Greater Cold is the last of the 24 solar terms and signals the impending end of winter. Once Greater Cold arrives, people begin preparing for the new year by cleaning, making cured meats, and celebrating traditions like the Kitchen God Worshipping and the Year-End Feast... The festive atmosphere grows stronger.

 

At this time, the Yin energy of nature gradually weakens, while the Yang energy begins to emerge. The organs of the body are in a state of coldness, and for the elderly or those with weakened constitutions, a slight lack of attention can easily lead to the relapse of old illnesses or the onset of new ones. After Greater Cold, it is important to focus on maintaining the body, with special attention to preventing cold, warming the body, and replenishing vital energy. Remember the principle of "eat three flavors, protect five areas."

 

Greater Cold — Eat Three Flavors

 

1. Eat "Spicy" — To Prevent Cold and Warm the Body
Preventing cold is the main focus of health maintenance during Greater Cold. Including moderate amounts of "spicy" foods in the diet, such as white pepper, can help ward off the cold.

 

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, pepper has a spicy, aromatic flavor and is warm in nature. In addition to enhancing flavor and removing fishy odors, it also helps to dispel cold and aid digestion. Pepper comes in two types: black and white. Generally, black pepper has a slightly better flavoring effect, while white pepper has higher medicinal value.

 

Some people are prone to stomach pain and diarrhea when exposed to wind and cold, which is caused by a weak stomach due to cold. Drinking hot water with white pepper and brown sugar can help alleviate this. It's also a good idea to add a little white pepper powder to cold dishes to counteract the chill and prevent cold.

 

2. Eat "Bitter" — To Relieve Dryness and Clear Excessive Internal Heat

Winter is a dry season, and many people tend to over-supplement their diet, which can lead to excessive internal heat. Therefore, it is important to include "bitter" foods to counteract this, such as bitter chrysanthemum. Bitter chrysanthemum helps clear internal heat and can be used in dishes like bitter chrysanthemum vegetable rolls, which have a good effect on reducing heat and lowering blood pressure.

 

3. Eat "Sour" — To Protect Blood Vessels

The period around Greater Cold is a peak time for cardiovascular diseases. Consuming sour foods can help regulate the body. Examples include sour condiments like vinegar, or acidic fruits like oranges and apples, which are also rich in vitamin C.

 

You can also eat more hawthorn.

 

Professor Ma Shaodan, a medical doctor at the Guoyi Tang of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, mentioned in the program Shared Doctors that during the Spring Festival, when food tends to be greasy, it is advisable to prepare some hawthorn-based foods such as root bark of the tree peony, hawthorn pills, and hawthorn water, which help promote digestion and reduce greasiness. (Note: Pregnant women should avoid hawthorn as it has a blood-activating effect.)

 

 

Recommendations for the Greater Cold Diet

 

During the Greater Cold season, it is recommended to consume some nourishing and therapeutic foods, such as longan congee, Reishi and jujube tea, Eight-Treasure Rice, and Angelica and ginger lamb soup. These dietary remedies are effective in warming the Yang, replenishing blood, warming the center, dispelling cold, and strengthening the spleen and Qi.

 

1. Reishi and Jujube Tea

Ingredients: Reishi slices, red dates
Preparation:

1) Slice the Reishi and pit the red dates.

2) Heat a clay pot, add the red dates, and lightly fry over low heat until they reach a caramel color, then set aside to cool.

3) Combine the fried red dates and Reishi, store them in a dry, airtight container, and use as needed.

4) Each time, take 5-10g of the Reishi and jujube mixture, steep in hot water, or brew in a tea pot for consumption.

 

2. Angelica and Ginger Lamb Soup

Ingredients: 500g fresh lamb, 10-50g Angelica root (adjust according to personal taste and constitution), 50g fresh ginger, salt and wine (to taste)
Preparation:

1) Clean and cut the lamb into pieces, blanch in boiling water, then set aside. Clean the Angelica root and set aside. Wash the ginger without peeling, and slice.

2) Heat a pan with an appropriate amount of oil, fry the ginger slices until fragrant, then add the lamb and qu baijiu. Stir-fry until the moisture evaporates and the aroma is released. Add the Angelica root and enough boiling water, bring to a boil over high heat, then transfer to a clay pot. Cover and simmer over low to medium heat for about 1 hour. Add salt to taste.

 

3. Immortal Porridge – A Prescription from the Qing Dynasty Imperial Medical Academy

Ingredients: Glutinous rice, ginger, green onions, vinegar
Preparation:

Cook a handful of glutinous rice into a soup.

Add seven stalks of green onions and seven slices of ginger.

Cook until done, then add half a cup of vinegar.

This remedy is used for treating cold-related symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and fever caused by wind-cold.

 

Protecting the 5 Key Areas During Greater Cold

 

During the Greater Cold season, the focus of health preservation is on preventing wind and combating the cold, while also supporting the Yang and regulating the liver to align with the rising Yang energy. At this time, it is crucial to protect these five key areas of the body:

 

1. Protect the Head
Wear a Hat Regularly

There is a saying, "Wearing a cotton hat in winter is like wearing a cotton jacket." In cold weather, if you dress warmly but neglect to wear a hat, body heat will quickly dissipate from the head. Even wearing a thin hat outdoors in winter helps to preserve warmth.

 

2. Protect the Nose
Rub the Nose with Cold Water
As the weather cools, dryness and coldness become more pronounced, and many people struggle with nasal inflammation. At this time, using cold to combat the cold can be effective. Rubbing the sides of your nose with cold water every morning or before going outside can help. Washing your nose with cold water in the morning and evening can strengthen the immune function of the nasal mucosa and is an effective method for preventing and treating nasal issues.

 

3. Protect the Neck
Wear a Scarf
The neck is a vital area of the body. Wearing a high-collared garment is a good way to block cold winds, keep the neck warm, and prevent the blood vessels in the head and neck from contracting due to the cold. This can help prevent high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and insomnia.

 

4. Protect the Waist
Rub the Waist with Both Hands
Rubbing the waist helps to free the Belt Channel, strengthen the spine, and reinforce kidney function. The method is as follows: Rub both hands together to generate heat, then press firmly on both sides of the spine, hold for a moment, and then rub down to the tailbone (Changqiang Acupoint). Do 50-100 repetitions each time, once in the morning and once in the evening.

 

5. Protect the Feet
Regular Foot Baths
Soaking your feet before bed each night helps to warm your hands and feet and relax both the body and mind. When soaking, use warm water that feels comfortable to the body. The ideal duration is until you feel adequately warmed.

 

As the Greater Cold passes, the year draws to a close. Though the cold winds of the twelfth lunar month blow fiercely, there are always those who, through the wind and snow, walk the path home. Wishing everyone a joyful and fulfilling Chinese New Year!