The Winter Solstice Health Preservation Chapter of the 24 Solar Terms

The Winter Solstice is a very important solar term and also a significant festival. The date of the Winter Solstice is on December 22nd or 23rd every year. Its origin is directly related to the calendar. In ancient times, it was said: "When the Dipper points to Wu, the Yin energy begins to illuminate, and the Yang energy reaches its peak. The day moves southward, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the day is the shortest and the night is the longest." The saying "the day is short" and "the day is short" is explained in this passage from the perspective of Yin-Yang theory that the arrival of the Winter Solstice marks the time when Yin energy reaches its peak and begins to decline, and Yang energy starts to sprout. From an astronomical perspective, it explains the basis for the change in the length of day and night, clearly stating that on the Winter Solstice, the daytime is the shortest day of the year, and the sun almost directly shines on the Tropic of Capricorn. After the Winter Solstice, as the direct sunlight moves northward, the days gradually become longer. As the saying goes, "After having the Winter Solstice meal, one's days grow longer." As early as the Han Dynasty, the Winter Solstice was designated as a public holiday, allowing all civil and military officials to have a day off. In Taiwan, China, there is a saying that "the Winter Solstice celebrates the New Year", and they consider this day as important as the Spring Festival. Every "Winter Solstice Festival", every household makes tangyuan. Moreover, the tangyuan for the Winter Solstice are divided into red and white types. According to the elders, if you don't eat the golden balls (red tangyuan) or the silver balls (white tangyuan), you won't grow one year older. The importance attached to the Winter Solstice can be seen from this. In most parts of our country, it is customary to "count the nine days" starting from the Winter Solstice. Each nine days constitutes a small section, which is divided into nine, nine and eighty-one days in total. There is a folk song that goes: On the first and second nine days, don't move; on the third and fourth nine days, walk on the ice; on the fifth and sixth nine days, follow the river to watch the willows; on the seventh nine days, the river opens; on the eighth and ninth days, swallows come; on the ninth and first days, oxen travel everywhere. This ballad vividly and graphically reflects the seasonal changes at different times and also demonstrates the wisdom of the working people of our country. The coldest days of the third nine-day period are when the ground accumulates the least heat, which is why there is a saying that "the coldest days are in the third nine-day period." In the Yangtze River Basin of our country, there is a charming scene where, despite the cold weather, the winter plum blossoms vie for beauty. Such an important solar term, I would like to focus my health preservation efforts on middle-aged and elderly friends, especially middle-aged people. As the generation that Bridges the past and the future, they shoulder the heavy responsibilities of society and family. Coupled with the fast pace of the new century and many contradictions in real life, people are often in a state of tension and busy. If they do not pay attention to taking care of themselves in the long run, it will inevitably affect their physical and mental health. The Ling Shu: Tian Nian states: "Life..." At the age of thirty, the five internal organs are fully stable, the muscles are strong, and the blood vessels are abundant, so it is easy to walk. At the age of forty, the five internal organs, six viscera and twelve meridians all become prosperous and then calm down. The 腠理 begins to become sparse, and the splendor fades. The hair becomes rather gray and stable, so one enjoys sitting. At the age of fifty, liver qi begins to decline, the liver lobe begins to thin, bile begins to decrease, and vision begins to become unclear. In just a few words, it summarizes the physical and psychological characteristics of middle-aged people, and points out that middle age is a turning point in one's life journey, when life activities start to decline from their peak. Although this is not terrifying, the "Jingyue Quanshu: Zhongxing Lun" states: "When a person is around middle age, they should make a major overhaul and then lay a solid foundation. There is still half a strength left." The book tells us that if a person can scientifically apply the way of health preservation and properly adjust themselves in middle age, they can ensure vigorous energy and prevent premature aging, achieving the goal of prolonging life. The key to health preservation in middle age: First, keep a calm mind and less worry (that is, "do not compete with The Times when strong, and stop thinking in the spirit") requires middle-aged people to 1. Keep a cheerful and optimistic spirit, don't be bothered by trivial matters, and don't insist on fame and fortune or be overly concerned about gains and losses. 2. Pay attention to using your brain reasonably, consciously develop your mind, cultivate a good character, and seek a spiritual pillar for your career. 3. Learn to appreciate others' strengths. Listen to more music in your spare time from work and study. It will bring you endless joy. 4. Pay attention to your appearance and grooming. Dress appropriately for different occasions and keep a youthful mindset to invigorate your spirit and add joy to your life. Ii. Overwork without Overexertion (From "Thousand Gold Prescriptions for Emergencies - Dao Lin's Cultivation of Nature", it is stated: "The way to cultivate one's nature is to always desire minor labor, but not to be overwhelmed by extreme fatigue or force.") 1. Avoid long-term "overloading operation" to prevent excessive fatigue and illness caused by overwork. 2. Adjust your life rhythm according to your own situation and establish a new living order. 3. Take every opportunity to do appropriate exercise. There is a saying, "Move a little in winter and you won't get sick." "Be lazy in winter and take an extra bowl of medicine." Explain the importance of winter exercise. Iii. Frugality and Essence Preservation (The "Record of Cultivating Nature and Prolonging Life" : "Those who are strong and have a sense of propriety in their appearance and voice will be strong and live a long life") 1. Desires should not be indulged. One should control sexual activity based on their own actual situation. One must not damage kidney qi due to improper sexual activity and internal injury caused by overwork. The kidney is the foundation of the body's innate constitution. When kidney essence is abundant, all the internal organs are vigorous, the body's resistance to diseases is strong, and a healthy body can lead to a long life. Conversely, if kidney essence is deficient, the five internal organs will become weak and feeble, leading to frequent diseases and an early death. The "Main Treatise on Health Preservation of Tai Ding" states: "Thirty days, giving and releasing once every eight days." At the age of forty, one should give alms every sixteen days. Those who are weak should be even more cautious. At the age of fifty, one should give alms every twenty days. ... Those who can maintain it consistently can cure diseases, prolong life and remain vigorous in old age. This indicates that strictly and regularly controlling sexual life is a necessary guarantee for good health and longevity. 2. Nourish blood and consolidate essence. The Tang Dynasty medical expert Sun Simiao explained the importance of abstinence and essence preservation by saying, "For men, it is important to have a clear mind and few desires to nourish their essence; for women, it is important to keep a calm mind and a determined will to nourish their blood." In other words, men should focus on essence while women should use blood. Zhang Zhongjing, a medical expert of the Eastern Han Dynasty, expounded that abstinence and essence preservation not only benefit health, but also lead to longevity when men and women have few desires, and premature death when they have many desires. And it is the primary guarantee for eugenics and good child-rearing. So, what are the physiological changes of elderly friends like? In the chapter "Tian Nian" of the Ling Shu, it is written: "At the age of sixty, the heart and energy start to decline, leading to sorrow and distress. The blood and energy become slack and lazy, and thus one prefers to lie down." At the age of seventy, one has a weak temper and dry skin. At the age of eighty, the lung qi declines and the spirit wanes, thus the words are often mistaken... This natural decline in physiological functions such as the internal organs, qi, blood and spirit can also affect psychological changes, manifesting as common mental states such as loneliness, old age, depression, suspicion, irritability and anger. It is precisely this reduction in physical and psychological stability and self-control that makes elderly friends more prone to illness and less likely to recover. Therefore, in terms of health preservation and wellness, it is advisable to advocate mental nourishment and dietary adjustment as the main approaches. The method of providing timely care, daily living care and supplementary assistance with medication. First, (Spiritual Cultivation (Contentment, Modesty, and not slackness in Old Age) Maintain a mindset of "modesty, courtesy, respect for others, and self-discipline", "contentment without disgrace, knowing when to stop without danger", that is, in dealing with the world, one should be broad-minded, magnanimous, modest and kind, content in life without desires, so as to keep the heart young in old age, love life, maintain confidence, and be diligent in using the brain. In his "New Book on Longevity and Elderly Care", Chen Zhi, a medical expert of the Song Dynasty, wrote a poem: "When one is ill, one knows it oneself. When the body is ill, one still heals the mind. When the mind is calm, the body is also calm, and the mind is still ill." The poem warns us that only by taking good care of our own mental health can we prevent emotional disorders. Ii. Dietary Adjustment (Careful Diet Adjustment) 1. It is advisable to have a diverse diet with a reasonable combination of grains, fruits, meat and vegetables, and appropriately choose high-calcium foods. 2. The diet should be light. Considering the characteristics of weak spleen and stomach in the elderly, they should avoid eating thick, greasy and overly salty foods. From the perspective of modern nutrition, the diet of the elderly should be "three more and three less", that is, more protein, vitamins and cellulose. It contains less sugar, fat and salt. 3. It is advisable for the elderly to consume warm, cooked and soft foods to protect their spleen and kidneys as their Yang energy wanes. The spleen prefers warmth and dislikes cold. As people age, their teeth become loose and fall out, making chewing difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to consume cooked and soft foods. 4. Eating should be small and moderate. "A person of high age should not eat too much at once, but should eat frequently to preserve the energy of grains." It is advocated that the elderly have small and frequent meals to ensure the necessary nutrition without harming the spleen and stomach. Iii. Adapting to the Seasons for Care (Adapting to the Four Seasons and the Cold and Heat) Warns the elderly to "follow the methods of nurturing according to the four seasons, follow the qi of the five elements and the king, be respectful and devoted to their parents, and be cautious without slackness." That is to say, the universe, the four seasons, and all things have an impact on human life activities. To achieve self-balance in nature, one must first follow the laws of nature, adapt to the changes of the four seasons, and understand that "the best of people are the best. It is better to always wish to enjoy life. Only in this way can one remain vigorous in old age and live a long life. Four. Daily Routine Care (Regular Daily Routine, No Overwork) "Regular daily routine nourishes the spirit, and no overwork nourishes the essence." If the elderly can arrange their daily routine and rest reasonably, they can maintain their spirit. Moderate work and rest can nourish their kidney essence. Try to achieve the goal of "not walking too fast, not listening too hard, not looking too far, not sitting for too long, and not lying down too tired". Five. Medication Assistance (Strengthening the innate foundation and Protecting the Acquired Qi) An important condition for health and longevity is the strength of innate endowment and the sufficiency of acquired nutrition. Due to the decline in the physical functions of the elderly, in addition to other aspects of recuperation, some medications can help them build up their bodies and keep fit. Medic-based health preservation should focus on strengthening the innate foundation and protecting the acquired qi. The so-called "innate foundation" means that the kidney is the innate foundation and the root of life. When kidney qi is abundant, the body's metabolic capacity is strong, and the rate of human aging is slow. The so-called "acquired qi" refers to the fact that the spleen and stomach are acquired qi and also the source of qi and blood production. All the nutrients needed for the body's life activities are supplied by the spleen and stomach. Therefore, for the elderly, drug health preservation should focus on strengthening and protecting the spleen and kidneys. The principle of medication should follow: more tonification and less purgation. The medicine should be mild and the dosage should be small. Pay attention to the spleen and kidneys, and take into account the five internal organs. Classify and supplement, adjust Yin and Yang; Master the seasons and observe the patterns; Use more pills, powders, ointments and elixirs, and less decoctions with water. Combine medicine and food, and guide according to the situation. Only by taking medicine in this way can one correct one's shortcomings, prevent diseases and prolong life. Finally, I would like to tell everyone that starting from the Winter Solstice, it is essential to frequently consume mutton stewed with radish. This is the top choice for the royal cuisine on the Winter Solstice. The specific recipe is as follows: Stewed mutton with white radish [Ingredients] 500 grams of white radish, 250 grams of mutton, an appropriate amount of ginger, cooking wine and salt. [Method] Wash the white radish and mutton, cut them into pieces and set aside. Put an appropriate amount of water in a pot and add the mutton. After the water boils for 5 to 6 minutes, remove the mutton and discard the water. Change the water and bring it to a boil again. Add the mutton, ginger, cooking wine and salt, and simmer until it is 60% cooked. Then add the white radish and cook until done. [Functions] Tonifies qi and replenishes deficiency, warms the middle and the lower body. It is more suitable for those with weak knees and waist, drowsiness and fatigue, kidney deficiency and impotence, as well as coldness in the spleen and stomach. Stir-fried Double Mushrooms: [Ingredients] Equal amounts of rehydrated shiitake mushrooms and fresh mushrooms, an appropriate amount of vegetable oil, soy sauce, sugar, water starch, monosodium glutamate, salt, yellow wine, minced ginger, fresh soup, and sesame oil. [Method] Wash the shiitake mushrooms and fresh mushrooms and slice them. Heat a wok and add oil. Add the double mushrooms and stir-fry. Then add ginger, soy sauce, sugar and yellow wine and continue to stir-fry until well-flavored. Add fresh soup and bring to a boil. Add monosodium glutamate, salt, thicken with water starch, drizzle with sesame oil and serve on a plate. [Functions] Tonifies the stomach and intestines, resolves phlegm and dispels cold. This dish can enhance the immune function of the body and is more suitable for patients with high blood lipid. Sesame oil Mixed Spinach [Ingredients] 1 pound of spinach, salt and sesame oil to taste. [Method] Wash the spinach, blanch it in boiling water until cooked, then remove and transfer it to a plate. Add an appropriate amount of salt and drizzle with sesame oil. [Functions] Unblocking meridians and opening the chest, lowering qi and regulating the middle, quenching thirst and moistening dryness. In addition, it is recommended that everyone eat more yam (either steamed or boiled), as it has the functions of strengthening the spleen, tonifying the lungs, consolidating the kidneys and enriching essence. Dietary taboos: Do not take radish together with ginseng, American ginseng or polygonum multiflorum. Lamb should not be eaten with pumpkin. Common medicinal diet prescriptions for "tonifying winter" : Eight treasures (Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa, Lycium barbarum, Peony, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, jujube, licorice), four ingredients (Angelica sinensis, Peony, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Rehmannia glutinosa), Lotus seeds, Coix seed, Yam, Poria cocos), and single ingredients (Ginseng, Angelica sinensis, Notoginseng, Eucommia ulmoides). Usage: Put the prepared Chinese herbs into a gauze bag (you can choose eight, four or a single ingredient according to your own condition), and put them in a large clay pot. Pour in clear water and let them soak for 30 minutes. After cleaning the poultry, pig's feet, pig's kidneys, eel, soft-shelled turtle, etc., and then put them in the clay pot to cook together with the herbs. Once the water boils, simmer over low heat until the effective components are fully absorbed into the soup and the cartilage in the meat becomes soft and tender. At this moment, the rich and mellow flavor of the medicinal soup will surely make your mouth water. From China.org.cn