Winter Solstice In TCM Practice

Winter Solstice | Seasonal Health Tips

Among the 24 solar terms, the four most important are the Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice, collectively known as the “Two Equinoxes and Two Solstices.” The most critical points are the Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice, as they mark the extremes of yin and yang in nature. The Winter Solstice is the day when the transition between yin and yang occurs. It is the first day of the "one-nine" period (the first of the nine-day phases of winter), after which yang energy gradually increases, and yin energy gradually diminishes. The days grow longer, and the nights grow shorter.

The Winter Solstice represents the peak of yin energy and the coldest time of the year. Cold is associated with contraction in nature, and during this season, all life activities naturally slow down and become more dormant.

Modern medicine believes that cold stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. This causes small arteries to constrict, increases peripheral vascular resistance, raises blood viscosity, shortens coagulation time, and slows blood flow. As a result, blood stasis and vascular blockages may occur, which can trigger cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including angina, heart attacks, and strokes.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long held that various external pathogenic factors, such as wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire, can invade the human body and cause illness. Among these, cold is considered the most damaging to the body's yang energy. So, how does TCM guide us in maintaining health during the Winter Solstice?

As the saying goes, "Supplements in winter lead to strength in spring," and "Nourish in the cold of winter to avoid illness next year." This reflects a general consensus that proper nourishment after the Winter Solstice plays a crucial role in maintaining health. The Winter Solstice is the day when yang energy begins to sprout, so the most important thing we can do is to support this emerging yang energy and help it grow.

During winter, supplementation is typically a combination of food and herbs. Common herbs for boosting yang energy include ginseng, deer antler, Astragalus, angelica, goji berries, and donkey-hide gelatin. Foods commonly used to nourish yang energy include lamb, beef, dog meat, walnuts, longan, and chestnuts. However, even though these foods and herbs are beneficial, they should not be consumed in excess over the long term. In modern, often warmer winter environments, overeating such foods can lead to symptoms of "excess heat," such as dry mouth, nosebleeds, and other signs of overstimulation. Therefore, it is recommended to balance them with cooling foods and herbs that nourish yin, such as yam, lotus seeds, lily, barley, pears, and lotus root, to maintain the balance of yin and yang, and to harmonize cold and heat.

In northern China, there is a custom of eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice, with the saying "Eating dumplings on Winter Solstice will keep your ears from freezing." The tradition dates back to the Han Dynasty, when the famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing returned to his hometown and saw people suffering from the cold. He prepared a medicinal soup with lamb, warming herbs, and dough shaped like ears, which he distributed to the people. This dish became known as "Ear-Warming Soup" (驱寒娇耳汤). Over time, it evolved into the custom of eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice, which is still practiced in northern China today.

According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, lamb is sweet and warm, and it "supplements deficiency, strengthens energy, invigorates the yang, opens the appetite, and promotes circulation."

So, if you'd like to enjoy dumplings on this day, lamb-filled dumplings are an excellent choice for nourishment. For those prone to excess heat, pairing them with cooling vegetables like winter melon, loofah, bitter melon, cucumber, pear, lotus root, or radish is a good idea.

In addition to eating, don’t forget about physical exercise during the Winter Solstice. As temperatures drop and the weather becomes colder, especially in the early mornings and evenings when the temperature may drop below freezing, it’s best for those who exercise regularly to wait until the sun is out before heading outdoors. Avoid exercising outdoors during bad weather conditions, such as fog, haze, strong winds, or snowstorms. Instead, you can do yoga, fitness routines, Eight Brocade, Five Animal Frolics, or Tai Chi at home to stay active. As the saying goes, "Soaking your feet in winter nourishes the kidneys and boosts vitality." Taking a comfortable foot bath before bed is an excellent way to relax both the body and mind.