The first wave of cold air in the second half of this year has arrived, moving southward, bringing blizzards, strong winds, and a drop in temperature! Many places experience an instant transition into winter.

 

With the arrival of this cold wave, we welcome one of the 24 solar terms - the Beginning of Winter!

 

It is a season to enjoy the harvest and recuperate.

 

However, the sudden drop in temperature and biting cold wind pose a significant challenge for those with weaker resistance. At the onset of winter, it's important to take daily health precautions. Good care during the Beginning of Winter leads to fewer illnesses throughout the year!

 

Nourishing warmth during the Beginning of Winter emphasizes "storage".

 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a saying, “If the essence is not conserved in winter, one will be prone to illness in spring.” This implies that if the kidney essence is insufficient in winter, one will be more susceptible to illness in spring.

 

The kidney governs storage. By allowing the body to adapt to its characteristics, one can achieve twice the health preservation effect with half the effort.

 

Early to bed, late to rise

 

After the beginning of winter, it is important to maintain a regular schedule, going to bed early and getting up late. It is best to get up after the sun has risen, especially for the elderly.

 

Getting up late might be a bit difficult for students and office workers, but this can be compensated for by going to bed early. Before going to bed and after getting up, you can also massage the Dantian (located three inches below the navel) to benefit the kidneys and consolidate the essence.

 

Guard against cold and dryness

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes in "nourishing yang in spring and summer, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter." After the beginning of winter, while keeping warm and guarding against the cold, it is necessary to pay attention to nourishing yin to prevent external cold and internal dryness.

 

Usually, take small sips of water to slowly moisturize the body. Eat some foods that have the effect of nourishing yin, such as lotus root, potherb mustard, and pears.

Supplement in the beginning of winter, fight tigers next year.

 

As the saying goes, “Supplement in winter, fight tigers next year.” According to the principle of correspondence between man and nature in traditional Chinese medicine, autumn and winter are the right time for supplementation. However, one should not supplement blindly. Here are some general health reminders for everyone.

 

1. It’s the right time for Qi nourishment, regulation and recuperation.

 

"The main purpose of maintaining good health is to improve a person's 'essence, Qi, and spirit', and the three months of winter are the most suitable season for nourishment, offering the highest cost-effectiveness," said Professor Huang Suping, an internal medicine expert at the National Medical Hall of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She made these remarks during the "Shared Great Doctor" program when discussing the food and medicinal materials that are highly recommended for replenishing Qi in winter.

 

"Ingredients like Astragalus, Codonopsis, Pseudostellariae, and Ganoderma are all very suitable for soup. In particular, the effect of Ganoderma in enhancing immunity is especially prominent. In addition, I also recommend Chinese yam, lotus seeds, Job's tears, and Euryale seeds, which are all excellent foods for strengthening the spleen and replenishing Qi (vital energy)."

 

 

“But it should be noted that one should only replenish what is lacking, to avoid symptoms such as 'fire' caused by excessive nourishment.”

 

2. Eat more black and less salty foods.

 

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it is most appropriate to nourish the kidney in winter. Most black foods have the effect of nourishing the kidneys, so after the beginning of winter, you can increase the proportion of foods such as black fungus, black sesame, black beans, and black rice in your diet.

3. Eat less cold food and more stomach-warming food.

 

In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the principle of winter nourishment should focus on dispelling cold and warming the stomach. Winter is a period of “yang depletion and yin growth”, with relatively low temperatures. If one does not pay attention to keeping warm and accidentally catches a chill, it can lead to the invasion of cold pathogens in the stomach and intestines, causing discomfort. According to the TCM principle of “nourishing when deficient, warming when cold”, warm-nourishing congee should be used for dietary conditioning. In meals, one should eat more warm foods to enhance the body’s ability to withstand the cold.

 

Dietary Recommendations for the Beginning of Winter

 

Duck Soup with Ganoderma Sinense

 

Winter is the perfect season for nourishing the lungs and kidneys.

 

Ingredients: 15 grams of Ganoderma sinense slices, 3 honey dates, 1 old duck, 1/4 dried tangerine peel, 3 slices of ginger.

Method: Clean the Ganoderma sinense slices, honey dates, dried tangerine peel, old duck, and ginger. Put them into a stew pot and add an appropriate amount of water. After boiling over high heat, switch to low heat and stew for 2 hours. Season with an appropriate amount of salt and oil. Enjoy your meal!

 

Chestnut Lamb Soup

 

Nourishing the Stomach and Spleen, Strengthening the Kidneys and Tendons

 

Lamb is hot in nature, and chestnuts are warm. Drinking this soup for nourishment in winter could not be more appropriate.

 

 

In winter, why not nourish the body and mind with Ganoderma, quietly awaiting the arrival of spring.