Cold Dew is the seventeenth of the twenty-four solar terms. The cold dew is the node when the weather becomes cold, and the word “cold” indicates that the weather will transition from cool to cold.
When the Cold Dew falls, more drops of dew are formed and the temperature is getting even lower. In certain parts of China, there are frosts. North China takes on a late autumn look with white clouds, red leaves and occasional early frosts. South China embraces a similar autumn scene with cicada becoming silent and lotuses dying.
The ninth month of the lunar calendar, also known as the chrysanthemum month, is a good time to admire chrysanthemums. “At this time, it is also the crab-eating season when the crab paste is abundant and the crab meat is plump. In addition to eating steamed hairy crabs, people are also accustomed to making drunk crabs with rice wine, which has a unique flavor.
The weather turns cooler during the cold dew season. As traditional Chinese medicine says, “Nourish yang in spring and summer; nourish yin in autumn and winter.” Therefore, at this time, it is necessary to eat more foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as lotus root, sesame, walnut, lily and American ginseng. You can also eat more sour fruits and vegetables, such as pomegranate, tomato and dark plum, which can not only protect the lungs but also enhance liver function.
In addition, Shennong Materia Medica records that Ganoderma lucidum ”improves eyesight, nourishes liver qi and supplements lung qi”. In the golden autumn afternoon, you might as well make a cup of Ganoderma lucidum chrysanthemum tea to nourish and care for the body from the source.
You might also brew a cup of Ganoderma and ginseng solid beverage to replenish vitality.
Recommended Medicinal Diets:
Ganoderma lucidum tea with chrysanthemum and Goji berries
[Ingredients] 10g of organic Ganoderma lucidum slices, 3g of green tea, and an appropriate amount of chrysanthemum and Goji berries
[Directions] Put Ganoderma lucidum slices, green tea, chrysanthemum and Goji berries into a cup, add boiling water and brew for 2 minutes.
[Medicinal Diet Instructions] This tea tastes bitter with a sweet aftertaste and can soothe the liver, improve eyesight and relieve fatigue.
Mulberry Congee with Black Sesame
[Ingredients] 60g of black sesame, 60g of mulberries, 10g of sugar and 30g of rice
[Directions] Wash the black sesame, mulberry and rice separately, put them in a casserole, add three bowls of water, boil them and add sugar to taste.
[Medicinal Diet Instructions] Black sesame nourishes the kidneys, supplements essence-blood and moistens intestinal dryness. This congee has the effect of nourishing yin and moistening the intestines.
The cold dew is the period when respiratory diseases and digestive system diseases are frequent. We need to keep warm and preserve moisture. In particular, these 5 parts of the body should not catch cold.
1.Head
It is best to wear a hat when going out in autumn. The head is the place where all yang meridians meet. If the head is not kept warm, the yang qi will be lost. If the head and neck catch a cold, it is easy to cause either a cold with pulmonary symptoms or vasoconstriction of the neck, which is not conducive to the blood supply to the brain.
2. Shoulder
After the cold dew, the shoulders should not get cold. If the shoulder and neck get cold for a long time, it will induce cervical spondylosis or lung disease.
3. Abdomen
For women with stomach problems or uterine cold, in winter, they might as well wear a camisole or vest to protect their waist and abdomen against cold when they go out.
4.Joints
As an important weight-bearing joint in the human body, the knee joint is most afraid of cold. Especially in middle-aged people, the ability to generate heat decreases. If the knee joints feel cold, they can add a knee pad to themselves, or rub their hands to warm the joints.
5. Feet
When it comes to Chinese solar terms, here is the saying: Don’t expose your skin in the White Dew, and don’t expose your feet in the Cold Dew., which is to remind us that after the cold dew, we should pay special attention to keeping our feet warm. Soak your feet with hot water before going to bed every day so that the blood of the feet can be smooth and the invasion of cold can be prevented.
When the cold dew comes, the autumn chrysanthemum is fragrant. Remember to eat Ganoderma lucidum to moisten autumn dryness.
Source:
1)Health Times, “When the cold dew falls, don’t let the 5 parts of the body get cold at this time! Remember “Eight Ones””, 2021-10-07
2)Life Times, “In the solar term when the body is most afraid of “dryness”, learn a set of “moisturizing” health regimen during cold dew”, 2017-10-08
