24 Solar Terms -" Light Snow "

Light snow is the 20th solar term in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, falling on November 22nd or 23rd each year. According to the ancient Chinese medical text, the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, there is a close relationship between human health and the natural environment. The arrival of xiao xue marks the transition from autumn to winter, signifying the decline of yang energy and the increase of yin energy. During this time, the earth enters a period of hibernation, temperatures drop sharply, and ice begins to form. Maintaining one's vitality, known as Zheng qì, becomes crucial. Zheng qi refers to the body's ability to maintain normal organ functions and resist internal disturbances, thereby preventing illnesses.

During the xiao xue period, Chinaturel recommends the following health practices:

1. Exercise: Engage in light exercises such as Tai Chi or the Eight Brocades to induce slight perspiration. However, individuals with weak constitutions prone to colds should avoid excessive sweating to prevent catching colds.

2. Emotional Well-being: Due to the lower temperatures, people are prone to depression. Therefore, it is essential to listen to light music, maintain an open mind, be kind to others, and keep a cheerful mood. A pleasant mood facilitates the smooth flow of liver qi and helps nourish liver blood.

3. Regular Sleep Patterns: Since xiao xue corresponds to a period of weakened yang energy, aligning one's sleep patterns with the natural cycle is essential. It is advisable to go to bed early, wake up late, ensure adequate sleep, and wear appropriate clothing to avoid cold winds and prevent colds.

4. Moxibustion: Moxibustion on specific acupoints such as Kidney Meridian, Spleen Meridian, Guanyuan, Yongquan, Taixi, and Baliao can be beneficial. After moxibustion, it is advisable to drink warm water to promote the circulation of qi and blood.

5. Massage: Massaging acupoints like Baihui, Dazhui, and Fengchi can enhance Zheng qi and boost immunity.

6. Diet:

   • Nourishing Kidney Soup: Ingredients like chestnuts, wolfberries, walnuts, lilies, jujubes, and tangerine peel can be used. Depending on individual constitutions, you can add lamb (for individuals with cold constitutions) or old duck (which has a nourishing yin effect). Another option is to add Astragalus, American Ginseng, old mother chicken (excellent for strengthening the spleen and nourishing qi).
   • Consume Seasonal Vegetables and Fruits: In winter, it's common to consume hot pot, but spicy foods, beef, and mutton can cause dryness, leading to symptoms like dry mouth and nose, susceptibility to colds, and upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, it is advisable to consume vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, tofu, radishes, lotus root slices, and silver ear mushrooms to nourish yin and moisturize dryness. Fruits like apples, pears, bananas, and oranges can nourish yin and provide essential vitamins.
   • Black Foods for Kidney Health: Black foods, such as black bean stew with Chinese cabbage, black fungus sautéed with spinach, cashews and shiitake mushrooms stir-fried with celery, and Astragalus lotus root black bean soup, as well as kidney-nourishing porridge (with black rice, black beans, black sesame seeds, corn, and purple skin peanuts) are beneficial for kidney health and blood nourishment.

Fructus mori albae

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Arillus euphoriae longanae

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Radix codonopsitis pilosula

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