The Health Preservation Chapter of Cold Dew in the 24 Solar Terms

Liu Tingting: Spring rain startles the clear valley of spring, summer is full of hustle and bustle, and summer heat connects. In autumn, the dew is cold and frost descends; in winter, snow falls and there are minor and major cold spells. These are the 24 solar terms summarized by the ancient Chinese working people through continuous practice. At first, they only noticed that in different climates, the height of the sun at the same time was also different. So they set up a bamboo pole on the ground and observed the changes in the length of the bamboo pole's shadow. They took the day with the shortest shadow at noon as the summer solstice and the day with the longest shadow as the Winter Solstice. Gradually, they also discovered that in spring and autumn, there is one day when the length of day and night is equal. It was then set as the Vernal Equinox and the Autumnal Equinox. Due to the long intervals between the two and two solar terms, which could not meet the needs of production, other solar terms were successively established. In the Qin Dynasty, the solar terms of Start of Spring, Rain Water, Start of Summer, Minor Heat, Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew and Frost's Descent were already established. By the Han Dynasty, all 24 solar terms had been determined and were exactly the same as the ones we have now. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, each of the 24 solar terms has its own focus on health preservation. Today marks the Cold Dew, the beginning of the season when heat and cold alternate. During this period, what should we pay attention to and which foods should we selectively consume to maintain our health? Autumn Health Preservation (Cold Dew) Cold Dew is the seventeenth of the 24 solar terms and falls on October 8th or 9th every year. Historical records state, "When the Dou points on the cold armor, it is called Cold Dew. At this time, the dew is so cold that it is about to condense, hence the name Cold Dew." The dew is cold and is about to condense. With the arrival of the Cold Dew, the climate changes from hot to cold. As the cold increases, all things gradually wither. This is a season when heat and cold alternate. In nature, the Yin and Yang energies start to transform, with Yang energy gradually fading and Yin energy gradually rising. Our physiological activities also need to adapt to the changes in nature to ensure the physiological (Yin and Yang) balance within the body. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes in the four-season health preservation that "Yang should be nourished in spring and summer, and Yin in autumn and winter." Therefore, during the autumn season, it is essential to pay attention to nourishing the Yang energy within the body. When the climate turns cold, it is the time when the body's Yang energy is retracted and Yin essence is hidden within. Therefore, the focus should be on nourishing Yin essence. That is to say, in autumn, health preservation cannot be separated from the principle of "nourishing and conserving". Since ancient times, autumn has been known as the golden autumn. The lung belongs to metal in the Five Elements theory, so the lung qi corresponds to the qi of the golden autumn. "During the golden autumn, dryness is dominant." At this time, the dryness pathogen is prone to invade the human body and consume the Yin essence of the lung. If not properly nourished, the human body will experience a series of autumn dryness symptoms such as dry throat, dry nose, and dry skin. Therefore, in late autumn, dietary adjustment should focus on nourishing Yin and moistening dryness (lungs). The ancients said, "In the dryness of autumn, it is advisable to eat hemp to moisten the dryness." At this time, one should consume more soft and moist foods such as sesame, glutinous rice, common rice, honey, and dairy products. At the same time, increase the intake of chicken, duck, beef, pork liver, fish, shrimp, jujubes, and yams to enhance physical fitness. Eat less spicy food, such as chili peppers, ginger, scallions and garlic, as excessive consumption of spicy food can harm the body's Yin essence. Mental care should not be overlooked either. As the climate gets colder, sunlight decreases, and the wind blows and leaves fall, it often causes a sense of desolation in some people's hearts, leading to unstable emotions and a tendency to be melancholy. Therefore, maintaining a good state of mind, adapting to the situation, venting pent-up emotions, and cultivating an optimistic and open-minded attitude are indispensable components of health preservation and care. In addition, when it gets cooler in autumn, People's Daily routines should also be adjusted accordingly. In my years of clinical practice, I have found that the number of patients with cerebral thrombosis increases as the weather gets colder. The reasons for this are related to the colder weather and the increased sleep time of people. This is because when people sleep, the blood flow slows down, making it easier for blood clots to form. The "Great Treatise on Regulating the Four Qi and the Spirit" clearly states: "In the third month of autumn, go to bed early and get up early, and rise with the rooster." Go to bed early to adapt to the storage of Yin essence. Getting up early is to follow the smooth flow of Yang energy. To prevent the formation of blood clots, I suggest that everyone follow the seasonal changes and take care of themselves at different times to ensure good health. Here we offer you a medicinal porridge for autumn, named "Hundred Jujubes, Lotus Seeds and Ginkgo Porridge". Ingredients: 30 grams of lily bulbs, 20 jujubes, 20 grams of lotus seeds, 15 ginkgo nuts, 100 grams of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Method: First, cook the lotus seeds for a short while, then add lily bulbs, jujubes, ginkgo nuts and glutinous rice and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and cook until the porridge thickens. Add rock sugar and simmer for a while. Functions: Nourishing Yin and moistening the lungs, strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach. From China.org.cn