As we cross the threshold into early autumn, nature begins its gradual turning inward. The seasonal node of Liqiu, translated as the Beginning of Autumn, marks this shift with a perceptible cooling of the air and a refinement of light. Shortly after, the solar term known as the End of Heat arrives, signaling the waning of summer’s intensity and the beginning of a more measured, contemplative rhythm.

Yet, for many of us—and for our clients—September can feel unsettling. It’s the classic “in-between” month.

Kids are back to school, routines are shifting, and the internal calendar starts anticipating what’s next. As an acupuncturist, I’ve noticed this is a time when clients often feel out of sync. Appointments get missed. Energy feels scattered. We want to keep the lightness of summer but are being called to ground ourselves—and that transition isn’t always graceful.

🧭 TCM Perspective: Earth Element at the Helm

In Chinese Medicine, this season corresponds to the Earth Element—represented by the Stomach and Spleen meridians. Earth is all about stability, nourishment, and grounding. It’s the center, the pivot between the rising Yang of summer and the descending Yin of fall and winter.

When Earth is out of balance, we might notice:

• Worry or overthinking
  
  
• Digestive sluggishness
  
  
• Fatigue or fogginess
  
  
• A sense of being “unrooted” or scattered
  
  

Which makes September the perfect time to return to center—for ourselves and our clients.

🍁 5 Essential Oil + Acupoint Combos to Support Seasonal Balance

Here are five easy-to-integrate EO acupoint pairings that can support emotional and physical balance this month. These can be shared with clients in sessions, included in your seasonal wellness plans, or even offered as part of your content or email tips.

🌿 1. ST36 + Rosemary

• Why: Strengthens Spleen Qi, boosts immunity, supports digestion and clarity.
  
  
• Use this when: Your client is feeling fatigued, foggy, or immune-compromised.
  
  
• How: Apply diluted Rosemary essential oil to ST36 (Zusanli), located about a hand-width below the kneecap and one finger-width lateral to the tibia.
  
  

🌀 Practitioner Tip: Offer this as a simple at-home protocol to help them stay rooted between sessions.

🌱 2. SP6 + Wild Orange

• Why: Harmonizes Earth and Water, calms worry, supports digestion and feminine balance.
  
  
• Use this when: Your client is anxious, overwhelmed, or craving emotional nourishment.
  
  
• How: Apply Wild or Sweet Orange oil to SP6 (Sanyinjiao), located about 3 finger-widths above the medial ankle bone along the inside of the leg.
  
  

💡 Client Bonus: Encourage a calming ritual: breathe in the scent and place hands over the point while focusing on an affirmation like “I am grounded and supported.”

🌬️ 3. CV12 + Ginger

• Why: Warms the middle jiao, supports Spleen Qi, reduces bloating and digestive stagnation.
  
  
• Use this when: Digestive issues flare up with seasonal change or emotional stress.
  
  
• How: Apply diluted Ginger oil to CV12 (Zhongwan), located midway between the navel and the bottom of the sternum.
  
  

🔥 Practitioner Application: Use this in bodywork or coaching sessions to enhance digestive fire and spark motivation during transitions.

🤍 4. LU9 + Tea Tree 

• Why: Strengthens Lung Qi, supports immune defense, clears grief and helps breath flow freely.
  
  
• Use this when: Your client is feeling vulnerable to colds, grieving, or needs respiratory support.
  
  
• How: Apply Tea Tree (for immune protection) or Eucalyptus Radiata (for breath and release) to LU9 (Taiyuan), located at the wrist crease, in line with the thumb.
  
  

💭 Teaching Tip: Share how Metal governs both immunity and emotional letting go. This combo supports both.

🌳 5. KI1 + Vetiver or Frankincense

• Why: Grounds the spirit, anchors unrooted energy, supports Kidney Jing and nervous system regulation.
  
  
• Use this when: Your client feels scattered, disconnected, or emotionally dysregulated.
  
  
• How: Apply 1 drop of Vetiver (deep rooting) or Frankincense (spiritual anchoring) diluted to KI1 (Yongquan), located on the sole of the foot, in the depression at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds.
  
  

🌱 Energetic Suggestion: Invite them to apply before meditation, breathwork, or any “back to self” ritual.

🍲 Lifestyle Tips for You & Your Clients

Support the Earth Element and this transitional time with small shifts:

• Eat warm, cooked foods—Think congee, root veggies, squashes, stews.
  
  
• Set structured routines—Especially around mealtimes and sleep.
  
  
• Limit raw or cold foods—They can weaken the Spleen and increase worry.
  
  
• Nourish with yellow or orange foods—Pumpkin, sweet potato, millet, ginger, etc.
  
  
• Create space to reflect—This is a great time for journaling or re-evaluating goals.
  
  

Encourage your clients to schedule support now—before the full momentum of fall sets in.

🧰 How to Use This in Your Wellness Business

Holistic practitioners—this is your opportunity to:

• 💬 Educate: Share these insights with clients in sessions, newsletters, or classes.
  
  
• 🛠️ Offer support: Use these EO-point combos in treatments or create simple take-home protocols.
  
  
• 📈 Stand out: Use the seasonal lens to frame packages, group offerings, or content themes.
  
  

When you bring this level of seasonal wisdom into your practice, you not only help clients feel better—you deepen their trust in your guidance and position yourself as a grounded, intuitive leader in their wellness journey.

💛 Final Thoughts

September isn’t just a “back-to-school” month—it’s a portal. A time to gather, re-root, and gently shift gears.

You don’t need to force massive change—but you do need to pause, center, and listen to what the season is calling forth in you.

And when you do the same for your clients? That’s when the real magic happens.

Want more seasonal EO + point protocols for your practice?
Join me inside Essentially On Point Collective—where we blend essential oil acupoint wisdom, business strategy, and community for holistic practitioners and wellness entrepreneurs like you.