A brief discussion on the key points of winter health preservation

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine advocates disease prevention and health preservation according to the laws of the changes of yin and yang in nature. We are currently in the Minor Snow solar term, entering the node where the "Five Qi" and "Final Qi" in the theory of the Five Movements and Six Qi meet. Let's talk about the climate and phenology characteristics of the last gasification stage of this year and its impact on human health and diseases, as well as the corresponding health preservation measures.

Climate, phenology and disease characteristics

First, from the perspective of solar terms, as Wang Xiangjin of the Ming Dynasty said in "Collection of Flowers and Plants", "The weather is cold and snow is coming in the Minor Snow, but the ground is not too cold and the snow is not heavy". Under normal circumstances, at this time of year, "flowers and snow are blowing in the wind and you never get tired of watching them" and "a piece of snow flies and a piece of cold comes" will gradually appear (Dai Shulun of the Tang Dynasty, "Minor Snow"). From the theory of the Five Movements and Six Qi, in 2022, the year of Renyin, the annual movement is too much for the wood movement, the Shaoyang phase fire is in charge of the sky, and the Jueyin wind wood is in the spring. The "final qi" is from the Minor Snow to the day before the Great Cold in 2023, Guimao (November 22, 2022 to January 19, 2023). The main qi is the cold water of the sun, and the guest qi is the wind wood of the Jueyin. In the winter that should be cold, the climate change will be relatively large under the influence of the "wind" of the spring qi, and the foggy weather will increase. The phenomenon of a short-term temperature rebound in early winter and mid-winter cannot be ruled out as a "warm winter".

In terms of phenology, it is easy for "when the wind arrives, all things will come back to life" (Huangdi Neijing). Some plants will continue to grow, and even sprout early and bloom earlier. Animals that should hibernate will also move around.

In terms of disease, due to the failure to store Yang Qi, it is easy to develop heartache, cough and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory tract and lung diseases, and spleen and stomach system diseases. Winter belongs to water in the five elements, and in the human body it corresponds to the kidney, which is responsible for storage. According to the theory of Qi transformation, winter should be mainly stored, but Jueyin wind wood has the function of ascending, which hinders winter storage. "If it is violated, it will hurt the kidney, and in spring it will be weak and cold, and few people will be able to survive." There is even a situation where "if you don't store your essence in winter, you will definitely get a fever in spring" (Huangdi Neijing).

From an epidemiological perspective, winter is a peak season for respiratory infectious diseases. In addition, the current COVID-19 outbreak is spreading in multiple locations. We still need to take epidemic prevention and control seriously, and we must not relax our personal preventive measures.

Health precautions

"The Plain Questions - The Great Treatise on the Five Constant Virtues" says: "Nourish it and harmonize it, be calm and wait for the right time, be careful to guard your qi and do not let it shift." In view of the above situation, the following health-preserving plan is proposed for your reference.

Emotional regulation

Spring brings life, summer brings growth, autumn brings harvest, and winter brings storage. At this time, we should follow the principle of regulating and controlling in the three months of winter in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, "let the mind be hidden, as if it has private intentions, as if it has already gained something", keep the mind calm, avoid being angry or happy, and follow the winter storage. Yuan Zhen, a poet in the Tang Dynasty, wrote in "Poems on the Twenty-Four Solar Terms: Minor Snow in October": "The full moon shines in the sky, and the long wind makes the branches ring. The horizontal harp is facing the green wine, but the brows are still frowning." We should also pay attention to avoid being emotionally moved by the withering of all things and being depressed.

Daily life and exercise

Follow the principle of "get rid of cold and seek warmth" in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, and focus on the five warmths (warm head, back, abdomen, feet, and food). "Go to bed early and get up late, and wait for the sun to come out", and take a short nap at noon. Exercise is also based on "hiding", avoiding intense confrontational exercise, and focusing on aerobic exercise. You can take a walk outdoors, or choose traditional exercises such as Ba Duan Jin, Tai Chi, and Yi Jin Jing according to your situation, supplemented by guiding methods. For example, the Xiaoxue solar term guiding method, sit cross-legged, press your knees with one hand, hold your elbow with the other hand, and push your left and right hands three to five times each, breathe in and out, knock your teeth 10 to 20 times, and swallow saliva.

Diet adjustment

The overall dietary therapy follows the principle of "replenishing with spiciness, purging with sourness, and relieving with sweetness" and nourishing the kidneys to prevent coldness and not disturbing the yang. When cooking, spiciness such as ginger, garlic, coriander, and chopped green onions can be added as appropriate. Here are five delicacies suitable for this season.

① Stir-fried pork belly with garlic

Garlic is pungent and warm, and it enters the spleen, lung, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of warming the middle and digesting food, warming the spleen and stomach, eliminating accumulation and detoxification, and sterilization. Garlic contains propylene sulfide, which has a good killing effect on pathogens. Pork belly tastes sweet, salty and flat, and enters the spleen, stomach, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of nourishing the kidney and blood, nourishing yin and moistening dryness.

Take an appropriate amount of pork belly, wash and slice it, slice an appropriate amount of garlic, put the pork belly into the pan and stir-fry until the oil comes out, add an appropriate amount of fermented black beans, then stir-fry with garlic, and add salt to taste.

② Lamb stewed with radish

Mutton is sweet and warm, and it enters the spleen and kidney meridians. It has the functions of replenishing qi, tonifying deficiency, warming the middle and warming the lower body, and tonifying the kidney. White radish is pungent, sweet and cool, and it enters the lung, stomach, and large intestine meridians. It can clear away heat, promote body fluid, digest food and eliminate stagnation, and has a good effect of moistening the lungs and relieving cough.

Take an appropriate amount of mutton, wash and cut into pieces (Ningxia beach sheep is the best mutton, the meat is fat and not smelly), blanch it and wash it again, add appropriate amount of water and 3-5 slices of ginger to make soup, after the water boils, add the washed and diced white radish, 10-20 wolfberries, and appropriate amount of salt, sprinkle with a little chopped green onion or garlic leaves, and coriander when serving.

③ Steamed/sour soup sea bass

Seabass is sweet and warm, and belongs to the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing the liver and kidney, and relieving cough and reducing phlegm. "Sui Xi Ju Diet" records that it "tonifies the kidney and soothes the liver." In winter, seabass is plump and rich in protein, vitamins, and a variety of trace elements. It can stimulate appetite and nourish the five internal organs. Seabass is served with spicy ginger and steamed with black beans, or seabass fillets are cooked in sour tomato soup. It is not only a taste enjoyment, but also conforms to the dietary therapy principle of "tonifying with spiciness, purging with sourness, and relieving with sweetness."

④ Cabbage/Sauerkraut Black Tofu

Black beans are sweet and mild, and enter the spleen and kidney meridians. They have the effects of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the kidneys, and detoxifying. Black tofu is processed from black beans and is rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. Cabbage is sweet and mild, and enters the stomach and large intestine meridians. It can help digestion and relieve gas, clear away heat and relieve restlessness. "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica" records that it "benefits the stomach, relieves chest restlessness, relieves thirst after drinking, promotes urination and stops coughing."

Take an appropriate amount of Chinese cabbage or Northeastern sour cabbage (sour cabbage means "purge with sourness"), wash and cut into sections, cut an appropriate amount of tofu into thin pieces, and add 3 to 5 cloves of garlic. Stir-fry the cabbage until water comes out, and you can also add a little pork belly, then add tofu and cook with water.

⑤ Astragalus and Schisandra chinensis porridge

Use 10g of Astragalus, 5g of Schisandra, 50g of Japonica Rice (adjust according to personal taste), 7 jujubes, add appropriate amount of water to cook porridge for diet therapy, and take it 2-3 times a week. This is for one person. If multiple people eat, prepare it according to this ratio. This porridge has the effect of invigorating Qi and strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the five internal organs. It is more suitable for people who are prone to fatigue, sweating, and colds.

External treatment

Plague-repellent sachet: Qianghuo, Dahuang, Chaihu, Atractylodes, Asarum, and Evodia, each of which is equal in size, is ground into coarse powder and made into a sachet. Place it in a ventilated place indoors, or wear it on the chest, or place it next to the pillow at night. Change it according to the intensity of the smell. Each sachet can be used for no more than one month. This sachet has the effect of warding off filth and preventing epidemics, and improving respiratory immunity. People with a history of allergies to pollen, perfume, etc. should use it with caution.

Acupoint pressing is guided by the Longsha Kaihe Liuqi acupuncture method. Use the thumb instead of acupuncture to press the four parts of Jueyin, Shaoyang, Taiyang and Shaoyin. The pressing parts are shown in the figure below. Press each part for 3 to 5 minutes. It is best to feel soreness and swelling at the pressed part. Do it once every other day.

Note: Please follow your doctor’s advice on specific treatment and medication!

Copyright Notice:

This article is transferred from: China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Author: Tao Guoshui

**Copyright belongs to the relevant rights holders. If there is any improper use, please feel free to contact us. ** This public account shares articles and videos for learning exchanges and reference only. Non-TCM professionals are not allowed to try the medicine at will.