The Minor Snow Health Preservation Chapter of the 24 Solar Terms

Liu Tingting Xiaoxue, as the name suggests, indicates the time and extent of snowfall. Snow is the product of cold weather. There was once a saying among the people: "In the tenth month, the Start of Winter and Minor snow fall. When a bucket points at oneself, the sky is already overcast, the cold is not deep, and the snow is not heavy, so it is called Minor Snow." By this time, the areas north of the Yellow River have entered the early winter when the north wind blows and snowflakes fall. At this time, the first snowfall will occur in the northern part of our country. Although the amount of snow is limited, it still indicates that it is the season to keep warm and protect against the cold. Around the Minor Snow solar term, the weather is often cold and gloomy, which can affect people's moods. Especially for those suffering from depression, their conditions are more likely to worsen. Therefore, during this solar term, I would like to focus on talking to friends with depression about how to learn to take care of themselves on days with less sunlight. From the perspective of etiology in traditional Chinese medicine, "Among all kinds of disasters, none exceed three." That is to say, the causes of diseases can be classified into three types: internal factors (injuries caused by excessive emotions), external factors (injuries caused by the invasion of the six external pathogenic factors), and non-internal and non-external factors (injuries from sexual intercourse, metal knives, falls and blows, and poisoning). The occurrence of depression is mostly caused by internal factors, namely the overreaction of the seven emotions. The seven emotions include changes in joy, anger, worry, pensiveness, sorrow, fear and shock. In daily life, people often experience changes in the seven emotions. These changes are different responses to objective external things, which are normal mental activities and also normal physiological phenomena of the human body. Generally, they do not cause illness. Only under sudden, intense or prolonged emotional stimulation can the normal physiology of the human body be affected, causing disorders in the functions of the internal organs and qi and blood, and leading to the occurrence of diseases, just as: "Anger harms the liver, joy harms the heart, overthinking harms the spleen, worry harms the lungs, and fear harms the kidneys." It is explained that a person's mental state reflects and embodies their mental and psychological activities, and the health of mental and psychological activities directly affects the occurrence and development of mental illness, and can also be said to be the key to the occurrence of mental illness. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine holds that the relationship between mental activities and depression is very close. It is not unreasonable to attribute the cause of depression to the seven emotions. Thus, regulating the spirit and maintaining health are particularly important for friends suffering from depression. The "Suwen: On the True Nature of Ancient Times" states: "When there is a false and evil wind, avoid it at the right time." When one is serene and empty, true qi follows, and the spirit is internally guarded, how could illness come? It is also stated in the "Suwen: The Theory of Vital Energy Reaching Heaven" that: "When one is calm and still, the flesh 腠 will be closed and resistant. Even if there are strong winds and harsh poisons, they cannot cause harm." The ancients explained from both internal and external perspectives that externally, one should adapt to the changes in nature and avoid the invasion of evil spirits. Internally, one should strictly adhere to emptiness and keep the mind calm. That is to say, with a pure mind and unrestrained emotions, one can keep the essence, energy and spirit within and prevent them from being lost, maintaining the physiological state of the unity of form and spirit in the human body. This is also the best illustration of the saying, "Those who are still live long, while those who are agitated die short." In addition, modern medical research has found that seasonal changes have a direct impact on patients with depression, as the 5-hydroxytryptamine system in the brain, which is related to the neurotransmitters associated with depression, is closely related to seasonal changes. In spring and summer, the 5-hydroxytryptophan system functions at its strongest, while in autumn and winter, it is at its weakest. When the duration of sunlight decreases, it leads to a deficiency of 5-hydroxytryptophan in the brains of patients with depression, followed by a series of symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, pessimism and world-weariness. From the perspectives of both Chinese and Western medicine, to avoid the adverse effects that winter may bring to friends with depression, I suggest that everyone take the initiative instead of being passive. You might as well use the method of regulating the mind with joy through the tube: "The life of a human being must be filled with joy. Worry leads to loss of discipline, anger leads to loss of propriety. Worry, sorrow, joy and anger, the way has no place." Adjust your mindset, stay optimistic, control your joy and anger, frequently participate in some outdoor activities to enhance your physical fitness, get more sun exposure to maintain the stability of serotonin in your brain, and listen to more music to let the beautiful melody add joy to your life. Wu Shang, a medical expert of the Qing Dynasty, once said, "For diseases caused by the seven emotions, watching flowers to relieve boredom and listening to music to dispel sorrows are better than taking medicine." In addition, dietary adjustment should not be overlooked. The medical giant Sun Simiao said in his "Thousand Gold Prescriptions - Food Therapy" : "Food can eliminate pathogenic factors, calm the internal organs, please the mind, and invigorate the will, thereby enriching qi and blood." Among the various foods, the most suitable diet for this season includes: Fruits: Bananas are the first choice (bananas contain substances that can help the human brain produce serotonin); Drink: Water Chestnut Soy Milk Drink (Extract the juice from 5 water chestnuts, mix it with 250 grams of soy milk and cook until done. Add an appropriate amount of sugar) Dish: Stir-fried Celery and Mushrooms (400 grams of celery, 50 grams of rehydrated mushrooms, stir-fried together with seasonings) Rose-baked Lamb Heart [Ingredients] 1 lamb heart, 6g saffron, 50g fresh rose or 15g sugar-free rose jam, salt to taste. [Method] Cut the lamb heart into slices and set aside. Mash fresh rose flowers to extract the juice, put it in a small clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water and saffron, and boil together. After boiling, reduce the heat and continue to simmer for 15 minutes to concentrate and set aside the juice. String the sheep hearts into skewers, dip them in rose and safflower juice, and roast them repeatedly over the fire until they are thoroughly cooked. Then they are ready to eat. [Functions] This product has the effect of tonifying the heart and relieving depression for those with insufficient heart blood, palpitations, restlessness, and depression. Note: This dish is suitable for pregnant women to consume. Sesame Rabbit: Wash the rabbit and bring it to a boil in boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove it. Stir-fry the black sesame seeds until fragrant and set aside. Put water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Add ginger, scallions, Sichuan pepper and salt. Then add the rabbit and cook until it is 60% done. Remove and discard the sauce. Pour the marinade back into the pot and bring it to a boil again. Add the rabbit and cook until done. Cut it into pieces and place it in a plate. Season with monosodium glutamate and sesame oil. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and it's ready to eat. The above-mentioned several products are not only suitable for friends with depression, but also for those who are weak after illness, constipated due to Yin deficiency, and coughing due to lung heat. From China.org.cn