaviness. It works as a light dinner or a restorative afternoon bowl.
For 3–4 servings: 300 g (10.6 oz) lotus root, peeled and sliced · 50 g (1.8 oz) raw peanuts · 30 g (1.1 oz) red dates, pitted · 10 g (0.4 oz) dried lily bulb · 1 L water · salt to taste.
Method: Soak peanuts and lily bulb for 1 hour. Put lotus root, peanuts, dates, lily, and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 60–70 minutes until the peanuts are soft and the broth is milky. Season with a pinch of salt. Serve warm.
Recipe 3: Sesame Honey Paste
A two-minute breakfast or snack that moistens the intestines and gives steady energy. It is especially helpful when autumn dryness shows up as hard stools or dry skin.
For 1 serving: 2 tablespoons tahini or Chinese sesame paste · 1 teaspoon honey · 2–3 tablespoons warm water.
Method: Put the tahini in a small bowl. Add warm water a little at a time, stirring constantly, until the paste thins to the consistency of heavy cream. Stir in the honey. Eat with toast, rice cakes, or a steamed bun. Do not use boiling water or the tahini will seize.
The Autumn Tiger Daily Rules
Liqiu is a transition, so the rules are about moderation and protection.
- Dress in layers. Mornings and evenings can be cool while midday still feels like summer. Keep a light layer for the shoulders and neck.
- Drink warm or room-temperature fluids. Hot tea, warm water, and soups moisturize better than iced drinks.
- Keep skin covered from direct AC airflow. The neck, shoulders, and lower back are the first places autumn wind enters.
- Moisturize after bathing. As dryness rises, the skin becomes the body's first line of defense. Apply lotion while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Go to bed by 10:30 p.m. Autumn is the season of contraction. Earlier sleep helps the body gather yin for the cooler months ahead.
How to "Gain Autumn Weight" the Right Way
There is an old saying: "贴秋膘" —贴 autumn fat. After the heat, people traditionally eat richer food to rebuild strength. But done too early, it backfires into indigestion, phlegm, and weight gain.
- Week 1 of Liqiu: Still light. Focus on pears, soups, and steamed vegetables.
- Week 2–3: Add gentle proteins: pork, duck, fish, eggs. Avoid heavy red meat and deep-fried food.
- Week 4 onward: As nights turn cool, introduce richer stews and root vegetables.
The rule is simple: let the weather lead, not the calendar.
Breathing Exercise for Dry Autumn Lungs
Five minutes of gentle chest-opening movement helps the lungs adapt to drier air.
- Sit or stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Inhale through the nose while raising both arms out to the sides and up.
- Hold for 2 seconds at the top.
- Exhale through the mouth while lowering the arms.
- Repeat 10 times, slowly. Do this morning and evening.
The One-Screen Version
- Liqiu = autumn tiger: still hot, but dryness is rising
- Eat pears, white fungus, lily, lotus root, sesame, honey
- Steam a pear, make lotus-root soup, spread tahini for breakfast
- Layer clothing, drink warm fluids, moisturize skin, sleep by 10:30 p.m.
- Add richer foods only after the real cool arrives
The Start of Autumn is a hinge. Push too fast into heavy food and the body rebels. Moisten first, transition gradually, and autumn will feel like a relief instead of a cold.
Ease Into Autumn With Seated Qigong
As the weather cools, seated qigong is the perfect gentle practice to open the chest, settle the breath, and protect the lungs. $3.99 on Amazon, free inside Kindle Unlimited.
Get the Seated Qigong Book Daily Tips on TelegramEducational content only — rooted in traditional Chinese wellness practice, not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare provider about dietary or exercise changes, especially if you manage a health condition, are pregnant, or take prescription medication.