Minor Cold, the fifth solar term of winter, marks the official beginning of the late winter season.

 

As the old saying goes, "Nourishing your body during the three nines days (the coldest period of winter in the Chinese lunar calendar) can help prevent illnesses in the coming year." Paying attention to health preservation during Minor Cold can not only strengthen your constitution but also lay a solid foundation for your health in the coming year.

 

During this chilly season, Reishi, a precious medicinal herb, has become a popular choice for health preservation due to its unique restorative properties.

 

5 Essential Health Practices for Minor Cold

 

1. Protect Your Head and Feet:

With temperatures plummeting during Minor Cold, staying warm is crucial. Protect your head, neck, hands, and feet, which are susceptible to cold. Wear a hat when going out, and soak your feet in hot water before bed to alleviate cold extremities and stimulate acupoints, warming the kidneys and replenishing yang energy to prevent colds.

 

2. Nourish Yourself with Warm Foods:

A key aspect of winter health preservation is "nourishing the kidneys and preventing cold." Focus on warm foods like red dates, longan, ginger, beef, and mutton to replenish your body and protect against the invasion of cold weather.

 

3. Early to Bed, Late to Rise:

Going to bed early nourishes yang energy, while waking up late nourishes yin energy, maintaining a balance within the body. Getting enough sleep during winter helps yang energy to hide and yin essence to accumulate.

 

4. Keep Moving:

Although the weather is cold, moderate exercise is still essential. It can boost your immunity, prevent colds, and keep you energized. Exercise can also alleviate tension, anxiety, and depression caused by nervous system disorders.

 

5. Calm Your Mind:

Maintain a calm and optimistic state of mind. Emotional ups and downs can have a significant impact on your health. Avoid worrying about trivial matters and cultivate a peaceful mindset to enhance your quality of life.

 

Minor Cold Nourishment: The Benefits of Reishi

 

Reishi, revered as a "magic herb" since ancient times, is listed as a superior herb in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing and has various benefits such as "nourishing the heart qi, replenishing the middle energizer, increasing wisdom, and improving memory." During Minor Cold, Reishi's restorative effects are particularly significant.

 

 

Firstly, Reishi "nourishes the kidney qi." The kidneys are the foundation of innate constitution and the source of original energy. They constantly influence human vitality. By nourishing the kidneys, Reishi helps the body prepare for the "contracting" nature of winter and better resist lower temperatures.

 

Additionally, Reishi can enhance immunity. Its active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, and ergosterol, can activate immune cells, enhance their phagocytic function, and strengthen the immune system, thereby improving our immunity.

 

Unlike conventional drugs that have single-sided effects on the body, Reishi is valuable for its comprehensive regulation of the human body, nourishing the vital energy, preventing diseases, and regulating immunity.

 

Whether it's drinking a cup of Reishi spore powder daily, chewing a few Reishi spore oil softgels, or sipping a warm cup of Reishi tea, these practices can infuse your body with energy, boost your immunity, and enhance your overall well-being during the cold winter months.

 

 

Even though Minor Cold is a chilly season, by following scientific health practices and utilizing the restorative properties of natural herbs like Reishi, we can enjoy a healthy and warm winter.

 

May everyone maintain both physical and mental health and happiness throughout this cold season.