Cold Dew marks the fifth solar term of autumn, signifying the official start of late autumn. After Cold Dew, temperatures gradually drop, and more people catch colds. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes adapting health practices to the solar terms. During this period, the focus is on preventing cold pathogens from invading and enhancing the body's resistance to cold.
Practice "Finger Snapping Exercise" to Boost Yang Energy
Many people feel cold in winter and suffer from cold hands and feet. Mi Luo, President of the Chinese Health Yoga Association, suggests that practicing the "Finger Snapping Exercise" after Cold Dew can alleviate these symptoms.
The exercise is simple: at noon each day, use both thumbs to firmly snap the middle fingers outward, repeating this motion one hundred times.
Of course, you need not be limited to exactly one hundred snaps—the more, the better. Simply snap whenever you have time. The fingertips of the middle fingers are the starting point of the Pericardium Meridian, which acts as a protective barrier for the heart. After Cold Dew, this meridian becomes particularly active.Of course, you needn't limit yourself to exactly one hundred times—the more you do it, the better. Just snap whenever you have a moment. The fingertip of the middle finger marks the starting point of the Pericardium Meridian, which acts as a protective barrier for the heart. After Cold Dew, the body's qi and blood begin to flow through this meridian. Regularly snapping the middle finger promotes qi and blood circulation, enhancing the body's ability to ward off the cold. This makes you less prone to cold hands and feet and less sensitive to the chill.
Daily Foot Soaks to Nourish Kidney Qi
As temperatures drop after Cold Dew, some may experience frequent urination and fatigue. Wang Zemin, Chief Physician of Internal Medicine at the Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, explains that Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes these symptoms to insufficient kidney qi. Therefore, it's essential to regularly "boost" the kidneys by nourishing kidney qi.
Beyond drinking yang-restoring water upon waking, maintain a nightly ritual of soaking feet in warm water—enough to cover the ankles—for 15 to 30 minutes until the body feels slightly warm. Simultaneously rubbing the ears and waist until warm enhances the effect.
After the foot soak, perform kidney meridian massage. Sit on the bed with soles facing each other—the Yongquan points on both soles mark the kidney meridian's origin. Grasp the calf muscles with both hands, slowly applying outward pressure while massaging upward. Repeat until warmth spreads through the calves.
Additionally, the kidneys open into the ears, which contain dense reflex zones connected to every organ in the body. Therefore, regularly rubbing your ears morning and night is an excellent health practice.
Appropriate dietary supplementation is essential.
After Cold Dew, moderate nutritional support is advisable. We recommend a dish: Stewed Lamb with Yam and Carrot. This soup nourishes the body, strengthens the kidneys, and boosts vital energy. Those concerned about lamb causing internal heat may pair it with chrysanthemum tea, which clears heat, reduces inflammation, and moistens the lungs while tonifying the kidneys.
For those who dislike lamb, consider the Dazhui acupoint or consuming Five-Bean Porridge. This porridge combines millet with red, yellow, black, green, and broad beans, harmonizing the five internal organs, nourishing the stomach and intestines, and boosting immunity. To enhance the nourishing effects, gently tap the Zusanli acupoint (four finger-widths below the outer knee eye) during leisure time to improve spleen and stomach function.