Why do we eat dumplings during the winter solstice? What fruits are suitable to eat during the winter solstice?

Winter Solstice, also known as Sunanzhi, Winter Festival, and Yasui, has both natural and humanistic connotations. It is not only an important solar term among the 24 solar terms, but also a traditional festival for ancestor worship in China. As the proverb goes, "On October 1, the winter solstice arrives, and every household eats dumplings." Winter Solstice is as important as the New Year. It has always been a custom for people in the north to eat dumplings and in the south to eat glutinous rice balls. Why do people eat dumplings on Winter Solstice? Do you know?

Contents of this article

1. Why do we eat dumplings during the winter solstice?

2. What fruits are suitable to eat during the winter solstice?

3. There are seven things to do during the winter solstice to maintain your health

Why do we eat dumplings during the winter solstice?

Every year on the winter solstice of the lunar calendar, dumplings are an indispensable festival meal for everyone, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. The proverb says: "On October 1, the winter solstice arrives, and every household eats dumplings." This custom is left in memory of the "medical saint" Zhang Zhongjing who gave away medicine on the winter solstice. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, he served as the governor of Changsha, visited patients and gave medicine, and practiced medicine in the lobby. Later, he resolutely resigned and returned to his hometown to treat illnesses for his neighbors. When he returned to his hometown, it was winter. He saw that the villagers on both sides of the Baihe River were pale and thin, suffering from hunger and cold, and many people's ears were frozen. So he asked his disciples to set up a medical tent and a big pot at the East Gate of Nanyang, and gave away "Quhan Jiao'er Soup" to treat frostbite on the winter solstice. People ate "Jiao'er" and drank "Quhan Soup", and their bodies were warm, their ears were hot, and their frostbitten ears were cured. Later generations learned the appearance of "Jiao'er" and wrapped them into food, also called "dumplings" or "bianshi". Eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice is a way to remember the kindness of the "Medical Saint" Zhang Zhongjing's "Quhan Jiao'er Soup".

What fruits are suitable to eat during the winter solstice?

1. Sugarcane - nourishing and heat-clearing

Sugarcane has the function of nourishing and clearing away heat, and is rich in nutrients. As a cooling tonic, it has a certain effect on treating hypoglycemia, dry stool, dysuria, nausea and vomiting, cough due to deficiency heat, and high fever and thirst.

Note: Since sugarcane and pear are similar in nature and are both cold fruits, people with weak spleen and stomach and stomach pain should not eat them.

2. Oranges: promote the production of body fluids and quench thirst, strengthen the spleen and warm the stomach

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carotene, citric acid, etc. They have the functions of promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, promoting qi and resolving phlegm, strengthening the spleen and warming the stomach, relieving greasiness, eliminating food accumulation, clearing the intestines and relieving constipation, and sobering up. Eating more can prevent gallbladder diseases, enhance the toughness of capillaries, lower blood cholesterol, and promote the body's ability to absorb drugs.

Note: Oranges are cool in nature and should not be eaten before meals or on an empty stomach, otherwise it will be bad for the stomach; do not drink milk within 1 hour before and after eating oranges to avoid affecting digestion and absorption; you should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth in time after eating oranges to avoid harm to your oral teeth.

3. Oranges: Prevent cardiovascular disease

Nutritional value: Oranges are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, etc. They can reduce the absorption of cholesterol, lower blood lipids, and resist atherosclerosis. Eating oranges regularly is very beneficial for preventing the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and can prevent stroke in the elderly.

Note: Oranges are warm in nature. Eating too many oranges can cause "heatiness" and induce glossitis, periodontitis, pharyngitis, etc.; eating a large amount of oranges may cause hypercarotenemia, causing the skin of the hands and soles to turn yellow, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and general fatigue; oranges should not be eaten with radishes or milk.

4. Bananas - clearing away heat and detoxifying, aiding digestion, nourishing

Nutritional value: Bananas are fragrant and delicious, rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium. They can effectively maintain the health of the skin and hair, and prevent stroke and high blood pressure. At the same time, they can calm and promote sleep, moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements, moisten the lungs and relieve coughs, clear away heat and detoxify, aid digestion and nourish, and are also quite effective for weight loss.

Note: Bananas are cold in nature. Eating them in excess can cause gastrointestinal disorders and cause an imbalance in the proportions of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and other elements in the body, which can be harmful to health.

5. Apple: nourishes the lungs and spleen, nourishes the heart and replenishes qi

Nutritional value: Apples are rich in sugars and potassium salts, and have the effects of promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, moistening the lungs and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the heart and invigorating qi. They can promote gastrointestinal motility, regulate the stomach, treat constipation and aid digestion, and can maintain blood sugar stability, lowering cholesterol and preventing gallstones.

Note: Do not eat fruit before meals to avoid affecting normal eating and digestion; excessive intake of apples is not good for heart and kidney health.

Seven tips for health preservation during the winter solstice

One should protect against cold

Cold weather can induce myocardial infarction and stroke, and aggravate symptoms of ulcers, rheumatism, glaucoma, etc. Patients should pay attention to keeping warm, especially to prevent the adverse stimulation of strong winds and cold weather on the body, and prepare emergency medicines. At the same time, they should also pay attention to cold-resistant exercises to improve their ability to resist cold and disease, and prevent respiratory diseases.

Two should drink more

Although sweating and urination decrease in winter, the cells of the brain and organs of the body still need water to nourish them to ensure normal metabolism. In winter, the daily water intake should not be less than 2000-3000ml.

Three-way adjustment of spirit

Winter can easily make people feel depressed physically and mentally. The best way to change depression is to do appropriate activities, such as walking, jogging, dancing, skating, playing ball, skipping rope, kicking shuttlecock, etc., which are all good ways to eliminate winter boredom and maintain spirit.

Four things to keep warm

Winter is yin, and the protection of yin essence is the basis, and it is advisable to reduce the loss of body fluids. Therefore, it is necessary to "get rid of cold and warm up" in winter to prevent cold invasion. But do not warm up too quickly, especially wearing thick clothes, drinking in front of the fire, and baking the abdomen and back to sweat.

Five healthy feet

You must always keep your feet clean and dry, wash and change your socks frequently, wash your feet with warm water every day, and massage and stimulate the acupuncture points on your feet. Walk for more than half an hour every day to exercise your feet. In addition, it is also very important to choose a pair of comfortable, warm, lightweight, and moisture-absorbing shoes.

Liuyi ventilation

In winter, indoor air pollution is 10 times more serious than outdoor air pollution. Doors and windows should be opened frequently to ventilate the air to clean the air, invigorate the brain and refresh the mind.

7. Go to bed early

In winter, the Yang Qi is suppressed, especially at night, so we should go to bed early and get up late. Go to bed early to nourish the Yang Qi, and get up late to consolidate the Yin essence. When the Yin and Yang are in balance, the body will be healthy.