The Healing Power of Pumpkin in TCM Dietary Therapy

Wishing everyone a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving, filled with good food, gratitude, and connection. As the spirit of thankfulness lingers, this moment offers a beautiful opportunity to explore the season through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cold Dew (寒露, Hán Lù) is one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian calendar. It usually falls around October 8–9 and lasts until about October 23. It makes the deepening of autumn when temperatures drop sharply and dew begins to turn cold — a poetic way of saying that the yin energy is strengthening, and the yang is declining.

What occurs in your body during the Cold Dew period?

During Cold Dew, the weather gets cooler and there’s more dew in the air. Cold and dampness can invade your body, especially affecting your lungs and joints. That’s why you might get a sore throat, stuffy nose, or feel stiff and sore in your muscles and joints. Also, autumn energy naturally turns inward — which can sometimes make us feel a bit melancholic or low.That’s normal! It’s the season of the Lungs and the emotion of sadness in TCM.

What helps connect the body and mind ?

Consume warm water or tea infused with pear, white fungus, lily bulb, or honey to hydrate your lungs. Ensure your neck and feet are kept warm, and avoid stepping out with damp hair on cold mornings. Keep your knees and lower back cozy, perform gentle stretches, and enjoy ginger or cinnamon twig tea to warm your body internally. Breathe deeply, take your time, enjoy sunlight outdoors, and eat energizing foods such as sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and longan to boost your vitality.

"Pumpkin Healing" to boost your overall health during this period

Pumpkin is one of the best seasonal foods for the Cold Dew period. As autumn deepens and the air turns cooler, our bodies naturally crave warmth and nourishment. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pumpkin is known for its sweet and warm nature, which helps strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, support digestion, and dispel dampness and cold — all essential for maintaining balance during this seasonal transition.

This humble vegetable is also rich in beta-carotene and fiber, making it both nutrient-dense and grounding. Enjoying pumpkin in soups or congee can gently warm the body, boost energy, and protect digestion as yin energy rises and yang begins to retreat.

Here are a few TCM-inspired pumpkin recipes that’s warming, easy to digest, and supports Spleen and Stomach health during the cooling autumn days.

Warm Pumpkin Almond Drink

A silky, naturally sweet drink that warms, nourishes, and supports digestion during Cold Dew.

Ingredients (2 servings)

1. Pumpkin – 200 g (peeled and steamed)

2. Almonds – 10–15 pieces (preferably sweet almonds

3. Milk or soy milk – 2 cups (or any plant milk)

4. Honey or rock sugar – to taste

TCM Benefits

• Pumpkin : Strengthens Spleen and Stomach, dispels dampness, supports digestion, and gently warms the body.

• Almond : Moistens the Lungs and relieves dryness — ideal for autumn’s dry air.

• Milk or soy milk: Nourishes Yin and moistens dryness.

Instructions

1. Soak the almonds in warm water for 2–3 hours, then peel the skins if possible (for smoother texture).

2. Steam the pumpkin until soft and tender.

3. In a blender, combine pumpkin, almonds, milk, and (optional) Chinese dates. Blend until smooth.

4. Pour into a pot and gently heat on low — do not boil. Add honey or rock sugar to taste.

5. Serve warm and enjoy slowly.

Warm Pumpkin & Red Bean Balls

A sweet, grounding snack to warm the Spleen and lift your autumn mood.

Ingredients

1. Pumpkin – 300 g (peeled and steamed)

2. Glutinous rice flour – about 150–200 g (adjust until dough is smooth and soft)

3. Cooked red beans (or red bean paste) – ½ cup

4. A pinch of salt

TCM Benefits

• Red bean : Strengthens Spleen, removes dampness, promotes gentle detox.

• Glutinous rice flour: Warms the body, strengthens Qi, and provides gentle nourishment — perfect for cooler days.

  
  

Instructions

1. Steam the pumpkin until soft, then mash it into a smooth puree.

2. Gradually add glutinous rice flour, mixing until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.

3. Roll small balls about the size of a walnut.

4. Flatten slightly and add a spoonful of red bean paste in the center (optional), then roll closed again.

5. Steam for 10–12 minutes until the surface looks glossy and slightly translucent.

6. Serve warm — optionally topped with a little honey or shredded coconut.

Pumpkin & Lily Bulb Congee

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

1. Pumpkin – about 200g (peeled and cubed)

2. Rice – ½ cup (any kind, but short-grain works best)

3. Dried lily bulb – a small handful (about 10g)

4. Chinese dates – 3 to 5, pitted

5. Goji berries – 1 tablespoon

6. Water – about 5–6 cups

7. Optional: a drizzle of honey or rock sugar to taste

   
   

TCM Benefits

• Lily bulb : moistens Lung Yin, calms the mind, eases dry cough.

• Goji berry : nourishes Liver and Kidney, supports vision and vitality.

• Chinese dates: tonify Qi, warm the middle, and soothe emotions.

Instructions

1. Rinse rice, lily bulbs, dates, and goji berries.

2. Peel and cube the pumpkin into small pieces.

3. In a pot, add rice, pumpkin, lily bulb, and dates with the water.

4. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low heat and simmer 40–50 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add goji berries near the end (last 5 minutes).

6. Sweeten lightly if you like, but keep it gentle and natural.

As our bodies adjust to the growing cold during the Cold Dew season, we may need a little extra support to stay balanced and healthy. This is a good time to seek treatments that strengthen the body, nourish the lungs and digestion, and prevent seasonal illness. Booking a session with our practitioners can help you align your body’s energy with the season and stay well through the transition into winter.