Not afraid of the cold this winter
The "Greater Snow" solar term is approaching, meaning the weather will become even colder and drier. Now is a great time to nourish the body and build a strong foundation. This nourishment isn't just about eating nutritious supplements; it also involves adjusting one's mental state and daily routines to prevent illness before it occurs.
Many illnesses originate from cold, and traditional Chinese medicine believes that cold is the source of all diseases. Before nourishing the body, one should prevent cold and illness, and boost immunity. To enhance cold resistance, prepare 3 slices of astragalus, 5 longans, and 3 slices of ginger. Wash the ingredients and place them in a thermos, then add hot water and steep for 15 minutes before drinking.
Astragalus, sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature, acts on the spleen and lung meridians. It can invigorate qi and raise yang, strengthen the protective qi and consolidate the exterior, promote urination and reduce swelling, and promote tissue regeneration and wound healing. It enhances physical fitness and boosts immunity, especially benefiting those prone to colds and with weak constitutions. Longan, sweet in taste and warm in nature, acts on the heart and spleen meridians. It can benefit the heart and spleen, invigorate the appetite and strengthen the spleen, nourish blood and calm the spirit, replenish deficiency and improve intelligence, and strengthen yang and invigorate qi. Ginger, pungent in taste and warm in nature, acts on the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can warm the lungs and stop coughs, and induce sweating to release the exterior, treating common colds due to wind-cold, spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, or disharmony of stomach qi.
Cold weather can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, individuals with cardiovascular problems should pay extra attention to keeping warm. The legs are farthest from the heart and tend to get cold easily, yet they contain many important acupuncture points. Consider soaking your feet in warm water of about 40 degrees Celsius with some ginger slices in the evening. This helps promote blood circulation, improve cold hands and feet, and can help you sleep better by warming your whole body.
Many illnesses originate from cold, and traditional Chinese medicine believes that cold is the source of all diseases. Before nourishing the body, one should prevent cold and illness, and boost immunity. To enhance cold resistance, prepare 3 slices of astragalus, 5 longans, and 3 slices of ginger. Wash the ingredients and place them in a thermos, then add hot water and steep for 15 minutes before drinking.
Astragalus, sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature, acts on the spleen and lung meridians. It can invigorate qi and raise yang, strengthen the protective qi and consolidate the exterior, promote urination and reduce swelling, and promote tissue regeneration and wound healing. It enhances physical fitness and boosts immunity, especially benefiting those prone to colds and with weak constitutions. Longan, sweet in taste and warm in nature, acts on the heart and spleen meridians. It can benefit the heart and spleen, invigorate the appetite and strengthen the spleen, nourish blood and calm the spirit, replenish deficiency and improve intelligence, and strengthen yang and invigorate qi. Ginger, pungent in taste and warm in nature, acts on the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can warm the lungs and stop coughs, and induce sweating to release the exterior, treating common colds due to wind-cold, spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, or disharmony of stomach qi.
Cold weather can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, individuals with cardiovascular problems should pay extra attention to keeping warm. The legs are farthest from the heart and tend to get cold easily, yet they contain many important acupuncture points. Consider soaking your feet in warm water of about 40 degrees Celsius with some ginger slices in the evening. This helps promote blood circulation, improve cold hands and feet, and can help you sleep better by warming your whole body.