September in the rhythm of TCM: Why does it belong to the spleen and pancreas and what does "centre of the body" mean?

31. 8. 2026

Did you know that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, September is associated with the Earth element, the spleen, and caring for our "centre"? Summer is slowly receding, mornings are cooler, and nature is beginning to prepare for autumn. Similarly, according to TCM, the needs of our body also change. Digestion, regularity, warm food, and the ability to slow down come to the forefront.

Find out what the Earth element means, why the spleen is important in September, and how it relates to the pancreas, digestion, and our thoughts. We will advise you on what to include in your diet during this period, what to avoid, and how to create more calm and stability with simple daily habits.

What is typical for September in TCM

According to TCM, September represents the period of late summer and a gradual transition to autumn. The Earth element comes to the forefront, which is associated with the centre of the body, nourishment, stability, and digestion.

While summer is a period of outdoor activity, high temperatures, and movement, Earth brings a change of rhythm. Nature ripens, we harvest the fruits of previous months, and energy gradually turns inwards. Symbolically, it is a time when we can return more to ourselves and seek firmer ground.

In the classical system of five elements, the Earth element is primarily associated with the spleen and stomach. As part of the September series, we also pay attention to the pancreas, which in some modern interpretations of TCM relates to a broader functional digestive system.

It is good to know that when TCM speaks of "spleen", it does not only mean the anatomical spleen as we know it from Western medicine. It refers to a broader functional system primarily related to food transformation, nutrient management, and the creation of Qi or life energy.

September in the rhythm of TCM in a nutshell

Season: late summer and transition to autumn
Month: September – time of harvest, ripening and strengthening the centre
Element: Earth
Energy direction: towards the centre and inwards
Typical climatic influence: humidity and gradual cooling
Main area: digestion, food processing and central energy
Organs: spleen and stomach; in the September concept, we also focus on the pancreas
Taste: naturally sweet
Colours: yellow, gold and ochre
Emotions: worry, rumination and being overwhelmed with thoughts
In balance: stability, concentration and a sense of grounding
When overloaded: according to TCM, a feeling of heaviness, fatigue after meals, bloating, a stronger craving for sweets or dwelling on worries may appear
Natural need of the period: regularity, warmth, simpler diet and a calmer rhythm

Why the spleen, pancreas and digestion are important in September according to TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen is one of the most important parts of the so-called 'centre of the body'. Together with the stomach, it is involved in how, according to TCM, we receive and process food and how we subsequently obtain Qi from it.

The stomach receives food and prepares it for further processing, while the spleen, according to TCM, takes its usable part and transforms it into energy, which the body then uses. This is why, in connection with the Earth element, there is so much talk about the quality of digestion, regular meals and caring for the centre.

The pancreas also fits into the September theme. From the perspective of Western physiology, it produces digestive enzymes and hormones involved in regulating blood glucose levels. In the context of our series, we perceive it as part of the broader September theme of digestion and food processing.

According to the TCM organ clock, the spleen meridian is most active between 9 and 11 a.m.. This is also why traditional recommendations for the Earth element emphasise a good first part of the day, regularity and enough time for meals.

What does the "centre of the body" mean according to TCM?

The term centre appears very often in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is not just about a specific place in the abdomen. The centre represents the entire functional circuit connected with how we receive, process and utilise what comes to us.

On a physical level, it relates primarily to digestion. On a symbolic and emotional level, it is then connected with the ability to process stimuli, maintain stability and not be constantly swayed by what is happening around us.

When the Earth element is in harmony, it is traditionally associated with a feeling of stability, firmness, focus, and the ability to care for oneself and others. When out of balance, however, there can be constant rumination, worry, or a feeling of being overwhelmed by the same thoughts.

Therefore, caring for the centre is not just about what we have on our plate. Equally important can be how we eat, whether we have a rhythm during the day, how we rest, and how much space we allow ourselves to truly switch off.

How you might feel in September

September is a period of change, and the transition from summer to the calmer part of the year can be perceived differently by everyone. Days gradually shorten, mornings get colder, and after a more relaxed summer routine, more duties and a stricter daily schedule often return.

When the Earth element is in balance according to TCM, you may feel more stable, grounded, and focused. Food brings a pleasant feeling of satiety without unnecessary heaviness, and a more regular routine suits you better than chaotic jumping between tasks.

When overloaded, according to traditional interpretations, fatigue may appear, especially after meals, a feeling of fullness or heaviness, bloating, or a stronger craving for sweets. On a psychological level, Earth is primarily associated with excessive overthinking – with moments when a worry returns again and again and it is difficult to let it go.

In traditional terminology, you will also encounter the term dampness (Shi) in this context. This is not a diagnosis in the Western sense. TCM uses it to describe a certain pattern of imbalance associated, for example, with a feeling of heaviness, slowing down, and a weakened centre.

Support your body and mind in September according to TCM

1. Diet in harmony with September according to TCM

With the arrival of cooler mornings, it is advisable to gradually reduce very cold foods and give more space to warm, cooked and simply prepared meals. According to TCM, warmth and regularity are what the Earth element likes.

You can include in your September diet:

Millet, buckwheat, oats and rice. Cereals are an important part of caring for the 'middle' in traditional Chinese dietetics. They are suitable for warm breakfast porridges, soups and simple main dishes.

Pumpkin, sweet potatoes and root vegetables. The naturally sweet taste of pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes or parsnips fits well with the Earth element.

Legumes. Lentils, chickpeas, peas or beans can be part of warm soups, stews and casseroles.

Soups and slow-cooked dishes. As colder days arrive, replace some of your summer salads with broths, vegetable soups, porridges or roasted vegetables.

Warming spices. Ginger, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric or marjoram will add aroma to autumnal dishes and naturally fit into seasonal cuisine.

TIP: The Earth element includes sweet taste, but this does not mean an excess of sugar and sweets. Instead, opt for the natural sweetness of pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, cereals or cooked fruit.

September Recipe: Millet Porridge with Apple, Cinnamon and Nuts

A warm breakfast is a simple way to adjust to a different rhythm with the cooler September mornings. Millet is one of the traditional foods of the Earth element and, combined with apple and cinnamon, creates a pleasantly sweet breakfast without the need for a large amount of added sugar.

Ingredients (2 servings)

100g millet
300–350ml water or plant-based drink
1 large apple
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of cardamom
a handful of walnuts or pumpkin seeds
a few raisins or chopped dates to taste
a teaspoon of ghee or nut butter to finish

Method

Rinse the millet thoroughly several times with hot water and put it to boil in water
Add the apple cut into small pieces, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Cook over a low heat for approximately 15–20 minutes until the millet is soft and the porridge is creamy.
Add a little water during cooking if necessary.
Top the finished porridge with nuts, pumpkin seeds, and optionally a few raisins or dates.
For a smoother taste, you can add your favourite nut butter at the end

TIP: Instead of an apple, try a pear or plums. You can briefly stew the fruit with cinnamon beforehand.

2. What to avoid in September

With the end of hot summer days, what feels good to the body also changes. Iced drinks, large amounts of ice cream, or daily cold salads may no longer be what you automatically reach for in September.

According to TCM, an excess of cold and raw food can put a greater strain on the centre. It is not necessary to completely eliminate raw foods from your diet, but as the weather cools, you can naturally replace some of them with cooked, stewed, or baked vegetables.

It is also worth limiting very heavy, greasy, and fried foods, an excess of sweets, and alcohol. Pay attention to the quantity too. Overeating means unnecessarily too much work for digestion at once, while more regular and moderate portions better correspond to the principle of Earth.

3. Regularity as the basis of the Earth element

The Earth element loves rhythm. While summer often means holidays, long evenings, and a slightly different programme every day, September naturally brings more structure back into life.

Try to use this to your advantage.

Eat at approximately the same times. You don't have to watch the clock to the minute, but a certain rhythm can suit digestion better than a whole day without food followed by a huge evening meal.

Sit down to eat. If possible, do not eat at your computer, behind the wheel, or while taking calls. Give your meal at least a few minutes of real attention.

Chew thoroughly. It's a small detail we often overlook, yet it represents the very first part of the digestion process.

Gradually slow down in the evening. A late, large and heavy dinner or working right before bed doesn't quite align with the calmer rhythm that September naturally brings.

4. Wans for September: caring for the centre according to TCM principles

Also naturally fitting with the Earth element are wans – traditional herbal blends in the form of pellets inspired by the principles of Chinese medicine. For September, we have chosen two blends thematically linked to the middle burner, spleen, and dampness.

Wan 070 – Warming the Centre or Hou Po Wen Zhong Wan is traditionally focused on warming the middle burner, drying dampness, and releasing stagnant Qi. It thus thematically fits into a period when the weather cools down and warm, cooked, and regular food takes on greater importance.

Wan 072 – Six Noble Herbs or Liu Jun Zi Wan is traditionally focused on transforming TAN and drying dampness. It naturally follows the September theme of the Earth element and caring for the centre.

Use wans according to the instructions of a certified TCM therapist. They are not intended for children under 3 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for long-term use or concurrent use with blood-thinning medications.

5. PRAWTEINS and vital mushrooms for the September centre

You can also supplement your September diet with products that, by their composition and focus, thematically relate to digestion, naturally sweet taste and Earth energy.

PRAWTEIN OK DIG is a comprehensive organic raw blend that naturally fits into a period focused on digestion and a feeling of lightness after meals.

PRAWTEIN BYDIA thematically complements the Earth element and its traditional association with a sweet taste. It can therefore be an interesting part of a moment when you crave something sweet.

TIP: The vital mushroom Maitake also fits into the September theme. In traditional understanding, it is associated with the spleen and stomach circuit and thus naturally connects to the Earth element and care for the centre.

6. Essential oils for September

Aromatherapy can be a simple way to create a moment of pause during the day and support the atmosphere we associate with the Earth element – stability, grounding, and returning to oneself.

The Earth Essential Blend is a natural choice for September. Its very concept is based on the Earth element and is suitable for moments when you want to slow down and bring your attention back to your centre.

The Help SP Essential Blend thematically relates to the spleen and digestion, which come to the forefront in September.

The Help P Essential Blend is a delicate citrus composition that also works with the symbolic motif of "the sweetness of life" and thus complements the September theme of Earth well.

The Calming Essential Blend can be used when you need to slow down, create a calmer atmosphere, and switch off the flow of thoughts for a while.

You can also supplement them with the Coldet blend or single essential oils, such as Ginger, Fennel, Cardamom, Marjoram or Bergamot.

Always use essential oils in accordance with the recommended method of use for the specific product.

7. Slow down the flow of thoughts

The Earth element includes not only digestion but also thinking. A healthy Earth symbolically gives us the ability to think things through, concentrate, and create a solid foundation for ourselves. However, if there are too many thoughts, thinking can turn into endless rumination.

Moreover, September itself brings a return to duties. Holidays end, school begins, and the work rhythm starts up again after the summer. The mind can easily become filled with to-do lists, deadlines, and everything else we still need to accomplish.

That's why it can be useful not to create another complicated wellness plan, but rather to simplify. A short walk, ten minutes without a phone, a few conscious breaths, a moment in the garden, or a simple meal eaten without rushing can bring back exactly the regularity and stability that Earth symbolises into the day.

8. Practical tips for every September day

You don't have to change your entire routine. The Earth element is primarily associated with simplicity and repetition, so small habits that you can do regularly may work best.

Start the day with something warm. Instead of an iced drink, try warm water, tea, or a warm breakfast.

Don't rush your meals. If you can, eat at least one main meal a day sitting down, calmly and without your phone.

Use seasonal foods. Pumpkins, root vegetables, apples, pears, or plums naturally belong in the kitchen right now.

Get regular exercise. It doesn't have to be intense. Brisk walking, yoga, stretching, or spending time outdoors can help break up long hours of sitting.

Go out into nature. Earth is a symbol of grounding. A walk in the woods, a park, or simply working in the garden can be a pleasant counterbalance to a head full of tasks.

Set boundaries for your thoughts. If you're constantly thinking about something, try writing the thought down and consciously putting it aside for a while.

Eat lightly in the evening. A heavy meal just before bed is not an ideal way to end the day in a calmer rhythm.

Create your own anchor point. The same morning tea, a short evening walk, or a few minutes with your favourite scent can create a simple daily ritual.

September as the month of Earth and caring for your centre

According to traditional Chinese medicine, September leads us from a relaxed summer back to the centre. The Earth element brings the theme of stability, nourishment and regularity, and draws attention to the spleen, stomach, digestion, and, as part of our monthly series, also to the pancreas.

You don't need to look for complicated procedures. Start with the simplest: warm food, naturally sweet seasonal foods, a more regular routine, and more peace during meals. It's equally important to calm your mind – stop overthinking everything and create moments during the day when you don't have to solve anything.

Use September as a time when you can strengthen your rhythm, care for your centre, and prepare your body and mind for autumn.

What to remember from the article?

In traditional Chinese medicine, September is associated with the Earth element, which represents stability, nourishment, and a return to the centre. The spleen and stomach come to the forefront, and as part of the September theme, we also focus on the pancreas. The common denominator is primarily digestion, the way food is processed, and regularity.

According to TCM, the Earth element benefits from warm, cooked, and simply prepared food. Therefore, millet, buckwheat, rice, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, root vegetables, or legumes fit well into the September diet. A naturally sweet taste belongs to Earth, but an excess of sweets is not its goal.

Caring for the centre doesn't end with food. Earth is also associated with worry and rumination, so in September, it's advisable to seek more regularity, slow down during meals, get adequate exercise, and create space during the day where your mind can also rest.

Glossary of terms

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) – a traditional system that works with the concepts of Yin and Yang, Qi, the five elements, and functional organ circuits. It perceives a person in relation to their lifestyle, emotions, and environment.

Earth Element – one of the five elements of TCM. It is associated with late summer, the spleen and stomach, sweet taste, yellow colour, nourishment, stability, and the centre.

Spleen (Pi) – a functional circuit in TCM primarily associated with the transformation and transport of food and the production of Qi. It is not an exact equivalent of the anatomical spleen in Western medicine.

Centre – a term used in TCM for a functional area primarily associated with the spleen and stomach, digestion, and the acquisition of energy from food.

Qi (chi) – one of the fundamental concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine, usually translated as life energy.

Dampness (Shi) – a traditional TCM concept for a certain type of imbalance associated with heaviness, slowing down, and weakening of the centre's function. It is not a diagnosis in Western medicine.

TAN – a TCM term referring to phlegm or accumulation, which is often associated with dampness in traditional interpretations.

Wany – traditional Chinese herbal blends in the form of pills. BEWIT products in this category are food supplements inspired by the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Visit the TCM category and explore the range of products inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine.